'Tie a yellow ribbon' for Cory, friends urge

Former President Corazon Aquino's close friends urged the public on Thursday to "tie a yellow ribbon" to display their support for the ailing icon of democracy. GMA News' Mariz Umali said in her report over QTV's Balitanghali news program that Mrs. Aquino's friends, led by her trusted aide Marge Juico, have begun a text brigade passing on the request. "Rekindle the flame of democracy that Cory began. Believe that the Filipino is worth dying for. Tie a yellow ribbon today: Cory hindi ka nag-iisa (Cory you are not alone)!" the text message from Juico read. A take-off from the 1970s musical hit "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'round the Ole Oak Tree," the yellow ribbon became a symbol of the opposition to the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship that was galvanized by the assassination of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21, 1983. People disgusted with the regime started wearing or displaying everything yellow, from T-shirts to caps and even bags. The mounting outrage later transformed Mrs. Aquino from a shy housewife to a charismatic leader who would later be propelled to power by the 1986 “People Power" revolution that ousted the Marcos regime. She has since been recognized worldwide as an icon of democracy. Mrs. Aquino, who is now battling stage four colon cancer, has been staying at the Makati Medical Center since June 23 when she was rushed to the hospital due to loss of appetite.

Healing Masses led by Mrs. Aquino's friends, colleagues, and supporters have since been held in various locations. According to Mrs. Aquino's former spokesperson Deedee Siytangco, the ailing former president remains stable and conscious. The television report quoted Siytangco as saying medical staff are administering painkillers to Mrs. Aquino when necessary. Last week, Mrs. Aquino's youngest daughter Kris Aquino-Yap said that her mother is "in pain." Siytangco said she has not talked to Mrs. Aquino's children yet, but affirmed that it was highly possible that Mrs. Aquino had requested to see all her kids at the same time as they usually take turns in staying by their mother's bedside. Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV