Cory says treatment has improved her health

MANILA, Philippines - More than a month after distancing herself from the public eye to attend to her illness, former President Corazon Aquino on Thursday emerged at a thanksgiving Mass in Makati City to announce that her health condition was improving. In a report on GMA's evening news program 24 Oras, Mrs Aquino said her chemotherapy sessions were still ongoing and that blood tests have been indicating "positive" signs to her health. "I'm still in chemo. This is part of it. But my blood test showed that there had been a lot of improvement. So still I hope we're on the way to getting well soon," said Aquino, who had earlier been diagnosed with cancer of the colon. The former President arrived at the Don Bosco Catholic Church in Makati to attend an afternoon Mass that was officiated by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo. The archbishop led the Mass upon the request of Aquino's supporters and friends, the television report added. Aquino, who arrived in her usual and famous yellow-themed ensemble, said she was specifically instructed by her physicians to stay away from crowded areas and refrain from getting in contact with people. "Ang mga doktor sabi baka mahawa daw ako doon sa may mga ubo. So far so good. Kaya hindi ako nagsha-shake hands dahil.. sana maintindihan na lang ng mga tao (Doctors told me I might catch cough from other people. That's why I have not been shaking hands with anyone. I hope people will understand)," she said. The television report even showed Aquino sitting isolated at a corner of the Church, with only her immediate family near. As expected, her daughter, television host Kris Aquino, accompanied the former President to the thanksgiving Mass and also extended her appreciation to the people who prayed for her mother's speedy recovery. "Everyday now I think we're so grateful talaga. Kasi parang feeling namin ine-extend ni God ang time ng mom with us. I think ang pinaka-importante is hindi siya nagsu-suffer (I think we're really so grateful each day because we feel that God is extending our mother's time with us. The most important thing I think is that she is not suffering)," the younger Aquino added. Also arriving at the church to show support and encouragement for the older Aquino was Senate whistleblower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, who was surrounded by bodyguards as he entered. Lozada said he had already collected a lot of news to tell Aquino since they last spoke with each other during Easter Sunday. "Marami kaming puwedeng pagkuwentuhan. Marami na akong puwedeng isumbong (We have a lot of things to talk about. I have many things to tell her about)," chuckled Lozada, noting that having Aquino as an ally had helped him a lot. Since dropping the bombshell on the botched broadband network project, Lozada had carried out numerous "Truth Caravans" across the country to spread details on alleged government anomalies as well as to shore up support from the public. Also turning up at the religious gathering were the former President's children, grandchildren, and even her basketball star son-in-law, James Yap. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV