The country is currently at a crossroads, and the Philippines needs former President Corazon C. Aquino, the beacon of freedom and democracy, as the “guiding light” as the outpouring of prayers continues for the healing of the cancer-stricken housewife-turned-leader.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, former Finance Secretary Jose T. Pardo said he believed the political climate is in a fragile condition and the larger-than-life persona of Ms. Aquino is needed.

“With the changing political climate, we need the rock of democratic institution to be there,“ said Pardo, who chaired the EDSA committee spanning the administrations of Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada.

Pardo, a staunch supporter of Ms. Aquino, marveled at the amount of outpouring for the healing massnovena for the former Chief Executive.

For Pardo, this is synonymous to the high respect of the people for Ms. Aquino, who represents freedom and democracy.

The series of novena-healing mass, now on its third week, continues to draw people from all walks of life.

Sunday, church goers and parishioners of the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord located inside the sprawling SM Megamall in Mandaluyong were movef with some shedding tears at the homily of officiating priest Rev. Father Mario Sobrejuanite, bringing to fore the greatest battle Ms. Aquino is facing at this time.

He likened the health struggle of Ms. Aquino to the “greatest pain” the people and country suffered in the 1980s, fighting for democracy and freedom, which the Philippines attained through the bloodless People Power Revolution that ousted the more than 20 year repressive Marcos regime.

“I believed that President Aquino was sent by God to speak to us and for us,” said Father Sobrejuanite.

He described the Ms. Aquino as “a woman who came into history, knowing she had a calling.”

The officiating priest peppered his homily with political innuedoes, saying that Ms. Aquino, who suffered immensely with the untimely demise of her husband, Sen. Benign “Ninoy“ Aquino, “continues “to suffer for her country,” alluding to the possibility that the democracy could be in peril.

Healing Masses for former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino were simultaneously offered in Makati, Davao, Tarlac, Cebu and Manila, where the leadership of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines also offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the cancer-stricken leader during their 99th Plenary Assembly.

While outgoing CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo led the concelebrated Mass at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila, it was Ateneo de Manila University’s Fr. Carmelo “Tito” Caluag II who presided over the 9 a.m. healing Mass offered at the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Brgy. Poblacion, Makati.

Like other priests who have presided over last week’s novena Masses for Aquino, Caluag likewise recounted how Aquino became instrumental during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, which he described as a “golden moment where the Filipinos regained their pride and dignity as a people.”

“During those moments, we stood proud as a people because we are a people who, after many years of oppression, are willing to fight and lay down our lives for freedom and democracy. And for that particular moment in our history, we thank God and President Aquino for having led us during those golden moments of healing and redemption,” Caluag said in his homily.

Although subtly suggesting that Aquino has fulfilled her mission when she led the nation after the Martial Law regime, Caluag still urged the faithful to pray for the recovery of the country’s first woman president, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008.

“Missions, when accomplished, also suggest the end of our journey in this world. When mission is accomplished, you are rewarded by joining God in eternal life… For our lives are not spent a little longer or a little shorter except when our missions are already accomplished.

“But, as we pray for her [Aquino’s] healing, let us also pray for the healing of our nation as a people who needs to regain our sense of pride and identity as Filipinos,” he added.