The Philippines bid farewell to Aquino

Tens of thousands of Filipinos have said a final farewell to former President Cori Aquino, whose funeral has been held in Manila Cathedral.

Her family turned down the offer of a full state funeral because of political differences with President Gloria Arroyo’s government, but nevertheless a huge crowd braved pouring rain to gather outside the 400 year old Cathedral to follow the ceremony. Aquino was a devout catholic and the main address was delivered by her families priest. Catalino Arevalo described her as “a queen of the people who held our hearts in the gentleness and greatness of her own”. Yellow ribbons were much in evidence — yellow was the colour associated with the 1986 revolution which brought Aquino to power, bringing to an end the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.