The Filipino Chaplaincy in Brussels celebrated mass with prayers for former President Corazon Aquino.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Raymund Gaspar requested everyone to offer prayers for Aquino.

“Let’s offer this mass for Cory Aquino who is in pain because of colon cancer. Let us pray that Aquino whom we consider as “champion of democracy” will be healed,” he said.

For some Filipinos, Aquino is more than just a former president.

Overseas Filipino worker Angelina Puriscal who participated in EDSA I in 1986, believes that Filipinos owe the country’s democracy to Aquino.
 
“Para sa akin, si Cory Aquino malaking bahagi ang nagawa niya sa bansang Pilipinas sapagkat ang mga tao ay nagkaroon ng pagkakaisa at namulat sila sa katotohanan,” she said.

She added that Aquino exhibited remarkable strength despite being a widow who was able to weather several coup attempts.

Even after her term as president, Aquino continued to exemplify peace and reconciliation among Filipinos.

These, according to many, should be followed by other politicians who put personal motives ahead of their responsibility to serve and lead the people.

Filipinos overseas say that Aquino’s undying support to fight corruption and injustices in the government makes her a symbol peace and hope.

“President Aquino is a symbol of peace for Filipinos, kasi nung panahong nagkaroon ng Marcos regime, siya yung naging simbolo at hope ng mga Pilipino para magkaroon ng demokrasya ang government kaya mahal na mahal siya ng tao,” said Rowena Trinidad of Couples for Christ.

Likewise, mass goers also prayed for inner strength for the former president’s family, who has been by her side she was diagnosed with cancer a year ago.