Crowd gathers at Miriam’s wake

MANILA, Philippines - At least 500 spectators gathered last night to welcome former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to her wake at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.

Her husband, Narciso Santiago Jr., House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, House majority floor leader Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, relatives and supporters were the first ones at her wake. 

The late senator was clad in a red dress for her wake. 

Lawyer Rissa Rofilada said the burial is tentatively scheduled Sunday morning at the Loyola Marikina, with the last mass for the senator to be held at the church at 1 p.m. 

Kind words and memories of her charm and witty quips were the talk of the evening, as the youth remembered the champion they found in Santiago.

Von Edrian Villanueva, one of the co-founders of the “I am For Miriam” (IMF) group, recalled his fondest memory during the launching of the volunteer-led group.

“I can’t forget when I gave her flowers on stage while the chorale was singing,” he said.

“No presidential candidate during the last May elections was able to meet the standard of competence and academic record of Santiago,” Villanueva said.

“That is the reason why the youth are hooked on her. She’s someone  who can be idolized by every generation,” he said.

The IMF group was the one that carried the senator through her three-month campaign period.

For his part, Belmonte said “as a legislator myself, I have seen what sort of a great statesman that Miriam is. How gutsy she is. Her loss is not only their (family’s) loss but a loss for all of us.”  

There will be no necrological service at the Senate as the late senator is expected to be buried on Sunday.