Yesterday’s 29th death anniversary of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was marked with calls to the people, especially the youth, to remember his heroism and study his struggle against the Marcos dictatorship.
“Be brave like Ninoy,” was the challenge hurled by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
The mayor said if there’s one quality that should be learned from Ninoy, it would be the courage to fight for freedom against dictators like the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos who ruled from 1966 to 1986.
The mayor recalled how he hid cousin Ricky Rama-Poca from the Martial Law police.
“We stayed in a motel in Pasay City on the night of August 23, 1993.
The next day however, they took a cab looking for the place where Ninoy’s body was brought just to take a glimpse of the hero’s body. He said he was grateful to be able to view the hero’s remains.
Before Rama delivered his speech, a Holy Mass was celebrated in the Plaza Independencia by Msgrr. Roberto Alesna.
“Coming home 29 years ago was a choice for martyrdom. He came home to show how he loved human rights, democracy and freedom,” said Alesna.
Human rights lawyer and martial law activist Democrito Barcenas said Ninoy will always be an inspiration for his bravery, patriotism and generosity. “He always put others before himself,” he said.
Rep. Pastor Alcover of Anad partylist cited the need to re-open investigation on the late senator’s death to identify the real culprits and mastermind/s in his assassination.
Rama led participants in a heritage run around the Fort San Pedro at 5:30 a.m. A Eucharistic celebration followed at 7:30 a.m.
At 1 p.m. Rama again led hundreds of City Hall employees, students and sectoral representatives in a freedom walk from the Fuente Osmeña to the Plaza Independencia at 1 p.m.
If he were to have his way, Rama said, he wanted to also organize a memorial lecture during the 30th year death anniversary of Ninoy next year to educate the youth on what the late senator did for his love of the country.
“We have to remind the youngsters of the events in the past kay o balik na gihapon ang nahitabo sa una…. But never again should we allow Martial Law to happen again. It was really a nightmare Martial Law was a nightmare,” said Rama.
Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes agreed.
“The life of Ninoy and struggle of Ninoy against the Marcos dictatorship should be studied, especially by the youth,” he said.
In the program at 3 p.m in Plaza Independencia martial activist and Ninoy’s friend Antonio Cuenco joined Rama and other Cebu City officials in a program that also served as a freedom concert.
Cuenco, a former Cebu assemblyman and south district representativehad released to media yesterday Ninoy’s letter to him dated June 27, 1983 confirming his plan to return home.
In that letter Ninoy said “I have taken your advice very seriously and you convinced me that the time has come for me to return.”/Doris C. Bongcac, Patricia Andra D. Pateña, Ador Vincent Mayol and Tweeny M. Malinao