2009-08-04 inside Manila Cathedral for Tita Cory's Wake

It was 7:20pm when we got inside Manila Cathedral. My officemates and
I thought that when we got inside, we'd just line up to pay our last
respects for Tita Cory and be out again in 15 minutes. But we were
blocked and told that public viewing was on the opposite side. Those
inside had to hear the 8pm mass. We were so near and yet so far from
Tita Cory.

For the meantime, we had to contain our hunger.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal officiated the mass.

Ordinary and popular people, young and old, private employees and
public servants, students and working people, or simply, people from
all walks of life mingled in that mass, and in the queues inside and
outside the church.

After the mass, Bayan Ko was sung and people showed the Laban sign.

Kris Aquino-Yap's son Joshua generated people's interest.

Former Secretary Cesar Purisima managed the queue of those who attended mass.

Picture taking was not allowed once you crossed the line going to Tita Cory.

I found it funny that when we got out of the cathedral, some children
were saying congratulations, thank yous and giving out food (siopao,
boiled egg, banana) and water.

On our way out of Intramuros, we saw how long still the queues were.
We passed a long queue from Palacio del Governador going to PLM,
turning at DOLE. We believe that it will go straight ahead and turn
back to Manila Cathedral.

It has been raining hard and I feel so sorry for the children and
senior citizens still lining up to get a last glimpse of Tita Cory.

No wonder that the children giving out food were also saying congratulations.