Instagram confession: Hontiveros considered Ninoy Aquino a trapo but realized his death showed unwavering love for Filipinos

When she was young, Senator Risa Hontiveros was not exactly a fan of then Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

In an Instagram post, Hontiveros admitted that when she was a student leader, she thought Aquino was a “trapo.” She however changed her mind about Aquino, realizing his ultimate sacrifice showed his love for Filipinos. Now a senator, Hontiveros extols the heroism of Aquino and how it should inspire Filipinos to reject oppression.

The senator shared on Instagram her story on the fateful day when Aquino, a vocal opponent of then President Marcos, was assassinated at the Manila airport on August 21, 1983

“On August 21, 1983, some of my Ateneo Sanggu Central Boardmates mobilized to meet Ninoy Aquino at the airport. I was one of those who had objected to meeting him because I felt that he was a trapo and had not fought with us the previous years,” she wrote.

“I had many opinions of Ninoy, but then I realized when they killed him that he had returned to the Philippines knowing well the risks. He ultimately was willing to give up his one and only life,” she said.

Hontiveros said Aquino stood true his words that the Filipino was worth dying for. “On that day, Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. The rest, as they say, is history – and it became part of my personal history, too,” she said.

Hontiveros won’t forget the tragedy and the inspiration of Aquino’s death just like the many who died for the nation. She remembers these sacrifices whenever she works as a citizen and as a senator.

“Deaths like these are built on extraordinary hope and an unwavering love for the Filipino. Ito’y mga kamatayang bumuhay sa bansang nagkaisa laban sa diktador. Mga kamatayang bumuhay sa nasyonalismo, ng ating pagmamahal sa bayan at kapwa Pilipino,” she said.

She hopes Aquino’s heroism would challenge Filipinos “to never accept the oppression and suffering as a given.” She also said Aquino’s sacrifice may inspire Filipinos to work and hope for “a future that works for all.”

View this post on Instagram

This is my personal story of that fateful day, 37 years ago. On August 21, 1983, some of my Ateneo Sanggu Central Boardmates mobilized to meet Ninoy Aquino at the airport. I was one of those who had objected to meeting him because I felt that he was a trapo and had not fought with us the previous years. I had many opinions of Ninoy, but then I realized when they killed him that he had returned to the Philippines knowing well the risks. He ultimately was willing to give up his one and only life. He had said the Filipino was worth dying for, and he stood true to his words. On that day, Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. The rest, as they say, is history – and it became part of my personal history, too. I will never forget the tragedy and the inspiration of Ninoy’s death as we must not forget the many who have died for us. Deaths like these are built on extraordinary hope and an unwavering love for the Filipino. Ito’y mga kamatayang bumuhay sa bansang nagkaisa laban sa diktador. Mga kamatayang bumuhay sa nasyonalismo, ng ating pagmamahal sa bayan at kapwa Pilipino. I try to remember these sacrifices every day I wake up to do my work as a citizen and as a senator. There was fear that day, 37 years ago. But there was also anger and a passionate desire to do something because things should not remain the same. Today, we are met with similar challenges. In the middle of a global pandemic, we are faced with threats to our democracy and liberties. Killing has become part of our daily language and we wake up with deaths by the thousands. Nakakatakot ang karahasang pumapaligid. Ngunit mas nakakatakot kung magmanhid tayo dito. Naniniwala akong pati si Ninoy noon ay natakot din minsan. But let us remember that the greatest act of hope is to return, even in uncertainty. May Ninoy’s heroism challenge us to never accept the oppression and suffering as a given, to always be inspired by the Filipino and work towards building a future that works for all, and lastly, even if it meant fearful uncertainty, to hope. Dreams, after all, are most vivid in the dark.

A post shared by Risa Hontiveros (@hontiverosrisa) on Aug 20, 2020 at 6:50pm PDT

The post Instagram confession: Hontiveros considered Ninoy Aquino a trapo but realized his death showed unwavering love for Filipinos first appeared on Latest Philippine politics news today.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)