The thread started in the morning of August 1 when former President Corazon Aquino passed away. Citizens expressed shock and sadness and offered prayers for the former president.

By the time her funeral cortege has left the Manila Cathedral for her final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park on Wednesday, August 5, the number of chatters who joined the online chat on www.abs-cbnnews.com dedicated to the passing of the former president has already swelled to almost 80,000.

Life of prayer

More than anything, there was an outpouring of thanksgiving and messages of love.

Leann Mae, an online chatter, thought that God really shaped Cory to be ‘the country’s mother.’ She added that, “even the sky mourns for your (Cory’s) departure," alluding to the rainy weather.

Cory’s unfaltering faith helped bring them closer to God, some of the chatters said as they offered their prayers and thanksgiving.
 
‘You taught us to pray more,’ said online chatter Narciso. He said that he will miss the former president.
 
Online chatter Rhoderick P. Calvario said, ‘Our sincere thanks to the Lord that he lent us Tita Cory even in a short period of time.’

Inspired by Cory’s strong faith in God, the Cruz Family from San Leandro, California and Makati City quoted a phrase from the Holy Bible, ‘From our family to yours, ‘We can do all things through Christ which strengthen us.’ Philippians 4:13,’ they wrote.

Icon of freedom, democracy

Recognizing the crucial role of Cory’s faith in regaining Philippine freedom from a martial era, Sally Pernito prayed: ‘We thank God for allowing Cory to be part of our democratic process in the times of crisis. Let’s pray for her family and for all of us to accept the will of God. She is now with the Creator.’

Chatter Jun Vecina wrote that it was God, history’s true author, who allowed Cory to be the ‘mother of democracy’.
 
‘If God were an author, He must have a formidable grasp of dramatic irony, for the mother of democracy, the icon of hope for the Filipinos in the darkest of times died—while the mother of lies, the emblem of everything that is filthy and degenerate about Philippine politics is away,’ he wrote.

‘You’re really an icon, no wonder God blessed you,’ online chatter Sweetie Narvasa wrote.

Thank you, Cory
 
Most messages in the chatroom gave thanks to Cory for countless contributions to the Philippines.
 
‘Thank you very much for the freedom,’ said chatter Ronald.
 
Following what Ronald wrote, online chatter Gilbert prayed that the president would still look out for the country’s welfare in heaven.
 
For online chatter Mavic Repato, Cory is a model of peace not only in the Philippines but around the world. She wrote: ‘Thank you so much for the inspiration, love and hope that you shared to the world. We love you Ma’am Cory.’
 
Ludy Balbuena recalled when her faith brought a divided, lost nation to peacefully battle for freedom.
 
‘Thank you for all the love and courage you gave to the Filipino people,’ she said.
 
Through her own courage and love for God and country she was able to make the Filipinos a strong people, said chatter Noel. He said that this is the reason why he loves Tita Cory very much.
 
Heart, who is in Macau, said it was Cory’s sacrifice that was what she was thankful for. The grieving widow stood up strong so that the Filipino people would be caught with the contagious fever of courage, she said.
 
‘Thank you so much for an eye-opener to us to work for justice, truth and peace for the good of our country. God knows what was in your heart. When you are in heaven, tell God that we may be able to learn from our mistakes and to do what is right for the good of all. May you rest in peace, thank you very much,’ Heart said.  
 
'Best' president
 
Most of the kapamilya chatters expressed their appreciation for the former president’s honesty and sincerity in her work.
 
‘You are the best president in my heart,’ said Ghuirhius George.
 
Abbhey of Taguig City followed by saying, ‘You may never know us, but you left a legacy that all Filipinos would be proud of. Thank you very much.’
 
Online chatter Edgardo Adeza said, ‘Thank you for all the good things you made in our country. You are truly the best president of the Philippines.’
 
What made Cory the ‘best president’ was her courage, humility, selflessness, sacrifice and service to the Filipino said Cori Desiderio.
 
Oga said that what made her the best leader was that she epitomized Filipino values of simplicity, honesty and humility. ‘We should all follow her footsteps,’ Oga wrote.
 
‘With the death of the best president the Philippine ever had, we Filipinos should not forget the legacy that she brought upon us: Democracy. Even when she was very ill, she still thought about the interest of the Filipino people, our condolences to the family. May she rest in peace and enjoy life with the Lord,” wrote Mario Cabalza.

Ninoy and family

“Cory’s children are the luckiest people in the world, it is so sad to lose her (Cory),” chatter Lisa Hackett said.  
 
Herlyn Fusin, an online chatter, said: “Your children are blessed to have you as their mother. Our nation is blessed to have your as the former President who fought for our democracy.”  

‘I am sure Ninoy will fall in love the fourth time with the same woman… We love you Pres. Cory and Ninoy,’ said chatter tatzcute_tagum refering to Ninoy’s popular poem ‘I fell in love with the same woman three times,’ which was posted on the Cory Aquino microsite.

 
(To join the chat, log on to http://coryaquino.abs-cbnnews.com and click on "Cory Aquino, Democracy Icon. Watch Now")