News update Despite rains, Pinoys troop early to Quirino grandstand

Wednesday's predawn rains failed to dampen the spirits of Filipinos who trooped early to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to witness the inauguration of 15th Philippine President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III.

Radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion said people from as far as Samar in the Eastern Visayas region and Zambales province in Central Luzon went to the Quirino Grandstand early.

People who came from Samar arrived as early as Tuesday night while a group from Zambales arrived at 3 a.m.

The rains also came early despite the state weather agency's earlier forecast claiming a low-pressure area (LPA) "cooperated" with the event by not passing directly over Metro Manila.

"At least the low-pressure area did not pass directly over Metro Manila and went west. But the weather will be cloudy over Metro Manila and Central Luzon," Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Gener Quitlong said in Filipino in an interview on dzBB radio.

The early morning rains forced those already at the grandstand area to seek shelter in tents set up around the vicinity.

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Aquino's supporters who were there hours before the main even told GMANews.TV they were willing to stake out at the grandstand.

Maria Fe Policarpio, a 54-year-old mother of three, said she was at the venue as early as 5 a.m. just to spot Aquino, whom she voted for in the May elections.

"Simula pa kay Cory saka sa asawa niyang namatay, hanggang ngayon suporta kami (Even from the time of Cory and her late husband, until now, we are supporters)," Policarpio, who resides in Quezon City, told GMANews.TV.

Aquino is the only son of the late former president Corazon Aquino and martyred senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

Policarpio said she did not care if the rains resume during the inauguration program, saying she and her three kids – one in college, two in high school – came armed with umbrellas.

Policarpio is part of a group of volunteers named Kabataan Kontra Korupsyon. She said she also voted for Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay, who will also take his oath with Aquino before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Editha Santos, an 84-year-old Tondo resident, said she went to the grandstand at 4 a.m. by herself to see Aquino inaugurated as the next president.

 Santos said she used to live in the slums near Malacañang when Mrs. Aquino was president from 1986 to 1992.



"Gusto ko makita si Noynoy. Noong una pa lang kasi, kay Madame Cory na kami [sumusuporta] (I want to see Noynoy. From the very beginning, we have been pro-Cory)," she said.

Forty four-year-old Ricky Burgos of Bulacan said his family braved the rains because, he said, "this event is only is once in a lifetime."

Guests, including incumbent and incoming officials and foreign dignitaries, are expected to arrive at 9 a.m. Aquino himself is estimated to arrive at 10:45 a.m. with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who will leave the venue after the military gives her a 21-gun salute, their final honors for the outgoing chief executive.

On the other hand, dzBB's Teresa Tavares reported ambulant vendors selling food items such as taho also went around the grandstand area to provide “early birds" with a quick breakfast.

Improved weather

The weather will likely improve at noon, once the LPA moves away from Metro Manila, PAGASA’s Quitlong said. Aquino is to take his oath at noon and join a street party in Quezon City at night.

"Maaring gumanda ang panahon mamayang hapon (The weather may improve this afternoon)," he said.

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Citing PAGASA data as of 2 a.m., he said the LPA was 160 km southwest of Iba town in Zambales province in Central Luzon.

He added there was no indication the LPA would intensify into a cyclone. But still, he advised Filipinos attending the inauguration to bring their umbrellas.

Souvenir items

In Quezon City, dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported vendors started selling souvenir items as early as 6 a.m. at the Quezon Memorial Circle, where Aquino was to lead a street party Wednesday night.

Stickers depicting a yellow ribbon sold for between P5 to P33.

The stickers measuring 11 inches sold at P100 for three pieces, while the seven-inch stickers sold at P25 or four for P100.

The smaller stickers, which can be placed on cell phones, sold for P5 each.

A QTV Balitanghali reported last Sunday enterprising small-time entrepreneurs in Manila’s Quiapo district beginning to an array of souvenir items inspired by President-elect Benigno Aquino III. [See: Vendors start selling Noynoy-inspired souvenir items] The items range from shirts, button pins with Aquino's face printed on them to commemorative cups and yellow ribbons — the icon Aquino used during his campaign. The list of Noynoy memorabilia also suddenly sprouted in Metro Manila markets.

A vendor, Ronald Trabo, even inserted Aquino’s photographs in picture frames which drew the attention of some passersby, who became curious and took a good look at all the souvenir items in his store. — with Jam Sisante and Sophia Dedace/LBG/RSJ