Aquinos hail 'NinoyCory' cell phone

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino family is all praises for the "NinoyCory" phone of the Solid Group, makers of the only Filipino mobile phone brand, Myphone, for keeping the memory of the two icons of demoracy alive.

Pinky Aquino-Abellada, daughter of the late President Cory Aquino and her husband, former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., said that by featuring the audio recordings of some of her father and mother's speeches and their letters to each other, the "NinoyCory" mobile phone could be a daily source of inspiration for Filipinos, especially the youth, who would buy and use a unit.

"You're definitely keeping the memory of my dad alive and also of my mom," Abellada told the Solid Group team, led by president David Lim and vice president Beda Manalac, and Rafael Lopa, executive director of the Ninoy Aquino Foundation, that collaborated with the Myphone team.

The mobile phone comes in Cory yellow, with the signature Ninoy eyeglasses in front and images of Ninoy and Cory at the back. When one clicks the yellow ribbon icon on the phone's menu, a number of items would appear, including prayers, an Aquino biography, Ninoy and Cory trivia, Ninoy and Cory inspirational messages, Ninoy's letters and poems, Cory's personal prayers, Aquino speeches, the Aquino library, and the Aquino gallery.          

The "NinoyCory" phone was launched with the Aquino family last Thursday at the Cojuangco family home in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City.

Aquino daughters Viel and Ballsy, and their cousins were present at the launch.

Their only brother, presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" III, failed to make it due to another engagement.

Aside from having content on Ninoy and Cory, Lopa pointed out that it was a phone for prayer since it also featured several prayers, like the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and several novenas.

The Solid Group, headed by founder and chairman Elena Lim, said it was honored that the Aquino family had cooperated with them for the NinoyCory phone.

"We are honored by the support of the Aquino family. They are a family that represents the best of what the Filipino family stands for," Lim said.

Manalac, Solid Group vice president, said they would come out with more units under their MyHeroes phone series that will honor people who make a difference or who can inspire people.

Sales of the NinoyCory phone would also raise funds for the projects of the Ninoy Aquino Foundation.