Former President Aquino, people power icon, passes away

[ctivnan]

http://www.gmanews.tv/webpics/infotech/cory_laban.jpg


MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, icon of people power in the Philippines and around the world, passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday, her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III, said. The official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.

The 76-year-old Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the Makati Medical Center in June due to loss of appetite. She never left the hospital, as her declining condition sparked a wave of emotion in the country and prompted the widespread appearance of yellow ribbons - on trees, car antennas, and even the Web.

“She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country," Senator Aquino said. "Hinihiling ng aming pamilya ng kaunting panahon para makasama ang aming ina."

He added that other details will be announced later in the day.

Dressed in her signature yellow, Mrs. Aquino rallied the middle class in a series of protests culminating in the 1986 people power revolt that toppled the 20-year regime of strongman Ferdinand Marcos and swept her to the presidency.

She blamed the Marcos government for the assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., who was gunned down at the Manila airport upon returning from exile in 1983.

The former housewife reluctantly took over as Marcos’ main challenger, becoming an international icon of democracy after her victory sparked a wave of pro-democracy movements around the world. Time Magazine named Mrs. Aquino its Woman of the Year in 1986.

Source: GMA News & TV (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168752/Former-President-Corazon-Aquino-people-power-icon-passes-away)

[rsveneracionph]

It's sad but she is now free of pain. She's a big lost to our country. May she rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon her. Thank you very much Pres. Cory. I hope the next president will do her/his best to help the poor.

[cmo]

Indeed, she became a great leader (from house wife)!!!

World condoles on Aquino’s death

MANILA, Philippines—The world weeps with the family of President Corazon Aquino and the Filipino nation, as ambassadors from various countries sent their message of condolences following her passing.
The United States, which hosted the Aquino family during the exile of her husband during Marcos’s time, had three statements of condolences—from US State Secretary Hillary Clinton, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.
Clinton said, “Cory Aquino was beloved by her nation and admired by the world for her extraordinary courage after the assassination of her husband, and later, during her service as president. She helped bring democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered. Like millions of people worldwide, Bill and I were inspired by her quiet strength and her unshakable commitment to justice and freedom. We join the American and Filipino people in honoring her life and memory.
Gibbs said, “The President was deeply saddened by the death of former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino. Ms. Aquino played a crucial role in Philippines history, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent ‘People Power’ movement over twenty years ago. Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines. “
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said: “After her husband was assassinated in 1983, President Aquino's determined leadership of the peaceful 'People Power' revolution restored democracy to the Philippines. Her courage in the face of tragedy and the peaceful restoration of democracy made her an icon for freedom-loving people everywhere. President Aquino's example and memory will inspire generations to come.
For the past twenty years, President Cory worked closely with the US embassy in helping to select the annual recipients of the Ninoy Aquino Fellowships given for public service and journalism. We will deeply miss her personal warmth and her tireless zeal on behalf of talented Filipinos emerging as leaders in those fields. Our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with the Aquino family and all those who, like us, loved her.”

European Union Ambassador Alistair MacDonald honored the legacy of former president. He said, “My heartfelt condolences, and deepest sympathy, go to the family of President Aquino, and to the Philippine nation, on this very sad occasion. In 1986 President Aquino became a beacon of democracy in the Philippines, and an inspiration for many others around the world. Throughout her Presidential term, and notwithstanding a number of severe challenges, she never flinched in her determination to ensure that the Philippines would not veer from its democratic path.”
Officials of the government of the United Kingdom, including Foreign Office Minister of State Ivan Lewis MP and former Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, who worked closely with Mrs Aquino during her election campaign, sent their condolences.
Brown said: "I received the news of Corazon Aquino's death with great sadness. As an advisor in her campaign against President Marcos, the privilege of working with Cory and watching her was one of my life's greatest lessons in courage, leadership, the art of politics and humanity. The way she and all her family made such friends of me as an outsider is something I have always treasured."
British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said: "I had the honor and pleasure of meeting former President Aquino on several occasions, when we were able to discuss her visits to London and her interests in members of the Filipino community in Britain, especially those serving in the Church. Those discussions left me with an overwhelming sense of her grace, charisma, and compassion. The Philippines has lost a wonderful leader who is widely admired in Britain for her courage and inspiration."
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Robert Desjardins said: “President Aquino will be remembered as a leader who ushered in a new era of freedom in the Philippines, and inspired millions around the world. She was an international icon of democracy, a global model of people power, and a passionate advocate of good governance. President Aquino has been recognized internationally for her contributions to human rights and political freedoms, values that Canada strongly shares with the Philippines. She will be sincerely missed by the international community, and people everywhere, including the 300,000 Canadians of Filipino origin.”
Veronica Uy

source (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net)

[trailblazerstravelntours]

This is sad news indeed! The memories of the Ninoy assassination and glory days of the EDSA Revolution came back when I heard that the former President Cory Aquino passed away. The whole nation is mourning and is praying for her.

[pinoypower]

Cory's passing is a will of God to end her pain and suffering and to reward her of eternal life!

My sympathy goes to her family and I join the rest of our countrymen in mourning.

Her example of ethical leadership and good governance is a lasting legacy that should be emulated by all those aspiring for public office.

She's like a candle in the wind that lit our country in those darkest and challenging times.:candle:

[q_sharon]

President Cory is a leader by example.

:first:

[cmo]

Prayer for a Happy Death
By Corazon Aquino
Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.
So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.
When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other.
Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.
Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen.

This prayer composed by Cory Aquino appeared on July 10, 2009 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

[tcha]

I saw their suffering... I felt their pains... as a PRESIDENT, she was REMARKABLE!
Thank you for the DEMOCRACY you brought us back... Goodbye Tita Cory!

[tcha]

Jose Mari Chan made the melody of Ninoy's poem for Cory...

I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE
(With the same woman three times)

I have fallen in love
With the same woman three times
In a day spanning nineteen years
Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young
Enchanting and vibrant, eternally new
She was brilliant, fragrant and cool as the morning dew
I fell in love with her the second time

When first she bore her child and mine
She's always by my side, the source of my strength
Helping to turn the tide…
I fell in love again with the same woman the third time

Looming from the battle her courage will never fade.
Amidst the hardships she has remained
Undaunted and unafraid
She is calm and composed. She is God's lovely maid.

lyrics.com

[cmo]

Special Holiday on Cory Aquino Funeral

On Aug 05, Wednesday, Malacañang has declared a (http://www.lugaluda.com/2009/08/03/special-holiday-on-cory-aquino-funeral/)special holiday on Cory Aquino Funeral, a non-working holiday in commemoration of the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

The private funeral of Aquino will be held on Wednesday, and she will be buried beside her late husband, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park.
The declaration of Wednesday as a special non-working holiday will allow the nation to witness the moments before Madam Cory Aquino is brought to her final resting place. A mass will be held at 9 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral before the burial.

[got from forwarded email]

[ronzam2002]

I'll gonna miss this person...

[gAn]

Thanks for posting the articles on Cory Aquino!

I heard on the news that there were 10 days of mourning announced by the government. Will any Coffeer kindly explain what this means? Is it having the flags at half-mast? What else goes on during the mourning period? :confused:

Thanks in advance!