Ipe, isinama ni Bong sa burol ni Cory

WE were able to attend the necrological service honoring the late President Cory Aquino sa Manila Cathedral last Tuesday, eve of her burial.

Ang daming tao, Ian F., ang higpit ng mga bantay na sundalo.

’Di ka talaga makakapasok ng church unless armed ka with a ticket or pass for the event. Ganunpaman, magagalang naman ang mga bantay.

The tickets, which we and our nephew, Jojo, used were courtesy of Cory Vidanes, Channel head ng ABS-CBN.

Bigay naman ng talent manager ni Mikee Cojuangco na si Girlie Rodis (GR to us), who, together with Maria Montelibano, acted as media relations officers, ang ginamit na pass ni Francis Simeon ng Star Studio.

Familiar sa amin ang ilan sa speakers dahil nababasa at nakikita namin ang photos nila sa newspapers. Of course, napapanood din namin sila sa tv.

Kabilang na rito sina Marge Juico, Cory’s personal secretary; Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Dr. Alex Ayco, Gina de Venecia, couturier-designer Paul Cabral, Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Cory’s brother, former Tarlac Congressman Peping Cojuangco, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay and Makati Representative Teddy Locsin.

Performers included Rhap Salazar, who did You Raise Me Up; Christian Bautista (Ugoy ng Duyan), Ivy Violan (Hilumin); Rachelle Ann Go (Hero); Jamie Rivera (Heal Our Land) and Kuh Ledesma (Somewhere).

Senator Noynoy Aquino did the response on behalf of his family.

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After the ‘necro’ service, we were able to approach Kris Aquino, na katabi ang kanyang Ate Balsy, to extend our sympathy and that of the Caparas couple, Direk Carlo J. Caparas and wife Donna Villa.

They somehow had a hand sa kung anumang tinatamasang tagumpay sa kasalukuyan ni Kris, Ian F.

Si Kris ang ginawa nilang bida sa ilang “massacre” movies na kanilang iprinodyus at pawang kumita sa takilya.

For a time, kinilalang “Massacre Movie Queen” si Kris. Ngayon, she is better known as the “Queen of Talk.”

Guess who were among those na namataan namin sa ‘necro’ service, aside from Kris’ fellow Kapamilyas? Ang ilan sa kanila’y “nagtatrabaho,” covering the event, but they were also there para makiramay.

Well, some of the celebrities with whom we bumped into were Gloria Romero and Daisy Romualdez, Senator Mar Roxas and fiancee Korina Sanchez, Cutie del Mar and Lorrie Mara.

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How nice, ’di ba, Ian F., na isinama nina Senator Bong Revilla at Lani Mercado si Phillip Salvador nang dumalaw sa wake ni Tita Cory?

It’s but proper kasi that Phillip give Cory his respect. We doubt kung nagkaroon man lang ng pagkakataon si Phillip na makilala siya ni Tita Cory noong sila pa ng anak nitong si Kris.

If only because of his son (by Kris), Joshua, at sa lahat ng kabutihang ginawa ni Cory sa apo, hanggang sa kamatayan niya, Phillip certainly owes the former President a lot.

* * *

Hoy, Ian F., may umaangal. Bakit daw hindi namin isinama si former Senator Oscar Orbos sa listahan ng mga naging member ng Cabinet ni President Cory?

Walang dudang isa raw ito sa pinaka-goodlooking sa grupo ng Cabinet officers noong panahon ni President Cory. Tall, dark and handsome, tinagurian pa nga itong Richard Gomez of President Cory’s government.

Makakalimutan ba natin si Tito Manoling Morato, whom Tita Cory designated as Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) head?

He is as guwapo as his apo, Jake Cuenca, is, ’di ba?

Naging good friend pa ng ilang entertainment writers si Tito Manoling.