21/08/2025
๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ข๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ค๐จ๐๐ก๐ข
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), with the support of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), led the commemoration of the 42nd Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Senator Benigno โNinoyโ Aquino, Jr. this morning, 21 August 2025, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Paraรฑaque City.
Wreaths were offered by Senator Paolo Benigno โBamโ A. Aquino IV (Bam Aquino), NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr., Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) Executive Director Carmelo Victor A. Crisanto, MIAA Public Relations Chief Feliciana J. Santos with New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation Assistant Terminal Manager Apolonio Mendoza, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Ma. Cristina V. Rodriguez, ATOM - August Twenty-One Movement President Volt Bohol, Dr. Michael Charleston "Xiao" Chua for NAMSERV, Ms. Rebecca Quijano for the Joaquin "Chino" P. Roces Foundation, and Mrs. Cecille Guidote-Alvarez of the Earthsaver DREAMS Ensemble.
This program is part of a series of activities organized for the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day by various organizations.
Senator Benigno โNinoyโ Aquino, Jr. was a leading opposition figure during the Martial Law period. After an almost decade long period of incarceration, he went into exile in the United States to undergo urgent surgery and later rehabilitation. During his exile, he continued to champion for the rescission of Martial Law and the return of democratic rule in his homeland. On 21 August 1983, he returned from exile and was arrested by state forces upon arrival at the then-Manila International Airport.
While he was being moved into custody, he was assassinated at the tarmac of the airport which would later be renamed in his memory. His death is widely recognized as a watershed moment in the history of Martial Law in the Philippines and is often cited as one of the early manifestations of People Power after millions of Filipinos from all walks of life participated in his funeral procession. In 2004, Republic Act No. 9256 proclaimed 21 August of every year as Ninoy Aquino Day which is a special nationwide non-working holiday.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research, and publications, and to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.