MANILA, Philippines – Most people know him by his name, but only a few are familiar with what really transpired during his lifetime. Not everyone in our generation is well aware of the reason why he is considered as one of the highly esteemed persona not only in the Philippines, but also around the globe. In remembrance of his death anniversary, here is some of Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr.’s milestones, which made him one of the greatest heroes of our nation. Let’s all go back few years ago and trace Benigno Ninoy Aquino, Jr.’s memory lane.
November 27, 1932
Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. was born in Concepcion, Tarlac.
1949
Ninoy worked at The Manila Times when he was 17 years old. He was dubbed as the youngest war correspondent to cover the Korean War.
1950
At 18, he received the Philippine Legion of Honor award from former President Elpidio Quirino, recognizing his accolades as a journalist.
1953
At 21, he became a close adviser to the then defense secretary, Ramon Magsaysay. He was appointed to act as a personal representative to Luis Taruc, leader of Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (HUKBALAHAP), the military arm, which was formed to combat the Japanese regime.
1954
It was the year when he married Corazon ‘Cory’ Cojuangco. They had five children: Maria Elena, Aurora Corazon, Benigno III, Victoria Eliza, and Kristina Bernadette.
1955
He became the mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac, at 22 years old.
1959
At 27, he was elected as the Tarlac governor.
1961
Ninoy, who was then 34, became the country’s youngest elected Senator.
1969
He delivered the famous ‘A Pantheon for Imelda’ speech, which irked the then President Ferdinand Marcos. The speech was about the first project of First Lady Imelda Marcos, the Cultural Center, which amounted to P50 million. Ninoy called it ‘a monument to shame,’ saying that the project was too extravagant. Because of that, Marcos called him a ‘congenital liar.’
1971
Marcos insinuated that Ninoy was involved in scheming the blast at the Liberal Party’s rally in Plaza Miranda where eight people died and 120 were wounded so that he could eliminate the potential opponents.
1972
Marcos declared Martial Law on September 21 and broadcast it on air on the 23rd. Ninoy was one of the first ones to be arrested, charged with murder, illegal possession of firearms and subversion.
1975
While imprisoned in Fort Bonifacio, Ninoy announced he was going on a hunger strike to protest against the injustice of his trial. He ended the hunger strike 40 days later because his family pleaded him to. According to reports, he only weighed 36 kilos after the hunger strike.
1977
Ninoy was sentenced to death via firing squad because he was found guilty. The sentence didn’t push through.
1978
He was given the right to suffrage for the Parliament despite being in jail. However, every one in his political party, Lakas ng Bayan (LABAN) lost the elections.
1980
Imelda Marcos visited him and asked him if he is open to go to US for his treatment since he was brought to the Philippine Heart Center because of heart attack. Before he could leave, she asked him to never step again into the country and never say a word, which would taint the Marcos. On the same day, Ninoy and his family fled the country.
They lived in Newton, Massachusetts for three years. He traveled and explored US, giving speeches critical of the Marcos government
1983
Ninoy returned to the country because of his growing concern on the worsening political situation of the Philippines.
He was shot in the head and died on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (NAIA). Ninoy’s funeral procession on August 31, 1983 lasted for almost 12 hours. According to reports, approximately 3 million people showed up to send him off.