Tie A Yellow Ribbon

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María Corazón "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino (born January 25, 1933) was the 11th President of the Philippines, serving from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female President of the Philippines and was Asia's first female President. She is a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety.

A self-proclaimed "plain housewife", Aquino is the widow of Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., a leading figure in the political opposition against the autocratic rule of President Ferdinand Marcos. After her husband was assassinated upon his return from exile in the United States on August 21, 1983, Aquino, who had no prior political experience, became a focal point and unifying force of the opposition against Marcos. She was drafted to run against Marcos in the 1986 snap presidential elections. After Marcos was proclaimed the winner despite widespread reports of electoral fraud, Aquino was installed as President by the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution.

A Symbol Of Protest:

The tying of yellow bows is a take-off from the 1970s hit "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'round the Ole Oak Tree," a song about a man who is asking his beloved to perform the gesture as a sign that she still longs for him.

Anti-Marcos protesters adopted the song and yellow ribbon theme as a gesture of support for Mrs. Aquino's husband Benigno Aquino Jr. upon his return from exile in 1983. After he was gunned down at the airport, the color yellow along with ribbons and confetti became the symbol of middle-class protesters.

Mrs. Aquino, the widow in yellow, became the global icon of people power when she rose to the presidency in the wake of the February 1986 popular revolt that ended the Marcos dictatorship.

Mrs. Aquino’s ordeal has struck a chord even among people outside the Philippines who expressed sympathy with the former President in her bout with cancer.

                   

"O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit and relieve thy sick servant Mrs. Corazon Aquino,  for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon her with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort her with a sense of thy goodness; preserve her from the temptations of the enemy; and give her patience under her affliction. In thy good time, restore her to health, and enable her to lead the residue of her life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally she may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

Amen.