Grandnephew asks: Is Ninoy Aquino still important?
Residents and officials of Concepcion, Tarlac, offered wreaths of yellow flowers at the monument of slain Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in front of the town hall to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the murder of the democracy icon who began his political career in the province.
Aquino’s grandnephew, 22-year-old Emilio Aquino, led the commemoration in this municipality, the late senator’s hometown, as he asked the crowd if this occasion was still relevant today.
“Is Ninoy Aquino still important?” asked the grandson of Ninoy’s younger brother, the late Sen. Agapito “Butz” Aquino.
Emilio said this question “has lingered within the depths of my thoughts almost every day of my life.”
“I never met Ninoy in person. I never experienced martial law or the abuses and corruption at that time. I never witnessed the 1986 People Power Revolution,” he said in his remarks.
But Emilio said he had met people like Ninoy Aquino “who love their country and have solid values.”
Article continues after this advertisement“I can say I have witnessed injustice, corruption and lies every day in our country, similar to that of martial law,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“To me, Ninoy was a good man. He loved his family and the people around him. He would always think of the welfare of other people more than his own sake. He loved our country and God,” he added.
“One determines how good a man is through his values. Ninoy was filled with gratitude, perseverance and love [of] country. He loved this country even until his death,” he said further.
The younger Aquino said he was aware of criticisms hurled at the late senator.
“Ninoy was branded as an ambitious trapo (traditional politician) and that he only wanted to be president. However, I beg to disagree. Ninoy took the risk to come home even if he knew he’d be killed,” Emilio said.
Protest songs associated with the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution were played during the program in Concepcion—the only municipality in Tarlac where President Marcos lost in the 2022 general elections.
Museum renovations
In Tarlac City, the Aquino Museum was closed during Ninoy Aquino Day, but for good reason.
Karen Lacsamana Carrera, head of the museum’s management, said renovations for a new section have been taking time.
The new section will feature the late President Benigno Aquino III, only son of Ninoy and the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.
“We plan to open on the birthday of President Noy on Feb. 8,” Carrera said in a phone interview.
Photographs and memorabilia of Ninoy and Cory Aquino filled the museum when it was opened in 2001.
Over time, it displayed a replica of Aquino’s prison cell at Fort Bonifacio where he was detained for almost eight years.
—REPORTS FROM ALLAN M. MACATUNO AND TONETTE T. OREJAS INQ
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