President Aquino’s aunt follows uncle in death

President Aquino’s family has suffered two deaths in one week.

Josephine Cojuangco-Reyes, the President’s aunt and eldest sister of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, died on Tuesday shortly after collapsing during the funeral service for her elder brother Pedro who died barely a week ago. She was 83.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Mr. Aquino was at the funeral service for his uncle at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City, when his aunt collapsed while she was delivering a eulogy.

Lacierda said she was rushed to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City where she later died.

Mr. Aquino learned of his aunt’s death at noon on Tuesday, according to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

Abad, who was having lunch with the President, said it was Mr. Aquino’s eldest sister, Ballsy who told him the news.

He said the President was very sad about what happened.

Josephine was the second of six children of Jose Cojuangco Sr. and Demetria Sumulong.

In birth, Josephine was preceded by Pedro and followed by Teresita Lopa, now also deceased, Cory, Jose “Peping” Jr. and Maria Paz Teopaco.

She was married to Dr. Nicanor Reyes Jr., son of Far Eastern University founder Nicanor Reyes Sr. Her husband was the sixth president of FEU.

After her husband’s death, Josephine became FEU president from 1985 to 1989. She later served as chair of the board of trustees of FEU.

She took undergraduate studies at Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York and earned her master’s degree in Education and School Administration at Columbia University in New York.

She served as vice president, treasurer and director of Central Azucarera de Tarlac, and as chair of the company’s nomination committee. She was also president of Luisita Realty Corp.

She was an incorporator of Hacienda Luisita Inc. in 1988, along with her siblings. With Inquirer Research