Cory stricken with cancer

MANILA, Philippines – Corazon Aquino, icon of Philippine democracy, is suffering from colon cancer.

The former president’s illness was announced on national TV yesterday by her only son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III,  and youngest daughter Kris.

Senator Aquino appealed for privacy and prayers as their family copes with his mother’s illness. The family declined to disclose the stage of the cancer. Chemotherapy sessions start today with a mild continuous dose.

The neophyte senator led his siblings in asking for prayers for their mother’s speedy recovery.

His sister, actress and television host Kris, read the statement prepared by their family, her voice breaking as she fought back tears.

“It’s a very difficult time for our family, most especially for our mother. We respectfully ask that she be accorded her privacy,” the statement read. “Our mom remains a believer in the power of prayer. We ask you for compassion and for your prayers for our mother’s recovery.”

Later, Kris told The STAR, “It’s just so heartbreaking.”

The senator and his siblings said the family initially suspected that she may be sick when she was rushed to the hospital after an episode of high blood pressure and difficulty in breathing followed by fever during the week between Christmas and New Year.

“Since that time, we became concerned because of her consistent cough, loss of appetite and noticeable weight loss. Our mom wanted to know what was wrong with her and with her family by her side, she submitted herself to a check-up and several tests. The results showed that our mother is suffering cancer of the colon,” Aquino said.

“Our mother always believed in being up-front. Over and above anything else, she’s a woman who has lived her entire life entrusting everything to the Lord, and she has always been a woman of great faith,” the statement read.

“Ang pamilya po namin ay kagaya lamang sa inyo. Mahal na mahal namin ang nanay naming at handa kaming magbigay ng suporta, lakas at pagkalinga sa oras ng kanyang matinding pagsubok,” it also said.

While the family recognizes that their lives have become public since their father, the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino’s time, the senator said it was the former president who decided to let the public know about her failing health condition, so the people would know her situation.

“It’s just too heartbreaking,” Kris told The STAR.

The senator and his siblings also said that they hope the public will understand that like other recuperating patients, their mother needs to have peace of mind.

Dr. Armand Crisostomo, a colorectal surgeon and president of the Philippine College of Surgeons, told ABS-CBN that colon and rectal cancer are the 3rd and 4th leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the country.

‘What more do I want?’

“I’m 75 years old. What more do I want?”

Kris said her mother kept telling them after she learned that she has cancer of the colon.

In an interview with ABS-CBN chief correspondent Korina Sanchez, Kris and Noynoy said they learned about Mrs. Aquino’s cancer two weeks ago and they confirmed it on Holy Wednesday.

They said they noticed that after Christmas, she lost 10 pounds in a span of two months, though she never lost her appetite.

Noynoy related that Mrs. Aquino knew she had a problem but it wasn’t clear then. “When she found out, being a person of faith, she said: ‘Is that so? Well then, God will take care of me.’”

Kris added that their mother is the one suffering but she never asked, never wavered in her faith in God.

“It’s us, her children who will have to be strong,” Kris said, adding that Mrs. Aquino said everything is according to His will.

The siblings said they prefer not to say at what stage the cancer of their mother is and they hope the people will let them keep the other details private.

Noynoy said his mother’s chemotherapy sessions will start today with a mild, continuous dose. An operation, he said, is also possible eventually.

Doctors are coordinating with Stanford University about a possible Japanese kind of treatment for the illness, according to sources.

“We don’t want to speak for the doctor. We leave it to our mother what treatment she will choose,” Kris said when asked about the doctor’s prognosis.

She added that her mother’s instruction is for them “not to cry, control your emotions.”

“I’m trying my best to keep my end of the bargain. She emphasized that I should be prepared, you take it one day at a time. There’s gotta be a purpose from God,” said Kris.

She said they decided to make the announcement yesterday because their mother wanted everybody to see her on Easter Sunday, participating in the Mass for Truth, a prior commitment.

“She really wants to fulfill what she has committed herself to,” Kris said.

Speedy recovery

Upon learning about Mrs. Aquino’s condition, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. expressed hope for her speedy recovery. 

“I hope President Cory gets well soon,” Villar said, recognizing further her critical role as the country’s first woman president.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay called on Filipinos to pray for Mrs. Aquino.

“She has always stood by our side in our trying moments as a nation and a people,” he said, referring to the icon of democracy who replaced a dictator more than two decades ago after a bloodless EDSA People Power revolt.

“Now it’s time for us to stand by her side as she faces another trial in her life,” said Binay.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and opposition Rep. Roilo Golez also vowed to pray hard for their friend’s recovery.

Possible visit

President Arroyo expressed sadness over the news on Mrs. Aquino’s condition and called on Filipinos to pray for her swift recovery, officials said yesterday.

“We know that with her strength and total trust in God, as well as the love and support of everyone around her, she will be able to surmount this as she has conquered all the other trials in her life,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

Palace officials said it was possible that the President would pay Mrs. Aquino a visit. “Anything’s possible and she (Mrs. Arroyo) can decide anytime (to visit Mrs. Aquino),” Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said in an interview with ANC.

Golez, also a medical doctor, expressed optimism that the former president would be healed due to advances in the treatment of colon cancer.

He, however, refused to directly answer questions on whether he sees some sort of a truce between the President and Mrs. Aquino, who has called on Mrs. Arroyo to step down on several occasions since 2005 over allegations of vote-rigging and corruption.

Bunye said the Palace would respect the request of the Aquino family for privacy on the issue.

Pillar of moral support

 Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr.,  Mrs. Aquino’s frequent companion in her most recent crusade against the ills of government, expressed grave sadness over the news that one of the country’s “strongest” women and symbol of democracy would have to slow down because of sickness.

“She is one of my pillars of support. She constantly tells me to be strong for my family and the nation. I will not fail her,” Lozada said in a text message.

Mrs. Aquino was the first prominent figure to visit Lozada at the La Salle Greenhills when he surfaced to testify in the national broadband network deal iinvestigation in the Senate. The two have been together in Masses and other activities calling for the truth about the NBN project.

Pardoned former President Joseph Estrada, meanwhile, asked his supporters and the entire nation to pray for Mrs. Aquino.

“Needless to say, his prayers are with Mrs. Aquino and her family. He also calls on all his supporters and on all Filipinos to likewise pray for her speedy recovery and strength to overcome this battle,” Estrada’s spokesman, Margaux Salcedo, said.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez also said that though he may have had political differences with Mrs. Aquino, he values their friendship and is wishing her well.

“I disagreed with her. We disagreed on principles and in our perspectives for the country. But on a personal basis, I don’t think we should consider these,” Gonzalez said.  - With Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica, Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Jess Diaz, Evelyn Macairan, Mike Frialde, AP