My Hero
We all have our heroes, and they can be our fathers, our mothers, our spouses, or even bosses we look up to. But "personal" heroes, aside, I also have a real, honest-to-goodness national hero. And today is his day.

On August 21, 1983, also on a Sunday 22 years ago, Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. came home to the Philippines after three years of political exile in Boston. Senator Aquino landed at the Manila International Airport onboard China Airlines, but that was to be his last few minutes as a mortal. He was shot at the back of the head as he made his way down the steps of the plane. His assassination catapulted him into what he is today -- a most selfless hero, and the trigger to a dictator's downfall.

My being politically aware goes a long way back -- I remember the 1978 elections of KBL (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) versus Laban. At my very young age (I won't tell you how old I was, then, because I know you will end up doing some Math), I knew who Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. was. I also knew that he was a political prisoner running for office.

A good five years later, on Saturday, August 20, 1983, my sister, Bing, and I went to Ali Mall in Cubao. I remember seeing a couple of volunteers at the mall entrance handing out flyers to passersby, and I was given one. I looked at it, and saw that it was about the arrival of Senator Aquino scheduled for the next day.

On August 21, 1983 at around sundown, I watched in horror as Television news announced the assassination of Senator Aquino at the airport. I was indignant! I was fuming! It was as if I was overcome by a spirit. That day launched my strong political inclination, enough for me to be voted as "Most Likely Political Detainee" in fourth year high school.

Then Philippines President Ferdinand E. Marcos was said to be suffering from an illness, and Senator Aquino saw this as an opportunity to request the strongman to resign. Brushing aside everyone's advice and protestations, warning him that he will be killed upon his return, Senator Aquino made that long trip halfway around the globe to seek a dialogue with his arch-enemy, his "brother" at the University of the Philippines' Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity. Alas, he forcibly reached the end of the road, the end of his life's journey. No dialogue had been made.

But Senator Aquino's death was more than he could have ever hoped to achieve with a dialogue. His death spoke more than a thousand words. His death marked the Filipino people's awakening, their rebirth which gave them the strength to protest and shout, "enough is enough!". Tama na, sobra na, palitan na! ("Enough! This is too much! Replace!" ... Yeah, I know my translation sounds hilarous. Not exactly a political battlecry, in English).

From 1983 to the restoration of democracy three years later , rallies were held all over the country (I attended the major ones in Metro Manila); Mr. & Ms. publication sprung back to popularity via the political route; yellow was the color of battle and freedom; and everyone developed a renewed sense of love for country and aspired to be a "small-time" hero, one way or the other. The administration steadily lost its hold on the Filipino people until the EDSA Revolution in February 1986.

None of this would have happened without that selfless act of one man we all know as Ninoy. Sure, he was as normal as you and I. He had his moments. He may have even been as ambitious as the politician next door. But ambition, aside, his courage despite all odds, his persistence in still coming home to face possible death or another round of life behind bars, elevate him to a title befitting his show of great courage and love for country -- hero.

Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. is my hero. Let him be a reminder to the current joke that is Philippine politics/politicians that COUNTRY comes before self. And this, I say, even as I now live a thousand miles away from home, my beloved Philippines.