Quiet celebration for Ninoy birthday

MANILA, Philippines - Various groups will observe the birth anniversary of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. today.

President Aquino said he and his family would visit the tombs of his father and mother, former President Corazon Aquino to pay their respects.

“It’s the 78th birthday of my dad,” he said.

“If it’s quiet then we’ll be able to reflect – you will remember what they had been through so they would be able to teach you where to go.”

In a statement, Malacañang said Ninoy Aquino was “a great statesman and a well-loved Filipino.”

Several activities remembering the martyred senator’s birth anniversary are slated today.

The Benigno S. Aquino Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization formed on Nov. 23, 1983 in partnership with non-governmental organizations, will hold the first “Yellow Sale” starting yesterday and until tomorrow at La Plaza in Tendesitas in Pasig.

The event aims to promote micro-entrepreneurship and social enterprise as facets of “People Power.”

The City of Manila will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Ninoy Aquino outside the Intramuros walls right across Manila Hotel and Rizal Park.

Senator Aquino was born in Tarlac to a highly respected family that had long been involved in politics.

His paternal grandfather, Gen. Servillano Aquino, was a revolutionary who fought against the Spainiards and later the Americans at the turn of the century.

His father, Benigno Aquino Sr., was a Speaker of the House of Representatives and later served as a senator.

At a very young age, Ninoy Aquino became the mayor of his hometown Concepcion, then governor of Tarlac, and senator.

After almost seven years and seven months in prison, Ninoy Aquino was allowed to fly to the United States along with his family to seek medical treatment for his heart ailment.

He spent three years in the US.

In 1983, he received news of the deteriorating political situation in the Philippines.

Many of his friends in politics urged him to return to the country before the extremists could take over.

Against all odds and aware of what might happen to him, he returned to the Philippines.

The assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21,1983 at Manila International Airport, now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, roused the nation.

Twenty-seven years after his death, Ninoy Aquino continues to inspire Filipinos to take up the challenge of restoring freedom and trust in the country’s democratic system.