BY APRIL ANNE VILLENA
It’s been 42 years since a person of integrity, dignity and influence changed the course of Philippine History. Benigno Aquino, Jr. or “Ninoy” as popularly known by many is one honorable man who died believing in the country’s potential thus living true to his philosophy that “the Filipino is worth dying for”.
Here we give you some interesting facts and pieces of info that make up the hero of a man that saved the Filipino people.
On being an average student
In many biographies, it is mentioned that he was an average student incurring grades in the line of 80. His college years were a series of interrupted studies having transferred from school to school. He jokingly explained that it was a way for him to make more friends. He finally found his calling in studying journalism.
On being the youngest to assume various political positions
At age 22, Ninoy was appointed as mayor of Concepcion which paved the way to his political career. He was immediately elected as the youngest vice governor at age 27 and then in 1961, as the youngest governor of Tarlac. In 1967 he then became the youngest senator in the nation’s history at age 34.
On dating Imelda Marcos
True story, Ninoy and Imelda dated. In an old interview Ninoy actually described Imelda Marcos as “the most beautiful woman” and Imelda did at some point reveal that Ninoy court her in their youth.
On losing 18 kilos through a hunger strike
As a protest to the Marcos regime, he went on a hunger strike that lasted 40 days. He lost a total of 18 kilos or 40 pounds while in prison. If not for the plea of his wife, the late President Cory Aquino, friends and priests, Ninoy would have gone further with the hunger strike.
On bullet proof vests
Before his assassination, he mentioned to interviewers that, “It’s only good for the body, but in the head there’s nothing else we can do.” Directly addressing interviewers and flight attendants he added, “In a matter of three or four minutes it could be all over, you know, and I may not be able to talk to you again after this.”
On Ninoy Symbols
Similar to the many iconic symbols that local brands like Team Manila produces, Ninoy has a widely known symbol. As seen throughout his lifetime as a politician, Ninoy wore square glasses that soon became his symbol after his death. The color yellow, until today is attached to the Aquino family and it all started in 1980. It was from the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” which similar to Ninoy is about someone who has “done his time” but is not sure if he will be welcomed back home.
Interesting enough, the man that everyone looked up to has a life full of curious stories to tell. Coming as no surprise at all, the beginnings of hero starts with just a man and an average one at that.