Aug. 21, 1983

No matter the direction of the country’s political winds, there is an unwavering place for Ninoy Aquino in Philippine history, writ in stone and in a multitude of memories. 

I believe the powers-that-be, even ratings-sensitive politicians, recognize and respect that. For instance, I think moves to change the name of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, upon whose tarmac Ninoy was slain, may not prosper anytime soon. Perhaps never?

I had never met Ninoy Aquino and the first time I saw him was when he was lying bloodied and bruised in his coffin at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. I was a fresh UP Journalism graduate then, and I had lined up for hours for a glimpse of the man I had only heard of.

We were having a sumptuous lunch on the Sunday an uncle called to say, “Binaril si Ninoy.”

Several days later I was at the Sto. Domingo Church, where I thought I would be crushed amid the throng that wanted to pay their last respects to the slain opposition leader. 

Thank God I lived to tell my tale, and even that of his widow Cory Aquino, who I had the privilege to serve during her presidency.

I was also privileged to interview Cory on Ninoy’s 20th death anniversary in 2003, six years before she passed away from cancer.

***

Cory told me that when Ninoy left Boston for Manila on Aug. 12, 1983 (taking a circuitous route for security reasons), she and eldest daughter Ballsy made him promise to call as soon as he could when he touched down in Manila.

Ninoy’s China Airlines flight was estimated to arrive in Manila around noon of Aug. 21, 1983.

Thus, Cory was hoping to get a call from Manila at around 1 a.m., Boston time. But the clock was ticking away and the much-awaited call seemed long in coming. 

Ballsy left the room she shared with a sister and went to her parents’ room. She lay down on her father’s side of the bed, the side near the telephone, and waited. She found that her mother was still awake, too. And waiting.

Then the phone rang. 

Someone from the Kyodo news agency in New York was asking Ballsy for confirmation about her father’s assassination. Just like that.

“Where did you get this story?” Ballsy recalled asking the caller when I interviewed her on her