Ninoy Rites Turn to the Youth



Twenty one years after the assassination of Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino, Jr. on August 21, 1983, former President Corazon C. Aquino noted the emergence of a new generation of Filipinos and declared that it was time to engage the youth more intensively in keeping her husband’s legacy alive.
Speaking before an intimate gathering of “People Power” veterans and contemporary youth leaders in Makati, Mrs. Aquino mentioned several youth organizations that have been doing good work in their respective fields and communities. Among these exemplary groups are the Ayala Young Leaders Congress; the Metrobank Alumni Scholars for Service, Excellence and Transformation or ASSET; the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines alumni; the Children’s Music Library Inc. – Junior Council Alumni Association; Tuklas Katutubo; the Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay – Pag-Asa Youth Association of the Philippines; and the Students’ Actions Vital to the Environment and Mother Earth or SAVE ME.
In line with her pledge to continue seeking out other organizations that are blazing trails in people empowerment, these youth groups were among the organizations Mrs. Aquino sought after initially identifying 20 organizations in last years’ commemoration.
Early this year, she got the chance to interact with the Youth Alliance Philippines (YAP), consisting of various youth organizations determined to do their share in nation-building. YAP volunteers launched a nationwide campaign to educate voters about their rights, encourage first-time voters to register, and assist in the election quick count last May.
“It has been most gratifying interacting with the youth,” Mrs. Aquino said. “Their optimism, their excellence, and their commitment to our country give me much hope for the future. But there are still thousands of other youth organizations, and millions of other young people out there whom we must reach.
In her brief speech, Mrs. Aquino also said that together with youth organizations she hopes to visit schools and communities where the youth are gathered. She invited the generation who shared the struggle in the past to do the same. She said, “We must go to where they are and speak to them in their language. We must try to inspire them to lead useful lives and serve society as People Power People.”
In a symbolic ceremony, Mrs. Aquino shared the democratic flame with representatives of PPP-Youth groups and the YAP to mark the new level of commitment of young Filipinos to the ideals of People Power. Through the Institute for People Power and Development, the Aquino Foundation will formally engage many youth groups in diverse initiatives to uplift the lives of their respective communities.
Along this challenge, a People Power roadshow is being planned to give contemporary student and youth leaders a chance to interact and share perspectives with youth leaders of the past who were at the forefront of the struggle to restore democracy. “Youth leaders of our generation were focused on dismantling authoritarian structures, but today young Filipinos need to help in building our democratic institutions,” Rafael Lopa, Aquino Foundation executive director, explained. “It would be great to have an inter-generational meeting of minds to see how the youth can best participate in moving our country forward.”
During the short program, Mrs. Aquino also awarded a posthumous Certificate of Appreciation from the Aquino Foundation to communication specialist Caloy Abrera for his immense contribution to the revival of democratic institutions. Abrera is also credited for having conceived the People Power People movement as a way of enticing and recognizing groups which undertake sustainable initiatives to help communities help themselves. Emily Abrera, former chairperson and CEO of McCann Erickson Philippines, accepted the tribute for her late husband. *