Citizen Noy on homecoming: Ayos

MANILA, Philippines - There was a short, colorful and lively welcome from his neighbors and supporters, who tied yellow ribbons everywhere and sang the song about it, when he arrived at No. 25 Times street before noon yesterday.

Former president Benigno Aquino III got his wish to have a simple and quiet beginning of his retirement from public office – at least for now – although his residence had to be secured from protesters who came after the program prepared for him.

Aquino told the crowd as he reached the makeshift stage, which  had a huge “Salamat PNoy!” sign and a yellow ribbon as backdrop: “I don’t think I’ve ever known any other home than here,” referring to the house the Aquinos moved into in 1961, the year after he birth.

One of his friends who went inside his house right after the program said Aquino began to relax in the lounge of his newly built home as they entered. “Finally,” his friend quoted Aquino as saying, heaving a sigh of relief.

Aquino said when his mother Corazon bowed out of office in 1992 as president, she chose to go back to Times Street where his family shared a lot of memories.

Aquino’s sisters and other family members, former Cabinet officials, staff members, friends, security detail and supporters gathered inside the house for lunch where okoy, empanaditas, lechon, kare kare, prawns in coconut milk, chicken and pork adobo, fresh lumpiang ubod, steamed rice and pan de sal, green mango salad with camote tops, halo-halo with leche flan and maja blanca were served.

It was a joyous occasion after all, and his eldest sister Ballsy Cruz said she was “very happy” that her brother was already an ordinary citizen.

“Ayos, ayos na ayos (Good, I’m really good),” Aquino told reporters when asked about how he was feeling.

“A big burden has been lifted from our shoulders,” he said.

Aquino said he would organize his house first because most of his personal belongings were still in boxes. His bed from his official residence, Bahay Pangarap, was just brought in, still covered in plastic.

“I have to make the place livable,” Aquino said.

But before they would do anything, the house was blessed by Aquino’s spiritual adviser, Fr. Catalino Arevalo.

And this early, his favorite spot is the lanai where he could sit on his chair made of wood and rattan and read the books he has accumulated.

‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon’

Singing “Tie A Yellow Ribbon” as they also tied yellow ribbons around the trees, gates and electric posts to welcome Aquino, the Times Street residents also cheered their famous neighbor while he was talking and thanked him for his service to the country.

The program was led by singers Noel Cabangon, Jim Paredes and Leah Navarro and former social welfare secretary Corazon Soliman.

Aquino said his parents, Corazon and the late senator Ninoy who were democracy icons, must be “patting their backs” as moving to Times Street in 1961 was one of the best decisions they ever made.

“On their behalf and on behalf of our family again, thank you very much,” Aquino said, to which the crowd shouted back: “We love you.”