THOUSANDS OF OLONGAPENOS JOINED THE FUNERAL MARCH FOR MA’AM AMELIA

The Gordon clan, led by Senator Richard Gordon and Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, joined by thousands of friends and supporters joined the funeral march to bring the acknowledged “Mother of Olongapo” to her final resting place at Gordon Park, Kalaklan on November 25, 2009.

As the funeral march passed by the streets of Olongapo City from the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) to Gordon Park, many more thousands lined-up the sidewalks and buildings to get a glimpse of Ma’am Amelia for the last time.

To show their respect to the first woman mayor of Olongapo City and elected Assemblywoman in the Batasang Pambansa, people lined-up in the streets. Teachers, students, government employees, private citizens and many other mourners formed a human chain and waved ‘red ribbons’ as the cortege pass. At some points, the carriage bearing the casket of Ma’am Amelia was showered with confetti.

At the Gordon Park, Ma’am Amelia was honored with a 21 gun salute by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Flag was handed over to her first-born child, Veronica Lorenzana-Gordon.

In behalf of the family, Senator Richard Gordon thanked all the people who mourned, condoled and helped the family in their time of grief.

“Ito ang pinaka-mabigat na pangyayari sa aming pamilya ngunit hindi ninyo kami pinabayaan, sinamahan ninyo kami simula nang dumating ang aking ina hanggang ihatid ito sa Gordon Park. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat”, Senator Gordon said.

Ma’am Amelia died on November 17, 2009 at the age of eighty-nine (89). She was recognized for her services and humanitarian work and received numerous medals and awards, including the Doña Aurora Aragon Medal, the Silver Jubilee Family Award, the Silver Medal Award from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), the Gintong Ina Award Alay kay Inay, the Gold Humanitarian Service Cross Award and recipient of the prestigious 2009 Pearl S. Buck International Woman of the Year Award.

Thousands of people joined and awaited the funeral procession that brought Amelia Juico Gordon to her final resting place last November 25, 2009 at Gordon Memorial Park.

Senator Richard Gordon and sister Veronica Gordon-Lorenzana accepts the Philippine Flag in honor of their mother’s contribution to Olongapo and to the welfare of Filipino children during the ceremony held at the funeral of their mother Amelia Juico Gordon.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. sprinkles earth on her mother’s grave. Amelia Juico Gordon, was laid to her final resting place beside her husband, the late Mayor James Gordon Sr. at the Gordon Memorial Park last November 25, 2009.