“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” – Ndukwe Dike Kalu, American football player
DEMOCRACY emphasizes equality. As one of the most popular ideologies in the world today, it gives the people the power to make demands for greater social or economic equality.
In the Philippines it is best described as a “rule by the people,”—a constant power that every Filipino has, to have a voice in every decision-making in the country. However, to get there, it took enduring and toppling 20 years of a draconian dictatorship.
On Aug. 21, 1983, then Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. returned to the Philippines from his exile in the US, to continue his fight for the restoration of the Filipinos’ right and freedom.
When Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos martial law was declared on September 21, 1972, Aquino was one of the first to be arrested. He spent seven years confined in a military prison until, in 1979, was allowed to leave for the US due to his health condition.
Ninoy wasted no time and toured the country. He attended forums, symposiums and delivered speeches in freedom rallies opposing the dictatorship.
Best known for saying that “Filipinos are worth dying for,” Ninoy redefined democracy not just for his kababayans, but also captivated the rest of the world. This inspiring leader became a visionary for a world of peace and equality.
He returned home on that fateful day of Aug. 21, amidst immediate coercions and perils that awaited him.
He met his death upon his arrival at the Manila International Airport. He was shot in the head while being escorted off the airplane by his captors. It was the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and democracy.
“He headed home, alone, heart burning with fervor, to fight for the democracy he dreamed of reclaiming for his country,” Pres. Benigno Aquino III said of his father’s sacrifice.
His legacy did not die with him. Ninoy’s assassination sparked a series of protests, rallies, marches and demonstrations throughout the Philippines. It also paved the way for his wife, Corazon C. Aquino, to continue what he had left behind—the fight for the restoration of democracy through the iconic People Power Revolution.
31 years later, Filipinos still honor Ninoy who helped usher democracy in the country. In honoring a fallen hero, we owe it to ourselves to pursue Ninoy’s legacy.
“Let the heroes in each of us thrive in our everyday words and action, in service of the greater good; exercise the freedom we enjoy today to spark a revolution for positive change and cast our stake in forging our destiny as a nation. Time and again, we have proven that no challenge is too daunting and no task is too great for a united Filipino nation,” Aquino further said.
Today’s generation are given a prime opportunity, to jealously guard that which has been granted to us. Ninoy Aquino is honored for anchoring freedom and equality. He did so through selflessness and love of country.
(AJPress)
