Noy pays tribute to Cory, leaves for Singapore

MANILA, Philippines - Former president Benigno Aquino III leaves tomorrow for Singapore upon the invitation of the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) to talk about the prospects of investing in the Philippines.

After a thanksgiving mass to mark the seventh death anniversary of his mother, former president Corazon Aquino, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City yesterday, Aquino said that he would be accompanied on the trip by former finance secretary Cesar Purisima.

It will be his first foreign trip and speaking engagement as private citizen.

He expressed hope that his administration’s anti-corruption stand and policies would continue to spur growth in the country.

“We hope that we developed that fertile ground wherein we give an opportunity for every Filipino to shine,” Aquino told The STAR.

He said he was invited by DBS to talk to top businessmen in the Lion City about the prospects of investing in the Philippines, which saw sustained economic growth during his six years as president.

“I’d like to tell you: I was in a conversation a few days ago with some businessmen and well, we’re beginning to see the fruits of all of the hard work. They were quoting a Malaysian businessman who was talking about the whole of Southeast Asia. He basically said that it’s the Philippines that is the one with the highest growth potential and that every investment is coming here or is focused here,” the former president said.

He also paid homage to his parents, Cory and late senator Benigno Aquino Jr., for their selflessness and expressed hope their example would continue to inspire others.

“In this world, there are people who continue to give and those who are most blessed are those who don’t even know that they are giving and that they’re really making such a positive impact on others. Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world. There are those who take that which is not theirs. At the end of the day, I do believe that the good person will outlast and will thwart all of the efforts of those who take too much,” he said.

Aquino ended his short message by thanking all those who continued to remember his mother on her death anniversary, even if he was no longer president.

He said his mother and himself would not have been able to serve the country steadfastly “without all of you standing by with us and helping us through the darkest periods.”

The mass was concelebrated by Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, Fr. Manoling Francisco and Fr. Manny Domingo.

Aquino’s youngest sister and showbiz personality Kris posted on Instagram a short video of the choir singing “The Impossible Dream,” their father’s favorite song, during the mass.

His cousin, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, for her part, shared an old Time magazine with Cory on the cover.

“Remembering Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, a woman mightily used by the Lord in so many ways, on her 7th death anniversary,” the former actress wrote on her Instagram account. 

“I never really understood when she would tell me, especially in very difficult situations, ‘Just pray.’ She would probably be relieved if she knew that I eventually got it, do it and ask others to do the same! Thanks for that, Auntie Cory,” she said. – With Delon Porcalla