IN THIS world, we will be honored once we are gone. People who have gone before us when awarded posthumously will not receive any negative comment but for those who are left behind, once awarded, will receive many comments and negative reactions.
August 21 is a holiday celebrating two events this year. One is the anniversary of the assassination of former Philippine Senator Ninoy Aquino and the other is the celebration of the covenant of Allah with Abraham or the feast of Eid al-Adha for Mohammedanism or Islam.
Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino is surely hiding in shame of what his daughter and his son did for his beloved country. Cory, his wife, faced all odds and became the president of the Republic and inheriting all the ill-effects of the Marcos dictatorship and all the ambitions of many politicians.
His daughter Kris is unexpectedly doing a lot of things that would destroy not only the name but all the integrity of both Ninoy and Cory. Benigno Simeon Aquino III won the presidency and not for his ability but because the Filipino nation believed that the spirit and the genes of the parents are with him. We expected so much but less was given by the PNoy admin.
I remembered that we were attending the birthday party of my cousin when the news broke out that Senator Aquino was assassinated. It just passed my ears for we were busy eating fruit salad at the party. I was a first-year high school then. My uncles and aunts were talking about the implications of the death of Ninoy.
Back in school, no one was talking about Ninoy Aquino, except for my religion teacher who she asked us to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Ninoy.
Every day, I read the headlines of newspapers at the school library. We had Malaya newspaper at school while at home we subscribed to the Daily Express.
During my second year in high school, while my classmates were busy with the academic development and grades, I was busy doing my data collection about the works of Ninoy versus the evils that the regime is doing to the country. My anger is evolving inside me, not because of Ninoy’s assassination but my eyes started to open with the reality of the Marcos regime.
In my third year, we were very busy with chemistry but I would always find time to discuss with my fellow youngsters about the situation in the country. I joined rallies and observed the anger inside the people being poured out. We were not afraid of the military or any paid mercenaries. We knew that the Church leaders in Negros are at our backs with their prayers and “pakikibaka.”
The assassination of Ninoy triggered the sleeping giants in each one. The cronies and the pseudo-Marco supporters were fearing for their ill-gotten wealth. They are now fleeing for the heat of the “real change” was coming. Ninoy became a symbol of a revolution. His death became a motivation to all those seeking to throw away the dictatorship. He was a magnet.
So, before I finished my high school, I found myself joining the protests against the dictatorship. I would argue with my classmates about the injustices against the poor with all enthusiasm. But I would often lose arguments because most of them are children of the elite.
Now, my memory of Ninoy is that he opened our minds and hearts to the reality that we could always topple down a leader who oppresses his people.
St. Ezekiel Moreno and St. Augustine, pray for us.