The Manila Cathedral was the venue for President Cory Aquino's necrological service.

The flatbed 10-wheeler truck carrying Mrs. Aquino's flag-draped coffin had a funeral convoy from La Salle Greenhills to the main thoroughfare Edsa and passed by Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The convoy stopped briefly in front of the monument of Mrs. Aquino's late husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., on the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

Dozens of people carrying banners and streamers had messages such as this as an expression of support for the former President. The area around the cathedral would later be filled with supporters and a military entourage.

Noynoy Aquino, the only son (among five children) of Benigno and Cory Aquino, personally shook hands and thanked supporters for their patience and long-suffering under the afternoon heat. He was earlier informed that people had waited at the Manila Cathedral as early as 9:00 a.m. in the morning.

Before the mass, Ninoy and Cory's nephew Bam Aquino was seen answering a call. Bam, who bears a striking resemblance to the slain political leader, portrayed his uncle in the docu-drama The Last Journey of Ninoy, which chronicled the last few days of the Senator.

Chief Supt. Roberto L. Rosales served as one of the pallbearers.

Director Leopold Bataoil, regional director of the PNP National Capital Region also served as a pallbearer for the late President.

A platoon of military officers in three columns (with female officers on the leftmost side) announced the arrival of the truck bearing the casket of Cory with a snappy march.

The generals exit the cathedral in preparation for the honorable task they were about to undertake.

By 4 pm, two hours behind schedule, the funeral convoy stopped in front of the Manila Cathedral.

Four honor guards stood by Aquino's flower-adorned casket. Around 50 policemen escorted the procession, which moved slowly because of the huge crowds.

The children of Mrs. Aquino waited patiently for the arrival of their mother's casket. (From left) Aurora Corazon "Pinky'' Aquino-Abellada, Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy'' Aquino III, Elena "Ballsy'' Aquino-Cruz and TV host-actress Kristina Bernadette Aquino-Yap.

Family members, including Kris' husband James Yap (rightmost, wearing black), went outside to participate in the National Anthem ceremony.

Joining the rest of the family are Kris's son Josh (partly hidden behind Kris) and James Jr.

In an earlier interview, Kris revealed that she promised her mother that she and James Yap will have a church wedding. It will be recalled that the couple got married through a civil wedding in July 2005.

Cory's flower-adorned casket was filled with yellow confetti thrown by admirers located around Intramuros. Around 5,000 people gathered around the Manila Cathedral to await the arrival of the funeral convoy.

Press photographers positioned themselves in an elevated area to get a good shot. 

The outpouring of love and support for President Aquino was reminiscent of the time when Cory's slain husband, Ninoy Aquino, was brought to his resting place 26 years ago.

The Aquino family thanked the Archdiocese of Manila for allowing Cory's wake to be held at the Manila Cathedral. Only deceased archbishops are allowed to have their wake at the Manila Cathedral but because the former President was a staunch supporter of the Catholic Church, public viewing for Cory was conducted here until the burial on August 5, 2009.

The convoy was welcomed by family members, led by Sen. Benigno Aquino III, and honor guards from the military and police.

As the National Anthem was played, everyone in the immediate vicinity of the Manila Cathedral stood in a respectful stance and sang.

President Aquino was given military honors, followed by prayers from Bishops Socrates Villegas and Broderick Pabillo.

After the National Anthem, the casket was taken inside in time for the necrological service.

As the officers escort their former commander-in-chief near the altar, siblings Kris and Noynoy followed closely behind.

The cathedral was bathed in soft yellow light, the trademark color of the former head of state.

On August 4, a necrological service was also conducted and among those who sang were Christian Bautista, Kuh Ledesma, Rachelle Ann Go, Ivy Violan and Jamie Rivera.

The pallbearers slowly and carefully laid down the casket in its place near the altar. The body of Mrs. Aquino will be laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City, beside the tomb of her husband, Ninoy Aquino. 

Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas officiated the mass that day.

A company of nuns slowly and quietly grouped and encircled the casket—their own way of bidding a last goodbye to the president who so believed in the power of prayer.

As the mass neared its end, people who had been waiting for hours eagerly awaited the signal for them to be led inside the church where they could get a last view of their president.

Entrepreneurs took the time to lay out their merchandise: Yellow shirts with Cory's image and the words, "Mahal ka namin."

Interested buyers can get one for 100 pesos.

Three of these pins can be bought for 100 pesos as well.

People from all walks of life began to line up to catch a glimpse of the late President as early as 9:00 a.m. Though they had to wait under the blistering heat and occasional rain, they stayed on patiently, and when the mass ended at about 4:30 p.m., they were finally allowed pay their respects inside the church.