Aquino visits parents’ tomb

President Benigno Aquino III makes the sign of the cross during his visits to his parents grave to commemorate All Saint’s Day with his sisters, brother and law and nephews.INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino’s visit to his parents’ tomb on Friday afternoon was hardly a quiet or intimate affair.

The President caught up with the All Souls’ Day rush by making a brief visit to the Ninoy-Cory Aquino tomb at the Parañaque Manila Memorial Park late Friday afternoon.

But hours before Aquino arrived, the Presidential Security Group and crowds of curious onlookers had already surrounded the cordoned tomb that was bedecked with yellow and white flowers and candles as early as Wednesday.

The crowd pushed toward the tomb when the President’s convoy arrived at around 5:30 p.m.

Onlookers broke out in excited chatter, most craning their necks, when Aquino, wearing a black polo shirt, finally approached the tomb.

Accompanied by his older sisters and other family members, The President spent a good 10 minutes sitting and standing solemnly in front of the tomb of his parents, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

Some of the onlookers were overheard uttering a disappointed: “Wala si Kris?” referring to Aquino’s celebrity sister.

After a few minutes of silence, Aquino started to approach the crowd, drawing cheers and calls of “Mr. President!”

He reciprocated by cheerfully giving out yellow baller bracelets and gamely taking pictures with people nearest to the cordon.

Aquino and his family left at around 6 p.m. Some onlookers stayed on at the area gawking at television cameras and taking photos of themselves and the tomb.