MY VISIT TO THE TOMB OF NATIONAL HEROES - PRES. CORY AQUINO AND SEN. NINOY AQUINO

Fr. Abe flashes the Laban sign at the Tomb of the Conjugal Heroes: Ninoy and Cory Aquino

Last Saturday afternoon I finally got the chance to pay my respect before the Tomb of Tita Cory and Sen. Ninoy Aquino inside the Manila Memorial Park. I've been longing for this since the death of Tita Cory because due to our situation in the school we were not able to attend the wake and burial of the late President Cory.

The Aquino Mauseleum from afar

I consider it a sacred duty as Filipino to honor the Two Greatest Contemporary Filipino Heroes of our nation. That is why even though Paranaque is quite far from Bulacan and the rain pour that day, my sister and I were determine to push through with the plan. Indeed, I don't want to postpone the visit; I owe it to Tita Cory.

People from all walks of life still visit the Tomb

When we reached the famed Manila Memorial Park we were delighted to see the stalls outside its gate blooming with T-Shirts, pins, key chains and other materials bearing the faces or messages of Pres. Cory, Sen. Ninoy and their only son Sen. Noynoy Aquino. We immediately got some and also a small basket of yellow flowers for the two heroes.

We miss you so

The Aquino Mauseleum is quite far from the gate of the Memorial Park but it was easy to find. And when we finally see the top of the Mauseleum we were surprised to see several groups of people staying around it in silent veneration while others were praying in front of it while others were enjoying taking shots of the famous Tomb to be shown to their friends and relatives.

Poor people on their slippers and well to do people with cars were arriving to pay their respect in unbroken chain of visitors

I was walking faster than my sister who had to ensure that my niece would not be exposed to rain drops to avoid getting sick so I arrived in front of the Tomb ahed of them. When people saw me there were whispers of 'Ay, he is a priest.' So the group in front gave way so that I was free to be right in front of the Tomb. I whispered back: Thank you and in front of the remains of the Natioal Heroes, I knelt in prayer and kissed the two head parts of the Tomb to honor and to venerate.

Flowers never dry up. They are always fresh and shiningly yellow... the color of the Yellow Revolution.

It is a great opportunity and experience. The tomb of Rizal is now well guarded and for sure later on the remains of these two Heroes could be guarded already or be transferred to a safer Monument appropriate for their greatness. Thus, it is a great privileged for me to have touched and kissed their Tomb while it is still open, very open to the public.

There are people who stays and enjoys the serenity of the hallowed ground

I prayed for the repose of the souls of the two Heroes but since both of them died a very holy death [Sen. Ninoy died ready for his fate. He died with a Rosary on his hand.], I also asked them to intercede for our nation. To lead us to peace, justice and prosperity as well us help us preserving the legacy of freedom and democracy that they have won for us.

Despite the fact that every body observe silence by praying before the tomb after some minutes the visitors open their cameras and joyfully take pictures of the Sacred Tomb of Heroes. Then when I stood up. I saw the people around smiling and greeting and they were asking me questions in moderate sound: Taga saan po sila? Where are you assigned? etc. I answered them and explained the reason for my visit. I also told them that the late President and Senator are very dear to me as heroes of my youth. They also related their love and affection of the late President and her husband.

People from various places of the country who visit the Tomb feel as if they are one family with another. There is natural affinity and each speaks highly of the two heroes coming from the heart.

My elder sister was also engaged into dialogue by the ladies. It was a nice experience because every body made each other feel as if family. Even in death, the heroes are uniting people and reminding us of the greatness of who and what we are. They are inspiring in life and much more in death.

Young people who came to visit were delighted when I told them that I will post these pics in the Internet. So the smile and the sudden pose.

The Mauseleum is very small and simple and simplier still the Tomb which is just a rectangular box of cement with two lapidas of marble bearing the names of the Heroes. It reflects the kenosis experienced by the Senator during his imprisonment and Tita Cory's legendary simplicity and humility.

I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. I WILL FOREVER TREASURE YOUR LEGACY AND MEMORY. I WILL RELAY IT TO MY FLOCK AND TO THE STUDENTS UNDER MY CARE. AND, I WILL ALWAYS PROTECT THE DEMOCRACY THAT YOU HAVE WON FOR US.

GOD BLESS YOU BOTH AND PLEASE PRAY FOR US BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY!

I fell in love with the same couple a thousand times since I was in High School

I transferred to the other side because Sen. Ninoy might be offended since I was always on Tita Cory's side.

My elder sister and my niece came ready for the rainy day. She removed her jacket to show her Cory T-Shirt.

My childhood friend and neighbor Bobby Agustin. He personally requested me not to forget posting his picture here so that his siblings working abroad could see him. Hello, Liezl and Jon Jon...

My sister and I together with my niece