MANILA, Philippines ? A grateful nation mourned the death of former President Corazon Aquino, who led a bloodless revolt that restored democracy and continued to fight against tyranny until her last days.

World leaders also paid tribute to Aquino, who had become a symbol of democracy since leading the 1986 People Power uprising that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

Aquino succumbed to complications from colon cancer at 3:18 a.m. Saturday, as her children prayed the rosary at her bedside.

The capital was decked in yellow ribbons as mourners offered flowers at the Aquino family?s modest home on Times Street in Quezon City.

At 8 p.m., former and incumbent government officials and supporters joined the Aquino family in a mass at the La Salle Greenhills gymnasium, where her remains will lie before she is buried on Wednesday.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who succeeded Aquino in 1992, said she was a ?woman with a steel core.?

Former Senate President Jovito Salonga said Aquino was an ?exemplary leader with honesty, integrity, probity, and diligence.?

Aquino fought colon cancer since she was diagnosed of the disease in March 2008. She underwent surgery last April and was readmitted to the hospital in June due to loss of appetite.

A week before she died, her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III, said her cancer had spread to her liver and other internal organs.

Her family was praying the Fifth Sorrowful Mystery of the rosary when she breathed her last.

?Doon huminga ng kanyang huling [There, she breathed her last]?Her last gasp. They were praying around the bed, the children were around the bed praying the Rosary when she passed away,? said television host Boy Abunda, a close family friend.

After that last breath, Abunda said, Mrs. Aquino's children quietly cried.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is in the United States to meet US President Barack Obama, declared a 10-day period of national mourning. Malacañang said she could come home ahead of schedule on August 5.

The Aquino family refused the Palace?s offer for a state burial for the country?s first female president.
Vice President Noli de Castro credited Aquino for restoring press freedom.

?Bilang isang brodkaster, lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa kanya sa pagbalik ng demokrasya sa bansa. Utang na loob po namin sa kanya ang malayang pamamahayag na tinatamasa natin ngayon. [As a broadcaster, I am very thankful that she restored democracy in the country. We owe the press freedom we are enjoying now to her],? said De Castro, a former television news anchor.

Senator Edgardo Angara said Aquino was ?in the noble mold Gandhi and Mandela.?

Gabriela partylist Representative Liza Maza said Aquino?s ?courage and quiet grace would always be a reminder to those who aspire to be dictators or tyrants that the Filipino people, inspired by the same memory, will never allow them to rule again.?

Bayan Muna partylist Representative Teodoro Casino said the former President would always be remembered for her ?struggle for freedom and democracy against tyranny.?

In June, Aquino released a statement from her sickbed slamming efforts by Arroyo?s allies to rewrite the Constitution, a move which government critics said was meant to prolong Arroyo?s stay in power.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honored their former commander-in-chief with volleys of fire in 10 military camps.

Hours after the announcement of Aquino?s death, volleys from a 105-millimeter howitzer were heard at 30-minute intervals from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

?In this time of national mourning, the AFP gives our snappiest salute to President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, as we pledge our firm and unwavering commitment to tirelessly continue defending our democratic way of life she had fiercely fought to regain? said AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado said in a brief ceremony at military general headquarters, where he announced news of Aquino's death to troops.

A spokesman for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said Aquino was ?second to no one in championing democracy.?

Aquino?s eldest grandson, Jiggy Aquino-Cruz, said his grandmother attended to her grandchildren like a ?second mother? when their parents were not around.

?To me she wasn't a president or a hero, she was my lola [grandmother],? Cruz said.

Aquino?s neighbors in Times Street said she was ?Tita Cory? to them and did not like special treatment.

?I was so surprised that a former President was knocking on my door, but it didn?t seem so. She was very simple and kind to us,? said Juanita Sy, who remembered how the former president asked if her grandson, Joshua, could use the Sy family?s swimming pool.