'iamninoy' project raises P2 million

MANILA, Philippines - Retail campaign “iamninoy,” which sells collectible merchadise bearing the image of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.’s retro black-framed glasses, has raised P2 million since it started in August last year.

The project, which retails t-shirts, eyewear, and sports gear bearing the iconic image, was launched by the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation (BSAF) to revive Ninoy’s story among the youth.

On Aug. 21, 1983, Aquino, a senator and opposition leader at the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, was shot and killed at the Manila International Airport, now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

His death inspired the 1986 EDSA People Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

BSAF executive director Rafael Lopa said the P2-million was collected from a portion of the sales of “iamninoy” products.

He said the proceeds of the project will not be used to help finance the campaign of his cousin, Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Speaking before students of De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Lopa said the project is not a political movement.

“There is no such intention to make the iamninoy and iamcory a partisan movement as that would be totally at odds with the spirit of selfless heroism that gave life to the original campaign,” he said. 

He said the campaign aims to promote the ideals of Noynoy’s parents, Ninoy and former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

“While Noynoy might derive much benefit from the goodwill generated by the memory of his parents, the movement can also be a reminder of the ideals of Ninoy and Cory Aquino which every leader should emulate,” he said. 

He said that when they started the movement last year, it was not intended for Noynoy’s political campaign since the younger Aquino announced his bid for the presidency only last September.

He told the students to choose their candidates carefully and spare no one from scrutiny, including Noynoy.

Lopa admitted that there are people criticizing Noynoy’s capability, saying he is only riding on his parents’ popularity.

He said Noynoy should prove he is qualified for the position he is seeking. 

New campaign

Yesterday, BSAF unveiled the new logo for the “iamninoy” campaign.

In the new logo, “iamninoy” is still written on the right side of the iconic eyeglasses. Below “iamninoy,” the word “iamcory” is written.

They also changed the middle portion of the frame and likened it to a yellow ribbon, the signature color of the two former leaders.

The foundation also exhibited 25 pictures of Ninoy donated by the Filipinas Heritage Library. These are mostly wedding pictures, family portraits, and post assassination photos.

If Ninoy were alive he would be 77 years old this Friday, Nov. 27. The family plans to attend Mass at the Manila Memorial Park.

Best days with Dad

One of the Aquino children, Viel Aquino-Dee, who was present at the event, recalled that her best days with her father were the days when he was exiled in Boston.

Dee said Ninoy would bathe their dogs, wash the car, shop for groceries, and take out the garbage.

She admitted that in the ’60s and ’70s, Ninoy could not be considered the “World’s Best Dad” because he seldom spent time with his family. He was always busy delivering speeches, attending meetings, and reading documents in preparation for an exposé.

Neither was he a religious man, the opposite of Cory. He would hear Mass with the family but he would stay at the back.

But things changed on Sept. 23, 1972 when he was arrested without any formal charges. Back then, Ninoy was regarded as the biggest opposition star and was the favorite in the 1973 presidential elections.

Viel recalled how they spent time with him when he was incarcerated at Fort Bonifacio, especially on weekends.

When he was transferred to Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija, Viel said he became so thin he had to hold up his pants so it would not fall off.

“For the first time, I saw my father crying. In his solitude, however, he rediscovered God and the value of family. Not knowing if he would ever see us again, he made a pact with Mom that we would pray the rosary as a family – he in his cell and we at home or wherever we were – at eight every night,” Dee said.

She said the family became closer when Ninoy was exiled to Boston. Apart from giving lectures or entertaining guests, he did household chores.

“With Dad’s sacrifice, one consolation I imagined was that at least our family could now get out of politics. That was really wild imagination since I couldn’t have been more wrong. But I have hope that maybe my children’s children still have a shot at living ordinary lives.”

After Ninoy’s death, Cory was encouraged to run for president and through People Power in 1986, succeeded former President Ferdinand Marcos.