Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Family, supporters pay tribute to Ninoy Aquino on 43rd death anniversary

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - On most days, silence envelops the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. But on the morning of August 21, 2026, the haunting melody of “Bayan Ko” floated from the Aquino tomb as relatives, friends, and supporters of the late senator, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., gathered for his 43rd death anniversary.Aquino’s grandson, Kiko Aquino Dee, said they are “always humbled” by the people who join the annual event.“And we&#x27;re always very humbled to see so many people really making the effort to come out… But it&#x27;s just continuing that tradition that Lola Cory started,” Dee told reporters, referring to the late president, Cory Aquino.Bimby Aquino, another one of Ninoy’s grandsons, expressed joy over seeing that the “next generation” in their family taking over the yearly tradition.“It feels kind of weird po na my little nieces and nephews are the ones doing it or continuing it… It feels nice that the next generation is continuing it,” Bimby Aquino said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/21/lawmakers-remember-ninoy-aquino-on-his-43rd-death-anniversary-1137">&#x27;Beacon of courage&#x27;: Lawmakers remember Ninoy Aquino on his 43rd death anniversary</a></div>He adds, the younger generation should get to know the late senator.“Research po, research. There&#x27;s a lot of videos of lolo on YouTube. You&#x27;ll really get to know him as a person…. Even Kuya Kiko, we never really hear, we never had a conversation with him. But just research and trust reliable sources,” Aquino said. Kiko Aquino Dee chimed in, saying, “Parang we&#x27;re learning about him the same way most Filipinos do na ‘di namin siya naabutan.  None of us na magpinsan. So ‘yun po. We hope that people can get to know him the way we do.” But it’s a family tradition not just for the Aquinos, but also for the Saguisags, the family of former senator Rene Saguisag, and spokesperson for former president, Cory Aquino,Renee Dulcet, Justice, GJ, and Demo Saguisag all came to Aquino’s tomb on Friday in remembrance of the late lawmaker.“The reason we&#x27;re here today is because we need to cultivate a strong sense of nationality even years later because it is still an important part of our country, and we must not forget the sacrifices of the Filipinos. This is the reason why we&#x27;re here today– why we&#x27;re allowed to speak freely and why we&#x27;re allowed to be who we are. And again, the Filipino is worth dying for,” Renee Dulcet Saguisag said. Former presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles was also at the mass.And among the supporters who attended the mass was Roberto Sembrano who, despite being based in Cebu, made sure to pay his respects on August 21.“Ah yeah, for today I&#x27;m really planning. Naka-reserve ‘yung day for Parañaque, for this event,” Sembrano said.<div> </div><div>ATOM ON BBM MESSAGE: SHOW IT IN ACTION</div>Also present at the mass were members of the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) with the group’s president commenting on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement for Ninoy Aquino Day.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/13/-laughable-group-rejects-alan-peter-cayetano-comparing-self-to-ninoy-1435">‘Laughable’: Group rejects Alan Peter Cayetano comparing self to Ninoy </a> </div>For ATOM President Volt Bohol, any effort from a Filipino to honor Aquino is “welcome,” but it should not stop at just words.Bohol added, if Marcos is truly serious about paying tribute to Aquino, he should continue to fight for what the late lawmaker stood for.  This would include returning “ill-gotten wealth” to the people, according to Bohol.“You have to also show it in action. If you are really sure or very serious in giving tribute to Ninoy Aquino, then you should continue to erase or fight for those that Ninoy Aquino fought for, especially corruption, especially making sure that the ill-gotten wealth is returned to the people,” Bohol said.In a statement, Marcos said Ninoy Aquino Day invites people to “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/21/-acknowledge-past-in-order-to-safeguard-freedom-marcos-jr-on-ninoy-aquino-day-0833">acknowledge the past</a>” and draw resolve from it to safeguard freedom.Bohol added, he believes the concept of “resilience” has been abused by leaders.“Ginagamit din ng mga leaders para i-pacify ‘yung mga taong bayan na hindi na magsalita sa mga abuses ng ating mga leaders in government, especially corruption. But there has to be a balance between resilience and determination. That was two of the more important values that Ninoy Aquino showed us,” Bohol said. But the daughter of Ninoy Aquino had a simple, brief message on her father’s death anniversary.“I hope nobody forgets the sacrifice and what happened during martial law,” Ballsy Aquino-Cruz told the media.<div>WHAT DO FILIPINOS REMEMBER?  </div>As 43 years have passed since Ninoy Aquino’s death, some individuals ABS-CBN News spoke to admitted to having limited knowledge on the late senator.When asked about what she remembers of Aquino, vendor Maribel Tubaña replied, “‘Yung umuwi siya ng Pilipinas, nabaril siya sa airport kaya naging Ninoy Aquino International Airport na ‘yung dating paliparan… Elementary pa ako noon eh. Siguro mga ano ako noon, Grade 6.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/21/-remembering-ninoy-filipinos-urged-to-continue-ninoy-s-fight-for-good-governance-justice-1817">‘Remembering Ninoy’: Filipinos urged to continue Ninoy’s fight for good governance, justice</a></div>Motorcycle taxi rider Reynald Fabia had a similar answer, saying, “Sa people power po sa EDSA Revolution. Tagal na rin po ‘yun kasi hindi ko po masyadong maalala ‘yung mga nangyari. Bata pa po kasi ako noon eh.”But based on what Tubaña knew about Aquino, she said she believes he would be dismayed by the state of the country if he were alive today.“Malulungkot din siya kasi maraming mga korap ngayon eh. Kasi ‘yung mga politiko natin ngayon, ano na talagang sila, parang sarili na lang nila ‘yung iniisip nila. ‘Yung hindi na sila maghihirap. Hindi sila bababa sa pwesto nila– parang ganoon. Kawawa naman ‘yung mga mahihirap talaga. ‘Yun na lang talaga ‘yung mahihirap, mga lalong naghihirap. ‘Yung mayayaman, ‘yun na ‘yung mayayaman talaga,” Tubaña said.

On most days, silence envelops the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. But on the morning of August 21, 2026, the haunting melody of “Bayan Ko” floated from the Aquino tomb as relatives, friends, and supporters of the late senator, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., gathered for his 43rd death anniversary.

On most days, silence envelops the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. But on the morning of August 21, 2026, the haunting melody of “Bayan Ko” floated from the Aquino tomb as relatives, friends, and supporters of the late senator, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., gathered for his 43rd death anniversary.