MANILA - The Aquino family late Tuesday said the former President's condition has stabilized, after it turned "guarded" Monday afternoon due to her fluctuating blood pressure.

Aquino's grandson Jiggy Cruz told ABS-CBN News Tuesday night that his grandmother's blood pressure and condition has stabilized.

Earlier in the day, the family said the former president's condition turned "guarded" on Monday afternoon due to her fluctuating blood pressure, after weeks of being stable.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mrs. Aquino's son, Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III said his mother's condition has turned more serious and the prognosis is now uncertain.

"Our mother's condition has been stable for several weeks now and has turned guarded yesterday afternoon," he said on behalf of the family.

"We are continuously monitoring her blood pressure which has been fluctuating," he said.

The Aquino family said Mrs. Aquino is no longer in pain and is asleep most of the time due to the medication she's receiving.

The former president was diagnosed with colon cancer last year.

She has been in the hospital for over a month now.

Good times

Masses and prayers continue to be held for Mrs. Aquino at the Greenbelt Chapel in Makati. Many of the attendees wore yellow to show their support for her.

Yellow has always been identified with Mrs. Aquino.

Rafael Alunan, Aquino’s former interior and local government secretary, said, "the color yellow is a symbol for purity, reform and a good time for the Philippines. And I think the people are yearning for a return of those good times when we were all together, we were all united, fighting for the common good."

In Makati City, Mayor Jejomar Binay led a healing mass for Mrs. Aquino a day after President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address.

Arroyo and Aquino's SONA

Binay could not help but compare the differences between the 1991 State of the Nation Address, Mrs. Aquino's last, and President Arroyo's address delivered Monday, presumably her last.

"Napakamahirap sagutin ‘yan dahil sa one is appreciated for her humility, the other is very arrogant," Binay said.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles also prayed for the recovery of Mrs. Aquino.

Nograles said he won as congressman of Davao City under Mrs. Aquino, and that he defended the administration during the many coup attempts it faced.

Asked to compare Mrs. Aquino's last SONA with President Arroyo's, Nograles said: "Well, they lived in different times. I think that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is more of the hands-on type, and Cory Aquino knew her position, that she would only be a transition president, and that from the very beginning, she had no intention of running again, even if she could."

Nograles said he is unsure whether President Arroyo will stay in power. "I don't think so...I don't know. We cannot second guess that. But on stepping down as president, I think that was very clear yesterday. Running again? Well, anybody can run again for another position. I'm Speaker of the House. I can run for city councilor."

What is clear though is that, unlike President Arroyo, Mrs. Aquino clearly said goodbye to the presidency. In her 2001 SONA, she said categorically: "My term is ending, and so is yours. As we came, so should go. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, at paalam."

Mrs. Aquino's grandson Jiggy Cruz said she was unable to watch President Arroyo's SONA on Monday.

It is hard to say goodbye to someone like Mrs. Aquino, which is why millions are praying for her recovery so she can continue with her advocacies.

Masses and yellow ribbons

Meanwhile, local officials in Valenzuela also held a mass for Mrs. Aquino.

In various places in Metro Manila, yellow ribbons have been hung on trees, posts, gates and fences around Metro Manila.

"To boost up her morale dahil alam mo na she is facing difficulties. And I think the Filipino people are all praying for her so she can recover," said Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Meanwhile, copies of the book "Cory - An Intimate portrait" are selling briskly.

In her final SONA, Mrs. Aquino talked about her service to the country and her promise to keep on serving the nation even as plain citizen Cory.