When the radio commentator announced the death of Ninoy, the phone rang and the person on the other end of the line (I think it was Ninoy’s sister, Lupita Kashiwahara) confirmed his death. My dad continued to keep still in silence with a few tears in his eyes – we let him be. That day everyone just stood still, we were all in mourning not only for Ninoy’s physical death but moreso, for lost hope that had shattered the nation.
The radio started playing the songs, To Dream The Impossible Dream, Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas and Tie A Yellow Ribbon almost every hour. It was only Radio Veritas then, that played such songs. No other radio station dared to broadcast anything. Most of the radio and TV networks at that time were under the government’s control.
In school, we had two factions. Those who belonged to the KBL group and those who belonged to the LABAN group. We had healthy debates and discussions about issues concerning our government at that time. Fortunately, we had access to some of Ninoy’s speeches which we could easily understand.
Even at 13 years of age, I already appreciated Ninoy’s platform. I was able to clearly understand what he was fighting for. The people were able to see through his character. He was a simple man with strong convictions and definite plans. I guess this is what made him popular to the masa as well. Everyone was able to relate to him from the simple folks, middle class to the elite.
Yes, Ninoy was madaldal. He made his listeners and supporters think, laugh and cry. He was very charming. Unlike some politicians nowadays who just keep on talking (in fact to the point of being accused of having verbal diarrhea) without reaching out, Ninoy was different. He brought us hope and inspiration. He was not negative at all. He was an optimist. Even after all of what Marcos had done to him, he still had good words to say about the dictator. He was a "knight in shining armor" to the youth of my time. He made us proud to be Filipinos. He influenced us to become more patriotic to our country. I guess this is why I can never leave the Philippines. My heart and soul belongs to this country and my work, simple as it may be, will be a contributing factor to the developments and improvement of the Philippines.
Ninoy once said, "I could have opted to seek political asylum in America but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis." I have always contemplated on these words to this day since many are migrating abroad for a better life. I keep on remembering what my duty is to my country – this sense of nationalism, I know I had developed when Ninoy Aquino died. During that time I was in the age when idealism was very strong. So, even if I was sent to study in America for 6 years, I never planned to live there. I was determined to return to my country and be of service to it.
Today, I still have no regrets of what has become of the Philippines. Some of Ninoy’s dream, of fighting for the rights and freedom of the Filipinos has been achieved, his fight to stop bloodshed has also stopped. What still needs to be achieved is the mission to improve the living conditions of the people, national reconciliation and unity but that is not a far cry from the time Marcos was in power.
Ninoy’s dream is the dream of the people. It is our dream as well. And so, we should work hard on achieving it. He was the catalyst of change. He brought out the "courage" that has been sleeping within us, Filipinos. His death shook our spirits and so let us make it a worthwhile cause. Let us continue to be inspired by him.
The generation of today will have difficulty relating to our sentiments about Ninoy Aquino but they will understand and appreciate what he has done for our country. It is sad that those with the opportunity to lead our countrymen toward prosperity (those in the government, the Senate or in Congress), forget the marks of good leader. It would be good for the youth of today to have a good role model (just like how Ninoy was in my generation). One who can continue to inspire them to love and serve our country. Maybe the song, To Dream The Impossible Dream will awaken our spirits once again to reach the unreachable star.... and remind us of the passion Ninoy had for our country.
To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ...
This is my quest, to follow that star ...
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ...
To fight for the right, without question or pause ...
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ...
And I know if I’ll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm,
when I’m laid to my rest ...
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach ... the unreachable star ...