Cory Aquino

I was alerted by a Twitter trending topic that former Philippines president Corazon Aquino has passed away at the age of 76. She was propelled to power in 1986 after dictator Ferdinand Marcos was deposed in a popular uprising following the murder of opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The Philippines are in mourning for Asia's first female president, and for an icon for the return to democracy. Mrs Aquino died yesterday after battling colon cancer for more than a year; she had recently refused further treatment. She is to be buried next to her husband.