Fr Jett Villarin says mass here in a full, physically distanced, Church of the Gesù. Fr Villarin shares his last conversations with PNoy which was about the latter's medical operations. @rapplerdotcom
Fr Jett shares they used to ask former Deped Sec Bro Armin Luistro why he would serve PNoy's cabinet. Luistro said PNoy would always ask how their decision would affect the poor. Fr Jett says, citing Bro Armin: "kung yan ang tanong ng pinuno, paano kang hindi maglilingkod?"
Fr Jett says PNoy's last text to him was about how broken hearts are hard to endure but with their grade school hamburger, there's hope. Fr Jett: Noy alam ko sa langit gutom ka pa rin at broken hearted ka pa rin para sa amin.
Musicians Moira dela Torre and Jason Hernandez; couple Angel Locsin and Neil Arce are seen inside the Church of the Gesù
Abp Soc Villegas will preside mass at the Church of the Gesu tomorrow, Saturday, 10am, before going to the Manila Memorial Park. Those who want to pay their last respects are asked to observe physical distancing as the convoy passes through C5 to SLEX.
The line is briefly held as mass is ongoing. Public viewing will resume in a while until 8pm for a mass c/o PNoy's cabinet members.
Moira is singing her song "Paubaya," but which she rewrote for PNoy.
Jaya will sing a song that Kris says was PNoy's favorite, and which the former president spent 3 hours researching.
The song that Jaya will sing is Minsan ang minahal ay ako, originally by Celeste Legaspi.
Kris says PNoy loved this Celeste Legaspi song so much, that he listened to it again and again. The lyrics goes: "Ano na lang yung isang sandali na makatikim ng pagmamahal? Matapos ang luhang ipinagpalit?"
Kris: It was his favorite song, and it speaks so much about him - 'ano man lang ang konting pasakit kung katumbas ang pagmamahal.' Now we understand, that there was a time you all had chosen and gave him the greatest honor anybody could be given.
Moira will sing Paubaya again, which she rewrote in 10 minutes to fit PNoy. Moira will sing it again because Kris wanted the lyrics to be flashed on the screen.
Paubaya lyrics now go: Saan nagkulang ang aming pagmamahal, lahat ay binigay mapangiti ka lang? Bakit di ko nakitang nahihirapan ka na? Kami ang kasama, pero kailangan mo na siya.
There will be another short musical program tomorrow at the 10am mass. Kris doesn't say who will be singing and says "maybe I shouldn't say so you will look forward to it."
Kris: I would like to apologize sa mga taga Tarlac dahil hindi namin siya nadala. I will be there on Tuesday dahil alam kong may hinanda kayo para sa kanya.
Kris in tears: Pnoy was a true blooded Atenista. Now I understand why. Kahit nag away kayo sa RH, you were truly there for him when it truly mattered.
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The tributes by the former Aquino cabinet follows a casual program. As they speak, the public is allowed to view. Speaking now is former ES Jojo Ochoa. He's the first to speak, recalling light moments in the Cabinet. @rapplerdotcom
Ochoa says Noynoy's "punching bags" were his classmates, among them Sec Rene Almendras, the absorber of Pnoy's frustration toward the Cabinet. Ochoa jokes: Kayong apat, congrats, retired na kayo.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has arrived. He's currently talking to the Aquino sisters as the former Cabinet pays their tributes.
Fr Bert Alejo presides over the 8pm mass here at the Church of the Gesù; it's a mass courtesy of PNoy's cabinet members. Ex DOTC Sec Jun Abaya was first reading, Justice Ben Caguioa (ex SOJ) was responsorial psalm. @rapplerdotcom
Fr Alejo says he saw PNoy at a mass for Senator De Lima, and says De Lima is an example of how the present government treats people.
Fr Alejo is one of the two priests on trial for conspiracy to commit sedition over the Bikoy videos. Fr Alejo says "PNoy's death comes at the wake of a new political era."
A solemn noon for PNoy at the Church of Gesù at the Ateneo where mourners are still lining up for today's public viewing until 10pm @rapplerdotcom
Funeral wreaths from DND, Court of Appeals, RTVM, Senators Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa and former Sen Jinggoy Estrada are among the few wreaths by the side of the Church of Gesù
A common thread of stories here among friends is that they knew to some extent PNoy was sick, but they didn't expect for him to die so soon. His cabinet knew but was still surprised, says Senator Kiko Pangilinan
LOOK: The urn of former president Noynoy Aquino at The Heritage Park. @rapplerdotcom
Still no final detail from the family if the public will be allowed to visit. Urn will be in Ateneo tomorrow.
Kris Aquino: "Ganun ka simple, sana maintindihan ninyo, we did not think it would happen this soon, and we are just trying our best na hindi magkaroon ng superspreader"
Aquino: Hindi namin pinagdadamot sa mga tao dahil alam naman marami ang nagmahal at sumuporta kay Noy...Thank you sa honor guard na pinadala ngayon pero nirerespeto namin na nandito pa rin tayo sa gitna ng isang pandemya. We would have wanted so much more for our brother.
White flowers and book of condolences at the reception of The Chapels at the Heritage Park for former president Aquino. Among visitors have been Justice Ben Caguioa and Samira Gutoc @rapplerdotcom
Visitors go straight to the chapel where they are staying until now. Once or twice, former Palace Usec Abi Valte will go out to assist them, like this with former House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte. Ex DOH Sec and now Rep Janette Garin also inside
Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta, PNoy's cousin, says although the family has known of the former president's illness, the death also seems so sudden. Oreta recalls moments where PNoy would train him in Karate
SC Justice Ben Caguioa, Aquino's former justice secretary and presidential legal counsel, says of PNoy: "If there is anything I will remember President Noy for, it was his immense respect for the Law. He believed in and lived by the Rule of Law." @rapplerdotcom
Justice Caguioa: This is why he always said that if we really believed in democracy, then we have to be patient with democracy - to stand by democracy amidst all the noise and dissent it invites and engenders.
Caguioa: That was his integrity -- to stand by democracy and uphold the law that guarantees freedom. I am very honored to have worked for and with him in his Quixotic quest. I am deeply humbled to have been regarded by Noy as his friend.