Yellow ribbons adorn Makati, Manila streets

Yellow ribbons adorned several areas in the cities of Makati and Manila early Friday as a show of support for the ailing former President Corazon Aquino. In Manila, yellow ribbons were tied to posts and trees in areas near the Manila City Hall and at the Intramuros area. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is a key ally of Mrs. Aquino. During the 1998 presidential elections, Mrs. Aquino backed the candidacy of Lim. In Makati City, dzBB radio's Louie Garcia reported that Mayor Jejomar Binay ordered yellow ribbons tied in key areas in the city. Motorists were likewise "encouraged" to tie yellow ribbons on their vehicles, to show support for the former President, who has been confined at the Makati Medical Center since June 23 due toloss of appetite. Like Lim, Binay is a staunch ally of Mrs. Aquino. Even a broadsheet newspaper, the Manila Bulletin, printed yellow ribbons on the front and back pages of its main news section. Mrs. Aquino's former spokesperson, Lourdes "Deedee" Siytangco, is a columnist in the newspaper. Siytangco, in a predawn radio interview, said the former President is in "stable" condition but declined to answer questions on whether she is on life support. "That's very private ... she's in bed," she said in an interview on dzXL radio, when asked if she was on life support.

Flame of democracy On Thursday, close friends of Mrs. Aquino led by Marge Juico called on the public to "tie a yellow ribbon" to manifest support for the ailing former Philippine leader. "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 ended Marcos' reign. She has since been recognized worldwide as an icon of democracy. - GMANews.TV