Former Philippine president Corazon Aquino continues to fight and to provide hope and inspiration not only to her family but also to the nation, her youngest daughter said Thursday.

In a statement e-mailed to the Inquirer, actress and TV host Kris Aquino said she and her siblings were thanking the Filipino people for the prayers for their mother’s healing.

The cancer-stricken Aquino remained in delicate but stable condition at Makati Medical Centre, where she has been confined for over a week now for weakness and loss of appetite.

Kris arrived at the hospital early Thursday morning to keep watch over the former president, who has been moved from the intensive care unit to a regular room.

Earlier on Thursday, spokesperson Deedee Siytangco said Aquino was “happy” about the prayers being said for her recovery.

Siytangco spoke with the Inquirer on the phone before the second of the nine healing Masses for the 76-year-old Aquino and other cancer patients was celebrated at noon at Santo Niño de Paz chapel in Greenbelt 5 in Makati City.

“She was smiling when her daughters told her about the healing Masses. She knows there’s a novena and she’s happy about it,” said Siytangco, who was dressed in yellow, Aquino’s signature colour.

Prayer centres abroad

She said Aquino also smiled when told about the prayer centres set up by Filipino communities abroad.

Siytangco said Aquino’s children were “coping”, and that they were taking turns staying with their mother.

“As far as I know, (her condition) is still the same … Her children have been telling her about all the text messages coming in, the outpouring from all over the world. She knows that, and she’s happy about it,” Siytangco said.

Said Kris in the statement: “Our mother has been battling cancer with much courage for a year and a half.

“Her current hospitalisation was necessary because of her loss of appetite, caused by fluid buildup in her stomach area.

“We remain in complete trust in God’s infinite healing power.

“Our family wishes to thank the Filipino people for their prayers and outpouring of love and concern for our mother.

“She continues to be a woman of faith, a fighter, a source of hope and inspiration for all of us, not just her family but our entire nation as well.

“Just like she has always taught us by her life’s example, we entrust everything to God.”

Estrada et al

Ex-president Joseph Estrada and his family, Pangasinan Rep Jose de Venecia and his wife Gina, and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim attended the Mass along with Aquino’s close friends and associates.

Also present at the chapel were a number of her former staff, including Margie Juico and her husband Philip, Odette Ong, and former Interior Secretary Cesar Sarino, and legal advisers Justices Flerida Ruth Romero and Magdangal Elma.

“We feel very sad (about the former President’s condition),” Estrada told the Inquirer. “She’s one woman who commands respect from every Filipino. Aside from her being a President, she’s the most respected and most trusted.”

During the Mass, Aquino was hailed not only as an “icon of democracy” but as an “icon of prayer power” by the officiating priest, Fr Jun Sescon.

“She’s an icon of prayer power because she has relied on the Lord in all her struggles, in her personal life, in her family life, especially in her struggle for the country,” Sescon said.

“We witnessed how she has never wavered. She really believes that God always provides. She never gave up. And that is an inspiration to all of us,” he said.

‘Don’t lose hope’

Sescon called on the people to intensify their prayers for “Cory” and to have faith—just as she did when the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

“She’s an epitome of a person who trusts in the Lord. I remember witnessing her and her meetings with (the late Jaime) Cardinal Sin. When the supporters would begin thinking of quitting, both of them would always remind everyone: Do not lose hope, God will provide,” the priest recounted.

“Let’s remain faithful and always be in prayer. The dawn of a new day will come. We’ve witnessed that so many times in history,” he said.

Siytangco said she could not elaborate further on Aquino’s condition, and reiterated that the former president was no longer being subjected to medical interventions.

She and Sescon also confirmed that Aquino’s priest friends had administered the “anointing of the sick” to hasten her healing.

“Anointing of the sick is for those seriously ill, but not necessarily to the point of dying,” Sescon stressed.

In a statement, Makati Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay called on city residents to hold prayer vigils for Aquino.

“President Aquino has given so much for the country. The least that we can do is to pray for her,” said Binay, who was appointed by Aquino as acting mayor of Makati immediately after the Edsa Revolution.

‘Forgiving’ Arroyo

Even President Gloria Arroyo, whom Aquino called on in 2005 to step down, has joined the country in praying for her, according to a Malacañang mouthpiece.

Anthony Golez, a deputy spokesperson of Arroyo, opened his media briefing Thursday at a Manila restaurant with a request for a moment of silence for Aquino.

“We will constantly be in prayer for her speedy recovery and we will also pray for strength and faith for her family, especially in their trying times,” Golez told reporters.

Golez said it did not matter if Aquino was a constant critic of Arroyo.

“The President is very forgiving,” he said. “We cannot say that the President is insensitive. (She) is in prayer.”

Just last month, Aquino sent a strongly worded message that was read by her grandson at a Makati rally against charter change.

The rally was organised to protest the hurried passage of House Resolution No 1109, which seeks to convene a Senate-less constituent assembly to amend the Constitution and possibly extend Arroyo’s stay in power.

Asked if the President had forgiven Aquino for her remarks, Golez said: “That specific, I don’t know. But in a general sense, the President is very forgiving.”

Imelda too

Imelda Marcos, whose reign as first lady during her husband’s dictatorship was ended by the 1986 Edsa revolt that catapulted Aquino to power, marked her 80th birthday Thursday with a short prayer for Aquino.

“Cory Aquino is fighting for her life. Let us pray for her health,” The Associated Press quoted Imelda Marcos as saying before she bowed her head.

Last night at her grand bash at the Sofitel, she, again, asked her thousand or so guests for a minute of silence for Aquino.

The strongman’s widow had derided Aquino more than once. In an interview only last month, she called Aquino a “usurper” and a “dictator”.

US envoy

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney added her voice to the expressions of concern over Aquino’s condition.

Interviewed over radio dzME’s Dos for Dos, Kenney said the American people were praying for Aquino’s recovery and were inspired by her personal strength.

“My thoughts and prayers are very much with President Aquino and her family. She’s been a strong person … for this country for so many years,” the envoy said.

Kenney said the US Embassy had been sponsoring a Benigno Aquino fellowship in recognition of Aquino’s and her husband’s contributions to the country.

Reports from Allison W Lopez, Fe Zamora, Christian V Esguerra and Cynthia D Balana