Why Ninoy Aquino IS A National Hero To Me

During the late 60's and 70's when Ninoy Aquino was in politics and the opponent of the infamous Marcos I was not impressed by him. I thought he was a demagogue, and a political lightweight. I wouldn't had voted for him had he stood for presidency.

But then terrible events changed the nature of the Philippines. We went into a climate of fear and repression. All the prominent people who were not able to flee that were on the wrong side of the fascist dispensation were imprisoned and tortured. Those in lower rung of the social ladder had it even worse.

At that time before the (people power) Revolution broke out at EDSA. We thought there will not be any change at all. Our spirits were broken.

Until Ninoy Aquino challenged the status quo once again. I remembered him being asked if returning from exile was worth it. That risking his life was a fair price to pay for the Filipinos. He replied it was. I thought he was joking and he wasnt serious. I was wrong.

He did return. And he paid the ultimate price for that decision. Ninoy was not planning to become a martyr I am sure. Thats why he had that bullet proof vest on, and a lot of press as a second layer of protection. He did not even have to return.

That single act impressed me the most. As did most people. That when the botched coup against Marcos happened and the conspirators needed protection, we came.

It was because we had enough. That if Ninoy could be salvaged like a cockroach what more of us? For what did we have to lose anymore, since our life didn't mean swat, anyway. We did not do it for the political class nor for Cardinal sin.

I thank Ninoy for that one selfless act. It prodded us into action like we would never have done.

That is why Ninoy Aquino will alway be a national hero in my eyes. He was not a saint. Hell, no. He was flawed as anybody else. But he did more to ignite that perfect storm that liberated us from a decade of coerced silence.