Former President Joseph Estrada linked hands Sunday with thousands of Tondo’s poorest of the poor in prayers for former President Corazon Aquino who is fighting a terminal ailment, but is drawing encouragement and strength from loved ones staying by her bedside in a suburban hospital.

Last Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers of the recovery for Mrs. Aquino at the Vatican in Rome, followed by healing prayers from key capitals of the world.

Many people all over the world continue to admire her for the major role she played in restoring democracy to the country after more than two decades of authoritarian rule by the late strongman, former President Ferdinand Marcos.

In a statement released by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, it stated that the papal message to Mrs. Aquino was relayed by Cardinal Tarciso Bertoni, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

The Papal Nuncio’s statement said:

“Cardinal Bertoni has communicated that the Pope is spiritually close to Mrs Aquino, “in her suffering.”

Estrada, accompanied by former First Lady and Senator Luisa “Loi” Estrada, was met by a big crowd of poor families who flocked to the church when news spread that he was attending the 9 o’clock healing mass for Mrs. Aquino at the Sto. Nino church in Tondo, Manila.

“The healing mass offered this morning only demonstrates that both the rich and poor are rallying behind Tita Cory at this most painful time for her and her family,” Estrada said.

The popular opposition leader highlighted Aquino’s most significant legacy to the country, “giving back our democracy that was sadly ended in January 2001, and our continuing prayers are the least we can offer for her.”

Fr. Erick Santos, who celebrated the healing mass, asked the big gathering to pray for “Tita Cory” who, after giving up on chemotherapy treatment, said it was completely alright with her if she would not be healed, “for as long as the country would be healed.”

Estrada highlighted the important role Mrs. Aquino played in restoring democracy following the Martial Law years, saying that “being one in prayers, both the rich and poor are pouring out their hope for Divine intervention to help ease the pain of Tita Cory.”

Although Mrs. Aquino was in the forefront of Edsa II that saw Estrada going on official leave from Malacanang, she later publicly apologized to Estrada for her participation in the 2001 political event that installed the way for then Vice-President Gloria Arroyo to claim the presidency.

After the healing mass, Mrs. Estrada who is a medical doctor by profession, also said that Mrs. Aquino deserves admiration in her faith and trust in Divine Providence, and at her strength in struggling with one of the most awful ailments in modern medical history.

Mrs. Estrada continues to offer daily masses for Mrs. Aquino at their North Greenhills home in San Juan, Metro Manila, while attending other forums of healing masses with her husband.

Although both Estrada and Sen. Loi have attended several healing masses for Mrs. Aquino, they immediately decided to attend Sunday’s celebration in Tondo to join thousands of Tondo’s poor in praying for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery.

“The nation owes our prayers and other kinds of spiritual support for Tita Cory during this most crucial period for her and her loved ones,” Estrada said.

Saying they support and sympathize with the Aquino family during these trying times, the former first couple said the Mass in Tondo is the poor's way of praying for the speedy recovery of the cancer stricken widow of Sen.r Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

"President Estrada wants to show that the rich and the poor are one in praying for President Aquino. The mass [he sponsored] is being offered by the poor of Tondo for President Cory," Estrada's spokesperson Margaux Salcedo said.

Aside from Estrada and Ejercito, former Senator Ernesto Maceda and actor Rez Cortez are among those who attended the mass celebrated by Fr. Eric Santos, who in his homily, urged the public to "pray for a miracle" so that the Philippines will keep its icon of democracy.

Meanwhile, the influential Makati Business Club also starts Monday a week-long noontime novena Mass for Aquino at the Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel at Greenbelt 5, Makati City.

Starting Monday, the Makati City government will also sponsor a novena mass at the city hall similar to what was held in Manila.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the mass will start at 7:45 a,m, at the City Hall Quadrangle Monday but starting Tuesday, the mass will start at noon at the main building lobby.

“President Cory and her family need our prayers. This is the opportunity for us to implore God’s divine intervention, and to be inspired by the former president’s selfless dedication to God, to our nation and people, and to family,” he said.

Earlier, the Makati City government adorned the major roads of the city with yellow ribbons to show their support for the former president, who remains confined at the Makati Medical Center for a month now due to fluid buildup in her stomach.

The 76-year-old widow is resting in at a private room on the hospital's ninth floor. Unlike the past days, the corridor leading to her room is deserted, and no one from the family is spotted at the chapel on the same floor.

However, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, III was spotted leaving the hospital before noon while Kris Aquino's husband, basketball player James Yap, was also spotted at the back exit of the building at about 1:30 p.m.