The days following Holy Week turned out to be a lively week for the Filipino people, as they mourned the passing of icons from vastly different fields yet also celebrated their impact on the life of the nation. The death of Pope Francis on April 21 affected many Filipinos as well as the global community after the Argentine Pontiff brought the institution closer to humanity in all its contrasting persuasions. On April 22, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula Jr. led a requiem Mass (1ST photo) in honor of Francis at the Manila Cathedral before traveling to the Vatican on April 24 to join Luis Antonio Tagle, Pietro Parolin (left of Tagle) and other cardinals (2nd photo) in Francis’ funeral on Saturday. Also on April 22, the government held funeral rites at the Heroes’ Cemetery for National Artist Nora Aunor who died on April 16 (3rd photo). In her vocation of the arts, the actress and singer broke the conventions of celebrity and left a legacy of outstanding performances, particularly in cinema. Another notable singer, Hajji Alejandro (4th photo), died on April 21. Alejandro helped revitalize Filipino popular music into what is now called OPM, or original Pilipino music, with his 1977 breakthrough hit written by Ryan Cayabyab, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.” —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA, REUTERS, ROMY HOMILLADA
RALLY VS’ FOREIGN INTIMIDATION’
Protesters gather outside the Chinese Consular Office in Makati on April 24 to clamor for the release of three Filipinos from Palawan province who were detained in China early this month on alleged espionage charges. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general and spokesperson of the National Security Council, said earlier that the detained Filipinos—David Servañez, Albert Endencia and Nathalie Plizardo—were “ordinary citizens with no military training who merely went to China at the invitation of the Chinese government to study.” The group of protesters denounced the arrests as retaliatory and urged the government to act against “foreign intimidation.” Beijing’s incursions in Philippine waters as well as allegations of its espionage activities targeting the country’s midterm election campaign remain a thorn in its relations with Manila. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
