Ninoy Aquino Day marked with Mass at Aquino family tomb

The Aquino family commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of the late senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. on Friday with a Holy Mass at the family tomb at Manila Memorial Park.

The Mass honored the life and legacy of Aquino, who was assassinated upon his return to the Philippines on August 21, 1983.

According to a Balitanghali report by Bernadette Reyes, among those who attended were Ninoy’s children Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Viel Aquino-Dee. Viel's son, Kiko Aquino-Dee, was also in attendancea. Kris Aquino was not present, but her son Bimby attended.

Ballsy said the family continues to hold on to hope, which she said was among the messages Ninoy left behind.

Viel, meanwhile, stressed the importance of remembering the events during martial law.

Kiko said Ninoy chose to fight even before he saw hope against the dictatorship.

Bimby, who was not yet born when Ninoy was assassinated, said it is important for younger generations to research and learn history to better understand Ninoy and his legacy.

In his homily, Fr Dom Joseph Bulan SJ, who celebrated the Mass, said Ninoy’s legacy should continue to inspire Filipinos to work toward building a better country.

“The work of nation-building continues until today,” he said.

He warned that the hope associated with Ninoy and the events that followed his death could gradually fade amid the country’s challenges.

“The once bright spark of hope associated with Senator Ninoy and the events that followed his death can slowly die out, yes, or worse, be replaced by false lights and false promises from those who wish to take advantage of our tired and vulnerable people,” he said.

“And when hope dies, we become easier to convince that nothing can change and that we are powerless to change it.”

The priest said nation-building also requires Filipinos to strengthen their relationships with one another, particularly amid political and social divisions.

“With all the polarization that plagues our country today, it is easier to label one as other than as neighbor,” he said.

“But I think Christ reminds us, more than ever, that any form of meaningful change, including changing our country, begins first by strengthening human relationships.”

He said nation-building is not only about changing systems but also about recognizing the dignity of other people despite their differences.

“Treating each person as neighbor and not as other reminds us that nation-building is not only about changing systems, but more importantly, changing the way we relate to one another,” he said.

The priest also reflected on Ninoy’s years in detention and the role of faith during his imprisonment.

He recalled that Ninoy and his family had set a common time to pray, describing it as a sign of solidarity and an acknowledgment that the struggle for the country did not rest on one person alone.

“I would like to think that the late Senator Ninoy came to recognize something of this during his years of imprisonment in Laur, when the struggle for his country no longer depends on his own strength or political power,” he said.

The priest said Filipinos must continue doing their part even without knowing when their efforts will bear fruit.

“We do our part in nation-building. We do our part in helping our country. But we also recognize that the work of bringing life out of what seems dead ultimately belongs to God,” he said.

He also urged Filipinos to remain hopeful despite cynicism over the country’s problems.

“We may not know how our efforts will bear fruit, or when it will bear fruit, or whether we will even live to see the changes that we hope for. But this does not make our work meaningless,” he said.

During the prayers of the faithful, the Mass included a prayer for the country’s leaders to uphold justice and truth, as well as prayers for the eternal repose of Ninoy, former President Corazon Aquino and other members of the Aquino family.

The congregation also prayed that their sacrifices would continue to inspire Filipinos to uphold “truth, freedom, justice, and love of country.”

The priest concluded his homily with a call for Filipinos to extend their concern beyond their own political or social circles.

“May you teach us to love our neighbor, not only those who agree with us, not only those who belong to our circle, but every Filipino who is worth dying and living and striving for,” he added.

Ninoy's marker at NAIA Terminal 1

Meanwhile, members of the Aquino family visited the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Thursday to see the marker honoring him at its new location.

Photo from NAIA Facebook post

The marker has been relocated along the improved arrivals curbside, directly in front of the repositioned “Ninoy Aquino International Airport” name on the terminal facade.

New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) president and CEO Ramon S. Ang welcomed the Aquino family and accompanied them to the site.

The new location brings together the airport’s name and the marker honoring Ninoy, whose legacy has long been associated with the country’s main gateway. —AOL, GMA News