Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and her children welcomed Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his sister Imee with shake hands and smiles when the two briefly attended the public viewing of the remains of President Corazon Aquino at the Manila Cathedral Tuesday.

Clad in gray long sleeves and black sleeveless dress, Bongbong and Imee arrived at the public wake at about 2:30 p.m.

After paying their last respects to Mrs. Aquino, the two sat and chatted with Cruz’s children at the pew closest to the casket.

When asked of their reason for visiting Mrs. Aquino, one of their family’s political enemies, Bongbong merely said “nakikiramay lang po kami kaya kami nandito” and refused to answer any question from the media.

The two were the children of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator overthrown by the People Power Revolution led by Aquino in 1986. Even their mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, earlier aired her sympathy to the Aquino family for the recent demise of Mrs. Aquino.

Meanwhile, Pinky Aquino-Abellada said she can sense the sincerity of the Marcoses for coming to their mother’s wake.

“I can personally sense [the sincerity] but unfortunately I wasn’t around to accommodate them because it was Balsy who was there when they visited. [But then] I also want to thank them for coming,” Abellada said.

Kris Aquino-Yap and Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino, III were also not around when the Marcos siblings briefly visited but Abellada was quick to say that their absence was only accidental.

“They came home very late last night that is why they are still not around but I’m sure they’ll be coming shortly. Nag-usap kasi kaming lima na hati-hati kami sa pagbabantay at pagwe-welcome sa mga dumadalaw. Basta ang mahalaga ay nandito ang kahit isa sa amin,” she added.