Being a devout protestant did not stop former President Fidel V. Ramos from attending Tuesday's seventh healing Mass being offered at a Catholic chapel in Makati City for the speedy recovery of former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who remains confined at the Makati Medical Center battling colon cancer.

Saying religious differences no longer mattered when he decided to join Aquino’s friends and former Cabinet officials at the Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt 5, Makati, Ramos urged the public to continue praying for the health of the country’s first woman President even if the nine-day novena Mass draws to an end Thursday.

“This is not about religion [because] President Cory deserves the everlasting accolade and gratitude of the Filipino people. It is but proper for people to come here and pray for her with all sincerity so she could survive her illness. However, if it is God’s will… then she deserves to rest. She has worked so hard,” said Ramos, who left even before the Mass ended.

It can be recalled that Ramos won the 1992 presidential elections with Aquino’s help. Proclaiming Ramos as her “anointed” successor clearly gave him an advantage against other presidential contenders.

Aside from Ramos, new faces seen in the Mass are Rep. Risa Hontiveros- Baraquel of Akbayan, former chairman of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) Jose Concepcion, Council for Philippine Affairs (Copa) head Pastor "Boy" Saycon, and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., who said that a Mass at the Quezon City Hall will be offered Wednesday for Aquino’s health.

“We wish her well and pray for her quick recovery. In fact, we are organizing a Mass for her at the City Hall tomorrow,” said Belmonte, who served as the president of the Government Service Insurance System during Aquino’s term.

Meanwhile, Cory spokesperson Deedee Siytangco said Aquino continues to be conscious and stable but her stay at MMC remains indefinite due to the prolonged fluid buildup in her stomach.

“Her normal appetite is not yet back that is why we need to pray some more,” she told reporters.

Siytangco personally cited the efforts of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and former East Timor President José Ramos-Horta.

“Thank you very much for your prayers. The outpour of prayer vigils in Makati and in other countries is a proof of how much she’s loved,” she added.