Hundreds of mourners wearing black and white ribbons and masks attended the funeral mass and burial ceremony.

Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino has been buried in Manila Cemetery, with his parents, two democratic icons of Southeast Asian countries.

On Saturday, hundreds of mourners dressed in black and white, some of them wearing yellow ribbons-the color related to the Aquino family and the revolution that overthrew the dictator in 1986-wore masks and attended Saturday’s funeral. .

Aquino, served as president from 2010 to 2016, Died at the age of 61 He was hospitalized with kidney failure in a Manila hospital on Thursday. His body was cremated on Thursday.

Aquino’s sister, Maria Elena Aquino-Cruz, said at the funeral: “For the person we are fortunate to be brothers, we will always be proud of you, thank you, and yearn for you and Love you Saturday. “Noy bosses, thank you. “

Dozens of cars drove from his alma mater, Ateneo University, Manila, to the cemetery south of the capital. For an hour, Filipinos lined up along the road to show their respect.

Supporters of Aquino lit candles during a vigil outside a university in Manila [File: Maria Tan/ AFP]

The military fired a 21-gun salute, and a helicopter rained down yellow flowers. At the Aquino mansion in the center of the capital, supporters left chrysanthemums, yellow bells and sunflowers for the late leader.

Among those who paid tribute to Aquino were Vice President and political ally Leni Robredo and close friends. Most supporters were blocked at the entrance to the cemetery to prevent mass gatherings and the spread of COVID-19.

As we all know, Aquino is called Neunoy. After the death of his mother, the respected leader of “People’s Power” Corazon Aquino (Corazon Aquino) in 2009, there was a wave of public support for the presidency Swept by, he served as president from 1986 to 1992.

His eponymous father was a staunch critic of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was assassinated when he returned from political exile in 1983, sowing the seeds for the 1986 People Power Revolution, which drove this strong People ousted.

As the president, the young Aquino led the Philippines to get rid of its long-standing image of “the sick man of Asia” through better governance and strong economic growth.

In 2013, he challenged Beijing’s comprehensive claims on the South China Sea at the Hague Arbitration Court.

President Duterte did not attend the funeral. He announced a 10-day period of mourning, and the flag was lowered at half-mast in the government building.

After Aquino stepped down to live a private life, the four sisters survived.

The carriage of the Philippine military guard of honor escorting the deceased president’s ashes [Ted Aljibe/ AFP]