Sabi nila controlled ng media sa UAE, hindi pinapakita ang mga pangit na nangyayari dito. Subalit bakit sa mga nakaraang araw, halos araw araw ay puro patayan ang laman ng dyaryo? Maitatanong mo tuloy sa sarili mo kung safe pa ba ang dubai para mga Pinoy na nagtratrabaho dito? Ang mga krimen na patayan isama mo pa ang malulubhang aksidente sa ng mga sasakyan sa lansangan at talaga naman nakapagdudulot ng kaba sa mga taong nakatira ang nag tratrabaho sa Dubai. Ang sinasabi ng bansang UAE, safe na place and dubai, mababa ang crime rate pero ito ba ay katotohanan hanggang sa kasalukuyan? O isa lamang kathang isip na pilit ipinapasok sa utak ng mga tao noon, ngayon at sa mga dadating pang araw.
These are the protocols observed when a former president of the Philippines passes away.Presidential proclamationThe incumbent president issues an official announcement declaring a period of national mourning for the death of a former president.During this period, Philippine flags in all buildings and places where these are displayed will be flown at half mast for 10 days.A book of condolences is routed to different embassies to be signed by ambassadors/foreign dignitaries.Lying in stateThe Heroes' Hall in Malacañang Palace may serve as a venue where the remains of former presidents may lie in state.Casket transfer and funeral processionThe remains are transferred to a caisson/hearse or a funeral car for movement to a church and to the Libingan ng mga Bayani or to any memorial park chosen by the bereaved. By virtue of AFP Regulation 161-375 (Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the Libingan ng mga Bayani), the remains of a former president can be interred at said national cemetery.The main funeral procession follows this order:
Escort Commander (with Ex-0 and Guidon Bearer as appropriate)
Colors
Band
Funeral elements
Honorary pallbearers (if riding in cars)
Clergy
Caisson or hearse and honorary pallbearers (if walking)
Active pallbearers
Personal colors (if appropriate)
Family
Friends and patriotic or fraternal organizationThe Philippine flag may be draped over the casket of the deceased as a past commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).The flag’s white triangle shall be at the head and the blue portion covers the right side of the casket.State funeral and full military honorsAs a past AFP commander-in-chief, a former head of state is afforded full military honors during a state burial.Events at the state funeral depend on whether a religious service is included or not. The AFP follows either of the two types of service (Lifted from AFP Funeral Honors Procedures):Chapel service is followed by a movement to the grave or place of local disposition with the prescribed funeral honors. This follows the standard sequence of events stated below:
Before the service begins, the funeral escort is formed in line facing the chapel. The band forms on the flank of the funeral escort and faces toward where it will be marched.
Members of the immediate family, relatives, and friends of the deceased are requested to enter the chapel and be seated before the casket is brought in the chapel. They must occupy the front-most pews/seats to the right of the chapel.
The hearse bearing the remains should arrive in front of the chapel a few moments before the time set for the service. As the hearse approaches, appropriate military honors shall be rendered in front of the chapel. After which, the casket shall be entered to the chapel for the religious service.
After the religious/chapel service and upon exit of the casket from the chapel, the funeral escort and band shall repeat the procedure as prescribed when entering the chapel. Cortege follows and formed in the previously mentioned order.
The procession marches slowly to solemn music (cadence of 100 beats per minute). The band plays appropriate music throughout the march. When the escort is in the vicinity of the grave, it resumes a slow cadence to solemn music.
As the procession approaches the grave, the marching elements move directly to their pre-designated positions. The band and military escort are formed in line within view of the next of kin. The other marching elements are halted as near as practicable to the grave. The firing party is positioned so that it fires over the grave and also within the view of the relatives and loved ones of the deceased.
Before the hearse is halted, the honorary pallbearers are formed in two ranks; the most senior closest to the hearse, forming an aisle extending from the hearse toward the grave. When the gravesite is too near to the road to permit this formation, the pallbearers take their position around the gravesite before the casket is removed from the hearse.
Just before moving the casket over the gravesite, appropriate honors is rendered immediately followed by last viewing and benediction from the clergy. The Philippine flag on the casket shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of the deceased. When the casket is about to be lowered to the grave for burial, 21-gun salute is rendered and taps is played by the drummer and bugler.Grave service. For a funeral without chapel service, all elements of a military funeral must be present. If troops are not conveniently available or if the family desires to eliminate other elements, however, the following shall be used and shall be at the gravesite before the arrival of the remains:
Clergy
Officer in Charge (appropriate to the rank of the deceased)
Active pallbearers
Firing party
Drummer and Bugler
Personal color bearer (if applicable)
Across the globe, Filipinos are mourning the death of former President Corazon Aquino and Philippine mission offices in several countries have opened books of condolences for the Aquino family. In the United States, deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said Filipino communities visited by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the weekend were saddened at the news.“Malungkot na malungkot. (We were all very sad.) We all paused in silence for prayer, we offered a prayer for the late president," Fajardo said in an interview on dzBB radio early Sunday.The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday announced that books of condolences would be opened at all Philippine Embassies and Consulates.In a statement on its Web site, the DFA said the gesture would allow foreign friends and Filipinos overseas to pay their last respects to President Aquino, who died early Saturday after battling colon cancer for more than a year. The DFA will receive message of condolences from members of the Diplomatic Corps in Manila while the Philippine flag at the DFA grounds will be flown at half-mast during the 10-day period of national mourning, which was announced by President Arroyo on Saturday.“With her profound love for country and her deep faith, President Aquino carried the torch of democracy for the Filipino People. Through her relentless efforts, the light of Philippine democracy continues to shine to this day and inspire other nations," the DFA statement said.It added the officers and staff of the DFA are deeply indebted to President Aquino for being instrumental in strengthening the Philippine Foreign Service under her leadership.“President Aquino will remain an inspiration to those whose lives she positively touched and influenced in working diligently for our country and people," it said.Pinoys in the Middle EastIn the Middle East, thousands of Filipino expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) grieved over the death of Mrs. Aquino. The Philippine flag flew at half-mast Saturday at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate-general in Dubai Saturday. Books of condolences at the two missions were opened 9 a.m. Sunday.Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Libran Cabactulan said the death of Mrs. Aquino is a loss for all Filipinos as the nation remembers her role in the 1986 EDSA people power uprising.“When we remember her, we always remember Ninoy Aquino (her husband). She remains an example for all Filipinos in her life. Ninoy always says that the Filipinos are worth dying for. Indeed, for the country and the Filipino people, it is sad to know she’s dead. But, we have to move on," he said.A special Mass in Tagalog will be held for Mrs. Aquino at St Michael’s Church in Sharjah at 8 p.m. Sunday, and at St. Mary’s Church in Dubai at 8 p.m. Monday.Many Filipinos are expected to wear yellow ribbons, the color of the Aquino administration that restored Philippine democratic institutions after the fall of the 20-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos. Fr. Sergio Arenga, who will conduct the mass in Sharjah on Sunday, urged Filipinos to wear yellow dresses.Global tributeMany Filipino expatriates have offered their condolences to the Aquino family through online networking sites Twitter, Facebook and Friendster.Many also sent electronic cards (e-cards) to express sympathy with the family of the first woman president in the Philippines.Art Los Baños, public relations consultant and Filipino community leader in Dubai, said Mrs. Aquino symbolized change in the political system through peaceful means.“This is her legacy not only to the Filipinos but to humankind as a whole. This virtue of a government leader is timely considering what is happening in some African countries and even here in the Middle East, specifically in Palestine," he said.Manuel Pachico, 43-year-old painter in Dubai, said Mrs. Aquino was the only Philippine president who had no record of corruption.“She was very honest, God-fearing, and a people-centered state leader. I have nothing to say against her except that she was surrounded by corrupt men. But she was a clean president. Had she decided to run again for president, I would surely have voted for her," he said.Riolyn Martinez, 29, saleswoman in Sharjah, said Mrs. Aquino exemplified the life of a housewife, who brought good principles for the country and the Filipino people.“She was the only president whose image was not tarnished with controversy, corruption and anomaly. She finished her term without any bad record," she said.Philippine consul general Noel Servigon recalled he was a law student at UP Diliman in 1986 when he volunteered for the Cory-Aquino-for-President Movement to conduct election law orientation seminars.“In 1993, I had the chance to tell my story to the former president when she attended the World Human Rights Congress in Vienna where I was posted as vice-consul. She was so delighted to know that I was her long-time supporter," he said.Servigon said he cherishes a photo taken with her when he escorted her to Prague during a side trip and a book she gave him with her personal dedication.“Her passing away is a definite loss for the country. I just hope that those in politics today will continue to fight for what she started when she was in power – a country free of corruption and oppression," said Arlene Contreras, an aeroparts coordinator.“It is a sad moment in the Philippine history. I can’t imagine how people back home must be feeling. I am here, yet I feel saddened by the news. I hope this episode will not be a setback, but a pivotal moment in our country’s politics," said Danny Cagasan, a food service crew.Moment of unity“This moment is unifying, just like when Aquino came into power by EDSA people power uprising. Filipinos are once again united although it is with a sad spirit this time," said Delia Mijares, a sales consultant.Rose Tongol, a special services officer, said: “She is still very young to pass away, but at least she is free from suffering now. I just hope that our fellowmen will easily come to terms with this loss and use this moment as an inspiration to strive to achieve what she had set out to do when she was elected. I hope we have more politicians like her."Mary Jane Oca, 31, sales staff of a leather wear company, was all praises for Mrs. Aquino's spiritual devotion.Armando Aveno, 33, Filipino businessman, said Mrs. Aquino was the icon of democracy in Southeast Asia, the first woman president in Asia who rose from a mere housewife to lead the Filipino people back to democracy.In Saudi Arabia, online news site Arab News said overseas Filipino workers expressed pain and sadness over the death of Mrs. Aquino.“All of us are extremely sad, to use an understatement. The kind of revolution she led was the first of its kind and was copied by other countries to effect change in government," said Dr. Carlito Astillero, a community leader.“She left us with good memories to remember her by; this also makes her passing more painful," said Rene Layug, of the sports group Siglakas and Bukabin.“She not only took care of her own children after her husband was assassinated, but she also showed that she was a mother to the whole country," said Roi Alojado, a community leader.Dionisio Tabuco Jr., another community leader, said: “Her passing is a great loss for us Filipinos. She served the country selflessly."In Kuwait, Filipinos offered prayers at a memorial Mass for Mrs. Aquino at 5 p.m. (midnight in Manila) at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office there.Fr. Ben Barrameda, chaplain of the Filipino community in Kuwait, said they will never forget Mrs. Aquino as an icon of democracy.“During my assignment to St. Paul the Apostle Parish along Timog Avenue, I often passed by her residence hoping to see her and personally thank her but failed," Barrameda said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Web siteBarrameda said he is personally grateful to Mrs. Aquino for sponsoring him for a year through his seminary years.He said he always included Mass intentions for her recovery when he learned she had colon cancer. Mrs. Aquino’s family announced she had colon cancer in March 2008.Also, Barrameda said it is time Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad express their thanks and offer their sincere prayers for the repose of Mrs. Aquino’s soul.In Manila, the funeral for Mrs. Aquino will be held at the Manila Cathedral due to the expected huge number of people who want to pay their respects.Manila Cathedral rector Msgr. Nestor Cerbo said the remains of Mrs. Aquino will arrive at the Cathedral at around 2 p.m. Monday.A Mass will be held at 8 p.m., followed by public viewing of Mrs. Aquino’s remains.Her family had decided she will be laid to rest beside her husband, former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. - GMANews.TV
Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, icon of people power in the Philippines and around the world, passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday, her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III, said. The official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.
