Americans remember Cory as democratic 'yellow lady' - US envoy

While most Filipinos revered Corazon Aquino as the headstrong widow who restored democracy from the Marcos dictatorship, for most Americans, the former Philippine president would be remembered as the woman in a yellow dress who always stood up for what was right. "I think that is a wonderful way to be remembered," US Ambassador Kristie Kenney told reporters after a Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday. Mrs. Aquino – who was diagnosed with colon cancer in March last year - died at the Makati Medical Center on Saturday 3:18 a.m. due to cardiorespiratory arrest. Kenney said she went to the wake because she wanted to extend her sympathy to the family of the former president. Although she didn't have too many personal encounters with the former Philippine leader, Kenney said Mrs. Aquino treated her wonderfully the first time they met. "At first I was intimidated that she was a former president," she said,"But then she said 'Hi! Call me Cory'." She said she recognizes that the passing of the democracy icon has been very hard for everyone but that people can still look at it in a more positive manner. "You look at today, the outpouring of sympathy, of condolence, of praise, you see that President Cory even in death has a real ability to bring people together," said Kenney. US President Barack Obama led the global community in expressing their sorrow over the loss of Asia’s first woman president and global democracy icon. A White House statement quoted Obama as praising Aquino's contributions in the restoration of democracy in the country that was then ruled by a dictatorship. Mrs. Aquino, her husband, then Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and their children, were in exile in Boston, Massachusetts for three years while the former lawmaker recovered from his heart surgery. Mrs. Aquino's remains were brought to the Manila Cathedral from the La Salle Greenhills Gymnasium on Monday. Overnight vigils and requiem Masses were then offered to the late president. After a 9 a.m. Mass Wednesday, Mrs. Aquino’s body will be brought to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque for interment. Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said his mother will be buried beside the remains of his father, who was assassinated upon his arrival in Manila from the United States on Aug. 21, 1983. - GMANews.TV