MANILA -- Former President Corazon Aquino, who has cancer, left the intensive care unit (ICU) and was in stable condition, her spokeswoman said Thursday.

The 76-year-old democracy icon was admitted to the ICU of the Makati Medical Center last week after she stopped eating two months after undergoing an operation for colon cancer, spokeswoman Deedee Sytangco said.

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Sytangco said, though, that Aquino’s condition is still delicate.

The former president was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer last year. She had been undergoing chemotherapy but was no longer receiving treatment, Sytangco said.

She said Aquino was moved to a regular room.

Sytangco, meanwhile, said Mrs. Aquino knew about the prayers being held for her immediate recovery and is happy over the outpouring of support not only for her but her family as well.

“She was smiling when she was told about the healing mass. She knows all about it,” she added.

No medical bulletin was issued by the hospital regarding Aquino’s condition as her family pleaded for privacy.

There is no word yet as to how long the former leader will be in the hospital. Only members of her family were allowed inside her room. The media, however, were not allowed near the lobby of the hospital.

Early Thursday morning, Aquino’s daughter, actress and television host Kris Aquino, joined her. Kris did not answer media queries on her mother’s condition.

Woman of faith

In a statement on behalf of the family, Aquino's son, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, thanked Filipinos for their prayers and the "outpouring of love and concern for our mother."

"She has always and will be a woman of faith, a fighter, a source of hope and inspiration for all of us, not just her family, but our entire nation as well," the statement said. "Just like she has always taught us by her life's example, we entrust everything to God."

Prayers

Also seen at the lobby of the MMC Thursday morning were former Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, former Senator John Osmeña, and ABS-CBN chairman and chief executive officer Gabby Lopez.

Desierto was reticent when asked about Mrs. Aquino, saying only that her condition is "improving and our prayers are working."

Osmeña, on the other hand, said he attended a 12 p.m. mass inside the hospital because it was more private and closer to the former president.

"We're praying hard for Tita Cory. Let's all pray that God will take away any pain. I fully sympathize with her and her family," he said.

About 12:15 p.m., the second of a nine-day prayer novena was held at the Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel at Greenbelt 5 attended by former President Joseph Estrada and his family.

Also in attendance were former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., his wife Gina, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and other known personalities.

Mrs. Aquino's former classmates and schoolmates at St. Scholastica's College have also begun a vigil for her speedy recovery.

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Aquino’s political nemesis, also wished the former leader well.

Mrs. Marcos urged the public to pray for Aquino’s recovery and said she would even visit the former leader at the hospital if allowed.

Even Malacañang joined the country in praying for Aquino.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez led a one-minute silent prayer before starting a media briefing offered for Aquino’s recovery.
 
Golez said he is not aware of any plans to hold special masses or novena for Aquino, but Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is certain that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already sent her message of support for the Aquinos as there are "family (members) who are close enough and in contact with the President."
 
Ermita said he would like to visit the Aquinos if he can and would probably do so "at the appropriate time."
 
The executive secretary has some degree of closeness with the former president, having served the military during the Aquino administration and later as one of her defense undersecretaries.
 
“For that matter, it was during her time that I ran for Congress, so I really had that closeness also with the former president and so we are really praying very seriously that she may recover because, as you know, it’s a very serious illness that she is in,” Ermita added.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, for his part, said they were saddened when they learned that Aquino is already "in very serious condition" and immediately offered "fervent prayers" for her.
 
Aquino was the first woman president of the Philippines, succeeding former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 through the first people power revolution in the country. She is a symbol of nonviolent protests around the world, though her presidency was marred by several coup attempts staged by disgruntled military officers.

Her term ended in 1992, but she remained active in social and political causes. In 2005, she joined protests calling for the resignation of President Arroyo over allegations of vote rigging and corruption. (AH/JMR/AP/Sunnex)