A memorial mass was offered by Filipinos in Kuwait for the late former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

Rev. Fr. Ben Barrameda celebrated the mass at the Filipino Workers Resource Centre Kuwait. It was attended by officials of the Philippine Embassy, members of the Filipino community including distressed overseas Filipino workers who have been staying at the FWRC.

Barrameda related how Aquino became a part of his life.

“Noong first year ko sa seminaryo. Si Ginang Aquino ay nasa puwetso na bilang Presidente…at pinagbigyan niya ako ng suporta sa seminaryo during my first year in my Philosophy years in the seminary… Sinuportahan nya ako ng isang taon… Ang araw na ito ay paggunita rin sa kanyang tulong sa aking pormasyon sa seminaryo at naging pari na ako,” said Barrameda.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya meanwhile cited the assistance of the late former president to OFWs during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the anniversary of which was also being commemorated in the Middle Eastern country.

Endaya said that he was then a consul at the embassy.

“In-invade ni Saddam Hussein ang Kuwait August 2 [1990] at lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, gumastos si Cory ng sarili niyang pera at hindi siya nagbigay ng anumang announcement ni isang beses,” said Endaya.

He said Aquino even made sure that the assistance and goods for the Filipinos were purchased but she never asked for any audit. He said the Aquino wanted to make sure that the needs of the Filipinos caught in the conflict then were taken care of.

“At noong nabalitaaan niya na may isang barko na maggagaling sa India na magdadala ng pagkain sa mga Indian evacuees, kinausap niya ang Punong Ministro ng India para utusan ang Embahador ng India na maglabas ng mga pagkain para sa Pilipino as well… Ako po ang personal na kumuha ng mga pagkain sa port ng Basra para dalhin sa Baghdad para sa mga evacuees na Pilpino,” said Endaya.

Endaya added that Aquino also provided assistance to Filipinos who made it out of the countries in conflict then.

“Natatandaan niyo ba ang [Kuwaiti] dinar [na] ayaw tanggapin sa Maynila matapos ang evacuation? Si Cory ang nag-issue ng guarantee na palitan ang lahat ng Kuwaiti dinar at the previous exchange rate bago magkaroon ng invasiom… Kung di naka-recover ang dinar si Tita Cory ang magbabayad lahat noon… Ang mga binayad sa mga Pilipino na nanggaling sa Kuwiat noon…bihira ang nakakaaalam noon,” continue the Philippine ambassador.

Endaya said then-President Aquino never sought publicity for the assistance she provided.

“Ganyan kabait si Tita Cory… Ayaw niya lang bigyan ng publicity ang kanyang mga ginagawa… Ganyan niya kamahal ng mga Pilipino… Palagay ko kung nababasa ang pang-aapi na ginagawa sa mga Pilipino ditto, magsasabi rin siya.. Kaya lang may sakit na siya. Kaya ipagdasal natin ang ating mahal na Pangulo..Pangulong Cory,” said Endaya.

The flag at the Philippine embassy has been hung at half-mast for the death of the former president.

The center itself was full of yellow ribbons, yellow flowers and the backdrop in the basement was also yellow.

Filipinos in Kuwait were reportedly united in extending their thanks to the late former president as well as extending their condolences to Aquino’s family.

“Kami po ay labis na nalulungkot…sa pagpanaw po ni President Aquino dahil malaki po ang kanyang tulong na nagawa sa ating bayan lalo na iyong EDSA Revolution.. At alam po namin na ang kanyang soul ay nasa Panginnong Hesukristo at ang kanyang mga naiwan nawa’y kalingain ng Panginoon,” said OFW Estela Panesa. Report from Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Kuwait.