Well-wishers and followers of the late President Corazon Aquino began preparations Friday to mark the first death anniversary on Sunday of the icon of Philippine democracy.

In Quezon City, members of the Yellow Ribbon Movement (YRM) and the West Triangle Neighbors Movement joined in tree and flower planting activities on Time Street and Quezon Avenue to commemorate Cory’s death and to strengthen support for the efforts of her son, President Benigno Aquino III, to bring about change in government and public service.

In Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the sprucing up of the Ninoy and Cory Park in preparation for activities to commemorate Cory’s death which sparked a movement that later saw her son elected president.

Unmindful of the minor traffic congestion caused by the preparations, part of a three-day activity from July 30 to August 1 to remember the late President, smiling motorists slowed down to receive flyers from the organizers bearing the information on the launching of “Kasama Ako sa Pagbabago (I am with Changes in Memory of Tita Cory’’ and a tree and flower- planting activity.

Presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abelleda said her family is very thankful for the overwhelming and unrelenting support shown by millions who continue to honor the late President.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa pagmamahal at respetong binibigay sa mom namin. Iniisip ko, siya mismo di rin nya siguro inakala na ganito yung ipapakita sa kanya ng taong bayan (I would like to thank the people for their love and respect for my mom. I think that even she would not have expected this kind of outpouring of love and support from her countrymen),’’ Abelleda said.

Aquino supporter Councilor Joseph Juico of the QC’s 1st District said the plan is to launch the planting of trees and flowers with shades of yellow in the 17 cities of Metro Manila with the color meant to remind the people of the legacy of President Cory.

As early as 8 a.m., portions of Quezon Ave. and Times Street in Barangay West Triangle turned into a sea of well-wishers, observers, and mere curiosity-seekers waiting to get a glimpse of President Aquino, his sisters, and the 2009 and 2010 Miss Earth winners.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Robert Nacianceno directed traffic in front of the Aquino residence at Times St. as the crowd started to swell near noon time as the barangay traffic aides also had their hands full in their traffic management duties in other areas.

On orders of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, Nacianceno said that the Yellow Ribbon Movement asked the agency to conduct landscape activities on the center island of Quezon Avenue from Elliptical Road to Mabuhay Rotunda as a show of love, respect and gratitude to the former president they referred to as “Tita Cory.”

Nacianceno noted that the Yellow Ribbon Movement will finance the estimated P2-million project which includes the purchase of the plants and cost of the landscaping jobs while the MMDA will undertake the actual planting and maintenance of the plants and trees.

In Manila, Mayor Lim expects residents of the city to join in remembering and honoring Cory’s legacy.