August 2003. We were preparing to celebrate our St. Augustine’s Day, patron saint of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo. I remember, I was busy in school co-curricular activities. That time, I think there were very few people talking about the coming home of “Ninoy” Aquino, whom I never knew and I have no idea what’s the big deal about his return.
It was a ordinary August night until around 7pm, just a few blocks from our home in Divinagracia street, hundreds of makeshift homes and several businesses destroyed by a big fire along the old railroad tracks just behind La Paz public market in just few hours. I remember the La Paz Fire Station is the nearest station in the area, their only fire truck was late to response and when on the fire scene was never able to help because of the many reasons: no gasoline? no water pressure? you guess. Whatever might be their reason, for me that big piece of rusting metal, painted red, should had been in the junk shop years ago!
I remember also the biggest fire truck of the Iloilo Citizens Action Group (ICAG), a very active volunteer fire group in Iloilo City, was damaged when it crossed the railroad tracks in the wrong spot. Despite of the crippled truck, they were successful in controlling the spread of fire in east side of the area. These guys, for me were the real fire fighters, heroes of the day!
And that very night after our dinner, we have power outage because of the fire. My big brother, a college senior, explained to me the best way he could, the significance of Ninoy’s home coming. I still didn’t get it!
The next day (or days later), late in the afternoon, I heard in the radio “they killed him, they shot him, they killed Ninoy”. I didn’t remember who said that nor on what radio station, but I realized later, maybe months later, after the Agrava Commission, after Cory’s nomination, after the May 1984 Election, after the Comelec employees walkout, after the civil disobedience rallies, after all the prayer vigils, etc….and especially after EDSA, that it was the turning point in the Philippine’s political history. And I realized too that you don’t need to be in a fire fighters’ suit to become a hero!
And for those who believe…the story of stuggle and heroism never ends…
Farewell to Madam Corazon Aquino. May you rest in peace….
Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa Panginoong Diyos na ginawa niya akong isang Pilipino”– Cory Aquino, September 2008
website dedicated to Corazon Aquino: http://www.coryaquino.ph/index.htm
(photo sources: reuters, yahoo news, usmilitarypi.com )
Banog bird (local hawk) an endangered species found at the WVSU Wildlife and Conservation Park in Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao
Museo Iloilo, repository of Iloilo’s illustrious past play host today to the book launching of “Iloilo, the Most Noble City: History and Development 1566-1898.”
