Tomorrow, Sept. 9, marks the 40th day of the passing away of former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. The family, friends, and millions of supporters of the person and cause of the former president will observe the day with memorial masses in various churches in the country, all simultaneously held at noon.

These masses cover virtually the entire archipelago, from the Cathedral of Bangued in Abra up in the north to the Cathedral of Zamboanga in the south. While the number of churches holding masses continued to increase, the bereaved family of the former President will partake in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in select churches to thank those who have condoled with them in their hour of grief.

Aside from the memorial masses, the observance of the 40th day after the passing of President Aquino was preceded by the launch of the commemorative Cory Aquino stamps by the Philippine Postal Corporation yesterday, September 8, 2009, in a mass at the EDSA shrine.

Today, a group of photojournalists from various agencies, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France Press, and European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation and other organizations, will launch an exhibition of photographs depicting the Filipino people’s tribute to President Cory during the wake and funeral.

The photo exhibit will be launched at the SM Mall of Asia and will be taken to other SM malls in subsequent weeks. At the end of the day, Iamninoy Runners will pay tribute to President Aquino in a unique way. Dubbed the Heroes Run, some 200 Iamninoy Runners will be running around the Ayala Triangle, Makati’s pocket of greenery watched over by the monuments of Gabriela Silang, Pio del Pilar, and Ninoy Aquino. The Iamninoy Runners is a group of professional and amateur runners coming from all walks of life.

We remember the outpour of support and sympathy after the demise of former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. As the nation observes the 40th day after she joined our Creator, we are emboldened by her own self-sacrifice and unwavering faith, attributes that we must continually muster so that we can bring our nation closer to the ideal of a truly humane and democratic society.