By Joanne Rae Ramirez
Former President Corazon Aquino, who vanquished a formidable dictatorship and repelled seven coup attempts against her presidency in the 1980s, is now fighting for her life.
Close friends and relatives gathered yesterday for a Mass offered for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery from complications related to colon cancer at the Sto. Niño de Paz Community chapel in Greenbelt in Makati City, praying that the former president would win this last big battle.
Asked after the Mass how his mother-in-law was doing, Manolo Abellada, husband of Mrs. Aquino’s daughter Pinky, said sadly, “Not good. She has not been eating.”
Mrs. Aquino, 76, was diagnosed with colon cancer in March last year and has undergone chemotherapy, laparoscopy and radiation to fight the disease. She was hospitalized at the Makati Medical Center nine days ago after she lost her appetite for food, and close friends say she still has not regained her appetite. But sources say she is conscious and is still able to speak.
While the Mass was being said for her healing, Mrs. Aquino was resting in the hospital. Her only son Sen. Benigno Aquino III has asked for continuous prayers for his mother.
“Senator Aquino sincerely thanks all those who attended the novena Mass (yesterday) and those who continue to pray for his mother’s healing,” a statement from the senator’s office said.
“I thank God for not making her have much pain,” Pinky Abellada told this writer.
The former president’s assistant Margarita Juico told The STAR Mrs. Aquino has refused more chemotherapy and has rejected being fed through a nose tube.
She said she believes Mrs. Aquino, a deeply religiously woman, “has surrendered” to the will of God.
Broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez read the novena prayer for Mrs. Aquino’s healing during the Mass. Sanchez said she attended the Mass because she and fiancé Sen. Mar Roxas had Mrs. Aquino “first on our list” of wedding sponsors but did not have the opportunity to formally ask her since she was already ill after the couple’s engagement was announced. Mrs. Aquino and her late husband Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. were close friends of Roxas’ parents, Judy Araneta Roxas and the late Sen. Gerry Roxas.
“You took the hand of Cory as she struggled through every trial, as she confronted every challenge and embraced every cross of her life. Take her hand now and have mercy on her and upon all poor souls who are in agony…” part of the prayer read.
Senator Roxas said the former president is “undergoing a difficult time in her illness.”
“I join our people in the prayers for her quick recovery. President Cory is one of the great leaders I respect and emulate. Mrs. President, please fight on, we need you,” he said.
Sen. Manuel Villar also enjoined the Filipino nation to offer a prayer for Mrs. Aquino “as she enters a critical period in the battle against cancer.”
“We will forever be indebted to President Cory for her significant contribution to the restoration of democracy in the country. In this time when there are serious threats to our democracy, she remains the icon that our people turn to for hope,” he said.
Some of Mrs. Aquino’s close friends were seen crying during the Mass. Among those who attended the Mass were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former Sen. Frank Drilon, former Justice Adolfo Azcuna, Gina de Venecia, former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, STAR columnist Philip Juico, Steve and Precy Psinakis, Ramon del Rosario Jr., Virgie Ramos, Maritess Lopez, Deedee Siytangco and Odette Ong.
“We hope that people will support her and pray for her,” Siytangco, the former president’s spokeswoman, said.
The novena Masses continue until July 9.
After the 1983 assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., Aquino was swept into power by a popular revolt that sent the Marcos dictatorship into exile.
Mrs. Aquino, who governed from 1986 to 1992, is also known as a moral crusader who has continued to fight for various causes, including anti-corruption efforts. – With Aurea Calica, Jose Rodel Clapano, AP
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