Edgardo J. Angara laid to rest in Baler, his hometown, in Aurora

Relatives, friends, Sigma Rho fraternity brothers, former Senate colleagues (Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, JV Ejercito, Richard Gordon), and at least a thousand local residents paid their last respects to former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara as they laid him to rest on the morning of Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in Barangay Reserva, Baler, Aurora. The former lawmaker, author of many landmark laws in education, health, and the senior citizens sector, passed away last May 13 in his Tagaytay residence at the age of 83. Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the son and namesake of the elder Angara, vowed to build on and continue the legacy of his father. (Photo from the Office of Sen. Sonny Angara)

Former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara was laid to rest Tuesday morning in his hometown of Baler, Aurora.

The Angara family – led by the late former senator’s wife, Gloria Manalang Angara, and son Sen. Sonny Angara – was joined by friends, Sigma Rho fraternity brothers, and at least a thousand Aurora residents.

Angara’s former colleagues at the Senate – namely Senators Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, JV Ejercito and Richard Gordon – also paid their last respects to the former Senate president.

Angara passed away on May 13 in Tagaytay City at the age of 83.

He was widely regarded as a champion of education and social welfare, having authored and passed landmark laws on public education, senior citizen’s welfare and public health.

Last week, Angara’s remains were taken home to the Senate, where incumbent senators extolled his contributions to nation building.

His remains were also taken to the University of the Philippine in Diliman, Quezon City. He he served as UP president from 1981 to 1987. /atm