Kris Aquino Reminisces Cory Aquino's Last Few Days in the Hospital

An emotional Kris Aquino appeared tearful on ABS-CBN's "The Buzz" last Sunday, August 2, 2009, recalling the last days of her mother, former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who died after her more than a year battle against colon cancer.

Watch the 12-part interview of host Boy Abunda with Kris below:

Part 1: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino


Part 2: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino


Part 3: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 4: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 5: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 6: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 7: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 8: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 9: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 10: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino

Part 11: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino


Final Part: Kris Aquino Talks About the Last Days of Cory Aquino


Video Credit: ABS-CBN and The Buzz

Cory Aquino Wake and Memorial Service Schedules

The Aquinos, through their spokesperson Deedee Siytangco, announces their decision of having a private funeral for the late President Cory Aquino instead of a state funeral (under law, all Presidents were entitled to a state funeral but still subject to the family's approval).

"For all intentions and purposes, she had been a private citizen after stepping down, and siguro, to a degree we would like to spend as much time as possible as a family with her." explained Senator Noynoy Aquino of their decision.

Aquino, however, said that there will still be honor guards at the wake, as per tradition in wakes for former government officials.

The Aquinos also announces President Cory's wake and memorial services schedule as listed below:

• : President Cory's body will lie in state at the La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) gymnasium.

• : The wake will be open to the public (Gate 5 entrance for public and Gate 2 for media) from 5 p.m. on Saturday and will continue until Monday. The daily viewing schedule will be until 4 a.m., and will then resume on 7 a.m.

• : A mass at the LSGH will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 1.

• : Daily Catholic masses daily at 12nn and 8 p.m. at LSGH and Manila Cathedral.

• : "Dedication Garden for Tita Cory" at the Sacred Ground of EDSA Shrine (where supporters can put flowers, prayers, candles and notes to Cory).

• : President Cory's remain will be transferred from LSGH to Manila Cathedral on August 3 at 11am.

• : Chronological service will be held at the Manila Cathedral on August 4.

• : Necrological and vigil service is on August 4 from 4 a.m. until 6 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral.

• : On Wednesday, President Cory will be buried at the Manila Memorial Park after a 9 a.m. mass at the cathedral. She will be buried beside her late husband, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also declared a 10-day period of national mourning for the lost of Philippine much admired former President Cory Aquino.

Senator Noynoy Aquino Tells About Cory's Remaining Days in the Hospital

Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, 76, has passed away of cardio-respiratory arrest at exactly 3:18 a.m. Saturday at the Makati Medical Center.

At about 5 a.m. outside the hospital, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III read a statement announcing the death of his mother.

The statement read:

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest.

"She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.

"Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang kaunting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina."

At a press conference held this morning at the Ramon Cojuangco Building in Makati, Senator Noynoy speaks about the remaining days of her mother, late President Corazon Aquino, at the Makati Medical Center.

He told the press how unselfish her mother would be to still think of others while suffering from pain, "Yung touching dun sa akin yung sa ICU first time kong nakatokang magbantay. Imbes na matanong ko kung kumusta ka, ang tinanong sa akin kung kumain na ako at yung mga kasamahan ko. Other times naman nagbabasa ako ng dyaryo, tinanong nya kung ano laman dyan. Di ba pag ikaw ang maysakit eh natural yung 'ang sama naman ng pakiramdam ko', pero sya laging yung iba ang nasa isip."

Watch the video below:

Popular TV host Boy Abunda, a close friend of the Aquino family, told reporters on Saturday that the Aquinos were praying the Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary when Cory gave her last deep breath.

Abunda said all five children of Mrs. Aquino, and her close friends and relatives were at her bedside when the former leader passed away.

After that last breath, Abunda said, Mrs. Aquino's children quietly cried.

"Malungkot. Tahimik na nag-iiyakan. Tahimik, except for Kris who was very quiet," he said, referring to the youngest daughter of Mrs. Aquino.

"Kris was very quiet. She was displaying such courage pero noong dinadala palabas mga labi ni Tita Cory... because you have to remember that Kris was in the hospital, Kris was by the side of her mother since July 20 hanggang sa mga oras na yun. Hanggang ngayon si Kris ay nasa tabi ng kanyang ina." Abunda said.

He also said that Fr. Catalino Arevalo, who is a very close friend of the former leader and had been officiating a mass for her at the hospital, officiated a mass right after Mrs. Aquino's death.

Video Source: martilyo courtesy of ABS-CBN