Jesuits and mission partners in the Philippines united with the nation in grief over the passing of former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on 24 June. For the Ateneo de Manila University, it was a final homecoming for the nation’s Jesuit-educated leader, who studied at the university from elementary to college.
The Honour Rites, public viewing, Requiem Masses, and Internment Mass were held in the university’s Church of the Gesú, and livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube through Radyo Katipunan. The broadcast, the longest yet for the campus-based radio station run by Jesuit Communications Philippines, garnered over one million views combined.
The broadcast began with the arrival of the urn containing Aquino’s ashes at the Church of the Gesú on 25 June, accompanied by live commentary from Radyo Katipunan programme hosts. It continued late into the evening with Masses presided by Ateneo de Manila University President Fr Roberto Yap SJ, and Fr Albert Alejo SJ, and a eulogy from Fr Jose Ramon Villarin SJ.
Before the final transfer of Aquino’s cremated remains to Manila Memorial Park on Saturday morning, 26 June, Radyo Katipunan aired the Interment Mass celebrated by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas DD, who shared an inspiring message of bringing back decency in governance.
The tight schedule, long broadcast hours, and sheer magnitude of the memorial service proved exhausting for Jescom. Yet for the team behind the coverage, to pay lasting tribute to “a public servant of principle and upstanding character” was invaluable.
“I think this will be forever etched in the history of the university and that of Radyo Katipunan-JesCom, that we paid tribute to a president by hosting his funeral…. [It] brought such an immense honour and, at the same time, was a humbling experience,” said Station Coordinator Justin Pontino.
The university also opened its doors to hundreds of people who queued to pay their last respects to the former president. Dignitaries and prominent personalities, as well as ordinary citizens came to sympathise with the family. But for the rest of the nation who could not travel due to location or Covid-19 restrictions, the broadcast became a means of mourning together. Pontino said they were moved by the tremendous show of support from the public.
Fr Yap said the late former president was true to the Jesuit ethos of being a “man for others”. Aquino graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 with a degree in economics. While president, he visited the campus several times, and was a speaker at two graduation ceremonies, in 2011, shortly after he was elected into office, and in 2016, when he ended his term. In his 2016 commencement speech, he exhorted the graduates to “be men and women for others” echoing the words of Fr Pedro Arrupe.
Aquino was the 15th president of the Philippines and son of democracy icons, Benigno Aquino Jr and former President Corazon Aquino. Among others, his presidency is known for its anti-corruption efforts, record economic growth, and firm stance against China’s sweeping territorial claims.