all day Ninoy!

I'm dedicating this post to a great man, a leader. Who has served his country well and good. He never failed to believe in his country even when his country has failed to believe in itself. This video is very inspirational, an awesome speech, you'll never get bored ^^ An invitation to get a glimpse of what makes a man, a hero.



Some parts are in Filipino, not to worry the essence of the speech is not lost, "Palakpakan" means clapping/ applause, if you came to that part... This speech was made while the Philippines was still under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, the first lady (most famous for her collection of expensive shoes, over 2000 in pairs!)wow.



Sen.Benigno Aquino Jr., "Ninoy" as he was called was imprisoned for 7 years and 7 mos. before this speech, he had been granted to fly to the US for a heart surgery, thus, he was in Los Angeles to give this talk. He mentions about his prison ordeal,
quote:

"...you will note that one of the greatest problem of a prisoner is loneliness, for 7 years I wasn't aloud to see the moon and the stars, there were days when they left me all alone by myself, I had no reading material, I had nothing, I was twiddling my thumb, I would walk and walk and walk across my room, just a room of but 4 meters by 5 meters, hoping that I get tired and then when I get tired I will fall asleep, knowing that tomorrow will be the same..."

In 1973, a high ranking official offered to release him if he'd endorse the "New Society" and make an apology to Marcos, ask him for forgiveness through a letter or a telephone call, but Ninoy refused;

"eh ano naman kako ang kasalanan ko eh sya ang nagkasala sa bayan, bakit ako hihingi ng tawad?!" / "Why? what have I done wrong? He's the one who made mistakes against his country? Why would I be the one to apologize?"

He briefed the audience of what was taking place in the country at that time, about the plans of the Marcoses to hang on to power and changing the Constitution to do so.



The new Constitution mandates the change from a Democratic type of goverment to Parliamentary type to make Marcos a President for life!



"...I shall dedicate the last drop of my blood to the restoration of freedom and the dismantlement of your Martial Law."

---

Today August 21 is a National Holiday to commemorate the death and heroism of Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. a modern day hero , an inspiration to all. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in 1983 upon his arrival to the Philippines after his stay in America. He left 5 children and a wife that will take on his visions of a better Philippines, Corazon C. Aquino, his widow became the first woman President of the Country, ousting Marcos through people power in EDSA 1986. August 1, 2009 Corazon C. Aquino passed away, Time Magazine's "Saint of Democracy", She is the woman in yellow that I featured thrice in my posts for all that she's done and now, we all realize how these couple have probably included in their marriage vows "to love and honor their country ^^," it's amazing how they devoted their lives in the service of the Filipino.

Salamat Ninoy, Salamat Cory.