When former President Cory Aquino passed away, I wrote a blog about how I felt like I didn’t actually know her at all. I only realized how much I owed her when people started talking about her sacrifices and what she’s done for the country. In the same token, I never really knew who Senator Ninoy Aquino was. All I know is that his death sparked the EDSA revolution. He was really nothing more to me than the face on the 500 peso bill. However after reading a letter that he wrote to his only son Noynoy shortly before he was convicted by a tainted court, I can’t help but be amazed at how great Ninoy was and how much love he had for the country and for his people.
I found this letter on the blog of Aileen’s dad:
LIHAM NI NINOY KAY NOYNOY
August 25, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
11:30pm
Mr. Benigno S. Aquino III
P E R S O N A L
My dearest Son:
One of these days , when you have completed your studies I am sure you will have the opportunity to visit many countries. And in your travels you will witness a bullfight.
In Spanish bullfighting as you know, a man – the matador – is pitted against an angry bull.
The man goads the bull to extreme anger and madness. Then a moment comes when the bull, maddened, bleeding and covered with darts, feeling his last moment has come, stops rushing about and grimly turns his face on the man with the scarlet “muleta” and sword. The Spaniards call this “the moment of truth.” This is the climax of the bullfight.
This afternoon, I have arrived at my own moment of truth. After a lengthy conference with my lawyers, Senators Jovito R. Salonga and Lorenzo M. Tanada I made a very crucial and vital decision that will surely affect all our lives: mommie’s, your sisters’, yours and all our loved ones as well as mine.
I have decided not to participate in the proceedings of the Military Commission assigned to try the charges filed against me by the army prosecution staff. As you know, I’ve been charged with illegal possession of firearms, violation of RA 1700 otherwise known as the “Anti-Subversion Act” and murder.
You are still too young to grasp the full impact of my decision. Briefly: by not participating in the proceedings, I will not be represented by counsel, the prosecution will present its witnesses without any cross examinations, I will not put up any defense, I will remain passive and quiet through the entire trial and I will merely await the verdict. Inasmuch as it will be a completely one-sided affair, I suppose it is reasonable to expect the maximum penalty will be given to me. I expect to be sentenced to imprisonment the rest of my natural life, or possibly be sent to stand before a firing squad. By adopting the course of action I decided upon this afternoon, I have literally decided to walk into the very jaws of death.
You may ask: why did you do it?
Son, my decision is an act of conscience. It is an act of protest against the structures of injustice that have been imposed upon our hapless countrymen. Futile and puny, as it will surely appear to many, it is my last act of defiance against tyranny and dictatorship.
You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you. I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people.
For this I am very sorry. I had hopes of building a little nest egg for you. I bought a ranch in Masbate in the hope that after ten or fifteen years, the coconut trees I planted there would be yielding enough to assure you a modest but comfortable existence.
Unfortunately, I had to sell all our properties as I fought battle after political battle as a beleaguered member of the opposition. And after the last battle, I had more obligations than assets.
The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you now is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now pass it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather passed it on to me.
I prepared a statement which I intend to read before the military commission on Monday at the opening of my trial. I hope the commission members will be understanding and kind enough to allow me to read my statement into the record. This may well be my first and only participation in the entire proceedings.
In this statement, I said: Some people suggested that I beg for mercy from the present powers that be. Son, this I cannot do in conscience. I would rather die on my feet with honor, than live on bended knees in shame.
Your great grandfather, Gen. Servilliano Aquino was twice condemned to death by both the Spaniards and the American colonizers. Fortunately, he survived both by a twist of fate.
Your grandfather, my father was also imprisoned by the Americans because he loved his people more than the Americans who colonized us. He was finally vindicated. Our ancestors have shared the pains, the sorrows and the anguish of Mother Filipinas when she was in bondage.
It is a rare privilege for me to join the Motherland in the dark dungeon where she was led back by one of her own sons whom she lavished with love and glory.
I ended my statement thus: I have chosen to follow my conscience and accept the tyrant’s revenge.
It takes little effort to stop a tyrant. I have no doubt in the ultimate victory of right over wrong, of evil over good, in the awakening of the Filipino.
Forgive me for passing unto your young shoulders the great responsibility for our family. I trust you will love your mother and your sisters and lavish them with the care and protection I would have given them.
I was barely fifteen years old when my father died. His death was my most traumatic experience. I loved and hero-worshipped him so much, I wanted to join him in his grave when he passed away. But as in all sorrows, eventually they are washed away by the rains of time.
In the coming years, I hope you will study very hard so that you will have a solid foundation on which to build your future. I may no longer be around to give you my fatherly advice. I have asked many of your uncles to help you along should the need arise and I pray you will have the humility to drink from their fountain of experiences.
Look after your two younger sisters with understanding and affection. Viel and Krissy will need your umbrella of protection for a long time. Krissy is still very young and fate has been most unkind to both of us. Our parting came too soon. Please make up for me. Take care of her as I would have taken care of her with patience and warm affection.
Finally, stand by your mother as she stood beside me through the buffeting winds of crisis and uncertainties firm and resolute and uncowed. I pray to God, you inherit her indomitable spirit and her rare brand of silent courage.
I had hopes of introducing you to my friends, showing you the world and guide you through the maze of survival. I am afraid, you will now have to go it alone without your guide.
The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.
There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.
Son, the ball is now in your hands.
Lovingly,
Dad
Reading couldn’t have been more timely. If you’re not living under a rock, then you probably know that Senator Noynoy Aquino declared his bid for the Presidency this morning at Club Filipino. In his speech, he also extended an invitation to Senator Mar Roxas to be his running mate.
Live with honor and follow your conscience.
Whoever wins in 2010, I pray that he or she would abide by this code. Because if our future President lives by this then I’m almost 110% that this country will finally move forward.
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Pingback: Ninoy Aquino’s letter to his son, Noynoy « The Lesson Plan
no wonder the aquino family is humble and responsible. they were raised that way by their cory and ninoy.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaah…
this made me cry…
thanks for sharing…
oh, may i repost this in my facebook note please???
thanks…
i absolutely admire the aquinos especially ninoy and cory. but then again, i do believe that this letter does not really mean that noynoy should run for president. i have closely followed his political career and i simply cannot remember of any remarkable nor significant thing he has done during his entire political career that will make me vote for him. nonetheless, i will continue to support change and reformation. we have an awesome God who will perform a mighty miracle to make the Philippines a great and Godly nation. noynoy may be an honest man but what is our guarantee that the people behind him will not be corrupt. noynoy is not the answer, God is and His ordained leader. i hope we will not be swayed by the hype of cory’s death alone. if only she is alive today, im sure noynoy will not be in the frontline.
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awesome blog!!!
I am skeptical about this letter, sounds like it was written to gain public’s sympathy comes to me as inauthentic.
I can also be wrong but letters like these that were meant for private eyes. I’m all for Noynoy but how timely is it for this letter to come out.
Ninoy and Cory may have done good for the Filipino people, but its not enough to put them on a pedestal because like any other human, they have their sins. It’s so easy to fallback and not question documents, but that’s how we should approach them.
Everytime anyone puts something out there you should ask one question: What’s the motive?
I reposted it to my blog, I just can’t resist if it’s ok? Thanks in advance
Judging from how it was written, I could surely say it really came from Ninoy himself, I just watched his speaches on youtube and that definitely how he speaks.
hoi,,,,LMJ kun kinsa ka mang jawaa kah!!!just SHUT UP!!!!klareks na kaau marcos loyalist all for ninoy kuno,….kun wa kay maau i comment para ana nga letter nga d para imo just SHUT UP!!!!
@LMJ: The letter was posted online for public viewing in 2007. I just found in in the archives of one of the bloggers and re-posted it now.
@everyone who linked and shared: Thank you very much.
It is time for our Nation to rise up. Goliath was not killed by an experienced soldier he was killed by an experienced shepherd boy. I believe that what Noynoy went thru and his family he gained a lot of experienced that a lot of us never have learned. It is time for a change, lets believe and pray with him that he will do good. God bless.
so timely, i cried..hay..sana nga matupad mga so called ‘premonition’ like this..
the legacy left by his parents will assure us that noynoy will be a good president. cno bang anak ang sisira sa naiwang magandang pangalan ng kanyang mga magulang? c gloria, ano bang ginawa ni diosdado?
i agree with Mr. Frankie Torrelavega…
Hope and Pray
The ball(vote) is in our hands.
So touching, it made me cry. At this moment of election fever where everyone wishes to run for a public office, should read the letter. Likewise, all would be voters, to enlighten them whom they are voting for.
noynoy as a leader nevertheless will be good for who is in position should set a great example to his/her people.
but let us not forget that each success starts with each and everyone of us. Sana, let us omit greediness and respect from whoever we choose in leadership.
Vote NOYNOY fore president!!!
Annabelle Navarro, don’t you ever dare to say this
“but then again, i do believe that this letter does not really mean that noynoy should run for president. i have closely followed his political career and i simply cannot remember of any remarkable nor significant thing he has done during his entire political career that will make me vote for him.”
Now, could you tell us who has done any GOOD remarkable thing during their entire political career?
Thank you for reposting this letter. One can gain alot from it, depende na lang talaga sa nagbabasa…about noynoy, i am not interested on what he has done, i’m more on what he will do with his conscience, I believe he has the capacity to surround himself with good people.
I cried.
This letter made me realize that I was guilty of not being proud of my being Filipino.
This letter made me think of my own ‘love for Motherland’ – when all we are surrounded with is betrayal, broken promises, and a corrupted society, it is difficult to cherish and love our country and the Filipino.
But Ninoy did – knowingly and willingly facing death, he stood his ground with honor and love for country. Cory mentioned something similar when she said, “Karangalan ko maging isang Pilipino.”
It is uncanny that at this time of our history, many Filipinos are conquering the world in different fields – from NY best sellers, gold medals, boxers, singers, movie producers, doctors and designers.
Surely I can shut my eyes and ears from the pessimism that abounds, the hopelessness we seem to be in, and see the greatness that the Filipino truly is…
and be proud to be Filipino.
NOYPI! Noynoy para sa Pilipinas!
This was published a few years back. Way before the Noynoy for President was even conceived. Noynoy may have not done anything significant in the realm of politics in the past, but as with his mom, the Lord may just as well “choose the weak to shame the wise.”
Brought tears to my eyes. I always pray for our country. Who else will be hopeful for it except us Filipinos?
Live with honor and follow your conscience!
really really nice!!!
But its too convenient that it came out now that Nonoy declared that his running for president!!!
I quite feel for LMJ. Nowadays, not only in the Philippines, but all over the world, it has become unavoidable to feel some insecurities towards anything that gets published especially before an election. Strategy and advertising goes hand in hand and it works in this world, may that be in showbiz, business or politics. One can’t help thinking there might be a hidden agenda behind this, but we cannot disregard the fact that our beloved Ninoy started as a war correspondent to Korea. His passion for writing made him take up Journalism in the middle of his Law studies. What we must not forget is the time he spent detained in the claws of his arch enemy, he spent reading and writing. Another thing is, the style of writing used in the letter above is rarely used these days. Like whoever uses “…washed away by the rains of time” nowadays? You don’t believe anything you read and that’s OK, but this one…..I think is authentic!
If I were in the Philippines, I would surely vote the young and the bold. What I have in mind are, Noynoy Aquino, Mar Roxas or Mike Defensor. Let these fresh minds clear the musty air that’s been haunting our political scene since the Spanish left us. Give them a chance to prove what this generation has to give. One thing is sure though, as much as I admire Cory and Ninoy, I would definitely not vote for this reason because then it would be “same old, same old” favoritism. Vote for the individual, not for his ancestors and their power. And not because we owe his dad a great favor….probably the greatest favor our generation have ever had the chance to receive which is FREEDOM from a notorious tyrant!
To Noynoy and Mike, may the Holy Spirit guide you through the stormy sea that is awaiting you.
i like this… how i wish all our politicians can be like Ninoy, then it will not really matter much who will be the president ’cause they will all be working as a team anyway. but the reality is that this wish can never come true… anyway, a ‘good’ president can’t do much if the people he is governing are not ‘good’ as well. we always want a change for the better, but it should also happen in each one of us (just like what MJ’s song “Man in the Mirror” says). i really don’t care much about what LMJ says above (’cause his negativity will not do me any good), that’s his opinion & that’s how he thinks. but my question to him is ‘what has he done for our country in his own little way?’. (he does not have to answer me, of course, ’cause i have nothing to gain from it anyway; he has to answer that to himself if he loves our country.) i myself am not claiming to be the best i can be as a citizen, but i can assure everyone that i’m trying to do my part (in silence). also, despite the shortcomings of our present leaders, i decided to stay put in our country even if there are much better opportunities waiting for me abroad. (i worked as a programmer abroad for e few years in the 90′s). my wish is that all voters will hope that goodness will prevail, choose the right leaders to win in 2010, and really do something along with that hope, not like chicks in a nest just hoping & waiting for the parent bird to put food in their mouths.
to all, peace! c”,)
I appreciate people who are gifted in doing more, like this blog owner, Carlo Ople, who has used his gift of words to stimulate, encourage, remind the readers that there’s still hope ’cause there was a leader like Ninoy in the past, so there are still probably more like him now or will be like him in the future. to other readers, the reaction to this article may not be positive, but i would like to believe that at least this article made that person think and elicit a response.
well-written. i’m not surprised since ninoy was a great journalist. heartfelt and endearing.
naiyak naman ako
@annabelle navarro and @LMJ:
I’ve been hearing a lot of chatter over the world wide web about Noynoy Aquino’s bid for the presidential post.
Does Noynoy have the political experience and credentials? What bills has he passed? Does Noynoy have enough support nationally to run an effective presidential campaign?
There are views that think he was pushed into his 09.09.09 declaration, that he is not a willing candidate, and for that why vote for someone who doesn’t want to be the president in the first place? Others believe that his appeal can only be attributed to his iconic parents and that it would dissipate in the heat of a presidential run.
To put these Noynoy sentiments into one cohesive idea, let’s take a tweet from Twitter: “That’s how desperate we Pinoys are. Credentials takes a back seat over integrity and good character. If only we can have both.”
Noynoy Aquino is our generation’s catalyst. He is our rallying point. Indeed, he is the product of icons, can you blame him that? His mother as well was an unwilling candidate, but they both see what is at risk.
I am not desperate. I am hopeful. This is our generation, we are the hammers that will forge our legacy, we look beyond 2010.
pinalaki ni ninoy at cory ang kanilang mga anak na may takot sa Diyos and because of this, i believe that noynoy will be an honest president. thanks for the post.
I was a martial law baby. Together we fought against the evil of martial law. I followed Ninoy’s fate even though the press was gagged by the Marcoses, but nonetheless newspaper managed to reach our place.I have read Ninoy’s writings while he was incarcerated. I truly believe this is a genuine letter to his son. This is truly his. How I wish people stop being cynical. Where were you when we fought so hard against the dictator, did you stand up against the oppressor. I attended prayer rallies for Ninoy despite being threatened of arrest. I prayed so hard for Ninoy and his family. The Aquino family has done a great deal of sacrifice for our country. President Cory gave back our freedom lost for 20 years of martial rule. Ninoy offered his life for his country. As a gesture of gratitude, we Filipinos should say THANK YOU TO NINOY AND PRESIDENT CORY who helped us regain our freedom. Let us SUPPORT NOYNOY for his Presidential bid this 2010.Let all Filipinos join hands in praying for a peaceful election . God bless the Aquino family.
What was written is truly touching & put me to tears. What has been the reaction are all valid and has a point. I was also a part of Edsa Revolution but I was never an avid fan even of Cory. Maybe because, I have reservations as to what is the TRUTH in all these. But the death of Cory made me look and reflect on every shared stories of her life. I come to realize how strong Cory’s spiritual life. With this she was able to raise the children on her own. The children are the reflection of their parents, how they are brought up, the values seed on them, etc.
Noynoy’s declaration of his candidacy for the presidential election did not surprise me. It’s what I foresee. That’s why during the burial, my eyes are all on Noynoy.
He may not seem to have a great leadership, dynamic look & potential, credentials, but I see a calm, clear, crystal integrity & morality in his ways & actions, a firm & strong spirit in him. He is just plainly simple but seems an honest man. He will have difficulty to lead and speak with all lies.
Let’s hear from him during the upcoming presidential campaign and validate. It is about time, we choose a young spirited leaders, idealistic and untainted by politics due to years of experience.
Let’s pray that we will find in Noynoy the TRUE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP WITH A SERVANT SPIRIT LIKE JESUS CHRIST!
May he be able to put the entire country to a solid healing & towards full conversion in every soul of the citizens! Bring the filipino families together, old & young back to God!
This is the assurance of good life, abundance & peace!
Gosh! Goosebumps ito! Naiyak ako. Sen. Ninoy Aquino was really a righteous man. Living the virtues of his parents, Sen. Noynoy will be a good president.
wow. . . i was crying while reading this letter. . . i like it when he said – “I have no material wealth to leave you. I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people.”
and i am still crying up to now. .
I just pray that the people in office will also have this great love for the country and for the people whom they are serving. Most of all, love and fear for the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Grabe! I hope Noynoy can carry such burden to lead our country FORWARD!!! I will definitely campaign for him! May I know where we can send our campaign contributions?
God Bless the Philippines!
“Kung ano ang puno ay siya ang Bunga” an old famous adage but it has significant—TRUE isnt it? No mango tree bears banana fruit. Did you get my analogy? I trust the Noynoy will be the right instrument for political change in our country. He has the legacy to continue and since his parents governed the country with honor and conscience by constant beholding he will be like them.
Someone mentioned that, Noy might not be corrupt but what about the people working with him? For me, the thing is, if the leader does not corrupt the followers will think thrice or nth times before he or she’ll do it. We know why our current government is notoriously corrupt, the reason is not even subtle, it’s so obvious, the leader is doing it and so are the kids and her allies. All that are under her umbrella got the same protection of rain of investigation.
I go for Noy and i am praying for him and the future leaders of this country. May they lead with honor and conscience!
to all those ”bad eggs”/”bad critics” of noynoy …..
DONT YOU GET IT….!!!!!???????
NOYPI=noynoy para sa pilipinas
Nice read.
“Live with honor and follow your conscience.”
Tingin ko magmamala-barack obama si noynoy sa pagkakapanalo. Kung ngayon ang eleksyon iboboto ko si noy. Malakas si noy kahit dito sa amin sa Pangasinan.
I am sure Noynoy will continue the horable tradition of love of country that his father, grand father, great grand father have shown and strive for the progress eluding the country and people because of sucessive and progressive corruption instilled in the goverment system by past administrations.
The country again has a chance to economically prosper with Noynoy as the next president. I’m all for him.
Go go President Noynoy!
fake!
gwa gwa lng to pra sumikat c noynoy!
help us spread the word. let us put our support to sen. noynoy aquino by adding to this onoine signature campaign http://www.supportnoynoy.org let us show to the whole world that once again, the filipinos can be united not only in edsa but also in the internet.
I am so touched by this letter of Sen. Ninoy to his son. I wish that if Sen. Noynoy wins the election next year, he will be guided by this message from his father, our beloved Sen. Ninoy. I couldn’t say much more than what I wish for our motherland to finally rise to greatness with him as the commander-in-chief. I am also tired of casting my vote to nothing but poverty in return. May the GOD of heaven lead Sen. Noynoy and guide him to the right path. You have my VOTE!
naiyak ako sa pagmamahal ni Ninoy sa bayan @ pamilya; sana mgka-change of heart din ang iba pang “naglilingkod sa bayan” @ dumami pa ang tulad nya.
this touched me so much, i hope you don’t mind me linking this to my blog pls? tnx po!
no letter to viel and ballsy???
i hope that noynoy’s call for presidency is not just for people’s clamor or urges but for a purpose of serving our countrymen in a right way and follow his parents’footsteps.
very touching indeed.. Vote wisely guyz
indeed…a great Filipino and a great dad!!
We need a president with a heart of it..the one with conscience…hindi natin kailangan ng pangulo na pakapalan lng ng mukha ang laging pinapakita!!