MANILA - Lights changed from a peaceful blue to a happy yellow as the remains of the country’s “spiritual light,” former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, entered the Manila Cathedral on Monday afternoon.

Manila Cathedral in Intramuros Manila is the next stop before her final destination--beside her husband, Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

Many mourners cried as they sought a glimpse of the flag-covered coffin of the democracy icon outside the cathedral.

Religious workers, police and military guards, and ordinary citizens all stood to show love and support for the Aquino family, and they did the sign of the cross when Aquino’s body passed by them.

Mother Cory

Popularly called “Tita Cory,” many people who lined up to see the former president said they considered her the true mother of the nation.

“It was her being a mother that allowed her other good quialities to shine,” said Lourdes de Mesa, 51, a candle vendor at a memorial park and wife of a media photographer.

Understanding, humility and strength to carry her “Filipino children” are qualities that stemmed from her being a mother, said 36-year-old hairdresser Kris Reynes.

“My mother idolized her and I respect her deeply because she is the ideal mother,” Reyness said. He said Mrs. Aquino is considered by many as the country's best mother.

Annie Olobia, 54, said it was through Mrs. Aquino that she was able to talk to her OFW husband during the Middle East war that happened in 1990 to 1991. 

“It was one of the best gifts a child could ever receive--a free call to the Middle East from Malacañang to talk to my husband,” she said.

“She really understood her Filipino children,” Olobia said.

People's President

Unemployed 55-year-old Bienvenido Co said he had admired Aquino’s simplicity even before she was president.

It was at a mass at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City where the elite-born Aquino chatted casually with Co.

“It was like I was her neighbor,” Co said. He said it was her being amicable that made him feel she was a “people person.”

Housewife Erlinda Belardo, 57, said she was able to relate with Cory because she had problems like the “normal Filipino.”

Belardo admired how Aquino raised her children. “Most especially Kris,” she said.

Belardo said Aquino stood by her daughter and made her stronger after she faced problems like domestic violence and unexpected pregnancy.

“I wish I could raise my children to be as respectable as Kris is now. She was a good mother,” Belardo said.

Yellow’s New Meaning

Sunshine and daisies used to be what came to candle vendor de Mesa’s mind upon seeing the color yellow, but not anymore.

“Laban,” she exclaimed, raising her right hand with her fingers forming an “L.”

“The peaceful fight is my new meaning for yellow,” she said.

For Robert Lim, 76, yellow means simplicity.

“The way she (Cory) dresses, the way she acts...It was as if she was not from one of the most affluent families in the country,” he said.

Lim said the same cannot be said about many politicians today, or even middle-class citizens.

“There is none like her,” Lim said, looking at the church as he sat near the Manila Cathedral fountain waiting for his turn to see Aquino one more time.

Edgar Sierra, a 35-year-old Manila Cathedral security guard, felt honored to be witnessing a monumental occasion.

Yellow, for him, means “people.”

Thousands who wore yellow gathered outside the palatial cathedral, all to show love for their “mother,” he said.

“Yellow is Cory, the people are wearing yellow, Cory and people are one in meaning,” Sierra said.