Former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino continues to be in stable condition as she now eats intravenously while confined in a private room at the Makati Medical Center, her spokesperson said Wednesday.

Deedee Siytangco, who served as press undersecretary in the Aquino administration, said that the cancerstricken former President has been eating fruits and soups despite enduring loss of appetite due to fluid buildup in her stomach. Siytangco said she was echoing Aquino’s daughter, Pinky Abellada, on the condition for the former president.

“I talked to Pinky and she said nothing has changed. Their mother is conscious, awake, and is able to talk to her children. She’s been trying to eat. She’s a very good patient," Siytangco told reporters at the eighth novena Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt 5, Makati City.

Although administrators of the hospital kept mum on Aquino’s medical situation, Siytangco said “what is certain is that she will remain at the hospital indefinitely.”

Aside from Siytangco and Aquino’s former Cabinet officials, those seen at the novena Mass were = actress Helen Gamboa, wife of former Sen. Vicente Sotto, and Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who reportedly was eyeing the former president as one of the sponsors for his upcoming nuptial with broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez.

“I came here to personally express my moral support to the family of Tita Cory, who has been a family friend of ours (the Aranetas). She is, indeed, like an aunt to me because I grew up seeing her with my family,” Roxas said.

“What I like most about her is the fact that she faced great challenges and odds when she lost her husband and gained the burden of leading the country but she never backed down. She stood up and heed her people’s calling to lead them. And for that she has become my idol,” he said.

Meanwhile, San Pedro, Laguna Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz said Wednesday his town’s officials, his family, wife and children are joining the nation in praying for the speedy recovery of “our beloved” former president Cory.

“We want to convey to her and her family our sincere hope and prayer for her recovery,” Cataquiz said. “The Filipino nation still needs her.”

Cataquiz thanked Cory for appointing him officer in charge of San Pedro in 1986.

Fr. Gerry Orbos, SVD, who said the Mass Wednesday, said Aquino should be the model that presidential aspirants in 2010 should emulate.

“I believe that her honesty, humility, hard work and holiness are worthy of emulation for future leaders of our country. Being a president did not change her because of these traits,” Orbos said.