RIYADH: Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom joined compatriots back home on Wednesday in expressing love and gratitude to the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino who was interred beside her martyred husband, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Watching the proceedings on television, they said that if they were in the Philippines they could have also joined their compatriots who showed love and gratitude as they walked and followed the truck that carried the coffin of the late president from Manila Cathedral to the Manila Memorial Park for interment.
“I and members of Calabarzon in Riyadh are one in thought and in spirit with the Filipinos who joined the long walk,” said Benny M. Quiambao of Calabarzon.
Bioux Manilum, president of Bisayang Igsoon sa Saudi Arabia, added that members of his group were amazed at the huge turnout of people who joined the long walk.
Max Bringula, of the group All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (AFCSC), said OFWs, like compatriots in the Philippines, love Cory. “Her love of country is unquestionable. When she was president, she asked people what they had done for their country and if they had not done anything she told them: ‘Please do it now’,” Bringula said.
Joaquin de la Pena, president of the Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino (KAMPI), added: “We felt immense pride in being a Filipino.”
Danny L. Londonio, president of the 1,000 Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah, said: “We’ll miss her. Being a mother to every Filipino, she said that the Filipino is worth dying for.”
