MANILA, Philippines – Former President Corazon Aquino made her first public appearance early yesterday evening since she was diagnosed with cancer of the colon.
The former president attended the third healing Mass offered for her at the St. Joseph’s Convent of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters) in Quezon City.
Aquino, who appeared thin in her matching dark pink blouse and skirt, expressed her gratitude to all those who have been praying for her. She explained that she chose a pink dress over her trademark color yellow because she was going to the Pink Sisters.
She was accompanied by her children and was assisted by her eldest grandson Jiggy Cruz as she walked out of the convent.
“I would like to thank all of you who have been praying for me. All my friends who have been praying for me and especially those who I don’t know and yet have been praying for me…I am truly blessed,” said the former president.
Apart from the prayers, she was also overwhelmed by the messages of love and support, flowers and fruits.
She added, “It has been quite a tough two months but I know that God will be there and that He will take care of me, as He has taken care of me for many years.”
She said that compared to her husband, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., she was luckier.
“Ninoy had to die before people prayed for him but here I am, still alive, experiencing this. Thank you to all our countrymen.”
Sometimes when she prays the rosary, there would be instances when she would lose her voice, but members of her family would immediately pick up where she left off, while she would only continue praying through her mind.
Yesterday, she prayed the rosary four times.
She admitted that she did not plan on attending the 6 p.m. health and healing Mass since she underwent chemotherapy for three days, from Monday to Wednesday.
“I was not sure if I could make it but so many have been encouraging me, perhaps I will be able to make it.” She thanked God for not making her feel weak after the treatment compared to the first time she underwent the procedure.
Her children, particularly Kris Aquino-Yap, have been urging her to express her thanks to all those who have continued to include her in their prayers.
The next Mass would be held at the St. John Bosco Parish in Makati City on May 13. It would coincide with the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
“I hope that all of us will continue to pray for each other…I know if all of us will pray for each other and pray for our country, we could have a better country, a better Filipino people if we would continue to trust in the Lord,” Mrs. Aquino said.
She also expressed gratitude to the Pink Sisters, whose sanctuary she said was one of her favorite places of worship. It was with the convent nuns where she took solace and reflected in 1985. It was there when she finally made the decision to run for president the following year.
The head of the Pink Sisters was one of the first people to whom she confided about her illness. She asked the nuns to continue offering prayers for her.
During the homily, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao talked about fear and how Jesus Christ taught us to conquer fear.
Jesuit priest Fr. Catalino Arevalo assisted Bishop Ongtioco.