Remembering Ninoy Aquino

By Alon Calinao Dy: Late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was a great politician, journalist, and poet.

A Politician:

At an early age, he became the mayor of Conception at age 22, vice-governor at 27, and governor of Tarlac in 1961 at age 29. He later became the youngest senator in the Philippines at age 34. He was the best elected senator during the Marcos regime.

A Journalist:

Late Ninoy Aquino was one of the most talented writers in the country. In fact, when he was 18 years old, late President Elpidio Quirino granted him with the Philippine Legion Award because of his journalistic achievements.

A Poet:

Aquino wrote a heart touching love poem for Cory, a former president of the Philippines from March 25, 1986 to June 30, 1992, who died last August 1, 2009 of colorectal cancer. I'm sure it was a very, very 'kilig moment' for the late president  when her sweet husband wrote this masterpiece for her.

Love Poem For Cory

I have fallen in love

with the same woman three times;

In a day spanning 19 years

of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young,

enchanting and vibrant, eternally new.

She was brilliant, fragrant,

and cool as the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time;

when first she bore her child and mine

always by my side, the source of my strength,

helping to turn the tide.

But there were candles to burn

the world was my concern;

while our home was her domain.

and the people were mine

while the children were hers to maintain;

So it was in those eighteen years and a day.

’till I was detained; forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support;

source of comfort,

our wellspring of Hope.

on her shoulders felt the burden of Life.

I fell in love again,

with the same woman the third time.

Looming from the battle,

her courage will never fade.

Amidst the hardships she has remained,

undaunted and unafraid.

she is calm and composed,

she is God’s lovely maid.

- Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

I truly admired the late national hero Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. because he gave his life for his country. He was a brave person since he took for granted the threat of assissination when he was outside of the Philippines. When he was asked about it, Ninoy simply answered, "If it's my fate to die of an assassin's bullet, so be it."

His Death:

0n August 21, 1983, Ninoy was assassinated at the Manila International Airport, which is now known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), that resulted People Power Revolution (EDSA Revolution) and the end of Marcos dictatorship.