Corazon Aquino, Mother of Philippine Democracy

About 200,000 people joined in the 22-kilometre (14-mile) procession amidst the heavy pouring of rain last Wednesday, August 5 to bid farewell to former President Corazon Aquino, Mother of Philippine Democracy whose "People Power", the first democratic movement in Southeast Asia, ended decades of dictatorship.

In the words of Fr. Catalino Arevalo, "She made me proud again to be a Filipino," recalling Aquino's bloodless triumph against the 20-year dictatorship of Marcos in 1986.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission _ the restoration of democracy _ had been completed.

Pres. Aquino was given a 21-gun salute by the honour guard after which her remains were transferred to a caisson that carried her to a mausoleum.

President Cory was laid to her final resting place in their mausoleum in Manila Memorial Park beside her late opposition senator husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

Millions, including from the 8.7-million-strong overseas Filipino community, monitored the slow progress of the cortege on television and Internet sites with streaming video.

East Timor President and Nobel Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta, who attended the funeral, described Aquino as "one of the greatest people of the 20th century," likening her to India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

"I think the greatest tribute that Filipinos can pay to Corazon Aquino and so many others who gave their lives for democracy is ... there should be no more dictatorships again," said Ramos-Horta. Aquino inspired East Timor's struggle for independence from Indonesia a decade ago, he said.