Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim assured the public that former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino is alive, adding that the ailing widow was "soundly asleep" when he visited her at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Friday.

Belying rumors that Mrs. Aquino's health has already deteriorated, Lim told reporters at the lobby of the hospital that "there is nothing to worry" about the former president's condition.

"She's okay and doing well. She's soundly asleep when I arrived," the mayor said. Lim said he saw Mrs. Aquino's brother Peping Cojuangco, Kris Aquino, and Pinky Abellada attending to the former President.

"There is nothing alarming that made me visit her. I just wanted to show my support and sympathy to the family during these trying times," he added.

Margarita Juico, a trusted aide of Mrs. Aquino, was also spotted Friday noon at the MMC but refused to be interviewed about the condition of the cancer-stricken widow.

However, Mrs. Juico kept mum when asked if she had the chance to see Mrs. Aquino, who has been confined in the hospital since June 25 due to continued loss of appetite allegedly caused by fluid buildup in her stomach.

The 76-year-old widow of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. was diagnosed with having colon cancer in March 2008. She underwent a number of chemotherapy sessions since then. She also underwent surgery last April.

Only Mrs. Aquino's children and grandchildren are allowed to visit her private room where she is fed intravenously and given painkillers to make her sleep soundly.

Even hospital administrators declined to release medical bulletins about Mrs. Aquino's condition in deference to the request for privacy by the Aquino family.

Mrs. Juico left the hospital, claiming she was rushing to attend the final healing Mass being offered for Mrs. Aquino's speedy recovery at the Manila City Hall.

Earlier, Mrs. Juico initiated a text brigade calling for people to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" as proof of their concern and care for the ailing "widow in yellow."

"Rekindle the flame of democracy that Cory began. Believe that the Filipino is worth dying for. Tie a yellow ribbon on Today: Cory hindi ka nag-iisa (Cory you are not alone)!" the text message from Juico read.

Juico's initiative gathered positive response as yellow ribbons adorned the posts along Taft Avenue in Manila and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Several personnel from the Makati City Hall also tied yellow ribbons in the MMC lobby to show support for the embattled former president.

Councilor Jun-jun Binay, who led the Makati City Hall team, said they would be tying yellow ribbons on every post of every major thoroughfare and street in Makati as well.

Motorists also showed their support by tying yellow ribbons on their vehicles.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom embassy expressed its “deepest” apologies Friday after releasing a statement extending its condolences to former President Corazon Aquino’s family, citing that it had received “premature” information about her health condition.

In an email sent to media outfits, the British embassy extended its heartfelt sorry for making such statement.

Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, a friend of Mrs. Aquino, and British Ambassador Peter Beckingham already extended condolences to the ailing former president’s family.

“Our deepest apologies, it appears the information we received was premature,” the British embassy said.

Beckingham, meanwhile, took pride in meeting Mrs. Aquino on several occasions, recalling their discussions on her visits to London and her interest in meeting the Filipino community in Britain, especially those serving in the Church.

“Those discussions left me with an overwhelming sense of her grace, charisma and compassion. The Philippines has lost a wonderful leader who is widely admired in Britain for her courage and inspiration," he said.