VOA标准英语2009年-Philippines Prays for Ailing Former Presid

Prayers and masses are being held across the Philippines for the recovery of cancer-stricken former President Corazon Aquino. The democracy icon¹ is battling colon² cancer.
　
Devotees, supporters of former Philippine President Corazon 'Cory' Aquino attend a 'healing mass' for the third day in Manila, 3 Jul 2009

Mrs. Aquino's son, Senator Benigno Aquino III said in a statement that the former Philippine president is stable and conscious, but would remain in the hospital. She is being treated for a build-up of fluid in her stomach and had been confined in the intensive care unit until Thursday.

Worried supporters and friends across the mostly Roman Catholic nation and Filipinos overseas have started novenas, or nine-day prayers, and held masses for her recovery. Even figures from the opposite side of the political fence, such as former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, offered prayers for Mrs. Aquino.

Deedee Siytangco, Mrs. Aquino's spokeswoman, says Mrs. Aquino is aware of the outpouring of concern and thanks those praying for her.

Mrs. Aquino, 76, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008 and underwent surgery to remove part of her colon in April.

Cory Aquino, a widow-turned-democracy icon, ran for president in 1986 against the authoritarian³ leader Ferdinand Marcos. She became the country's leading opposition⁴ figure overnight, after her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Junior, was assassinated⁵ upon returning from exile in 1983.

Mrs. Aquino was installed as president after peaceful street protests called "people power" movement ousted⁶ Mr. Marcos in 1986.

Several coup⁷ attempts by disgruntled members of the military severely⁸ tested her government, and she was criticized for comprising her reform agenda in favor of the country's big landowners, including her own family. In recent years, she has become a critic of President Gloria Arroyo⁹ and has led demonstrations¹⁰ demanding her resignation for alleged¹¹ corruption¹².

1 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

2 colon   

n.冒号，结肠，直肠

参考例句：

• Here,too,the colon must be followed by a dash.这里也是一样，应当在冒号后加破折号。
• The colon is the locus of a large concentration of bacteria.结肠是大浓度的细菌所在地。

3 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

4 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

5 assassinated   

v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏

参考例句：

• The prime minister was assassinated by extremists. 首相遭极端分子暗杀。
• Then, just two days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. 跟着在两天以后，肯尼迪总统在达拉斯被人暗杀。 来自辞典例句

6 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

7 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

8 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

9 arroyo   

n.干涸的河床，小河

参考例句：

• She continued along the path until she came to the arroyo.她沿着小路一直走到小河边。
• They had a picnic by the arroyo.他们在干枯的河床边野餐过。

10 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

11 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

12 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。