Americans are one with the Filipinos in praying for former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, according to US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.

Kenney said that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has written a letter to the Aquino family wishing the speedy recovery of the cancer-stricken former leader.

Kenney attended the third healing Mass for Cory offered at the Manila City Hall.

“I’m here to represent the millions of Americans who also pray for the wellness of President Cory. I also brought a letter from Secretary Clinton for President Cory, wishing her a fast recovery,” she said.

The 76-year-old widow of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008. She underwent chemotherapy since then and surgery last April.

Three weeks ago, she was confined at the Makati Medical Center due to continued loss of appetite caused by fluid buildup in her stomach.

Kenney said the US government considers the Aquino family as friends of the state, citing Aquino’s renowned contributions to democracy.

“She has many contributions to the world. Being strong in the face of adversary and being true to her belief in freedom and liberty are among her contributions not only to world leaders but to every Filipino,” she said.

The Aquino family stayed in Boston, Massachusetts on self-exile for three years beginning in 1980 until Ninoy returned to the Philippines and was assassinated in 1983.

“They are friends of America. Remember they lived in Boston for a number of years. America has been and will always be their second home,” Kenney said.

Since no one from the Aquino family attended the Mass, it was Lourdes Siytangco and Aquino’s former Cabinet officers who welcomed Kenney’s statement.

“Although none from the family is here, they promised to inform me if there are changes in Cory’s condition. They promised to keep me updated,” Siytangco said, adding that Aquino “is still in pain but remains stable” and being intravenously fed.

Siytangco warned the public from accepting as true the rumors about the condition of the ailing former President.

“Unless you hear the news from us or from her children, they are not true,” she added.

Aside from the Manila City government, the House of Representatives also offered a healing Mass for Aquino at the Batasang Pambansa Wednesday noon.

Students and administrators of Adamson University in Manila prioritized Aquino’s recovery in the prayer intentions of their afternoon Mass.

Last Sunday, the La Sallian Brothers and Alumni Community held its Sunday Mass for Aquino at the National Shrine of the Divine Child at La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City.

The other week, simultaneous healing Masses for Aquino were held in Tarlac, Cebu, Davao, Makati and Manila.

Aside from the five-day healing Masses at Rockwell Center, Monday Masses, a nine-day novena Mass was also organized at the Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt 5 after Aquino reportedly returned to MMC due to continued loss of appetite.