Mass farewell to ex-Philippine leader Aquino

Tens of thousands of Filipinos, many in tears, lined the streets of Manila to see the coffin carrying former leader Corazon Aquino during an emotional procession to the capital's cathedral on Monday.

The ex-president, whose husband was assassinated by forces loyal to dictator Ferdinand Marcos after returning home from exile in 1983, died of cancer at the weekend and is to be buried on Wednesday.

There has been a massive outpouring of tributes for the woman fondly called Tita, or Auntie, Cory, a grandmotherly figure credited with restoring democracy to the nation.

Traffic ground to a halt and confetti rained down from office blocks as people from all walks of life braved intermittent rain to get near Aquino's coffin, lying on a bed of yellow flowers atop an open truck that slowly made its way through the Makati financial district.

Making the letter "L" sign with their fingers for Laban (fight) -- Aquino's party slogan -- the crowd sang a revolutionary anthem and chanted "Cory, Cory".

Women openly cried as yellow balloons symbolising Aquino's "People Power" revolution were released into the air. Yellow banners fluttered from rooftops and posters of Aquino hung from lampposts outside the stock exchange.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all," the youngest of the Aquino children, actress Kristina Bernadette, said as the convoy stopped in front of a statue of her late father, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino.

"Our hearts feel so wonderful because you are letting us feel that you loved my mum very much," she said. "I feel so blessed to be a Filipino."

She said allowing the public to view her mother's body was "our way of saying thank you to the people who were with us from the very start".

Imelda Marcos, the famously-extravagant widow of Aquino's archfoe, said she hoped for national reconciliation.

"I can feel the pain, the loss of a loved one, so I am in prayer. If these two families reconciled, there will be a miracle for the Philippines," the former first lady said on television.

The Aquino family earlier said relatives of Marcos could attend the wake for the former president, but should not expect a warm welcome.

Aquino's family rejected the offer of a state funeral from President Gloria Arroyo, who fell out with the former leader over allegations of corruption in Arroyo's administration.

Sirens wailed and ships docked at Manila's harbour blared their horns as the procession approached the Manila Cathedral after a five-hour trip across town that covered a mere 12 kilometres (7.5 miles).

Classical music played while her body was received on a red carpet. She was taken near the altar, and priests wafted incense.

"The battle is over, victory is won," said close family friend Bishop Socrates Villegas, who helped officiate at a mass.

Mourners offered silent prayers and recalled fond memories of the deeply religious woman who, even in death, wore her trademark yellow dress, and clutched a rosary with a golden cross.

Many wore pins and shirts with pictures of Aquino, whose death sparked tributes from around the world.

Among those who had visited her body was Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who called Aquino a source of inspiration for Asian leaders.

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was also expected to view the coffin at the cathedral later Monday, friends and family said.

Reluctantly stepping into the shoes of her husband, Aquino in 1986 challenged Marcos in a presidential election that he won amid massive cheating.

A group of military officers subsequently turned against him, and Aquino called millions onto the streets to protect them from Marcos's troops.

This mushroomed into a massive street protest that eventually forced Marcos to flee to Hawaii, where he died in 1989.