Farewell Mother of Philippine Democracy

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was laid to rest yesterday, August 5, 2009, next to her assassinated husband, after a funeral procession joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who hailed her as an exemplar of moral leadership.

The procession went from the Manila Cathedral on a 14-mile (22-kilometer) route jammed with Filipinos dressed in yellow — the signature color of the 1986 pro-democracy uprising led by Aquino that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Many in the crowds flashed the "L" sign for "laban," or fight, in Filipino — an anti-dictatorship slogan — and chanted "Cory."

Aquino was buried yesterday evening inside a simple white-painted tomb next to her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the opposition leader whose mantle she reluctantly took on after his 1983 assassination when he returned from exile in the U.S. to run against Marcos.

Despite a patchy record during her six years in office as the 11th president of the Philippines, she remained a beloved figure. She died on Saturday, August 1, 2009, after a year-long battle with colon cancer. Her passing prompted an immense outpouring of grief.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission — the restoration of democracy — had been completed.