‘Ninoy took action despite hopelessness’

MANILA, Philippines — Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. showed Filipinos how to take action for the betterment of the country despite feeling hopeless, one of his grandsons said yesterday as the country commemorated the former senator’s 43rd death anniversary.

“One thing to remember from that example is that, in a way, a lot of us look for reasons to hope, a lot of us look for reasons to have faith before we act,” Kiko Aquino Dee reflected during a mass at the Aquino Mausoleum inside Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. “In the example of Lolo Ninoy, the order is reversed: they act first before they found hope.”

Aquino returned to the country from exile on Aug. 21, 1983, to “join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence” during the Marcos dictatorship, according to his prepared arrival remarks, which were never delivered.

Upon alighting from the China Airlines plane, he was shot on the tarmac of what was then the Manila International Airport.

“Even when Lolo Ninoy doubted the people around him, he still chose every day in that self not to capitulate, not to collaborate. He chose to resist and then he found his reason to hope,” Dee said.

The hurdle today, according to Dee, is to make progress even when there is nothing to hope for in the current climate.

“The challenge that Lolo Ninoy put before us is to figure out how we can act even when we’re not hopeful, even when it doesn’t make sense. What is the small one percent that I can (do) toward progress?” said Dee, a lead convenor of Tindig Pilipinas, which is on the front lines of holding officials accountable.

“Committing to that action, I think, we will find our way to the hope that Lolo Ninoy felt. We will also find our way to be able to say with all our hearts, with all of our minds, that the Filipino is indeed worth dying for, living for and fighting for,” he added.

Sen. Bam Aquino likewise urged Filipinos to honor his uncle’s sacrifice by continuing to fight for the country despite its problems.

Aquino recalled Ninoy’s seven years in prison and his decision to leave the safety of his family in the United States and return to the Philippines despite having no assurance that his return would change the country or that Filipinos would support him.

“Perhaps this is the hardest thing to understand about true love for one’s country: you do not love the Philippines because you are certain there will be something in return. You do not stand your ground because you know you will win,” Aquino said.

“You do this because you believe the Filipino is worth fighting for, even if you do not know what awaits you,” he added. “If Tito Ninoy, in the darkest and saddest part of his life, did not lose faith in the Filipino people, who are we to give up on one another now?”

Marcos honors Ninoy

President Marcos also honored Ninoy’s legacy, describing the late senator as a symbol of Filipino courage and urging Filipinos to draw resolve from his example in protecting freedom and strengthening democracy.

“The memory of Ninoy Aquino reminds us of the courage of Filipinos to stand by their convictions and contribute to our nation’s democratic journey,” Marcos said.

He said the challenges facing democracy may have changed, but Filipinos remain responsible for protecting it, particularly amid disinformation, division, distrust and civic indifference.

“Ninoy’s legacy encourages us to meet these challenges with vigilance and faith in the Filipino people as we work together to deliver meaningful progress for all,” Marcos said.

“This administration will remain steadfast in protecting our sovereignty, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the liberty we cherish is matched by real opportunities for every Filipino,” he added. “Together, let us carry forward the lessons of our history as we continue to nurture a more peaceful and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas. May we all have a solemn and purposeful remembrance.”

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, said Ninoy died for a Philippines free from hunger, poverty, foreign bullying and the proliferation of fake news.

Urging Filipinos to move beyond mere remembrance, he said: “Remembering alone is not enough. We must act. The broad ranks of Filipinos must stand together. The fight is not yet over, but we will continue to fight. That is the greatest tribute we can give back to him.”

Ninoy marker moved

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines led the official commemoration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with a wreath-laying ceremony at Ninoy’s newly repositioned memorial marker at the Terminal 1 arrival extension.

The marker was moved from the departure curbside to the improved arrival area, making it more visible to the public and placing it closer to the location where Ninoy was received after his assassination.

“They moved the marker at the arrival area, which is historically correct … because that is where Butz Aquino and Doy Laurel delivered the bad news to the people,” said Volt Bohol, president of the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM).

Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz represented the Aquino family at the ceremony.

The event was attended by representatives of various groups, including the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Spirit of EDSA Foundation, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation Inc., Project Gunita, ATOM, Chino Roces Foundation and NAMFREL.

Ninoy’s assassination sparked protests that culminated in the ouster of Marcos Sr. in February 1986 through the bloodless people power revolution.

His widow, Corazon Aquino, became president and served until 1992, while their son, Benigno Aquino III, was elected president in 2010.

Republic Act 9256, signed on Feb. 25, 2004, declared Aug. 21 of every year as Ninoy Aquino Day, a special nonworking holiday. — Helen Flores, Neil Jayson Servallos, Rudy Santos