Between Christmas 2007 and New Year 2008: Former President Cory Aquino suffered from an episode of high blood pressure and difficulty in breathing, followed by fever. Since then, she developed a cough, lost her appetite, and noticeably lost weight. Subsequent check-up and tests on her health condition confirmed that she has colon cancer.
Week before March 24, 2008: Former President Aquino confided to Fr. Catalino Arevalo that she has colon cancer.
March 24, 2008: Aquino’s family disclosed that she has colon cancer. Her daughter, TV host Kris Aquino, made the public announcement. Her son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, was by Kris’ side as she read the televised statement. They requested the public to respect their mother’s privacy and asked for prayers for her recovery.
The announcement came as a surprise because the former president had been very visible to the public in the weeks preceding the news of her condition. She had been active in attending masses and rallies in support of the national broadband network - ZTE Corp. (NBN-ZTE) controversy witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada since he surfaced in February 2008. She even attended a “Mass for truth” and Easter Mass at St. Joseph’s College in Quezon City on March 23, 2008, the day before her family announced that she has cancer.
March 25, 2008: Aquino began chemotherapy at the Makati Medical Center. She was brought to the hospital the night before to prepare for the treatment.
Fr. Arevalo bestowed the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on former President Aquino.
March 31, 2008: Aquino’s family reported that her red blood cell count was up as a result of the chemotherapy, although she was still weak and could hardly speak.
April 21, 2008: Sen. Noynoy Aquino told the media that his mother’s health continues to improve, and that she is responding well to chemotherapy.
May 3, 2008: Aquino made her first public appearance at the Pink Sisters’ Convent in Quezon City. After a mass held on her behalf, Aquino delivered a short speech in which she thanked Filipinos who prayed for her. She also asked the people to pray for the country.
May 13, 2008: Shortly after attending a thanksgiving Mass officiated by Bishop Angel Lagdameo in Makati, Aquino announced that her condition was going well. She said she was still undergoing chemotherapy but the result of her blood test showed there had been improvements.
May 30, 2008: The former president attended a Mass offered for her healing officiated by Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Cavite at the Church of Gesu in Ateneo de Manila University. Again, she appealed to the Filipinos to pray for the country as it was facing political turmoil.
June 6, 2008: Aquino graced the dinner (referred to as the meeting of “three icons of democracy”) hosted by ex-President Joseph Estrada and attended by then Malaysian deputy minister Anwar Ibrahim at Estrada’s residence on Polk Street, Greenhills. Also present were Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, and Rep. Didagen Dilangalen.
June 11, 2008: Aquino joined her employees at the family-owned Cojuangco building in Makati for a noontime Mass for her healing. As several well-wishers approached her, she begged the understanding of those she could not kiss since her doctors have advised her that her immune system has to be closely monitored.
June 17, 2008: With cancer cell count going down significantly (though her doctors would not give out the figures just yet), the former president has been steadily recovering and has felt strong enough to report for work at the Cojuangco building in Makati. She said she only felt some discomfort. She announced this as she joined a prayer campaign for the safe return of kidnapped broadcast journalist Ces Drilon.
August 20, 2008: Aquino joined ex-President Fidel Ramos in urging government troops and separatists Moro Islamic Liberation Front to continue with the negotiations. She made the statement after a Mass held at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque to commemorate the assassination of her husband, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
August 29, 2008: A Ramon Magsaysay laureate herself, Aquino delivered the keynote address at the Asia Forum organized by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation held at the Philippine International Convention Center. Leaders of non-government organizations and social advocacy groups were present.
October 11, 2008: Sen. Noynoy Aquino said his mother was experiencing some side effects of the chemotherapy. She was not able to witness the unveiling of the historical marker “Jose C. Cojuangco” at their ancestral house in Malolos, Bulacan.
November 10, 2008: After six months of treatment for colon cancer, the former president underwent series of tests and had to stay overnight in a hospital so the doctors would determine if other procedures should be done, according to Sen. Noynoy Aquino.
November 27, 2008: In her speech before students and university staff, Aquino urged the youth to initiate change, be not afraid to do something they believe in, and be true to themselves and their faith as she graced the launching of the Ninoy Aquino commemorative stamps during her late husband’s 76th birth anniversary at De La Salle University in Manila.
November 29, 2008: Aquino attended the gala night of “Cory the Musical” at the Meralco Theater. Lourdes “Bing” Pimentel, the wife of Senator Nene Pimentel, produced the said musical. Stage actress Isay Alvarez played the lead role.
December 22, 2008: At the book launch of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia’s biography, Aquino asked Estrada for forgiveness for participating in the Edsa II uprising that led to his ouster. Aquino made her statement in Estrada’s presence at the Podium mall in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Her apology earned mixed reactions from political personalities.
May 4, 2009: A team of doctors led by French surgeon Joel Leroy performed surgery (laparoscopic colectomy) on Aquino to remove parts of her colon.
May 7, 2009: Aquino was discharged from the Makati Medical Center following the surgery.
June 24, 2009: Aquino was confined due to “poor appetite.”
GMA News Research
July 6th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Mrs. Cory Aquino I wish you goodluck and God Bless fighting with you’re COLON CANCER!GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Former President Corazon Aquino is truly an Icon of Democracy. But to say that Joseph Estrada is likewise is a great insult to Cory. Cory and Erap are extremes. Cory is well respected and idolized and Erap is despised and a great insult to our nation. Cory is clean and Erap is dirt personified. Please never compare Cory and Erap. Get well soon Madame President. We love you and we will be praying for your immediate recovery. God bless you.
July 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
My father is also a Stage 2A Colon Cancer patient and I know the situation that Tita Cory and the Aquino family going through. We are praying for a complete recovery for Madame President Aquino. Please continue your fight and you serve as inspiration not just for us, but for all Filipinos, as well. God bless you.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
The following Bible verse is for our Beloved President Cory Aquino:
Matthew 9:5 says: I (Jesus), the Messiah has the authority to forgive sins. But talk is cheap - anybody could say that. So I’ll prove it to you by healing this man (or woman, especially Pres. Cory, with faith and great expectation).
The entire Filipino nation loves you!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I will pray for your complete healing Ma’am Cory. You’re such a great woman and an inspiration to all Filipinos. God bless…
July 10th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Mrs. President:
We keep our faith to the Lord for your speedy recovery. He knows that you still have some duties to accomplish. You and your family will get through this with God’s help. Mrs. President we wish you good health and that the cancer will miraculously disappear.
Nel Manzano and family
San Diego, CA
July 12th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
To our first Filipina President the widow of the late Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.. Thank you so much for being our first female president and for restoring back our democracy. I was a former advocate of the people Power way back in 1986 and is now residing in Australia for 21 years since 1988. I pray that the healing grace of our Lord jesus Christ will give you serenity and comfort and also Our Blessed Mother to protect you always in her maternal care just liked the way that you have guide and protect and being a source of inspiration and hope in a time our homeland needs healing as well. Godbless and Mabuhay po kayo tita Cory.
Lutgarda Espiritu-Pendleton ( Bocaue, Bulacan PI)
Bundaberg, Queensland , Australia
July 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Dear Mrs. Aquino,
I pray for your recovery. You’re such a great woman, worthy of respect and emulation. I really love you ma’am.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
we will keep our faith to our mama mary tha t she will give another life to our dear morher cory aquino. we love you so much.. may her children will keep stronger to what they have now in thier life.. hangad namin ang magandang kalagayan ni mother of the nation cory.. sa lahat ng nagmamahal sa pamilya aquino patuloy po tayong magdasal na bigyan pa si mother cory na gumaling at makasama pa natin ng matagal…mahal na mahal po namin si mother cory…
July 24th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
to the family of tita cory aquino… kasama po ninnyo ako na taus pusong nagdarasal para sa pgagaling ni tiata cory.umaasa po ako na diringgin ng mahal na mama mary ang lahat ng nagdarasal para sa kanya.. kris sana maging matatag ka sa lahat ng pagsubok na dinaranas mo ngayon. saludo ako sa pagiging mabait mong anak. umasa kaa nandito lang kami para sa pamilya mo …
July 24th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
GET WELL SOON MADAME PRESIDENT. GODBLESS YOU ALWAYS
July 26th, 2009 at 10:20 am
To our dear Mother of Democracy
GOD really loves you Madam Cory, and we all do. Suferring is indeed a cleansing process here on earth as our Lord Jesus Christ has suffered for the sake of mankind. We join you and your family through prayers in the endeavor of easing up the pain and discomfort you are feeling right now. May the Good Lord, full of mercy, grant you the grace of peace within and amazing courage in the battle of this big C. Thank you so much for all you have done to our country and all Filipinos, you are truly an Icon of the whole world.
July 26th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
dear madam cory we wish you good health and the cancer miraculously dissappear… we love you and we wil pray for your complete recovery god bless you always!!
July 27th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Dear Madam Cory, we pray for your speedy recovery. As the Lord cast out demons and cast the demons onto pigs. We pray that He too would cast away your illness and instead cast the cancer onto thieves in government.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Dear Madam President, you’re always in our prayers.
Well said Juan Dela, we’re praying or the same thing.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:54 am
thank you so much madam president cory.we really love you of all the things you did to our country.you are the queen and a good leader,a mother to all.may you rest in peace.paalam na madam cory.we will miss you.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
President Cory Aquino is the model of young genaration she given people of Philippines a hope that never forget to be true and honest to their self most of all had a faith in God whatever obstacle in the life. I know she is in the heaven with the loving God and her children and grandchildren she give a big example of her life to be humble and respect and had faith in God.
God bless you,
Gemma Miran Wilson (Bata Bacolod City)
Living: 42 Kylie Ave. Ferny Hills Brisbane Qld. 4055 Australia
August 6th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
salamat president cory…
people will miss you…..
salamat sa pagmamahal mo
you deserve to be loved…
thank din sa demokrasya…..
i need not to wish to God to bless your soul
kasi sure ako na he already did.
i know you are in heaven with God and happy so di na kami malulungkot.
Super THANK YOU.
^_^….
August 7th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Maraming salamat po former president Corazon Aquino. Kundi dahil sa inyo hindi po ako magiging professional.ang ibig ko pong sabihin ay kayo ang pumirma ng R.A. 6966 o “Philippine Librarianship Act”, ito ang batas na i professionalized ang pagiging librarian. marami pong salamat.
August 8th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
to my beloved madam president cory aquino I have a big thanks for her great accomplishment to our country for having democracy that our countrymen worth for it.I’m very sad not to see on her wake and to join the cortege because I’m in miles away from our country.But even I’m in miles distance I always monitored through internet from the beginning our mourned ’til the last.When I was young then,I’d been in ninoy’s wake in Sto.Domingo I wish become also a hero and now it was happened we our now the living hero to our country and named as ambassador of goodwill. FOR NINOY AND CORY WE KNOW YOU ALREADY THERE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WE HOPE TO WHILST TO THE MOST HIGH KING OF THE UNIVERSE FOR PEACE AND UNITY OUR COUNTRY. MARAMNG SALAMAT PO SA INYONG PAGMAMAHAL SA AMIN AT SA BAYAN.
August 9th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
President Cory, thank you for what you have done to our country.
Thank you for being a model to us.
And Thank you for bring up the TRUE ESSENCE on how to be a Filipino Leader, one that empowers and unites her people.
August 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Una po sa lahat
Maraming salamat po kay LORD ginawa ka po nyang FILIPINO.
FILIPINO na nagbigay importansa sa bawat isa sa amin.
I and my family thank you as well for continuing DEMOCRACY in our COUNTRY
kung wala po kayo, Wala po siguro kaming FREEDOM ngayon.
Maraming salamat po Tita Cory from the bottom of our hearts we love you.
Salamat po at saludo po kami sa inyo.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I remember one line of an article of the late President Corazon Aquino wrote many years ago, regarding in the commemoration of the PEOPLE POWER, and I quote “knowing when to leave is no less important than knowing when to arrive”. It seemed that the structure along the Pasig River is indeed a home that anyone would not want to walk out with. And rightfully this passage may have dropped curtain calls to somebody who aspire trilogy in the palace.
Ninoy died for his country. Cory resurrected his death and more so recuperated the country’s state of coma.