OBT Magazine

MANILA (AFP) – Tens of thousands of Filipinos, many in tears, lined the streets as the body of former leader Corazon Aquino was moved to the capital's cathedral in an emotional procession on Monday.

The ex-president, whose husband was assassinated by forces loyal to dictator Ferdinand Marcos after returning home from exile in 1983, died of cancer at the weekend and is to be buried on Wednesday.

There has been a massive outpouring of tributes for the woman fondly called Tita, or Auntie, Cory, a grandmotherly figure credited with restoring democracy to the nation.

Traffic ground to a halt and confetti rained down from office blocks as people braved intermittent rain to get near Aquino's coffin, lying on a bed of yellow flowers atop a flatbed truck.

Making an "L" sign with their fingers for Laban (Fight) -- Aquino's party slogan -- the crowd sang a revolutionary anthem and chanted "Cory, Cory" as the cortege passed slowly through Manila's financial district.

Women cried as yellow balloons symbolising Aquino's "People Power" uprising were released into the air. Yellow banners fluttered from rooftops and posters of Aquino hung from lamp-posts outside the stock exchange.

The youngest of the Aquino children, actress Kristina Bernadette, thanked the crowd as the convoy briefly stopped in front of a statue of her assassinated father Benigno Aquino.

"Our hearts feel so wonderful because you are letting us feel that you loved my mum very much," she said. "I feel so blessed to be a Filipino."

Imelda Marcos, the famously extravagant widow of Aquino's arch-foe, called for national reconciliation.

"I can feel the pain, the loss of a loved one, so I am in prayer. If these two families reconciled, there will be a miracle for the Philippines," the former first lady said on television.

The Aquino family earlier said relatives of Marcos -- as well as incumbent President Gloria Arroyo, who fell out with the former leader over allegations of corruption and election fraud -- could attend the wake for the former president, but should not expect a warm welcome.

The Aquinos earlier rejected Arroyo's offer of a state funeral.

"We understand the feelings of the members of the family of President Cory and we respect their decision to have a private and solemn funeral," said Arroyo aide Silvestre Bello.

"We should as much as possible refrain from any hurting words that will desecrate her funeral," he told reporters.

Church leaders admitted it was unusual for a wake to be held in Manila cathedral.

"As far as I know she?s the first lay person to lie in state at Manila cathedral. Not even (bishops) can have that honour when we die. Only the archbishop of Manila and Cory is given that honour," Socrates Villegas said.

Sirens wailed and horns were blown by ships docked in Manila harbour as the procession approached the Manila Cathedral after a five-hour trip across town that covered a mere 12 kilometres (7.5 miles).

Classical music played while her coffin was received on a red carpet, and priests wafted incense as she was taken near the altar.

"The battle is over, victory is won," said close family friend Bishop Socrates Villegas, celebrating mass.

Mourners offered silent prayers and recalled fond memories of the deeply religious woman who, even in death, wore her trademark yellow dress, and clutched a rosary with a golden cross.

Many wore pins and shirts with pictures of Aquino, whose death sparked tributes from around the world.

Among those who had visited her body was Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who called Aquino a source of inspiration for Asian leaders.

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was to view the coffin at the cathedral later on Monday, friends and family said.