By: Myla Gesolgon and Erika Therese Nuñez

The Filipino is worth dying for. Who can forget this line from a man who has great love for his country?Who is Ninoy? How significant is he in our country?

Benigno Simeon Aquino II, affectionally known as Ninoy was a man of knowledge, bravery and faith. He wanted nothing more than the country being freed from the tyrannical government of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

His life story reflects that of Rizal. He used paper and pen to attack the government for its injustices to the Filipinos. After he went back from the States where he had medication, Ninoy was assassinated on August 21, 1982. His assassination ignited the first EDSA People Power Revolution on February 21-25, 1986 that forced Marcos to flee the Philippines and leave the seat of government. His bereaved wife, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. The freedom that the Filipinos regained was achieved through a peaceful and bloodless revolution.

The same date of August 21, LCC commemorates the national icon and his wife’s heroic death. The students watched the full documentary film on the life story of the couple, Ninoy and Cory Aquino.

The story made the students realize the great importance of the sacrifices that the couple had endured so that we, Filipinos of today can enjoy the freedom that many people before were longing for. As it is evident, according to Rev. Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo, S.J., Cory’s priority line-up was God, our country and our people and then family.