MANILA – Like most Filipinos, comedy concert queen Ai-Ai delas Alas also has a fondest memory of former president Corazon Aquino.

Mrs. Aquino, who died after a long fight with colon cancer, gave Delas Alas one of her paintings she had done herself. The painting shows a woman crying.

The comedienne was touched by the gesture especially after learning, albeit only recently, that Mrs. Aquino gave her paintings as gifts to those she considered her friend. Delas Alas, a close friend of the former leader’s youngest daughter, actress Kris Aquino, said she felt honored to be one of those chosen few.

The actress could not stop crying as she shared the memory on her show “Ruffa & Ai” Monday.
 
Delas Alas said she was one of the avid followers of Mrs. Aquino. She said she witnessed the 1986 people power revolution, participated in Mrs. Aquino-led rallies against the Marcos regime and attended the former leader’s “miting de avance.”

"Idol ko po si Tita Cory… 'Yong miting de avance niya sa Luneta umaakyat pa ako sa plant box, tapos wasak wasak ang sapatos ko [kapag] uuwi  ako,” she said.

She said that she will never forget Mrs. Aquino’s contributions to the country as well as her kindness.

“Sa pamilya po ni president Cory... maraming salamat at binahagi niyo sa amin si Tita Cory. Para sa aking idolo, Tita Cory, nasaan ka man hangad ko ang iyong katahimikan. Asahan mong hindi mabubura ang lahat ng kabutihang binigay niyo sa akin. I love you Tita Cory,” she said.

As part of the tribute to the former president, the song “I Have Fallen In Love With The Same Woman Three Times” was played on the ABS-CBN morning show. 

The song was originally a poem written by Mrs. Aquino’s husband, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., for her. -abs-cbnNEWS.com