“A good fruit has fallen to the ground. And that fruit will spring new seeds. The least we can do is to make the soil fertile.” – lawyer Juanito Amihan, former councilor of Bacolod.

“Mother of People Power, pray for the Philippines.” – Renato and Marilou Abrigo.

“Dear Lola Cory, May God receive you in his loving embrace.  Love,” Chelsea Corrine Ramos, 8, of St. Scholastica’s Academy.

These are among the messages of love and sympathy poured out by Bacoleños for the late president Corazon Aquino in the Book of Condolences provided by the Bacolod City government at the lobby of the new government center.

Others quoted verses from the bible, while Jose Salgado wrote “I came all the way from New York for Cory.”

“Tita Cory, our President, Thank you for accepting the challenge to become our president. It was a leap of faith…faith that stoned Goliath to death. Your faith made every Filipino realize that there is still hope for a better nation. Up to now we still dream of a better country. Thank you for your life, as you have touched our lives too.” – Anthony Derayunan.

“You are an epitome of a great leader! The country will surely miss you!” – Analia and Richard King.

“Ako mismo (I, too, am) proud to be an Edsa baby.” – Ma. Estephanie Maido.

“The legacy you have for the Filipino people will never be forgotten. I am proud to be a Filipino. Thank you very much.” – Randy King.

Manila businessman/inventor Bernie Pacheco, who was in Bacolod yesterday to promote his invention F2020, a fuel enhancer, said “Cory is very near to my heart and I believe in her advocacy and what she did for the country was truly great.”

She will keep a very good legacy in the Philippines and he really admires her for what she has done, he said.

Pacheco said he and his wife, Ana, are the pastoral head of a prayer community in the Heart of Jesus of Mary.

They are the prayer group occupying the Edsa Shrine Church where they hold their weekly service to God and had been a lot of times with Aquino who is a member of the Marian organization together with his wife.

Since last week his wife was always with Aquino’s family, he added.

“I am sad that I was not able to be with her during her final days but I always pray for her and I know she will go to heaven,” Pacheco said.

Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said he really admires the courage of Aquino considering that she was able to restore democracy at that time and there was a peaceful transition of power.

Councilor Homer Bais said, “In her death, the people were once again reminded of how we gained our freedom when Aquino was in power. I hope her death will continue to remind us of the real essence of service to the people.”

“Aquino is considered the most effective president the country ever had since she had not been involved in any issue of graft and corruption,” Councilor Greg Gasataya said. “She is a big loss to the Filipino people and her demise has shown that she can still unite them,” he added.

Councilor Roberto Rojas said the younger generation were surprised to learn that Aquino had contributed to the sugar industry in Negros. “We will never forget her and the things she has done for the Filipino people,” he said.

A wide screen was provided by SM City Bacolod at the Event Centre and the Bacolod City government at the Bays Center for the public to view the live coverage of Aquino’s funeral yesterday.

Meanwhile, text messages being circulated in Bacolod yesterday said “Listening to the necro of Cory was like going through a spiritual retreat. Let’s pray that God will give us sincere, honest and faithful leaders through whom God will be glorified in the forthcoming election. Let us use this spirit of oneness and patriotism revived by her life and death to inspire us all to move and never again accept anything and anyone who will threaten the freedom we had won.”*CGS

back to top