While friends and supporters of President Corazon "Cory" Aquino donned yellow ribbons and yellow outfits to celebrate her 77th birth anniversary Monday, daughter Pinky Aquino-Abellada wore the late President's golden watch just to be "a bit closer" to her beloved mother.

After praying the rosary with sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Viel Aquino-Dee before the tombs of President

Aquino and their father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., Abellada narrated how it took a great deal of courage for her to wear the last piece of jewelry her mother wore until her death last August 1.

"My sisters are wearing the new Cory Swatch (watch) but me. My sisters have not noticed it but last night, I took the courage to get Mom's watch from the box all of them refused to keep, even if I don't want to look at it myself," Abellada said.

Abellada recounted that it was the same watch President Aquino wore during her last stay at the Makati Medical Center, where she died of colon cancer.

"Whenever she is taken to a room for some scan tests and would be required to remove all her jewelry, she would always ask for her watch back once she is done. So I began to ask what's in this watch that it never left Mom's wrist even if it has a very small dial, and that it goes loosely around mom's wrist.

“I remember that her room at the intensive care unit has neither window nor television, so maybe the watch was her only way of knowing the time and day that we are in,” she said.

"I had the courage to put it on last night just to be a bit closer to her. After today, I'll put it back in the box again," she added.

Abellada even invited people who joined them in prayer in their parents’ grave at the Manila Memorial Park, especially friends who flew from Zamboanga City and as far as the United States, to touch President Aquino's watch.

"If Mom sees us today, I'm sure she'll feel so 'dyahe' (embarrassed) that a lot of people from everywhere came and joined us in remembering her,” she said.

“We hope these people would know how much our family appreciates these loving acts for Mom. They continue to touch us so much and we just can't express our gratefulness. Thank you to all of you for helping make the days go by a little bit easier for us," Abellada added.

Cruz echoed her sister's sentiments, saying the public's untiring support for their family has kept their grief a little lighter.

"It's sad that she's no longer here for her birthday but we still feel her presence, her spirit. It helps when so many people are with you. We really felt that way during the wake and the funeral.

“Because the worst part of grieving is feeling bad knowing life goes on with others. But we never felt alone; people who love mom always keeps us company," Cruz said.