Former President Corazon Cory Aquino dead at 76

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino has died this morning after a battle with colon cancer.

Former President Cory passed away at 3:18 am, August 1, 2009 of cardio-respiratory arrest," Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, said in a statement outside the Makati Medical Centre in Manila, where his mother had been hospitalised.

Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino

To the world, she is the widow in yellow who toppled a dictatorship in a stirring show of People Power in 1986. To her native Philippines, she is the couragous president who single-mindedly restored the institutions of democracy.

Born to a political family, and later married to a popular politician. Cory Cojuangco Aquino managed to lead a life for half a century. After her husband was martyred in 1983, she became a public figure who would challenge a dictator and unexpectedly rise to her nation's presidency. She remains one of the world's most beloved icons of democracy.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Presidency

"Ours is a government that came to power borne on the shoulders of our people: we must therefore, govern on the basis of that same people power." For six years, President Corazon C. Aquino, tried to live up to those words by hewing close to the aspirations of the Filipino people.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Works

Even she was thrust into the public limelight. Cory Aquino has tried to bridge her spiritual inclinations with the need to refine and share her insights on strengtening democratic institutions. In many of her speeches, she has given her Prayer Power and People Power equal billing.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Advocacies

Mrs. Aquino has remained active in helping nurture the fragile Philippine democracy that was restored during her presidency. Largely through the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation (BSAF), she has supported programs that promote people empowerment, peace and human rights. In recent years, she has devoted much time and energy to strengthening the infrastructure that would transform micro-enterprise development into a potent vehicle for raising “people power” to the next level, slowly creating a broad middle class that would fortify the foundations of Philippine democracy.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Tributes

Self-effacing by nature, Cory Aquino has characteristically shared the credit for the many accolades that she has received for leadership, international understanding and her commitment to freedom and democracy. Named, among others, as “Woman of the Year” by Time magazine in 1986 and “Filipino of the Century” by the Philippines Free Press in 2000, and conferred over 20 honorary doctorates, she has kept her feet firmly on the ground.

In her view, the limelight belongs to her martyred husband, to the courageous people who carried her on their shoulders and, above all, to God. This theme runs across much of the articles written about her, including the reflections shared during the inaugural symposium of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Center for Leadership in November 2004.

Here is a very nice video of our beloved Cory Aquino. This video a poem by Fr. Soc Villegas and put into music by Ryan Cayabyab. A must watch video titled Sumasampalataya Ako.