The Philippine Online Chronicles

Who is Ninoy? Do you know? I only know what I saw from the news on TV, and the constant disturbing airing of President Noynoy Aquino’s father lying lifeless beside a portable airplane stair. In a position, much like what you typically see crime scene chalk outlines portray.

Now, we shall learn a little bit more about him as a father – to his family and to all of us.

Like Senior like Junior

Ninoy’s father, Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. was permissive of Japanese tyrannical rule, being one of the main men in President Laurel’s “puppet” republic (according to my elementary school Philippine history textbooks).

However, Ninoy did not see the Senior Aquino in that way and wrote to his son, President Noynoy that his grandfather was taken captive by the Americans for loving the Filipino people more. But even Ninoy came from the same tree, his was the makings of a sweeter fruit, the fragrant delectability of which we are still able to savor to this very day.

Both the Senior and Junior Benigno Simeon Aquinos were charged with treason – but in Ninoy’s case, it was for defending democracy against fellow Filipino, and dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.

From the start he was a critic of martial law, maybe not necessarily of Ferdinand Marcos himself at first, being his fraternity brother in the University of the Philippines. It must have been Ninoy’s journalistic blood, having written for The Manila Times and having showed keen interest in the Korean War. This would have deepened his understanding and thus, aversion to military rule.

Like Junior like The Third

Being born almost of royal blood from a long line of political leaders, Ninoy became one of the youngest mayors at 22 years old, a vice-governor at 27, and a governor before he turned 30. I imagine the pressure on his son, President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to be at par with that standard. And having a whiff of an idea of what their family went through, I now have an understanding of what could be one of the reasons why Pres. Noynoy was reluctant to run for office in the last elections.

But it seems that Noynoy is just like his father, in wanting to effect productive change to a road that leads straight to true democracy. In putting that first before their fears for family and themselves. Yes, I feel that our President is delivering on his promise of clearing a straight path for us when it comes to battling corruption, and he may seem to some overeager and vindictive against the Arroyos, but me, I give him a nod.

His father would have been proud.

Much less of what I can say for Representative Gloria Arroyo and what her father, Diosdado Macapagal would have to say, if those allegations are proven true.

As a provider to President Noynoy, Ninoy had the best of intentions, even procuring a coconut plantation for his son in Masbate, which, unfortunately, was also given up to aid in Ninoy’s fight against martial law and its machinations.

In his letter, Ninoy tells our current president to study hard, and take care of the noble name he has inherited, as that would be his only treasure after Ninoy dies.

Daddy’s Girl

In another heartwarming and at the same time, gut-wrenching letter to Ninoy’s daughter, Ballsy Aquino, we apprehend his extreme yearning to be with her on her debut, even if it is only a bouquet of thorns he has to offer, betraying his despondent disposition at the time.

It is here we glimpse his passion for prose – with the flirtatious mind to boot, as he tells his firstborn of wanting to invite all her classmates and their families, and preparing a weekend barrio fiesta for all of them to engage in merrymaking to celebrate Ballsy’s legal emancipation.

Charity seems to also be one of Ninoy’s main traits, as even in his loneliness, and in daydreaming about how he would make his daughter happy on her birthday, he includes a “visit to the Santa Rita Elementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children.”

What strikes me as most impressive among Ninoy’s paternal traits is in his ability to apologize – earnestly – to his children. He did so with Ballsy, as well as Noynoy – something some parents are unable or unwilling to do. We see here that Ninoy is just like what Pres. Noynoy says he is to them – a friend, a “barkada” since Ninoy treats them as equals and “not just his children” as what we often hear in those father-children fights in the primetime soaps.

Father of Democracy

According to Annamanila, “Ninoy knew his life was in danger when he rode that CAL plane coming home to the Philippines.  He took the risk,  embraced death so to speak ... knowing it would spark change ... though he might not have bargained for that revolution that spontaneously bloomed on the streets.  And he wouldn't have imagined -- though he was enough of a man of imagination - how his self- effacing wife would be the rallying point of change and become president of the country (a gift of the homeland I would suspect he aspired for).”

Ninoy told the US Representatives subcommittee while in exile that he did not wish blood shed  and tried to work for a peaceful solution, just like Rizal; but just like our national hero, he later discovered that the solution was in his return to the Philippines, and in effect, forcing the truth to come out. His decision is evident in the rhetorical “Can the killers of today be the leaders of tomorrow? Must we destroy in order to build? Filipinos are still killing each other [and] this madness must cease.”

In a letter of Ninoy to President Noynoy explaining his refusal to beg for his life in the light of his murder trial, he tells us the first and most vital step in changing our country for the better: “The victory of right over wrong lies in the awakening of the Filipino.”

Give a damn. Pay attention. Take care of the good name left to us by Ninoy.

At sa ganoon mo lang masasabi na sinusulit mo nga, kaibigan, ang buhay ni Ninoy.