It's all systems go for commemorating the 39th anniversary of the death of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. on Sunday, August 21.
This year's Ninoy Aquino Day celebration will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, a memorial park that honors martyrs and heroes during the Martial Law regime.
The program will start with the commemoration of Aquino's assassination at the Tarmac of the then-Manila International Airport, followed by a moment of silence.
They will likewise play videos of the First Quarter Storm, Plaza Miranda Bombing, Martial Law declaration, the Mosquito Press, the Confetti Revolution, the Snap Elections of 1986, and the EDSA People Power Revolution throughout the event, which will last until nighttime.
The August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), Aquino's daughter Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, and the so-called "Crying Lady" Rebecca Quijano will deliver messages during the event.
Also giving their messages are: author and playwright Bonifacio Ilagan; former Senator and Laguna Governor Joey Lina; and political prisoners former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Etta Rosales, former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, and author Ma. Cecilia Oebanda will also give messages during the event.
Author Desiree Carlos and former Senator Rene Saguisag will be at the event to represent human rights advocate Edita Burgos and former Vice President Jejomar Binay.
People Power veterans former Senator Kiko Pangilinan, presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman, Fidel Nemenzo, Liddy Nacpil, and Leah Navarro will likewise grace the event.
Navarro will also lead the singing of "Bayan Ko" singing before the program's three-hour concert at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, entrance fees will be waived at the Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac.
Archbishop Socrates Villages will be presiding at a Holy Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Dagupan.
The Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF)'s YouTube channel will also be streaming the multi-awarded documentary "The Last Journey of Ninoy" on Sunday.
Republic Act No. 2956, signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in February 2004, declares August 21 of every year a non-working holiday to commemorate Aquino's assassination.
The law requires the EDSA People Power Commission to hold activities in observance of the holiday.
Aquino was a critic of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos who placed the Philippines under martial law in September 1972.
Despite being arrested following the declaration, Aquino continued to resist Marcos' rule. However, he and his family resided temporarily in Massachusetts in the United States after he underwent heart surgery following a heart attack while in jail in March 1980.
Aquino was assassinated upon returning to Manila from the United States on August 21, 1983, at the age of 50, after exiting the plane which had brought him home, while military escorts guarded him.
He was the husband of the late President Corazon Aquino, who came to power through the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1985. They raised five children together, including the late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and media personality Kris Aquino.