Pinoys urged: Be like Ninoy, dream the impossible

MANILA, Philippines - As the country celebrates Ninoy Aquino Day today, his son President Aquino believes that every Filipino must learn to sing “The Impossible Dream” to keep on dreaming for the betterment of the country no matter the circumstances.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said yesterday the martyrdom of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21, 1983 must be properly commemorated to remind everyone what the country had to go through to regain its freedom.

“It is but fitting that we properly commemorate and remember Aug. 21 so that we will never forget how we regained the freedom we enjoy today,” Atienza said.

The Palace also released yesterday Republic Act 10669, which declared every Aug. 18 as “Jesse Robredo Day,” a special working holiday to honor the late interior and local government secretary.

Robredo was killed in a plane crash in 2012 while on his way to Naga City from an official function in Cebu.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, meanwhile, said that although today is a special non-working holiday, workers are not entitled to any extra pay if they would choose not to report for work.

“If the employee did not work, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on this special non-working day,” Baldoz noted.

Those who would render services today will receive extra pay since Aug. 21 has been declared a special holiday.

In remembering his father, President Aquino said the slain hero used to sing with passion “The Impossible Dream” – a song about courage, hope and determination.

Malacañang is urging Filipinos to remember Ninoy this way and make him an inspiration in times of difficulties.

In a statement, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said a “grateful nation pays homage to the heroism” of Ninoy, who selflessly offered his life for the restoration of democracy in the country.

“Ninoy Aquino continues to inspire generations of Filipinos to overcome difficulties and challenges in attaining their aspirations for a better future,” said Coloma, head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Jesse Robredo Day

The President recalled on Tuesday in Naga City that Robredo was among those who continued what his father fought for, adding that both proved that the “Filipino is worth dying for.” Aquino was in Naga City to commemorate Robredo’s third death anniversary.

Ninoy was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983 during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, while Robredo was killed in a plane crash on Aug. 18, 2012. 

Incidentally, Robredo’s body was recovered only three days later on Aug. 21 off the coast of Masbate. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Paolo Romero