NINOY AQUINO: The Changing of a Politician

NINOY AQUINO: Ang Pagbabago ng Isang Pulitiko

By xiaochua

A wall painting in the Provincial Capitol of Tarlac for their governor who became the hero of the country.

NINOY AQUINO: The Hero's Hero, the Hero who became the Hero
NINOY AQUINO: Ang Trapo na Hero, ang Hero na naging Bayani

This essay was read first by the "Pinoy Ideal; The Search for the Filipino Leader "sponsored
by the PHA, UP Department of History and UP Historical Society on 20 August 2009 in UP
Diliman's Bulwagang Palma and was first published in Mabuhay: Lingguhang Pilipino From
1980, 21-27 August 2009, 1 , 6. Revised version published in Historical Bulletin, Vol XLV
(2011), 44-54.
Ang sanaysay na ito ay unang binasa sa sampaksaang “Pinoy Ideal; The Search for the
Filipino Leader” na itinaguyod ng PHA, UP Departamento ng Kasaysayan at UP Lipunang
Pangkasaysayan noong 20 Agosto 2009 sa Bulwagang Palma ng UP Diliman at unang
nailathala sa Mabuhay: Lingguhang Pilipino Mula Pa Noong 1980, 21-27 August 2009, 1,
6 . Nirebisang bersyon inilathala sa Historical Bulletin, Vol XLV (2011), 44-54.

Abstract:

There is a tendency for them to make their heroes seem to be saints as if they had no
mistakes, cleaning their stories to show that they were perfect and super-powerful. This is
what is happening today in the image of Ninoy Aquino. This is because our templatefor hero
is the Western Hero. And if we look at this lens we see, our hero seems to be more difficult to
imitate. The people today need more realistic heroes. This role is more interested in showing a
heroine as an ordinary person who also has errors. As a result, the story becomes more
realistic. The heroes are people who have forgotten their shortcomings to embrace and
accompany the people. It is a proof that everyone has the capacity to change to the best of all.
Keywords: hero, hero, traditional politician (trapo), non-violent resistance , People's Power

“This struggle can only mean victory for all of us. It would mean victory because we are
different from those that we oppose. Those that we oppose are happy with the material
wealth, but for how long?”
-Ninoy Aquino

21 August 1983, 1:15 NH: Ninoy became martyr. 26 years after that jubile afternoon, the
culprit is still unknown, and perhaps, can no longer be identified. While it is important to
know who the brain is called "The Crime of the Century," I believe that the more important
questions we can get the answer based on history-why should it still matter? Why should he
just consider his martyrdom?
It is wrong to say that the path to EDSA started in the tarmac that afternoon as it was written
by many. Actually after his murder, many parts of the middle class and other sectors began to
engage in actions that accelerated the collapse of the Marcos regime. But as Prop. Dante
Ambrosio, the struggle against dictatorship has continued to be the center and strength of the
Military Act of activists, students, artistic practitioners, and religious leaders. In fact, if it is
said that the struggle began only on 21 August 1983, we were concerned about Ninoy
Aquino's own struggle in the prison for seven years and seven months, according to Ninoy's
description, not seeing the moon and the star in the sky.
I will be born five months after he was killed. I did not recognize him as governor of our
province, even as a senator of our republic. Although my parents mentioned that while I was
pregnant with my mother, they saw Ninoy's chariot passing through the Monument from
Tarlac. I grew up in People Power, and in the 10th year of his death, I was transferred from
the Tarlac First Baptist Church School to the Provincial Libraries to search for an old copy of
the book Alfonso Policarpio Ninoy: The Willing Martyr to find a hero. In my search, I
became a student of history and wrote my most recent role in BA for Ninoy (Chua 2005, 4-
88).
In my quest for Ninoy, I found that although his death became a martyr, his whole life was a
process of heroism.
According to historians Zeus A. Salazar, contrast with the Western concept of "hero" is an
unusual creature and preoccupation with one's own person , in view of our town hero "an
initiative to cooperate without any charge activities community ... integrated into his own
group and focused solely on excellence in the interest of the group. "Salazar added that in the
Filipino concept of heroes," the value of showing humility and the simplicity of others are
more appreciated. " (Salazar 1997, 3-4, 36, 39)
The RAG to Hero
Like "heroé" in Greek mythology, and even our fictional heroes in our epics, Ninoy is extra-
ordinary, superhero , and imperfect.
Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr. (official name from Ninoy's bio-data from BSAF, not
Benigno Servillano Aquino, Jr. as stated by a wide- ranging coffeetable book (Mercado
1986, 313) quoted by many internet sources ) was born on November 27, 1932. The
life- span of this life-an enfant terrible youngest reporter in the Korean War at the age of 17,
and as a Manila Times reporter , led the Huk rebels Supremo Luis Taruc at the age of 22; the
youngest elected Mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac at the age of 22; the youngest Vice Governor
of Tarlac Province at the age of 27; the youngest Governor of that province at the age of 29
(Joaquin 1983); and the youngest senator of the Republic of the Philippines at the age of 35.
The period of his running for the Senate was a period of global struggle for change from
youth. His slogan is YEH- Youth, Experience, Hope , for the "Yeah Yeah Yeah" of the
Beatles (Policarpio 1986, 72).

Abstract:

Marami ang may tendensiya na ginagawa nilang tila mga santo ang kanilang mga bayani na
para bang wala silang pagkakamali, nililinis ang kanilang kwento upang ipakita na sila ay
perpekto at super lakas. Makikita ito sa nangyayari ngayon sa imahe ni Ninoy Aquino. Ito ay
dahil sa ang template natin sa bayani ay ang Kanluraning Hero. At kung sa ganitong lente
natin ito titingnan, tila mas mahirap tularan ang ating mga bayani. Kailangan ng bayan
ngayon ang mas makatotohanang mga bayani. Mas interesado ang papel na ito na ipakita ang
isang bayaning tinitingala bilang isang ordinaryong tao na mayroon ding mga pagkakamali.
Dahil dito, mas nagiging makatotohanan ang salaysay. Ang mga bayani ay ang mga taong
nilampasan ang kanilang mga pagkukulang upang yakapin at samahan ang bayan. Isang
katibayan na ang lahat ng tao ay may kapasidad sa pagbabago tungo sa ikabubuti ng lahat.
Keywords: hero, bayani, traditional politician (trapo), non-violent resistance,
Kapangyarihang Bayan

“This struggle can only mean victory for all of us. It would mean victory because we are
different from those that we oppose. Those that we oppose are happy with the material
wealth, but for how long?”
-Ninoy Aquino
21 Agosto 1983, 1:15 NH: Naging martir si Ninoy. 26 na taon matapos ang matadhanang
hapon na iyon, hindi pa rin natutukoy ang salarin, at marahil, hindi na matutukoy. Bagama’t
mahalaga na malaman kung sino ang utak ng tinatawag na “Krimen ng Siglo,” naniniwala
akong mas dapat sagutin ang mas mahalagang tanong na maaaring makuha ang sagot batay sa
kasaysayan—bakit may saysay pa rin siya? Bakit nararapat lamang gunitain ang kanyang
pagkamartir?

Maling sabihin na ang landas patungong EDSA ay nagsimula sa tarmac noong hapon na iyon
tulad ng isinusulat ng marami. Tunay na matapos ang pagpaslang sa kanya, maraming bahagi
ng mga nasa gitnang uri at iba pang sektor ang nagsimulang sumali na sa mga pagkilos na
nagpabilis sa pagbagsak ng rehimeng Marcos. Ngunit tulad ng binaggit sa akin ni Prop.
Dante Ambrosio, ang pakikibaka laban sa diktadura ay nagpatuloy maging sa kalagitnaan at
kalakasan ng kapangyarihan ng Batas Militar ng mga aktibista, estudyante, mga alagad ng
sining, at mga relihiyoso. Sa katunayan, kung sasabihin na nagsimula lamang ang pakikibaka
noong 21 Agosto 1983, isinasawalang bahala na natin ang pakikibaka mismo ni Ninoy
Aquino sa piitan sa loob ng pitong taon at pitong buwan, na ayon sa deskripsyon ni Ninoy, na
hindi natatanaw ang buwan at mga bituwin sa kalangitan.

Isisilang ako limang buwan matapos siyang mapaslang. Hindi ko siya nakilala bilang
gobernador ng aming lalawigan, maging bilang senador ng ating republika. Bagama’t
binanggit sa akin ng aking mga magulang na habang ako ay pinagbubuntis ng aking ina,
nakita nilang dumaan ang karo ng mga labi ni Ninoy sa ma Monumento galing ng Tarlac.
Lumaki ako sa panahon ng Kapangyarihang Bayan (People Power), at sa ika-10 taon ng
kanyang kamatayan, tatawid ako mula sa Tarlac First Baptist Church School patungo sa
Aklatang Panlalawigan upang sulyapan ang isang lumang kopya ng aklat ni Alfonso
Policarpio na Ninoy: The Willing Martyr upang maghanap ng bayani. Sa aking paghahanap,
naging estudyante ako ng kasaysayan at isinulat pa ang aking pinakahuling papel sa BA ukol
kay Ninoy (Chua 2005, 4-88).
Sa aking paghahanap kay Ninoy, natagpuan ko na bagama’t sa kanyang pagkamatay siya ay
naging martir, ang kanyang buong buhay ay proseso tungo sa kabayanihan.

Ayon sa historyador na si Zeus A. Salazar, may kaibahan ang Kanluraning konsepto ng

“heroé” na isang hindi pangkaraniwang nilalang at may preokupasyon sa sariling persona, sa
pananaw ng ating bayan sa bayani na “isang nagkukusang makipagtulungan nang walang
anumang bayad sa mga gawaing pangkomunidad…, nakapaloob sa kanyang sariling grupo at
nakatuon lamang at tangi sa pagpapaibayo ng interes ng grupo.” Dagdag ni Salazar na sa
Pilipinong konsepto ng bayani, “mas pinahahalagahan ang pagpapakita ng kababaang-loob at
ang pagiging katulad lamang ng ibang kasama.” (Salazar 1997, 3-4, 36, 39)
Ang Trapo na Hero
Tulad ng mga “heroé” sa Mitolohiyang Griyego, at maging sa ating mga kathang-isip na
bayani sa ating mga epiko, si Ninoy ay ekstra-ordinaryo, superhero, at hindi perpekto.
Si Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr. (opisyal na pangalan mula sa bio-data ni Ninoy mula sa
BSAF, hindi Benigno Servillano Aquino, Jr. na tulad ng sinasaad ng isang malaganap na
aklat coffeetable (Mercado 1986, 313) na sinipi ng maraming batis mula sa internet) ay
isinilang noong 27 Nobyembre 1932. Kahanga-hanga at mabilis ang naging takbo ng kanang
buhay—isang enfant terrible—pinakabatang reporter sa Digmaan sa Korea sa edad na 17, at
bilang reporter ng Manila Times, napasuko ang pinuno ng mga rebeldeng Huk na
si Supremo Luis Taruc sa edad na 22; pinakabatang nahalal na Alkalde ng Concepcion, Tarlac
sa edad na 22; pinakabatang nahalal na Bise Gobernador ng Lalawigan ng Tarlac sa edad na
27; pinakabatang Gobernador ng nasabing lalawigan sa edad na 29 (Joaquin 1983); at
pinakabatang senador ng Republika ng Pilipinas sa edad na 35. Ang panahon ng kanyang
pagtakbo para sa Senado ay panahon ng pandaigdigang pakikibaka para sa pagbabago mula sa
mga kabataan. Ang kanyang slogan ay YEH—Youth, Experience, Hope, para sa “Yeah Yeah
Yeah” ng Beatles (Policarpio 1986, 72).
Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., Governor ng Tarlac, 1961-1967

Although everyone agrees with Tarlac that Ninoy is a well-informed and intelligent man who has provided many comforts to his cabals ,

they are not always trusting in his goals. The genius in politics is a traditional politico- rag . In a few notes of writers and acquaintances,

he is considered a rabble rouser , he has a private army, has become a political legacy, charming women, arrogant and ambitious. He uses

his sweet tongue to promote his political career (Tiongson 1997; Joaquin 1985, 355-390, Aquino 1985; Paterson 1998, 293).

The Hero Become Heroes

When President Ferdinand E. Marcos enforced the Martial Law, his frat brod was Ninoy his first arrest on the night of 22 September

1972. Ninoy was his number one critic, and the "next president." But as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, Ninoy was refined like a

diamond dungeon.

On March 12, 1973, Ninoy and Senator Jose Diokno flew from Fort Bonifacio to Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija, who were

blindfolded and handcuffed. For more than a month, no one knows whether they are still alive or dead (Noynoy Aquino 2004). She was

brought in a small room, removed from her as well as her watch, wedding ring and her antipara, which resulted in severe headaches

(Aquino 1973a, 136-145). According to Tita Cory, this is the worst part of Ninoy's life (Tiongson 1997). The regime wants to feel

discouraged. But after intense searching for himself, he found the Lord. Once he said, "In the depths of my desolation I discovered my

faith and my God. And it was only then that I realized I’m nothing. I realized that all the pomp, the glory of the senate were a funeral,

that wealth, that clothing, keeping up with the Joneses was not of this world, really. And having discovered that, I have lost my appetite

for power.” (Benigno 1989)

He had a change of heart. Since then, his speech skills have been used to struggle for justice for his people. He showed great courage in

his trial by the military court, " Some people suggest that I beg for mercy. But this I can not in conscience do. I would rather die on my

feet with honor than live on bended knees in shame .... In all humility, I say it is a rare privilege to share with the motherland her

bondage, her anguish, her every pain and suffering"(Aquino 1973b, 150, 151) He wanted to show, like the Philosopher's character of Gat

José Rizal, not all sleeping in the dark night (Rizal 1886, 158). And on April 6, 1978, citizens of Metro Manila felt that he was not alone

with a "noise barrage."

He had many opportunities to choose liberty from the prison if he would allow to stop the struggle against dictatorship, but he was one of

the oldest political detainees of the Military Law. And since he joined the town in difficulty and struggle, the hero Ninoy became a hero.

When Ninoy was permitted to go to the United States to treat his heart disease, he went around to spread the " non-violent resistance " to

the Filipinos that a bloody revolution was the last option when all peaceful ways were made . Because of his use of violence will only

give reason for the regime to use force too; that we must believe that Christ is in the heart of every human being, that the Son of God may

come to Marcos to promote " genuine national reconciliation founded on justice ." (Benigno 1989; Aquino 1983, 253). He believed that

" the Filipino is worth dying for .... Because he is the nation's greatest resource . "(Aquino 1980, 251) According to him,"While it’s true

Mr. Marcos…that after eight years in prison I have lost appetite for office. I’m no longer seeking the presidency of this land…But believe

me…when I tell you that while I have vowed never to enter the political arena again, I shall dedicate the last drop of my blood to the

restoration of freedom and the dismantlement of your Martial Law!” (Aquino 1981)

And that's what he did. In his desire to rejoin the people in their affliction and to make a way for it, the people claimed to be his people

and accepted his sting. 10 days after he was killed, two million went out to commute, and two years ago, two million re-joined his

heroism and peacefully expelled dictatorship in favor of his sacrifices. The purity of his intentions for the town was that he proved as his

favorite song was "Impossible Dream," " willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause ." And he was accompanied by this people's

marine mass.

Bagama’t sumasang-ayon ang lahat sa Tarlac na si Ninoy ay isang magaling at matalinong tao na nagbigay ng maraming ginhawa sa

kanyang mga cabalen, hindi sila laging nagtitiwala sa kanyang mga hangarin. Ang henyong ito sa pulitika ay isang tradisyunal na

pulitiko—trapo. Sa ilang mga tala ng mga manunulat at kakilala, siya ay maituturing na rabble rouser, mayroon siyang pribadong hukbo,

naging balimbing sa pulitika, nagpakilig ng mga kababaihan, arogante at ambisyoso. Ginamit niya ang kanyang matamis na dila upang

maisulong ang kanyang karerang pulitikal (Tiongson 1997; Joaquin 1985, 355-390; Aquino 1985; Paterson 1998, 293).
Ang Hero na Naging Bayani

Nang ipatupad ni Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos ang Batas Militar, ang kanyang frat brod na si Ninoy ang kanyang pinakaunang

pinaaresto noong gabi ng 22 Setyembre 1972. Si Ninoy ang kanyang numero unong kritiko, at ang pangunahing “susunod na pangulo.”

Subalit tulad ni Mahatma Gandhi at Nelson Mandela, dinalisay si Ninoy na tulad ng diamante ng piitan.

Noong 12 Marso 1973, nilipad si Ninoy at Senador Jose Diokno mula Fort Bonifacio patungong Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija, na

nakapiring at nakaposas. Sa loob ng mahigit isang buwan, walang nakaaalam kung sila ay buhay pa o patay na (Noynoy Aquino 2004).

Dinala siya sa isang maliit na kwarto, tinanggal sa kanya pati ang kanyang relo, singsing sa kasal at ang kanyang antipara, na nagsulot sa

kana ng matitinding sakit ng ulo (Aquino 1973a, 136-145). Ayon kay Tita Cory, ito ang pinakalugmok na bahagi ng buhay ni Ninoy

(Tiongson 1997). Nais ng rehimen na masiraan siya ng loob. Ngunit matapos ang matinding paghahanap sa kanyang sarili, nahanap niya

ang Panginoon. Minsan kanyang sinabi, “In the depths of my desolation I discovered my faith and my God. And it was only then that I

realized I’m nothing. I realized that all the pomp, the glory of the senate were a funeral, that wealth, that clothing, keeping up with the

Joneses was not of this world, really. And having discovered that, I have lost my appetite for power.” (Benigno 1989)

Nagkaroon siya ng pagbabago ng puso. Mula noon, ang husay niya sa pananalita ay ginamit niya upang makibaka para sa katarungan

para sa kanyang mga kababayan. Nagpakita siya ng dakilang katapangan sa paglilitis sa kanya ng hukumang militar, “ Some people

suggest that I beg for mercy. But this I cannot in conscience do. I would rather die on my feet with honor than live on bended knees in

shame…. In all humility, I say it is a rare privilege to share with the motherland her bondage, her anguish, her every pain and suffering .”

(Aquino 1973b, 150, 151) Nais niyang ipakita, tulad ng karakter na Pilosopo Tasio ni Gat José Rizal, na hindi lahat ay natutulog sa dilim

ng gabi (Rizal 1886, 158). At noong 6 Abril 1978, ang mga mamamayan ng Kamaynilaan ay nagpadama na hindi siya nag-iisa sa

pamamagitan ng isang “noise barrage.”

Marami siyang pagkakataon na piliin ang kalayaan mula sa piitan kung papayag siya na itigil ang pakikibaka laban sa diktadura, ngunit

isa siya sa pinakamatagal na naging detenidong pulitikal noong Batas Militar. At dahil sinamahan niya ang bayan sa paghihirap at

pakikibaka, ang hero na si Ninoy ay naging isang bayani.

Nang pinahintulutan si Ninoy na tumungo sa Estados Unidos upang magpagamot ng kanyang sakit sa puso, naglibot siya upang

ipalaganap sa mga Pinoy ang “non-violent resistance,” na ang isang madugong rebolusyon ang huli lamang na opsyon kapag nagawa na

ang lahat ng mapayapang paraan. Dahil ayon sa kanya ang paggamit ng dahas ay magbibigay lang ng dahilan sa rehimen na gumamit din

ng dahas; na dapat maniwala tayo na si Kristo ay nasa kaibuturan ng puso ng bawat tao, na ang Anak ng Diyos ay maaaring lumabas kay

Marcos upang itaguyod ang “genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.” (Benigno 1989; Aquino 1983, 253). Naniwala siya na

“the Filipino is worth dying for…. Because he is the nation’s greatest resource.” (Aquino 1980, 251) Ayon sa kanya, “While it’s true Mr.

Marcos…that after eight years in prison I have lost appetite for office. I’m no longer seeking the presidency of this land…But believe

me…when I tell you that while I have vowed never to enter the political arena again, I shall dedicate the last drop of my blood to the

restoration of freedom and the dismantlement of your Martial Law!” (Aquino 1981)

At iyon nga ang kanyang ginawa. Sa pagnanais niya na muling samahan ang mga mamamayan sa kanilang pagdurusa at gumawa ng

paraan para dito, inangkin siya ng bayan at tinanggap nila ang pagkabayani niya. 10 araw matapos siyang mapaslang, dalawang milyon

ang lumabas upang makipaglibing, at dalawang taon ang nakalipas, dalawang milyon ang muling sumama sa kanyang kabayanihan at

mapayapang pinatalsik ang diktadura bilang pagpupugay sa kanyang mga sakripisyo. Ang kadalisayan ng kanyang hangarin para sa

bayan ay kanyang pinatunayan na tulad ng sinasabi ng kanyang paboritong awitin na “Impossible Dream,” “…willing to march into hell

for a heavenly cause.” At sinamahan siya sa martsang ito ng sambayanan.

Orohinal poster given by Linggoy Alcuaz to Xiao Chua on 25 February 2009

Why There Is Yet Another Ninoy Aquino After 26 Years

When I was in Level 5, I was fighting with a classmate when he said that the People's Power in EDSA was not serving, that Ninoy's

sacrifices were wasted. My perspective still does not change. EDSA 1986 is one of the greatest scenarios of our Filipino life, when all of

us are beautiful came out for four days in February 1986-faith, social, compassionate, contentious, peasant, peaceful, creative, and others

(Jocano and de Leon 2000). Another important factor in the People's Power is that I have the freedom to discuss anything I want in my

class without fear, or to write this article without repression. They are just supposed to celebrate. However, The sad reality is still not

achieving the EDSA's hopes and promises because the government has only changed its personnel, but no waiver of bad habits and heart

changes. The revolution is not immediately. It's not finished yet. And many lessons will be taken from the example and life of Ninoy.
Kung Bakit May Saysay Pa Rin Si Ninoy Aquino Matapos Ang 26 Na Taon

Noong nasa Baitang 5 ako, nakipag-away ako sa isang kaklase ko nang sabihin niyang walang naging silbi ang Kapangyarihang Bayan sa

EDSA, na nasayang lang ang mga sakripisyo ni Ninoy. Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang aking pananaw. Ang EDSA 1986 ang isa sa

pinakadakilang tagpo ng ating pagka-Pilipino, nang lahat ng maganda sa atin ay lumabas sa loob ng apat na araw noong Pebrero 1986—

pananampalataya, pakikipagkapwa, pakikirama, pagiging masiyahin, bayanihan, pagiging mapayapa, pagiging malikhain, at iba pa

(Jocano at de Leon 2000). Isa pang mahalagang naidulot ng Kapangyarihang Bayan ay ang pagkakaroon ko nang kalayaan na matalakay

ang kahit anong nais ko sa aking klase nang walang takot, o maisulat ang akdang ito nang walang panunupil. Ang mga iyon pa lamang ay

nararapat nang ipagdiwang. Subalit, ang malungkot na katotohanan ay hindi pa rin naisasakatuparan ang mga pag-asa at pangako ng

EDSA dahil nagpalit lamang ng mga tauhan ang pamahalaan, ngunit walang pagwawaksi sa mga masasamang gawi at pagbabago ng

puso. Hindi madalian ang himagsikan. Hindi pa ito tapos. At maraming aral ang mapupulot sa halimbawa at buhay ni Ninoy.
Ninoy Aquino, nor Caloy Gabuco, 1988

In the political world where rattles are occupied , Ninoy shows that they can change. And if they change, people will see it and reward

them with love.

He always says he will no longer enter politics. If he had lived, did he help in advising and guarding the government? He has a plan for

the Philippines based on Christian Democratic Socialism (Aquino 1984, 44-50; Aquino 1981). And according to writer Frankie Sionil

José, Ninoy mentioned that he really wants to implement a real agrarian reform and distribute Hacienda Luisita to his own family (José

2007).

But we can not survive the regret. What we can do is to continue the fight that Ninoy started. In my quest for Ninoy, I discovered the

words and writings he had left us to read. I was frustrated because he himself believed in his / her views and faith in the Filipinos. He

seems to be telling me that he believes in my abilities, that I am " worth dying for. "If he lived, he might have been constantly mistaken,

like other leaders who lived after dictatorship. But we are, the important thing is to overcome these shortcomings by offering our lives to
a goal that is greater than ourselves. According to the Katipunan Cartel of the 1896th Revolution, "The unproductive cost of a great and

holy cause is a tree without shadow, but even a poisonous" (Jacinto wp) For me, that is the real courage and personality !

In the crisis-nation and the crushing country, Ninoy became a source of hope because he himself had the hope of his will. José Rizal once

said that the Filipino youth is the hope of Inang Bayan (Rizal 1879, 98). Now, more than ever, young people should not despair. The

youth should not forget that Ninoy's life was great because he did everything he could. And as he was best, he contributed to the history

of our country. He is inspirational so we will strive to be different, be a hero, for the people. And better, change and create history

too. And all of this starts with changing our hearts and hearts. As Tita Cory once told us from an interview, "I hope that all of us Filipinos

will try to look within ourselves and find out what it is that we are asked to do or we feel we can do for our country.” (Cory Aquino 2003)

Sa mundong pulitikal na ginagalawan ng mga trapo, ipinakita ni Ninoy na maaaring magbago ang mga ito. At kung sila ay magbabago,

makikita ito ng tao at gagantimpalaan sila ng pagmamahal ng mga ito.

Lagi niyang sinasabi na hindi na siya papasok sa pulitika muli. Kung nabuhay kaya siya, nakatulong kaya siya sa pagpapayo at

pagtatanod sa pamahalaan? Mayroon talaga siyang plano para sa Pilipinas na nakabatay sa Christian Democratic Socialism (Aquino

1984, 44-50; Aquino 1981). At ayon sa manunulat na si Frankie Sionil José, binanggit sa kanya ni Ninoy na nais talaga niyang ipatupad

ang isang tunay na repormang pang-agraryo at ipamahagi ang Hacienda Luisita na pagmamay-ari ng angkan ng kanyang asawa (José

2007).

Ngunit hindi tayo maaaring mabuhay sa panghihinayang. Ang maaari nating gawin ay ipagpatuloy ang laban na sinimulan ni Ninoy. Sa

aking paghahanap kay Ninoy, natuklasan ko ang mga pananalita at mga sulatin na iniwan niya sa atin upang basahin. Ako ay nabuhayan

ng loob dahil siya mismo ay naniniwala sa kanyang hiraya/tanaw at pananampalataya sa mga Pilipino. Tila sinasabi niya sa akin na

naniniwala siya sa aking mga kakayahan, na ako ay “worth dying for.” Kung nabuhay siya, siguro patuloy rin siyang magkakamali, tulad

ng iba pang mga pinuno na nabuhay matapos ang diktadura. Ngunit tao tayo, ang mahalaga ay malampasan ang mga pagkukulang na ito

sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng ating buhay sa isang hangarin na mas dakila kaysa sa ating sarili. Ayon nga sa Kartilya ng Katipunan

noong Himagsikang 1896, “Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy na walang lilim, kundi

man damong makamandag” (Jacinto w.p.) Para sa akin, iyon ang tunay na katapangan ng loob at pagkatao!

Sa bansang nasa krisis at bansang nakalugmok, si Ninoy ay naging tanglaw ng pag-asa sapagkat siya mismo ay may pag-asa sa kanyang

kalooban. Minsan nang sinabi ni José Rizal na ang kabataang Pilipino ang pag-asa ni Inang Bayan (Rizal 1879, 98). Ngayon, higit

kailanman, hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa ang kabataan. Hindi dapat makalimutan ng kabataan na naging dakila ang buhay ni Ninoy

sapagkat ginawa niya ang lahat ng makakaya. At sa pagiging pinakamagaling na siya, nakapag-ambag siya sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa.

Inspirasyon siya upang tayo ay magsumikap na maging kakaiba, maging bayani, para sa bayan. At mas mainam, baguhin at lumikha rin

ng kasaysayan. At magsisimula ang lahat ng ito sa pagbabago ng ating mga kalooban at puso. Tulad nang minsang ibinilin sa amin ni

Tita Cory mula sa isang panayam, “I hope that all of us Filipinos will try to look within ourselves and find out what it is that we are asked

to do or we feel we can do for our country.” (Cory Aquino 2003)

SANGGUNIAN

Aquino, Benigno “Ninoy” S., Jr. 1973a. “Thy Will Be Done,” sa Testament from a Prison Cell, second edition. Makati: The Benigno S.

Aquino, Jr. Foundation, Inc., 2000, 136-145.

__________. 1973b. “I Will Not Participate,” sa Testament from a Prison Cell, second edition. Makati: The Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.

Foundation, Inc., 2000, 148-151.

__________. 1980. “The Filipino Is Worth Dying For,” sa Asuncion David Maramba, ed. Ninoy Aquino: The Man, The Legend.

Mandaluyong: Cacho Hermanos, Inc., 1984, 251-252

__________. 1981. “Movement for a Free Philippines Los Angeles Chapters Freedom Rally with Ninoy Aquino, Wilshire Ebell Theater

Los Angeles, February 15, 1981.” Ninoy Aquino TV.

__________. 1983. “The Undelivered Arrival Statement,” sa Asuncion David Maramba, ed. Ninoy Aquino: The Man, The Legend.

Mandaluyong: Cacho Hermanos, Inc., 1984, 253-255.

__________. 1984. “A Christian Democratic Vision,” sa Testament from a Prison Cell, second

edition. Makati: The Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation, Inc., 2000, 52-58.

__________. 1985. A Garrison State In The Make and Other Speeches. Makati: The Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation.

Aquino, Benigno Simeon III "Noynoy." 2004, December 8. Interview with Rep. Noynoy Aquino by Michael Charleston B.

Chua. Building of the National Batas, Quezon City.

Aquino, Maria Corazon "Cory." 2003, March 12. Interview with Pang. Cory Aquino by Michael Charleston B. Chua, Henderson T.

Gercio, Bryan Clark B. Hernandez and Emmalyn C. Sagun. 7th Floor, Jose Cojuangco and Sons Building, Dela Rosa St., Makati City.

Benigno, Teodoro C., writer. 1989. Ninoy: The Heart and the Soul (documentary).

Chua, Michael Charleston B. 2005. "Light in the Dark: Ninoy Aquino's Fight Against the Marcos Regiment from the Prison (1972 -

1980)," in Bernie S. de Vera, Rizal P. Valenzuela and Michael Charleston B.

Chua, Great Deals . Diliman, Quezon City: House of Tarlakin (BaTak) and Balanghay Kalinangan (BangKa), 2007, 4-88.

__________. 2006. "Commentary: Hero or Trapo-Thoughts and Assessments on a Kapampangan National Hero," Alaya: The

Kapampangan Resesarch Journal 4, December 2006. Angeles City: The Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy

Angel University, 215- 226.

__________. 2009. "Ninoy Again: The Rag that Hero , the Hero became Heroes, " Live: Weekly Filipino From Pa In 1980 , 21-27

August 2009, 1, 6.

Jacinto, Emilio. No date. "The Cart of the Katipunan," in Encarnacion, Emmanuel, Andres Bonifacio's Heritage . Quezon City: Book

Adarna, 1997, w. ph.

Joaquin, Nick. 1983. The Aquinos of Tarlac: An Essay on History as Three Generations. Mandaluyong: Cacho Hermanos, Inc.

__________. 1985. “Before The Blow: Ninoy’s Senate Years,” sa Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., A Garrison State In The Make And Other

Speeches. Makati: The Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation.

Jocano, Felipe Landa and Felipe de Leon, Jr. 2000. EDSA 2000 Interview : Path of Change . Manila: People Power Commission.

José, Francisco Sionil. 2007, June 7th. Interview with F. Sionil José by Michael Charleston B. Chua. Solidarity Bookshop, Padre Faura,

Manila City.

Mercado, Monina Allarey, ed. 1986. People Power: The Greatest Democracy Ever Told, An Eyewitness History. Maynila: The James

B. Reuter, S.J., Foundation.

Paterson, James Hamilton. 1998. America’s Boy: The Marcoses and The Philippines. London: Granta Books.

Policarpio, Alfonso Jr. P. 1986. Ninoy Aquino: The Willing Martyr . Quezon City: Isaiah Books.

Rizal, José. 1879. "To The Philippine Youth," in Rizal's Poems . Manila: National Historical Crisis, 2002, 98-99.

Rizal, José. 1886. Noli Me Tangere , Virgilio S. Almario, translator. Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 1998.
 Salazar, Zeus A. 1997. "Andres Bonifacio and the Filipino Brotherhood," New History:Philippine History Studies Publications No. 2.

Mandaluyong City: War of Independence.

The Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation, Inc. (BSAF, ngayo’y Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation). 1993. “Ninoy’s Bio-Data,”

sa Ninoy: Ideals & Ideologies (1932-1983). Makati: Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation, 138-139.

Tiongson, Lito, writer. 1997. Military Border: A Documentary About Martial Law in the Philippines . Pasig City: Foundation for World

Wide People Power.

For Dr. Dante Lacsamana Ambrosio (1951-2011), my Contemporary History teacher and a Philippine Historical Association who

specializes in the ancient concept of the heavens and the stars of Filipinos as Father of Etnoastronomy. You are a part of the stars.
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PUBLISHED: August 19, 2012
FILED UNDER: Uncategorized
TAGS: ninoy aquino
3 Comments to "NINOY AQUINO: The Changing of a Politician"

1. Michael Glenn Roquim (@mikolness)

August 20, 2012 at 2:52 am

Sadly, tomorrow has said that Ninoy is not martyred. He is just one politician who seeks to be President. Because of him, the "best"

Philippine president Marcos was expelled. It's as much as Marcos's propaganda today on the Internet. Marcos did just fine. The Martial

Law and Ninoy's Heroes have been forgotten.

REPLY

o Michael Charleston Briones Chua

August 21, 2012 at 6:56 am

As long as someone like you, there is hope for the light of the history of our country ...

REPLY

o ma. nida soriano

May 14, 2013 at 8:32 am

It is very sad and painful to accept the event, I know that many people will be like you and your family. and I know you're always around the world who

believe in what you want in our country. Thank you very much for the heroine like you. We love you until eventually, as we stay here world.

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bayani/#comments