PINOYTFC-Sally Villanueva's body arrives Thursday

MANILA, Philippines – The remains of executed Filipino drug courier Sally Ordinario-Villanueva is set to arrive in Manila Thursday evening from China.

As of posting time, Edith Ordinario and her three children were at the airport waiting for the arrival of Villanueva’s remains.

Exactly a week ago, Villanueva was executed through lethal injection in Xiamen, China.

Vllanueva’s husband Hilarion wanted to be there to fetch his wife’s body but was advised to return to Isabela to attend their eldest child’s graduation from elementary. However, he reportedly changed his mind again and is still in Manila.

Early Thursday morning, the Ordinario family began preparing their home in Batasan, Quezon City for Villanueva’s wake. “Kami po, sabik po naming makita yung anak po namin kasi nga po, sa tagal na di namin nakita tapos darating ngayon isang bangkay," said Villanueva’s father, Peter Ordinario.

President Benigno Aquino III also sent a mass card to the Ordinario family to convey his sympathy.

In the afternoon, the family went to a mall to shop for Villanueva’s burial dress and other accessories. While shopping, Villanueva’s mother and sister could not help but feel emotional.

“S’yempre yung nangyari sa anak ko, di ko maipaliwanag kung gaano kasakit,” said Mrs. Ordinario.

“Habang tumitingin po ako ng damit, hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na sa ngayon namimili ako ng damit para sa burol niya,” said her sister Mylene Ordinario.

After shopping, the family went straight to the airport to wait for the arrival of Villanueva’s body.

The Ordinario family plans to hold a one-day wake for Villanueva in Batasan. After that, her remains will be transported first to Echague then to Jones in Isabela province. - report from Nina Corpuz, ABS-CBN News