The nation mourns the demise of former President Diosdado P. Macapagal even as he is laid to rest today at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He was a rare statesman who not only had vision and a sense of history but also had the necessary intelligence, charisma and strong moral character to lead his people.
Macapagal's life-story is an inspiring lesson for every Filipino. It is the saga of a determined man who overcame the seeemingly invincible hurdles of life by striving to achieve excellence.

Manila Bulletin, Sun., April 27, 1997, p. 10