Ninoy supporters unfurl 26-year-old banner for Cory

About 20 people gathered along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Wednesday unfurled a rather old-looking yellow banner in paying tribute to former President Corazon Aquino on the day of her burial. But the banner carried by the August 21 Movement (ATOM) was not just any other aged piece of cloth traditionally peppered with messages of protest. Rather, it was the same banner the group had unfurled some 26 years ago to denounce the assassination of Mrs. Aquino's martyred husband, former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. The ATOM's foundation was particularly rooted on the day of Ninoy's slay - August 21, 1983 - which happened on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (now renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport). The group was founded by Ninoy's brother, former congressman Agapito "Butz" Aquino. "We just wanted to give our final respects to the ex-president," ATOM member Lou Belen told GMANews.TV. She confessed that the group did not expect it would still be using the same signage more than two decades later at an event that was rather "quite similar" to the events shortly after Ninoy's assassination. The yellow banner, splashed with hues of red and black, was printed with the image of Ninoy's body after being gunned down at the airport. Belen said the 26-year-old banner was among their few banners that survived wear and tear. "Yung iba kasi sira na dahil lagi naming ginagamit, umulan man o umaraw [Other banners have been worn out since we always used them]," he said. Aside from ATOM's streamer, newer banners were also seen being draped in bridges or hoisted up in the air by Cory supporters, including one that simply read: "Paalam, St. Cory (Goodbye St. Cory)." A chopper flying around the throngs of supporters along Roxas Boulevard was also seen draping a Cory banner. Cory supporter Robert Bonagua took to the streets just to get a glimpse of the former Philippine leader whom he considers as "the only president." "[Mrs. Aquino] should be elevated as a saint," Boagua told GMANews.TV. In 1986, a cover for Time Magazine proclaimed the late president as a "Philippine saint." Mrs. Aquino was catapulted to the presidency in February 1986 following the People Power Revolution at EDSA. Last Saturday, Mrs. Aquino died at the Makati Medical Center due to cardiorespiratory arrest. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008. Her remains were first brought to the La Salle Greenhills gymnasium in Mandaluyong City before it was transferred to the Manila Cathedral shortly before noon Monday. - GMANews.TV