They say that one can measure how well-loved a person is by how well-attended his or her wake was.

Thousands of Filipinos lined-up near the gates of La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City the other night up to early yesterday to pay their last respects to former President Corazon Aquino.  Literally, an outpouring of love, for probably one of the most popular and well-respected presidents the country has ever had.

The line itself was a testament to how well-loved the icon of democracy was, as one needs to bear almost two hours of queueing just to get a few seconds, a mere glimpse of "Tita Cory" before she is laid to rest at the Memorial Park in Paranaque City.

At around 11 pm, the organizers to decided to allow to separate lines to slowly inch towards the gymnasium, most probably necessitated by the sheer volume of eager visitors.

The line only started to thin out at around 2 am, but still pockets of visitors continued to make their way towards the venue, well until the time limit expired.

Traffic on the streets leading to La Salle Green Hills, specifically Ortigas Avenue were in gridlock from 8 pm to 11 pm, Friday night.

"Kung di lang nga namin mahal si Tita Cory, e, di kami magtitiyagang pumila," one of those who braved the horrendous traffic and slight drizzle sighed.

Once inside the compound of La Salle Green Hills, several heavily built ushers wearing yellow t-shirts, along with security guards from the school, ushered the visitors in toward the spiral walkway leading to the gymnasium.

After enduring all the hardships just to get inside the gymnasium, visitors were ushered out, after a few seconds of looking at the casket of Mrs. Aquino, intoa stairwell leading to the school grounds.

Police estimated that a crowd of at least 10,000 visited the first day of Aquino's wake.

Former President Cory Aquino's remains was placed in a chestnut colored casket.

She wore a yellow blouse with yellow beads adorned all over the upper garment.  Her face was seemingly peaceful, but also bore signs of the ordeal she endured the past few days at the Makati Medical Center.

Benigno Simeon "Nonoy" Aquino III, wearing a black short sleeve polo, and jeans, and seemingly with a more calmer disposition, divulged where he draws his strength from, during one of the most difficult times of the Aquino clan.

"Panganay ako kailangan kong magpakatatag.  Kailangang kong tumayong head of the family kasi pareho na silang wala," Senator Aquino said.

The first day of wake was a well-organized event, security was very tight, but no one seemed to mind, as amazingly, all those who came to visit cooperated well, and did not make a fuss about the very limited viewing time.  Even in death Ninoy Aquino's widow still seems to have that "calming effect" on all Filipinos, still perhaps part of her "Cory Magic".

The front of the La Salle Green Hills compound became a virtual parking lot for different types of vehicles, including police patrol cars, media crew cabs and private vehicles.

After several hours of public viewing, the organizers announced that they will temporarily close the venue at around 4 am to pave the way for some maintenance and other preparations for the re-opening of the gymnasium at around 7 am.

As in all well-attended gatherings, a few business-minded people positioned themselves near the main gate to sell yellow t-shirts with the picture of the former president printed on it for P 100 to P 200.