The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney held a Mass for the repose of the late former Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, who passed away on 1 August 2009, Saturday, 5:18 a.m. AEST. The Mass was attended by leaders and members of the Philippine-Australian Community of New South Wales.
Corazon Aquino, the 11th president of the Philippines (1986 to 1991), was 76 years old. She had been suffering from colon cancer.
“News of President Aquino’s demise came to Australians almost immediately after it was announced. The news was sent through telephone calls, e-mail and SMS messages by Filipinos in the Philippines who informed their relatives and friends in Australia. Within a few hours, many Filipinos in Australia knew about it,” said Consul General Eva G. Betita.
By the evening of 1 August, Filipino priests throughout New South Wales were offering Masses for the former President. Australians and immigrant communities expressed their sympathies to Filipinos for the loss of whom they regard was a great and admirable leader.
Consul General Betita said the Consulate has opened a Book of Condolence, which officials of the Australian Government and the Consular Corps of Sydney, as well as leaders and members of the Filipino-Australian Community, may sign and write their messages of sympathy. The Condolence Book was opened on 3 August and will remain open until 10 August.