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SSC continues to pray for Cory

Posted: Tuesday April 29, 2008 03:32 PM

CORY AQUINO has faced many challenges in her life and she has always faced them head on.

Last March 24, her daughter, actress and TV host Kris Aquino, confirmed that her 75-year-old mother has colon cancer. She asked for prayers as the former President battles the illness.

As soon as the sad news reached St. Scholastica's College, her alma mater, Sr. M. Angelica Leviste, OSB, SSC President, sent her a "get well soon" letter and assured the former President and her family of the Scholasticans' continuous prayers for her fast recovery.

The following day, March 25, friends and classmates of President Corazon Aquino held a Mass at the St. Scholastica’s College Chapel in Manila to pray for her good health and well-being.

Mrs Aquino attended St. Scholastica’s College from kindergarten to grade six. In March 1986, she was conferred the Pax Award, the highest award given to a Scholastican alumna who has greatly contributed to the society.

The Holy Mass was organized by Dr Angelita Reyes, Mrs Aquino’s classmate and best friend, and Sister Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Mother Prioress and National Chair of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines.

“Every time we called on her to ask her to be present during cutting of ribbons, she was always there for us. So we like to show her our appreciation for everything she has done for us," Reyes said of the former president.

Reyes said she has fond memories of her and Mrs Aquino playing jackstones and the board game Monopoly when they were young. She also recalled how they would run to the shelter during air raids in World War II.

The chapel was adorned by yellow flowers, which according to Reyes symbolize Mrs Aquino.

For her part, Mother Prioress Mary John said they will continue to push for Mrs Aquino’s legacy, which she said is always for truth and justice.

“Yung legacy niya na always for the truth and justice, ipagpapatuloy naming yun (We’ll continue her legacy, which is always for the truth and justice)," she said.

Present during the Mass were former Aquino Cabinet officials Franklin Drilon (Justice) and Josefina Lichauco (Transportation and Communication), Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and key ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr.

Lozada said it is now his turn to show support to Mrs Aquino. “I like to tell her that I will not fail her," he said.

Mrs Aquino has been supporting Lozada in his quest for the truth behind the controversial multi-million broadband deal the government entered with China’s ZTE Corp.

Meanwhile, organizers said they have scheduled more Masses for Mrs Aquino. They also said special prayers will be offered to the former president in upcoming Masses for truth.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales offered his prayers for the immediate recovery of the former President. He assured former President Aquino of his prayers for her recovery and restoration to good health. The prelate will also ask all priests to pray for Cory and her intentions.

Senator Benigno S. Aquino, III, son of Mrs Aquino, expressed his gratitude to SSC for the prayers offered for his mother's recovery (read full text of his letter).

About Cory

Cory, widow of the late senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., became president of the Philippines after the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. She was selected Time Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1986 and is a recipient of the 1998 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding.

She is recognized as one of the World's Elite Women Who Make a Difference by the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame of 2005.

The former President has drawn praise for her support for democracy and for overseeing microfinance projects for beginning entrepreneurs, social welfare, and scholarship assistance through the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation.

She is also a vocal critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and in fact twice called for the President's resignation over corruption allegations in her administration.

Cory also accompanied Lozada in some of his public appearances exposing corruption in government.

Sources: Sun Star Network Online, March 25, 2008
GMA News.TV, March 25, 2008

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ST. SCHOLASTICA'S COLLEGE

2560 Leon Guinto Street, Malate, Manila, Philippines :: (632) 524-7686

For inquiry, comments and suggestions, please send e-mail to sscinfo@ssc.edu.ph