NEW YORK CITY (via PLDT) — After her proposal for a state funeral for the late President Corazon Aquino was rebuffed, President Arroyo Monday offered a mass for the icon of democracy at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral here.

The President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who were also celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary, prayed for eternal repose of the soul of the late President Aquino during the 10 am Sunday mass.

When she returns home on Wednesday, the President is also expected to pay her last respects to the former president whose remains lie in state at the Manila Cathedral, according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. August 5, the day of Aquino’s burial, was declared a special non working holiday to allow Filipinos to bid farewell to former President Aquino, a key player in the 1986 People Power Revolution that restored democracy in the country.

At the start of the mass celebrated by Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, Philippine Consul General to New York Cecilia Rebong took the podium and announced the sacrament was offered by the First Couple for the late President Aquino.

Archbishop Dolan also offered the mass for the wedding anniversary of the Arroyos. Apart from Ermita, other government officials who attended the mass for the late President Aquino were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, and a few members of the House of Representatives.

More than a hundred churchgoers also filled up the huge St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the Sunday mass while rains were pouring outside. Unaware of the presence of the Philippine leader in the facility, some people were intrigued by the presence of several Secret Service agents as well as New York City policemen in and outside the church.

When sought for a message of Aquino’s death after the mass, the President declined and claimed she has already given a statement.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President is “sincere” in extending her condolences to the Aquino family amid reports some of the children were not too pleased with her plan visit to the former leader’s wake. Remonde also urged people not to put political color in the death of Mrs. Aquino.

“I would like to assure that the President is very sincere about her condolences and that’s why in fact, the President has declared 10 days of mourning, she offered a state funeral, declared a special non working holiday during the burial, has offered masses at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and even in Malacanang. The President is doing her part,” he said.