MANILA, Philippines - The son of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, City Councilor Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., has named his youngest child Kennely, after the baby’s mother.
The remains of Junjun’s wife, 29-year-old Kennely Ann “Ken-ken” Lacia-Binay, were cremated yesterday at the Heritage Park in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, eight days after she died from pregnancy complications.
Hundreds of Makati residents joined the Binay family in the last rites for Mayor Jejomar Binay’s daughter-in-law.
Ken-ken died on Tuesday afternoon last week after being confined for more than a month at the Makati Medical Center due to complications from childbirth, reportedly placenta praevia.
Fortunately, doctors managed to save Baby Kennely and since then she has been placed under close observation.
Kennely is survived by her children: Jejomarie Alexi, 6, Maria Isabel, 3, Jejomar II, 1 and newborn Maria Kennely.
Baby Kennely is still in hospital, a source close to the family said, adding, “and she’s doing fine.”
Kennely’s death came while the Binay family and the entire Filipino nation were still mourning the death of former President Cory Aquino.
She was confined at the Makati Medical Center at the same time that Mrs. Aquino was fighting for her life against colon cancer. This was why Mayor Binay, who was among the first to be appointed by President Aquino as officer in charge (OIC) of the then municipality of Makati in 1987, was then always at the hospital.
President Aquino’s daughters Ballsy, Pinky and Viel were among the first to rush to Binay’s house after learning of Ken-ken’s death.
Mayor Binay has asked the public to join their family to pray for his granddaughter.
Before bringing Ken-ken’s remains to the Heritage Park in Taguig City, family and friends along with city government officials and employees paid their final respects to her at the Sacred Heart Church in Barangay San Antonio, Makati.
Those who attended the Mass included former ambassador Ernesto Maceda, spokesman of the United Opposition (UNO), Makati Rep. Teddy Boy Locsin and businessman Joey de Venecia.
Makati City councilors served as pallbearers.
On behalf of his family and the bereaved parents of Ken-ken, Edgardo and Teresita Lacia, Mayor Binay expressed their gratitude and appreciation to all those who condoled with them during the nine-day wake for Ken-ken.
“These past days have been the most difficult period in our lives. In Ken-ken, Ellen and I found another loving daughter whose youthful zest and cheerful glow always warmed our hearts. Ken-ken was the consummate wife to Junjun, and a loving mother to their children. We could not have asked for more. Truly, we will miss her,” Mayor Binay said.
Ken-ken’s ashes will be taken back to the residence of Councilor Binay.
“Ken-ken completed me. She always made me feel I was the luckiest man in the world. It was she who gave me strength and inspiration during times of uncertainty. Now that she’s gone, I need to summon all my willpower to go on and raise our children the way she had envisioned,” Junjun said.