Pangan: August twenty one unlamented

THIRTY EIGHT years ago today, we were jolted by an event that happened at the Manila International airport tarmac. A democratic icon has been shot and lay lifeless thereon. This person was Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., then nemesis and arch enemy of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The rest, as they say, is history.

The upheaval that followed changed the form of our government, from near despotic to one anchored on freedom.

Ninoy was the best president we never had. He dreamt for the Filipino, worked for and wrote about the Filipino. He said the Filipino is worth dying for and so he did die a glorious death, as he correctly foretold.

The events that ensued after his death were known the world over. His widow, riding on the crest of his heroism, overwhelmingly won the presidency and established a strong republic based on solid respect for freedom and human rights and civility. She performed well.

Now, after those 38 years, we seem to have a dim recollection of events that uplifted our spirit and way of life. We seem to forget all the great deeds Ninoy has done for us and how.

A forgettable movement was formed, the August twenty one movement composed of Ninoy's sympathizers and followers. The movement simply faded out of the scene, after some marches and demonstrations.

***

How would Ninoy have addressed the present pandemic we are in if he were elected president? How would he react to our present deteriorating economy which saw the massive losses in our income and means of livelihood?

***

Today, we are in need of people who can steer and navigate our country through the rough seas. Someone, somebody who would lead us out of the rut we are buried in and save us from further deterioration!

We are faced with the prospect of holding another national election to choose our new set of leaders who could, and would, give us a breath of fresh air of stability and economic security.

For a long time now, we have elected leaders of various temperament and capability. In each case, we either retrogressed or had a bit of triumph. In sum, we have not had a complete grasp of economic security and growth as envisioned by our hero, Ninoy Aquino.