PNoy to commemorate father Ninoy's bday privately

Activities have been lined up to commemorate the 78th birth anniversary of slain former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. on Saturday, but his son, President Benigno Aquino III, is likely to mark the occasion privately and solemnly, Malacañang said Thursday. "Several activities remembering the martyred senator’s birth anniversary are slated on Saturday, but the President chose to observe a private and solemn commemoration," the Palace said in a statement. The Benigno S. Aquino Foundation said President Aquino and the Aquino family will have a private family Mass in a still undisclosed venue. On the other hand, the Foundation and non-governmental organizations will hold the first–ever “Yellow Sale" from Friday to Sunday at La Plaza in Tendesitas in Pasig City. The event aims to promote micro-entrepreneurship and social enterprise as facets of “People Power." In Manila, the city government will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Sen. Aquino outside the Intramuros walls, across the historic Manila Hotel. The late Senator Aquino was born in Tarlac from a highly respected family that had long been involved in politics. His paternal grandfather, General Servillano Aquino, was a famed revolutionary who fought the Spaniards and then the Americans at the turn of the century. His father, Benigno Aquino Sr. was a House Speaker and then a senator. At a very young age, Ninoy became mayor of his hometown Concepcion, then Governor of Tarlac, then Senator of the Republic. As Senator, he was a staunch defender of human rights and became a top critic of the Marcos administration. He was imprisoned during Martial Law. In 1980, Ninoy was allowed to fly to the United States along with his family to seek medical treatment for his heart ailment. He spent three years in the U.S. Despite advice from friends not to return, he decided to come home after learning of the deteriorating political situation in the Philippines. He was shot dead on Aug. 21, 1983 at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport. The airport has since been named after him. "His death paved the way for his wife Cory to continue what he had left behind – the battle for the restoration of freedom and democracy," the Palace said. "Twenty-seven years after his death, Ninoy continues to inspire the Filipinos to take up the challenge of restoring freedom and trust in the country’s democratic system," it added. - KBK, GMANews.TV