Minority Report

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

This scene is somewhere north of Dumaguete. The statue is supposed to represent Ninoy Aquino, although I wouldn’t have known that at first glance. It’s true that the glasses make it clear that Ninoy is intended, but the posture, the expression on the statue’s face, is very un-Aquino.

Of course, I didn’t know him personally; but I did know people who knew him well, and had various opinions about him. This was around 1975.

Marcos seized dictatorial power over the Philippines in September 1972. He at once arrested and imprisoned Aquino, his strongest opponent. Fearing the same treatment for themselves, many powerful and wealthy Filipinos fled to America, often without funds.

Many of these people became anonymous exiles in San Francisco, working at minor jobs in the city, and it was there that I got to know some of them. We would go out for coffee after work, and I would hear them arguing about someone called “Ninoy”– they all knew him, and had strong feelings about him, ranging from admiration to contempt.

At that time a secret plot to rescue him and several others from Fort Bonifacio had succeeded; but when they came to Ninoy’s cell to free him, he absolutely refused to leave! He said that by remaining in prison as a symbol, he could be a stronger force against Marcos than if he were set free.

Opinions around the coffee table were divided about this. Some said Ninoy was courageous, and right to remain; but others, particularly those involved in the rescue plot, said he had developed a “martyr complex”, had become “jail crazy”, and it was pointless to try to help him.

Crazy or not, he did finally become a martyr. He didn’t want to die, but he was willing to take that risk. Like Rizal before him, death came to him from people who happened to hold the power — dull, arrogant people who thought they could get away with anything. Unlike them, Ninoy was a very serious and intelligent man.

But you’d never know that, looking at this statue. Here, he just looks stupid. He is portrayed as a typical “Trapo”: stiff, over-fed and self-satisfied, facing the public with squinty eyes and a false, fat smile.

Just like the people who killed him.

No one knows what Ninoy would have become, had he lived; but he certainly would have looked better than this.

(Back to MetroPost HOME PAGE)

Latest news

RoRo route to open June 20

    All is set for the start of the roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) operations on Friday, June 20 at the Tambobo...

LWUA to DCWD: Help Siquijor

    The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has coordinated with the Dumaguete City Water District to help address the power...

Tourism darling in crisis

    In recent months, Siquijor has basked in the glow of social media fame, its enchanting beaches, mystical trails, and...

Valentino Sitoy Jr.’s Story of Dumaguete

  This column celebrates the vibrant literary culture and heritage of Dumaguete City, in anticipation of its bid to be...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

250 to join Dauin dive fest

    Around 250 scuba diving enthusiasts are expected to take part in the Dauin Dive Festival in Dauin, Negros Oriental,...

DOLE releases P1.75M for TUPAD

    The Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Oriental Field Office released on Thursday more than P1.75 million in cash-for-work assistance...

Must read

RoRo route to open June 20

    All is set for the start of the roll-on,...

LWUA to DCWD: Help Siquijor

    The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has coordinated with...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you