Ninoy is the mega hero at SM

MANILA, Philippines - “Ninoy, My Hero,” an exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., recently commemorated the 28th anniversary of his heroic death last Aug. 21 at the SM Megamall Atrium.

Ninoy’s son President Benigno “Noynoy” Simeon Aquino III graced the event, which was organized by the EDSA People Power Commission in partnership with PCSO and the SM Supermalls.

The event highlighted the yellow and black colors of the People Power Movement with yellow swags and a banner with Senator Aquino’s iconic quote, “The Filipino Is Worth Dying For,” wrapped around the circular second and third floors of the Atrium.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., as well as members of the President’s Cabinet — Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, PCOO Secretary Hermino Coloma, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, and DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman paid tribute to this extraordinary man.

Members of the Aquino family were also present — the President’s sister Pinky Aquino-Abelleda with husband Manolo and son Miguel; and nephew Josh; as well as Ninoy’s brothers and sisters Butz and Paul Aquino, and Ditas Aquino Valdez and Tessie Aquino Oreta.

“Ninoy, My Hero” was also a reunion of sorts of People Power stalwarts: Senator Serge Osmeña III, former Senator Wigberto Tañada, Napoleon Rama, former NCCA chair Cecille Alvarez, Edsa People Power Commissioner Jose Pardo, and Maria Montelibano. Other guests were Congressman Lorenzo Tañada III, former Congressman Robert Jaworski Jr., Navotas Mayor John Reynal Tiangco, and Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte. They were welcomed by SM officials led by SM Investments Corporation vice chair Tessie Sy-Coson.

The program featured touching film clips of the late Senator — from his speeches in the US to his funeral, which were flashed while maestro Ryan Cayabyab and his singers sang poignant songs that defined the People Power movement — Bayan Ko, Impossible Dream, I Fell in Love with the Same Woman Three Times — a song based on the poem Senator Aquino wrote to his wife Cory.

The “Ninoy, My Hero” exhibit features some of the most memorable photographs of the late Senator, many of them taken by Bullit Marquez of the Associated Press. It highlights the diverse aspects of Ninoy’s life and also illustrates a vibrant portrait of Filipino heroism — showing how heroism entails sacrifice, and why these sacrifices are so important in this time of our nation’s history. “Ninoy the Hero” also depicted an exhibit of the works of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, Boboy Yonzon, Norman Isaac, Stanley Chi and Manny Francisco.

“Ninoy, My Hero” is one of the many exciting projects of SM in partnership with the EDSA People Power Commission. It will be showcased at the Mega Atrium until the end of the month, and will later be traveling to different SM Supermalls nationwide.