Today, Friday, 25 June 2021, former President Benigno Aquino III (GS ‘73, HS ‘77, AB Eco ‘81) will come home to Ateneo de Manila for one last time. His cremated remains will be brought to the Church of the Gesu, where the public will have an opportunity to pay their final respects.
As announced by the Aquino family, there will be a public viewing of the urn bearing former President Aquino’s cremated remains at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Loyola Heights campus, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. Following a private arrival ceremony, the Church of the Gesu will be open to the public from 10 am until 10 pm.
Members of the public will be allowed to walk in front of the urn to pay respects and say a prayer for PNoy for a few seconds. Meanwhile, family and close friends will be allowed to stay in a sectioned-off seating area, which can accommodate up to a maximum of 140 people at any given time.
Ateneo and the Aquino family ask that visitors cooperate with the campus personnel, to ensure that the public viewing is safe, secure, and respectful.
Health and safety protocols will strictly be implemented, in adherence to government regulations for COVID-19. Visitors’ temperatures will be checked, and they will be required to fill out contact tracing forms prior to entering the Gesu. Everyone will be required to wear face masks and face shields at all times. Outside of the Aquino and Cojuangco families, children will not be allowed to enter the campus.
All visitors (pedestrian and vehicular) will enter via Gate 3 along Katipunan Avenue (the gate opposite KFC/Regis Center). Marshals will guide the public where to proceed, as well as to ensure order and continuous flow of the line.
Members of the public who will pay their respects should be prepared for possible long lines upon entry, due to strict security and health measures. We encourage members of the public to bring as few personal items as possible. People may be denied entry if they attempt to bring any item that may be deemed a security or health risk. They should also be prepared for any forecasted weather conditions.
The public may begin lining up at 9:45 am. Limited parking will be available at designated areas inside campus.
Those who cannot physically go to the Church of the Gesu will also have several opportunities to pay their final respects. There will be three Requiem Masses, which will be streamed live 5pm and 8pm on Friday, 25 June, and 10am on Saturday, 26 June. The links will be posted on Ateneo de Manila University’s official social media channels, and on Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM (fb.com/radyokatipunan).
Ateneo de Manila University joins the Filipino nation in honoring our 15th President, and we pray for the eternal rest of his soul.
Image courtesy of Jimbo Albano
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