Obama, world community mourn loss of democracy icon, friend

US President Barack Obama led the global community in expressing their sorrow over the loss of Asia’s first woman president and global democracy icon. Corazon Aquino passed away at 3:18 a.m. on Saturday after a brave bout against colon cancer. She was 76. [See: Former President Corazon Aquino, people power icon, passes away] A White House statement quoted Obama as praising Aquino's contributions in the restoration of democracy in the country that was then ruled by a dictatorship. "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," read the White House statement on Saturday (Manila time). "Her courage, determination, 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," said the statement issued by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. In Manila, US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney said the US Embassy will miss Mrs. Aquino, who she said had worked closely with the embassy in helping to select the annual recipients of the Ninoy Aquino Fellowships given for public service and journalism. “On behalf of the US Embassy, I would like to express our most heartfelt condolences to the Aquino family and to the people of the Philippines on the death of former President Corazon Aquino," 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," she said. The Chinese government said it was also saddened not only by the death of a democracy icon but also of a close friend. "The Philippines lost an inspiring statesman while China, in sharp grief, bereaved of a sincere friend," the Chinese Embassy in Manila said. Despite threats of coup d' etat in the country, Aquino went on a three-day state visit to the Chinese mainland in April 1988. The Chinese government expressed its gratitude to Aquino for building efforts to develop Chinese-Philippine relations. "Her vision would be remembered and her contribution would be long cherished by China and the Chinese people. May she rest in peace," the statement added. Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown of the British Embassy, who was reportedly an adviser in Aquino’s campaign against President Marcos, said working with the country’s democracy icon was one of the most memorable events in his life. "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," he said in a statement. The Canadian government also expressed deep sorrow for the death of the beloved Philippine icon. There are some 300,000 Filipinos living and working in Canada. "President Aquino will be remembered as a leader who ushered a new era of freedom in the Philippines and inspired millions around the world," the statement read. 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. - Joseph Holandes Ubalde with Joseph G. Lariosa, GMANews.TV