MANILA - Yellow ribbons can be seen in several cities across Metro Manila symbolizing love and prayers for former President Cory Aquino.

A text brigade has also been initiated urging the public to tie yellow ribbons in public places.

Yellow ribbons symbolized the fight for democracy in the 1980's when Cory's husband, former Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., was returning from exile in the U.S.

Mrs. Aquino also used yellow as her campaign color when she ran for president in 1986 after Ninoy was assassinated in August 1983.

Times and Examiner streets in Quezon City, where the Aquino residence is located, have also been adorned with yellow ribbons.

Starting Friday night, the cities of Makati and Manila tied yellow ribbons to many electric posts and trees.

The campaign is also making its way on the world wide web, where users of social networking sites like Facebook have begun changing their profile pictures-- to yellow bows.

There's been an outpouring of prayers and support from the Filipino people since they learned of Mrs. Aquino's fight against cancer.

Not dead

On Friday, the Aquino family denied rumors that Mrs. Aquino had died.

Her grandson, Justin 'Jiggy' Aquino Cruz, said the rumors of Mrs. Aquino's death were "false, I can assure you that."

In a phone call to ANC on Friday, Rapa Lopa, nephew of former President Corazon Aquino, also denied rumors circulating that she had died.

"We appreciate everybody's concern, but the text messages circulating are not true," Lopa said. He said any announcement on the state of President Aquino's health shall be coming from the family.

"Let us continue to pray that she does not suffer any longer," Lopa said.

"The Aquino family appreciates expressions of support from the public, but would like to request that only announcements from the 5 children and grandsons be given credence by the public and the press," said Dr. Eric Nubla, a spokesman for Makati Medical Center, said on Friday.

Still with us

Retired Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna said at a healing mass in Manila on Friday that he received a text message saying Mrs. Aquino had passed away, but this was quickly denied by Ms. Margie Juico, her private secretary.

Juico said people "should stop spreading such rumors." "She's still very much with us," she added.

After rushing to see Mrs. Aquino in Makati Medical Center on Friday, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said, "she is ok naman."

The family said Mrs. Aquino was still fighting her cancer but was still weak and is on morphine.

Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008. -- with reports from Niña Corpuz, Ryan Chua, Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News; ANC