By Ging Reyes in San Francisco & Don Tagala in New York
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San Francisco, CA - Community leaders in the Bay Area marked the 27th death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. with a mass at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.  Some relatives, including Ninoy’s sisters, former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta and film director Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara joined the celebration.

Oreta told Balitang America that remembering her brother’s martyrdom is especially moving for Oreta, now that Ninoy’s son is President.  “Talagang mahal (ni Ninoy) ang Pilipinas at dahil sa pagmamahal na yon, siguro yun ang kanyang rason kung bakit ang tapang tapang niya.  Kasi kung iisipin mo, ang tapang tapang niyang umuwi di ba? Yun ang nakikita ko kay Noy ngayon – yung kagustuhan niya na magbago o may something na mangyari sa ating bansa, yung kagustuhan na yun ang nakikita ko at ako’y natutuwa,” Oreta said.

President Noynoy Aquino was just 23 years old when his father was killed by an assassin’s bullet in August 21, 1983.  The President chose to commemorate his father’s death quietly, attending mass with family and close friends at his parents’ grave at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque.

Filipinos in New York also observed Ninoy’s 27th death anniversary by laying a wreath at the Benigno Aquino Triangle in Hollis, Queens, and attending a special mass at the Philippine Center in Manhattan.  The Benigno Aquino Triangle, a small park, was a project of the Filipino community in New York to honor the Philippine hero.  It was completed in the 1988.

The special mass in San Francisco was celebrated by the president’s spiritual adviser and sortie buddy during the campaign, Fr. Arnold Abelardo.

Fr. Abelardo is in the US for a vacation, but said he has made it his mission to spread the good news about the country’s new leadership.  “Nasa pagkatao ni PNoy, ni Presidente Noynoy – nandun talaga yung kanyang kagandahang loob na gusto niyang baguhin ang sistema. Kasi ang maganda, nagsisinula sya sa sarili nya at pangalawa, nandun yung kanyang pagiging tapat at sinsero. Honest siya talaga.”

Aquino’s supporters also remembered his mother, former president Cory Aquino, whose death in August last year ignited the public clamor for Noynoy to run for office.

New York resident Connie Quiambao, a close friend of the Aquinos, and fellow supporters said they are confident President Aquino will continue his father’s legacy.

Veterans of the Ninoy Aquino Movement and members of the US Pinoys for Good Governance said they’re hopeful Aquino’s presidency can effect lasting change.  And with him leading by example, Ninoy’s dream may no longer be impossible to achieve.

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