Ninoy to be featured in commemorative coin

EDSA hero and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, known the world over for igniting a peaceful revolution that ousted a dictator, will be the first Filipino to be featured in a gold coin designed, produced and distributed by the world’s leading numismatics company.

GoldQuest International Ltd. and The Spirit of EDSA Foundation, in a signing ceremony, agreed to launch the Ninoy Aquino commemorative gold coin in August this year as a new component of the observance of the Senator’s martyrdom.

The late Senator joins the ranks of such famous personages as Pope John Paul II, John F. Kennedy, Lady Diana and Mother Teresa – all immortalized on gold coins produced and distributed worldwide by GoldQuest.

Numismatics is the study of coins and currency.

The coin is part of GoldQuest’s "Champion for Peace" series, which pays tribute to personalities who contributed immensely to world peace.

"Ninoy Aquino’s love for freedom and justice was so powerful that it inspired thousands of Filipinos to seek and act toward democracy," said Joseph Bismark, GoldQuest director for corporate affairs, during the recent signing with The Spirit of EDSA Foundation.

Also at the event were former Press Secretary Teodoro Benigno, GoldQuest-Philippines country manager Victor Asuncion, and The Spirit of EDSA Foundation founding chairman Christopher Carrion. Benigno’s documentary was shown prior to the signing rites.

"Through this coin, we give tribute to Ninoy’s aspirations for freedom and democracy, which Filipinos are enjoying today," Asuncion added.

Earlier, in 2001, GoldQuest launched for the Philippine market the Silliman University Centennial Commemorative Coin.

GoldQuest International Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong, with eight representative offices, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates, and three subsidiaries globally, serving more than 500,000 customers worldwide.

The company’s strategic partner, B. H. Mayer’s Mint Germany, is one of the biggest and most prominent gold mint factories in Europe. The company has a 24-hour e-store accessible through its website at http://www.goldquest.com.