Kris Aquino’s affairs upstage Ninoy’s death

Yesterday was the 19th anniversary of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino’s martyrdom. Incredibly enough, his youngest daughter Kris Aquino’s arrival at the airport the day before received more attention than Ninoy’s ultimate supreme sacrifice for his country. Here, we must say that this is the fault of media.

There are three kinds of martyrdom. The first is in will and action. The second is in desire but not in deed. The third, in deed but not in will. Ninoy’s martyrdom belonged to the first kind which is the highest form of martyrdom. He was dying for the Filipino people and he said, "The Filipino is worth dying for!"

People have a short memory. They remember the EDSA Revolution, but not its precursor – the Laban elections of 1978. These were the candidates who ran with Ninoy then: Jerry Barican, Alexander Boncayao, Felicisimo Cabigao, Juan T. David, Jaime N. Ferrer, Neptali A. Gonzales, Trinidad C. Herrera, Teofisto Guingona, Primitivo de Leon, Cesar Lucero, Jr., Ernesto Maceda, Antonio Martinez, Ramon V. Mitra, Charito Planas, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Napoleon Rama, Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, Ernesto Rondon, Noli Santos and Ninoy Aquino.

When Cory Aquino became president, Malacañang never gave the Laban candidates any due recognition for the role that they played, along with Ninoy, against the Marcos Regime. And so today, no one remembers Laban and the historical noise barrage. That was People’s Power in embryo.

We mention this because one of those who played a memorable and heroic role in the Laban elections was none other than Kris Aquino, who was then only seven years old. At that time her image of her Ninoy was a father who "lived" in Fort Bonifacio. Poor Kris never truly lived a normal family life. We sincerely believe that Kris will reform. Victor Hugo said that to reform, a person must begin with his grandfathers. Kris does not have to start two generations back. She can begin with her father, Ninoy. What is important is the desire and will to change herself. Reform can only come from within. We sincerely hope that Kris will find herself and soon. She must be part of what her father died for. That is what will give Ninoy joy from where he is now.