SUPPORTERS of President Benigno Aquino III urged him to stay loyal to democratic practices his mother helped restore and to honor her by serving the people honestly.
Several churches in Cebu included the late president Corazon Aquino in their prayers yesterday, the first anniversary of her death.
Alejandro Tangaro, 50, who attended mass in the Theotokos Diocesan Shrine in Perelos, Carcar, said he still believes the son bears the same “magic” as his famous mother.
“I believe P-Noy can bring the country out of the rut it is in,” said Tangaro.
Donnamae Seno, 23, who also attended mass in the shrine yesterday morning, said that while she did not vote for Aquino in the last elections, she believes the new president will share the same principles as his mother.
“Bisag wala ko nibotar niya sa niaging eleksyon (Even for those of us who did not vote for him), we have to think positive that he would create change within the country pareha sa iyang inahan (like his mother did),” said Seno.
Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Cebu Archdiocese, said Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal did not have to send a circular to all parishes to honor the
late president.
Majority of priests in Cebu included prayers for Cory in their masses yesterday.
In the Theotokos shrine, Msgr. Binghay included the late president in the “prayers of the faithful,” as a gesture of remembrance.
“Kadaghanan, sa akong na-obserbahan, mu-acceptar gihapon ni Cory sa ilang kasing-kasing (Majority, I’ve observed, accept Cory in their hearts),” said Binghay.
A year after her death, which drew thousands during the wake and funeral procession, Cory’s memory remains unique, he said.
“Cory still has a bit of magic with the Filipinos,” said the monsignor.
While her son cannot be expected to follow everything his mother did, considering the different challenges they face, Binghay urged the new president to use his mother’s memory to motivate him to keep serving the people.
“He should not give dishonor to his mother’s memory,” said Binghay. (JKV)