Cory in pain but in stable condition, says her spokesperson

MANILA, Philippines - Although in pain, former President Corazon Aquino is in stable condition, her spokesperson said yesterday.

“From what I know, while she is in pain, she is stable. Her BP (blood pressure) is okay and she’s conscious,” said Deedee Siytangco, during an interview minutes before the start of the second of the five-day Masses for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery being held at the Manila City Hall.

Asked if the former president was still conscious and if she could still talk, Siytangco said yes.

“I think her children and grandchildren can still talk to her when she is awake. I guess you just get tired, whatever your illness is, you get tired,” she added.

Siytangco, however, shared that Mrs. Aquino’s appetite has not improved.

“It has not (improved). I hear only mga pasubo-subo (a few spoonfuls), some ice cream. But that was over the past few days. The family is holding up well. As a family, they have pulled together. They’re closer together,” she said, adding that they take turns watching over Mrs. Aquino.

Siytangco also said that the former president, who is battling stage 4 colon cancer, has long been prepared for whatever may happen to her.

“If you believe in God, I think you are prepared for anything. Mrs. Aquino is prepared for anything. In her life she’s always been prepared for anything. That’s why during her presidency, her mantra was, ‘I’ll do my best and God will do the rest. I work as best as I can and pray, and God will do the rest.’ We follow her lead,” Siytangco said.

Difficult time

President Arroyo has called for more prayers from Filipinos for Mrs. Aquino.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said now is a “very difficult time” for the nation that is praying for the ailing, 76-year-old people power icon.

“The President and the Palace are continuously and closely monitoring the health of the former President and prayers for our former president are important,” Remonde said.

“We are calling on the people to continue offering our prayers for our former President Corazon Aquino,” he said.

Last July 10, Mrs. Arroyo led a healing Mass for the former leader at the Palace attended by Vice President Noli de Castro and other Cabinet officials and some members of the Aquino and Cojuangco clan.

The House of Representatives, through Speaker Prospero Nograles, has also joined the entire Filipino nation in prayer for God’s intercession on Mrs. Aquino.

“What saddens us is her daughter Kris’ public statement that her mother is in pain. We share her family’s agony but we know that, as always, God’s infinite wisdom will prevail,” the House leader said.

“Now that she is facing a personal challenge, praying for her recovery to seek God’s intercession is the least but the best that all of us can do as a grateful people,” said Nograles, in behalf of all the members of the lower chamber.

“Her complete trust in the Most High, her patriotism and quest for social justice are what really endeared her to all of us, to all Filipinos, and even the world,” he said in a statement.

Won’t stop praying

The Catholic Church would not stop praying for Mrs. Aquino, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’s Episcopal Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media (ECSCMM) said yesterday.

Fr. Francis Lucas, CBCP-ECSCMM executive secretary, said: “We keep on praying. We are praying so that she would be comforted in her pain.” – With Paolo Romero, Evelyn Macairan, Delon Porcalla