Former president Benigno S. Aquino III. (AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Forty Masses across the country will be held to mark the 40th day of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s death, his younger cousin, former Senator Bam Aquino said Friday.
“We’re having 40 Masses all over the Philippines for PNoy on his 40th day,” Aquino told ANC.
Aquino passed away in his sleep due to renal disease secondary to diabetes last June 24. He was 61.
“Actually, August 2 ang 40th day ni PNoy but we are having the commemoration on August 1…August 1 also happens to be the death anniversary of Tita Cory (former President Corazon Aquino). The 12th anniversary of Tita Cory,” the younger Aquino added.
‘Kayo ang boss ko’
The late president’s famous tagline “Kayo ang boss ko” will be the theme for Aquino’s 40th day, his cousin added.
“Because napaka-refreshing na may isang pinuno, pangulo na nagsasabing ang taumbayan ang ‘boss ko.’ ‘Ang taumbayan ang nasa ibabaw ko. nandito ako para magsilbi para sa bayan.’ It’s so refreshing,” he added.
“Six years after he stepped down kasi parang ibang iba talaga ang sitwasyon ngayon,” the former senator further said.
Throughout the day, Masses will be held across the country, most of which will only be streamed online in areas with restrictions, according to Aquino.
“A lot of them will be online because they might be areas na may mga restriction, but in areas na walang restriction, they’ll probably have physical mass but following the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) guidelines,” he added.
At 5 p.m., Aquino said an online Mass will be held.
Those who want to join can proceed to the “Kaya Natin” Facebook page to watch the Mass, he said.
“It’s going to be online. Because of the Delta variant, we are skipping physical Mass sa [in] NCR (National Capital Region),” he said.
Vice President Leni Robredo will be giving a message after the Mass. A candle-lighting ceremony will be held afterward.