Admirers and family members say goodbye to Vicente Fernández with an emotional ceremony

The funeral of Vicente Fernandez This Monday he dimensioned the devotion to his figure, that of a true idol of the people, which even led some to take a plane to Mexico as soon as they learned of his departure.

Among the thousands who paraded before the coffin was the Colombian Gabriela González, who did not hesitate to take a flight on Sunday from Bogotá to Guadalajara, Jalisco (west) to say goodbye to “Chente.”

“We are here only to accompany Mexico in this terrible duel,” González, a 58-year-old primary school teacher, who traveled with five other people, told AFP.

Lover of the emotional interpretations of “Charro de Huentitán”, who died on Sunday at the age of 81, the Colombian did not rest until she reached the Los Tres Potrillos ranch, owned by the Fernández family.

The funeral was held in the Arena VFG, built at the initiative of the singer, who could not recover from a fall on his farm last August.

Vicente Fernández was “a great person, his songs have beautiful messages, something you don’t hear in today’s music,” says González.

The funeral services again filled the VFG entertainment center for the second day, on the outskirts of Guadalajara, where a present body mass was held this Monday with the family and friends of the winner of three Grammy Awards and nine Latin Grammy Awards.

According to local authorities, more than 116,000 people attended during the several hours that the farewell lasted.

After the mass, the popular singer Alejandro Fernández, his son, performed before the coffin “Volver, Volver”, one of the artist’s most famous songs and who, according to the media, had asked to be performed at a funeral.

“Say goodbye to him with applause,” called Monsignor Oscar Sánchez Barba, a family friend who officiated at the religious ceremony, which brought thousands of attendees to their feet.

Blessing

Vicente Fernandez was considered the last great idol of the ranchera music.

“To all the people who are here, to all the people who are watching us, who asked, sent blessings, had masses said, prayed (…) I send them the blessing with all my heart,” expressed Maria del Refugio moved. Abarca, wife of “el Chente”.

Accompanied by her four children and her 11 grandchildren, Abarca set up an honor guard in front of the coffin where the remains of the one who was the love of her life lie.

The admiration and gratitude for the king of mariachis led Mexican Olivia Zúñiga to travel from Orlando (Florida, United States) where she has lived for 30 years to Guadalajara, where she is originally from.

“Goodbye, my Chente!” Read a poster held by Zúñiga, who was accompanied by her husband and two children.

Many in the crowd broke down in tears when the coffin with the singer’s body left the arena.

The Fernández family representative office confirmed to AFP that the remains of Vicente Fernandez They will stay at Los Tres Potrillos ranch at the request of his wife and children.

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