Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. 24th Death Anniversary

August 21, 2007

"The Filipino is worth dying for."

- Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. (1932 - 1983)

Today, August 21, 2007, we are celebrating the 24th Death Anniversary of one of our National Heroes, "Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. Here's a short biography of "Ninoy."

Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., born on November 27, 1932, was the son of a senator, Benigno, Aquino, Sr. of Tarlac. In 1954, he married former President Corazon "Cory" Cojuanco-Aquino and were blessed with five children. He was the youngest mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac, at age 22, youngest vice-governor at age 27, governor of Tarlac at age 29, and made history by becoming the youngest elected senator at age 34. Because of his achievements at a young age, he earned the moniker, "Wonder Boy" of Philippine politics. He is the strongest contender of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the presidency.

When Ferdinand Marcos declared Presidential Decree 1081 on September 21, 1972 placing the entire country under Martial Law, the Writ of Habeas Corpus was suspended. Many Filipinos were arrested for subversion including Ninoy. He was arrested, imprisoned and exiled along with the other activists at that time. He suffered a heart attack and was put on exile in the United States. He decided to come back to the Philippines on August 21, 1983 at the expense of his own life.

"if it's my fate to die by an assassin's bullet, so be it".

His death ignited the hearts of every Filipino, who longed for freedom and were long sufferers of a country governed by a dictator. His death catapulted the EDSA Revolution, famously known as "People Power."

Until now, the perpetrators of his assassination were not yet convicted. His case is one of the mysteries in history that will never be unveiled although deep in our hearts (Filipinos) we know who the mastermind was/is. My father once said that Ninoy's death was a "collaboration of two countries." The Philippines and a strong allied country were involved in his assassination plot that is yet to be resolved 24 years later.

"The Filipino is worth dying for."

Twenty four years after Ninoy's death, in retrospect, is the Filipino still worth dying for?? Today, heroes are only found on the peso bills, decorative statues on building façade, parks, and streets, and institutions named on their behalf.

I was born four years after the declaration of Martial Law. I may or may not have experienced the harshness of that era. Thereafter, I could only remember remnant memories of EDSA revolution, Mendiola Massacre, Honasan's coup d'état, etc. when I was in grade school. My father never allowed us go to school because of the political situation then. We often saw military trucks transporting soldiers and tanks passing by McArthur's highway leaving Camp Olivas.

The younger generation today lost the fire that ignited the revolution in EDSA. They are so consumed in their "I-Pod world." For instance, they did not even bother registering in the Sangguniang Kabataan or Youth Council (SK) even if the government suspended classes on their behalf to increase the low turnout in the registration for the SK election.

Twenty four years have passed since Ninoy's death and 21 years after EDSA "People Power" Revolution....

We cannot surpass or reciprocate the heroism of Bonifacio or Aquino. We need another Bonifacio or Aquino to fuel our nationalism/love of country, not just loving oneself, one's family, or loving one's community. I do not have the authority to preach, teach, or dictate about the current level of nationalism of us, Filipinos, but I could definitely say that we have forgotten the true meaning of Ninoy's death and the true message of EDSA: UNITY, FREEDOM, JUSTICE, LOVE, HOPE, and PEACE!!