Former Philippine President Cory Aquino, the country's icon for democracy, passed away at age 76.

Former President of the Philippines Corazon C. Aquino, referred to the Filipino masses by the moniker “Tita Cory” has just passed away. She was 76.

Sen. Benigno Aquino III said his mother died of heart failure at 3:18 a.m. Saturday, Manila time. The Philippine democracy icon, who was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer in 2008, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center in late June after she stopped eating.

For around a month, supporters of Cory Aquino have fervently been holding prayer rallies for the former president in churches. She was never able to leave the hospital to join her supporters, though, as her health and condition never improved. When things looked bleak, yellow ribbons surfaced in hope of her recovery.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines, who is currently on an official visit to the United States, declared a period of national mourning and announced that a state funeral would be held for the late president. The said period has been arranged to last for ten (10) days.

President Barack Obama himself was “deeply saddened” by Aquino’s death and extended his condolences to her family and the Republic of the Philippines.

Cory Aquino is known in Philippine history as the wife of the assassinated Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquinio, Jr. who ran against then Philippine president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She is largely credited for restoring democracy by overturning the Marcos administration and Martial Law back at that very turbulent time in the country.