Mass for Ninoy Aquino Jr., Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University
My mom insisted that we go to mass at the Church of the Gesu last Sunday. All she knew though was that it was a tribute mass for Ninoy Aquino Jr., the martyred Filipino that sparked the non-violent success that was the EDSA Revolution. I did not even know there was a mass for Ninoy. You can just imagine how awkward it felt for me to turn up wearing yellow while the rest of my family wasn’t wearing anything yellow at all. We seriously didn’t even know that Cory Aquino, her family, supporters and other politicians would be there as well.
The mass was a very solemn and simple one. There were no political undertones despite the fact that a lot of those in attendance that were connected or were formerly connected to the government were detractors of the current president. There were no grandstanding policitians. It was really just a mass for Ninoy, what he stood for in his life, during his incarceration, during his political career and what he died for when he finally came back home after a long exile.
The main celebrant was Fr. Magadia S.J., the head of the Jesuits here in the Philippines while those flanking him were Fr. Arevallo S.J. and the President of the Ateneo de Manila University, Fr. Ben Nebres S.J.
At the end, there was a tribute to Ninoy by Teddy Locsin Jr. and Noynoy Aquino as well as performances from the Dulaang Sibol Choir and the Ateneo Glee Club/Chamber of Singers (I can’t remember what exactly they were called).
There was also a gift given to Cory Aquino: a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady had a great significane to Ninoy’s life and this was the reason why on the 25th year of the commemoration of his death, this was the gift given by the Jesuits to Cory Aquino.
Cory Aquino, up and about and still able to face the media.
It was nice seeing Cory up and about. She’s been going through chemotherapy treatments and she did look thinner than her usual self that we were familiar with before the cancer was publicly known but it’s good to see that she’s not on a wheel chair, not walking around with a stick or need someone to assist her. She’s fine and she is still able to face the flashing lights and the crowding media.
All in all, it was a nice solemn mass to attend and I’m glad my mum insisted that we go to Gesu for Sunday mass.
Filed under: Ramblings | Tagged: Ateneo de Manila, Church of the Gesu, Cory Aquino, EDSA Revolution, Fr. Arevallo, Fr. Magadia, Fr. Nebres, Mass, Ninoy Aquino Jr.
I bought my Nikkor 80-200mm at the ground floor of Landmark facing greenbelt. I just wonder if they are still there. That was … he! he!he! in the early 90s he!he!he!
I have point-and-shoot Lumix with Leica lens. I’m not satisfied with the shot. I want a camera that takes picture without digitally tweaking.
SLR Dgitals are still in infancy stage. The moment the price drops a newer one comes along that makes you droll ….
So I lug along my F3HP 24mm, 105mm, 80-200mm and teleconverter with my digital camera.