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Be afraid, Gloria

Published by Ellen on August 9, 2009
Photo by Mario Ignacio
Photo by Mario Ignacio

Much as Lorelei Fajardo tried to put up an undaunted stance saying her boss, Gloria Arroyo, did not feel threatened by the massive turnout for President Cory Aquino’s wake and funeral, it was obvious it was plain bravado.

Arroyo’s fear of the people was betrayed by the script that they executed when she visited Cory’s wake at the Manila Cathedral early morning of Wednesday, upon her arrival from the United States and a few hours before Cory’s interment.

About two hours before Arroyo arrived, her advance party came. I saw Mike Defensor, former presidential chief of staff and now chairman of the Philippine National Railways. He was followed by Mai Jimenez, one of those very close with Arroyo whom she installed as a director of the Asian Development Bank.

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Kris to Noynoy: kung saan ka liligaya

Published by Ellen on August 9, 2009

In Kris moving funeral mass speech, she related that her son Josh asked her brother, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, “Please, Tito Noy, never get married.”

But Kris assured Noynoy not to worry, “Kung saan ka liligaya, pwede na rin.”

A source close to the Aquino family said Noynoy, 49, had brought to the already sick President Cory his girlfriend, Shalani Soledad.

Click here for PEP article on and photos of Nonoy and Shalani.

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Ano na ngayon si Gloria Arroyo?

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2009

Update:NYP report on Le Cirque dinner exaggerated: Remonde

Rep. Danilo Suarez: $20,000 is reasonable because we were a big group including State Department officials.

Nang binabaybay namin ang South Luzon Expressway noong Miyerkoles sa libing ni Pangulong Cory Aquino, tinatanong ko ang mga taong nagtiyaga maghintay lima or anim na oras para lamang makapag-paalam sa isang taong nagbigay ng tapang sa Filipino na manindigan para sa demokrasya kung ano na ngayon ang gawin natin kay Gloria Arroyo.

Kaagad ang sagot ng marami, “Gloria, resign! Gloria, resign!” Merong isa nagsabing, “Patalsikin si Gloria!”.

Ngunit merong ilan na matindi ang sagot. Sabi ng isa, “Bitayin si Gloria!”. Yung isa mas grabe: “Patayin si Gloria Arroyo!.”

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Bringing out the good in the Filipino

Published by Ellen on August 6, 2009

In death, Cory Aquino has become larger than life.

Seeing the sea of humanity that accompanied her to her mortal resting place re-affirmed my faith in the Filipino.

Wednesday, we all came together, braving hunger and rain, to pay tribute to a woman who embodies, what we believe is good, honest, humble, brave. The scenes along the South Luzon Expressway were awesome. They filled not only the streets but also the flyovers. Northbound vehicles stopped and passengers converted the inner lane into parking space while they joined crowds chanting “Cory! Cory!” while flashing the Laban sign. Cargo vehicles became platforms where people waved instant placards with handwritten messages professing love and gratitude for Cory.

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