Garbed in her signature color yellow, former president Corazon Aquino’s former Cabinet members gathered Saturday in prayer for the recovery of the 76-year-old leader who is battling cancer.
Her spokesperson Deedee Siytangco said this is what they could do for Aquino, who remains under close medical watch at the Makati Medical Center.
“You may call it prayer power,” Siytangco said.
Or it could be Cory magic.
Aquino, who led the largely peaceful revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986, is the world’s icon for People Power.
The prayer power for Aquino’s recovery has spread to the Internet, with bloggers and members of social networks expressing their short and heartfelt prayers for her recovery.
Her official website, http://www.coryaquino.ph, has been swamped with prayers and messages since July 1, when it was reported that she was in “serious” condition.
As of Saturday, the website has devoted a total of 73 pages — with 10 messages per page — for letters from the public, including from Filipinos overseas and foreigners.
Some of the writers narrated their experiences during the 1986 People Power revolution. Others recalled how they first met her during her campaign for the 1986 snap elections when she, a mere housewife, challenged the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
A few sent poems and prayers asking various saints to help “Tita Cory.”
All of the writers wrote down their names and addresses, with many carrying formal introductions about their family or clan, work, parishes and organizations.
An Ishmael Sinsuat said the “Sinsuat clan of Cotabato City, Maguindanao” was not only praying for Aquino but also offered their “humblest thanks for everything you have done to our country.”
A Lutheran pastor said he was also in EDSA and had “willingly obeyed” Aquino’s call for civil disobedience “even if it was difficult.” He said he would include Aquino in the prayers in his church.
On the social network Facebook, prayers and message for Aquino are also popular postings on walls.
A statement on Aquino’s health posted on Senator Benigno Aquino III’s account also generated numerous comments.
Even the AM radio programs have also become outlets for public expression of support for the ailing former President.
On the noon time show on DZMM, a sympathetic caller said he wished Aquino was spared of any physical pain. “Eh, kung pwede lang sana hatiin na lang nating mga Filipino yong sakit na nadarama ninyo, amin na lang po,” the caller said.
The color yellow was prominent among those who attended the fourth of the nine -day novena of healing Masses held at the Greenbelt chapel in Maakti.
Former Public Works secretary Ping de Jesus, who was in yellow, led the reading of the novena prayer.
Former Senate president Franklin Drilon and his wife Mila were both in yellow. Drilon served as Ms Aquino’s executive and labor secretary.
Former PMS head and MMDA director, Elfren Cruz, was also in yellow.
Also in yellow were former Local Government Secretary Cesar Sarino, former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao, former Trade Secretary Jose Pardo, former NEDA chief Dondon Paderanga, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Philip Juico, former Transportation and Communication Secretary Pete Prado and Cabinet Secretary Aniceto Sobrepeña.
Also present were Aquino’s legal adviser, Justice Adolfo Azcuna, former Central Bank Governor Jose Cuisia, Manila Mayor Fred Lim and and Ambassador Miguel Perez Rubio.
Lim was the NBI chief and Perez Rubio was Malacañang protocol officer during the Aquino administration.
Sunday’s healing Mass for Ms Aquino will be held at 12 noon sharp instead of 12:15 p.m.
