MANILA (Reuters) – Former President Corazon Aquino, whose "people power" revolution swept dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power in the Philippines, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer, her family said. She was 76.

via www.reuters.com

Cory Aquino may not have been a great executive or a decisive leader after "people power" brought her into office, but she was an inspiration and source of courage to many, including a friend of mine who testimony has affected me deeply.

My friend, Myrna was living abroad and working as a nurse in the days of the revolution. When she was challenged by Cory and the the news reports of her countrymen being arrested, threatened, and beaten, she was deeply moved and booked a plane back to the Philippines where she took up her place outside Marcos' palace in Manila.

She recounted to me that if her people were suffering, she needed to be with them.

This was also the example of Cory Aquino.

Myrna was with them, outside the palace, standing in prayer and protest of the cruel and corrupt regime of Ferdinand Marcos, when the order was given to open fire on the protesters.

The people decided to stand their ground in prayer.

My friend remembers something she can only describe as the Holy Spirit coming to restrain the soldiers from firing.

She will always remember that as a great movement of the Spirit.

Soon, Marcos fell and people power brought Cory to office.

Whatever else her legacy might be, it is one of faith and courage.

To quote Reuters' Raju Gopalakrishnan:

"Aquino often turned to her faith to steer her through difficult times."

""There was never any moment that I doubted God would help … If it was time to die, so be it," she said when rebel mortars pounded the presidential palace in 1987."