Patigdas 1

PATIGDAS, Rojenn Claire G.

1 – BS Community Nutrition
Eng 13 WFX6
Bonus Paper (518)
23 August 2019
Ninoy Aquino Day

Ninoy Aquino Day is a national non-working holiday in the Philippines. It is celebrated

every 21st of August to commemorate the death or assassination of former Senator Benigno

“Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Ninoy Aquino was the chief opposition leader during the effectiveness of

martial law back in 1972-1981. The late senator was an influential political figure who back

then, fought for the country’s freedom and democracy. The martial law era was not a very

pleasant memory to most of the Filipinos and since Aquino was one of those who played a

crucial role in bringing back democracy, he was hailed as a hero together with his wife, Corazon

Aquino. Tragically, he was assassinated upon his return to the Philippines after getting treatment

for his illness in the United States. He was shot and killed while getting off his plane at the

airport. Ninoy Aquino day is a day where the Filipino people remember the sacrifice that Ninoy

Aquino made for our country.

Ninoy Aquino’s assassination back in 1983 spurred opposition to Marcos which brought

Corazon Aquino to the political forefront and became president. His assassination marked the

day where Filipinos united to fight for their freedom against the martial law and the abuse they

have experienced. His death helped to set in motion a chain of events that ended in Marcos’

downfall and Aquino’s widow to power in 1986. His assassination played a huge role in where

we are now. According to some, the democracy and freedom that we’re experiencing right now

is because of how he fought and sacrificed. Though Aquino played a huge role in ending the
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martial law and the Marcos regime, it is not right to give all of the credit to him and to his

family.

Though August 21 is called Ninoy Aquino Day, it is also the day to remember all of the

Filipinos who fought bravely against the dictatorship. According to the current vice president of

the Philippines, Leni Robredo, Aquino was a “patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice so that our

nation could be free again”. She said that Ninoy Aquino was not the only one who opposed and

fought the rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Ninoy Aquino day should be the day where

we should express our gratitude to all the Filipinos who opposed the rule of Marcos, those people

who also gave up their lives and sacrificed a lot to free the Philippines.

Ninoy Aquino day is not only a day for commemorating the late senator, it’s also a day to

commemorate the Filipinos who sacrificed back then. The holiday is named after Ninoy Aquino

because he truly was an icon back then. His sacrifice pushed the Filipino people to fight for what

is rightfully theirs, which is our country. The late senator’s assassination on the airport inspired

Filipinos to protest in the streets which is now a big part of our history, the 1986 EDSA People

Power Revolution. It is a reminder that there was once, in our history, where we became one in

making the country free again. It is a day for us, Filipinos.

References:
Cepeda, M. (2019). Robredo to Filipinos: Honor to all freedom fighters on Ninoy Aquino
Day. [online] Rappler. Available at: https://amp.rappler.com/nation/238185-robredo-
message-ninoy-aquino-day-2019 [Accessed 22 Aug. 2019]
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019). Benigno Aquino, Jr.: Filipino

Politician. [online] Britannica. Available at
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benigno-Aquino-Jr [Accessed 22 Aug. 2019]