Remembering Ninoy Aquino

Angel Thoughts

On August 21, let us remember to give thanks for the amazing patriotism and bravery of a true hero and martyr for the country, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. He did not start out to be a hero as he rose up the political ladder from local to national politics. As he became one of the few vocal opposition figures against Martial Law he also had a change of heart. His country became his top priority. Incarcerated in solitary cells in military camps for more than seven years, he was allowed to leave for medical treatment in the US.

He did not have to return home as he was comfortable in his exile in Boston, but that he wanted to do something more for his beloved country, even if it meant sacrificing his life. He had been warned of danger should he go back but he did. “The Filipino is worth dying for...” Ninoy had earlier declared.

The gunshot that snuffed out his life as he went down from the plane on the tarmac in the Manila International Airport that fateful afternoon on Aug. 21, 1983 was the spark that woke up his kababayans from their lethargy and indifference.

There will be a commemorative mass for Ninoy’s anniversary on Aug. 21 at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon city at 10 a.m. It will be officiated by Bishop Soc Villegas and everyone is welcome to attend.

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Last Saturday was the International Day of Forgiveness, so I learned from a social media post from one of my good friends. Never mind if you didn’t know (as I didn’t) about that special day. I only know that we need to forgive every day, as Jesus commanded us. Right?

This made me think, who are the people whom I have not forgiven in my own family, relatives, my staff, my friends and acquaintances? Every time we recite the Lord’s Prayer we ask forgiveness for our “trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” right? Do we mean it?

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The World Youth Day (WYD) that just ended in Lisbon, Portugal brought us back to our own WYD right here in Manila in 1995. It was Pope John Paul ll then who came to our gathering which was an awesome success, thanks to the faith of Filipino Catholics. Charismatic Pope John Paul II (still young before he was shot at a mass assembly at the Vatican) attracted some four million devotees to the mass at the Luneta or Rizal Park. This voluntary gathering of kindred spirits, is still in the Guiness book of Records as a topnotcher event. 

We were really “one nation” rejoicing in the papal visit and representatives of the world’s youth gathering on our land. We had a Protestant president, Fidel V. Ramos, at that time, but everything went off smoothly, from security to protocol. It was really an amazing time to be a Filipino. The Pope stayed in the Papal Nuncio’s residence on busy Taft Avenue. 

I remember waiting for the Pope with my husband Sonny to come out and ride his vehicle to the park. But the crowds that gathered in front of the Nunciature refused to budge. After about thirty minutes, a helicopter came to whisk Pope John Paul ll to Rizal Park. Later we learned that Malacanang had decided to “rescue” the Pope.

The chopper flew over the humongous mass of devotees several times to show the papal visitor how we Pinoys loved and welcomed him. Cries of “John Paul II, we love you!” filled the air that morning. Pure love for this amazing pope who would later on be canonized! 

And let us not forget the beautiful theme song of the WYD here, “Let Us Tell the World of His Love...” I have forgotten who wrote the song, so please enlighten this corner, dear readers.