Former Philippine president Corazon Aquino has died at the age of 76.
Ms Aquino whose ouster of one of the 20th century's most corrupt dictators made her a global icon of democracy, died after a 16-month battle against colon cancer.
Her family announced she passed away in the early hours of Saturday, shortly after a private mass was held in her hospital room. All five children were at her bedside.
Ms Aquino, known as Cory to millions of Filipinos, was president from 1986 to 1992. But she is remembered as the woman in yellow who led the "People Power" revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
The tumultuous events in 1986 came to a head when up one million people waving rosaries and flowers stopped Marcos's tanks advancing towards Aquino-backed army rebels. When Marcos and his wife Imelda fled the nation, Ms Aquino was hailed as a modern-day Joan of Arc.
As news of her death spread, hundreds of people began visiting her home and the shrine where her 1986 revolution culminated, leaving flowers and lighting candles. Many tied yellow ribbons to their cars, and on trees near her home.
Ms Aquino was a reluctant leader at the start and entered politics only after her politician husband Benigno was assassinated at Manila's international airport in 1983 on his return from exile in the United States.
Her presidency was less successful than the revolution, with a series of coup attempts by the military keeping the administration hamstrung. She was lauded for her courage, but rarely seemed able to get on top of ruling the country.
Current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has announced a 10-day period of national mourning and said in a message: "Today the Philippines lost a national treasure. She helped lead our nation to a brighter day."
Ms Aquino's family has opted against a state funeral and plan to bury her beside Benigno after a private ceremony on Wednesday, her son said.
US President Barack Obama said: "Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation."
Her arch-foe Imelda Marcos, who returned to the Philippines after her husband died in exile, said: "Now that Cory is with the Lord, let us all unite and pray for her and for the Filipino people."
Reuters