MDS legacy lives on after 1st death anniv
Family, friends and supporters of the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago gathered at Loyola Memorial Park on Friday to state the legacy that lives on even after being gone in a year due to lung cancer.
Tarpaulin and red ribbons seen at the entrance of Loyola Memorial Park. Photo by Giselle Ombay/THE FOURTH
Family, friends and supporters of the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago gathered at Loyola Memorial Park on Friday to state the legacy that lives on even after being gone in a year due to lung cancer.
Miriam’s husband, Atty. Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr., and politicians such as Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte were present at the event to commemorate her 1st death anniversary.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Santiago’s vice presidential running mate in the 2016 presidential elections, also attended the observance. “I miss her in the senate,” he expressed.
Former National Chairperson of Youth for Miriam Movement and now National Chairperson of Youth Reform Movement Philippines, Rhyan Malandog, said that Miriam was so connected to the youth because of the way she valued education.
“Para sa amin [kabataan], inspirasyon siya upang pag-igihan ang pagaaral namin, para makapagbigay din kami ng kontribusyon sa bansa natin,” he added. (For us [the youth], Miriam is an inspiration to persevere in our studies so that we could contribute for the betterment of our country.)
Malandog also said that the senators today should imbibe the three excellences that the late Senator Santiago had always evoked: academic, professional, and moral.
A commemoration mass was celebrated around 10 A.M. led by Fr. Virgilio “Bing” Ojoy and was co-presided by Fr. Jovel Palermo.
Red and white balloons were freed by the crowd after the mass has ended. It was disclosed that the color red was Miriam’s favorite color.
Tarpaulins and red ribbons were also tied at the gates of the memorial park and along the path leading to her tomb.
Ed Mendoza, Internal Security Head of Loyola Memorial Park, confirmed that there were no external threats regarding the event.
A mini concert entitled “Harana Para Kay Miriam” took at the latter part of the day also at the same venue. Former general Benjamin Defensor, brother of Miriam, together with his siblings, were expected to come.
