|
Thursday, December 23, 2004
House Speaker's daughter laid to rest
MANILA -- The 16-year-old daughter of House Speaker Jose de Venecia was laid to rest Wednesday.
President Arroyo Wednesday led mourners in paying their last respects to Kristina Casimira "KC" de Venecia during a funeral mass at the Sanctuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati City before the urn containing KC's ashes were interred at the church crypt.
KC suffocated to death in a fire that hit the de Venecia residence in Dasmariñas Village in Makati City.
Her body was cremated hours after the blaze.
Arroyo wept, the first time she did so in public, during communion rites of the mass.
She was comforted by the House Speaker.
Arroyo was accompanied by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and their sons Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel and Diosdado Ignacio.
Also present were former President Corazon Aquino and her daughter-actress Kris, Vice President Noli de Castro, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Senate President Franklin Drilon and wife Mila, and US ambassador to Manila Francis Ricciardone.
Representatives Roilo Golez (Parañaque), Jaime Lopez (Manila), Lorenzo Tañada III (Quezon), Hussin Amin (Sulu) and Benasing Macarambong (Lanao del Sur), and Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson also attended the funeral mass.
Arroyo was seated beside KC's brother Christopher and grandmother Azucena Perez during the mass.
The funeral mass was concelebrated by Bishop Antonio Tobias, Monsignor Augusto Laban, Monsignor Jaime Boquiren and Fr. Antonio Rosales.
The President also witnessed the flying of butterflies and balloons after the service.
The mourners wore pastel-colored clothes, as requested by the de Venecias, "in celebration of the life of KC."
KC was described as a lively spirit by the family in their eulogies delivered during the mass. (JMR/Sunnex Luzon)
(December 23, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Poe buried at daybreak; justice chief bares plot