The Brave Dare Not To Be A Hero

The date was August 21, 1983 when Senator Ninoy Aquino came back to the Philippines after an exile from the United Sates. He came home as they "to face the music." And dance to the dance ex-President Ferdie Marcos and Madam Imelda wanted him to do. Ninoy was willing to accept what the dictator was going to do to punish him. And had hoped later on to unite the opposition and the administration. But, Imelda had other plans for Ninoy. She felt that Ninoy's coming could derail her ambition to succeed her husband as President. That was what many thought at that time. And to make sure Ninoy would not become the president instead, was to assasinate him right on the airport tarmac that now bears his name (the NAIA-Ninoy Aquino International Airport).

During those days following the assasination, many Filipinos think that there was a conspiracy. The only problem with this thinking was there was no evidence to connect the Marcoses to this henious crime, although, a few military soldiers (or fall guys) are right now still in prison. The event has similarities with the assasination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas, U.S.A. Both had the alleged assasins killed that until now we will never know the truth.

As a result this showed the worst and the best of the Filipinos. I will not mention the bad ones, I instead would praise the best Filipinos who came out to finally do something about injustice and unhappiness they felt was caused by an unjust dictator. For days after the assasination, Ninoy Aquino was given a funral march that started at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City and passed thru four cities ending up at the Manila Memorial Park. I was a witness of these events, one of the many who felt silenced by the tyrant for many years, only to come out now, to show support to what Ninoy had referred to the Filipinos that "they are worth dying for." Many joined the march, came out in the streets leaving their offices even if they shouldn't because it was a workday. At the Jose Rizal Monument at Luneta Park in Manila, as the march passed by it, showed just how many were there to show their grieve and there were thousands or even millions of Filipinos that day. I was in front of the flagpole having joined the march at Banawe Street, but has to stopped walking along before it reach Makati because it started to rain and I was worried, after all I had to go back to teach the next day. Many would finish at the memorial park.

These events led to the famous February 1986 ouster of the hated dictator from Malacanang Palace. All of these beacuse of a man the Marcosed thought they could put aside out of the history books, but, instead, is now considered a martyr or even a national hero comparable to Dr. Jose Rizal. It just shows that a man can be brave enough to change something evil. He doesn't have or even consider himself or herself a hero, as long as there many who's wiling to do the same, they could succeed to make themselves better and once again proud individuals. Ninoy was indeed brave, but, didn't certainly wanted to die, cause for him a dead hero cannot help his countrymen to change their nation. That's why he looked really scared the soldiers when they approached inside the plane before being led in the arm as they walked out the exit door down to the tarmac. And think he was right. May your brave spirit remain in us, not only when August 21 comes each year.

People Are The Same

The other day my older brother left Manila for Brazil on a government assignment. I wish him the best and happiness while he's there. And good health to my sister-in-law. While there they'll experience firsthand a different culture and get to know other people who they will encounter as they have in his past trips to other countries. That being said, in my own observation, I find that people are the same wherever they may live or where they come from originally.

In my work at car dealerships that I've worked, I learnt by just talking and asking questions that we all share the same fears, hope, aspirations for a better live and the importance of family, friends and the need to know other people. May they be Swedish, Polish, German, Peruvian, Chilean (I don't if that's right), Chinese, Indian, Mexicans or Filipinos. We all want to know about each other's people or countries. And I feel that diversity here really works, not just tolerance as some think as a means of getting along with each other. One has to have an open mind and not stereotype people. Or prejudice others just because of their color or stature. All we need is start with a comment about the weather or about cars.

And that is what's great about America, we all consider ourselves equal. One may be a wealthy businessman from Rancho Santa Fe, a realtor from Solana Beach or a Marine soldier stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, in most places or situations, one cannot say I am better than the guy standing next him or her. One may drive a Mercedes Benz or a beat up Ford truck or Japanese import, it doesn't matter, we all can truly feel the same, unique and matter in our own way. Color and age doesn't matter also, as long as we respect each other that each deserve to co-exist and enjoy what this bountiful country has to offer to everyone who work hard and deserve in so doing.

People in the world have to realize that we need each other. People needs to learn each others cultures. All these can be done by asking:"Nice weather we're having!" Go ahead start a conversation. Ask a stranger. Truthfully asking questions what we really what to know. Wars have been started because of miscommunication or good intention. We are all the same. We used to joke:"It's raining, aren't we?"