THE exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., Ninoy, My Hero commemorated the 28th anniversary of his heroic death on August 21 at the SM Megamall Atrium.

No less than Senator Aquino’s son and namesake, His Excellency President Aquino, graced the event, which was organized by the Edsa People Power Commission in partnership with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the SM Supermalls.

The event highlighted the yellow and black colors of the People Power movement, with yellow swags and a banner with Senator Aquino’s immortal quote, ‘The Filipino Is Worth Dying For,’ wrapped around the circular second and third floors of the Atrium.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., as well as many members of the Aquino Cabinet-Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Hermino Coloma, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman-paid tribute to this extraordinary man.

Members of the Aquino family were also present-the president’s sister Pinky Aquino-Abelleda with husband Manolo and son Miguel, along with nephew Josh and Ninoy’s brothers and sisters Butz and Paul Aquino, and Ditas Aquino-Valdez and Tessie Aquino-Oreta.

Ninoy, My Hero was also a reunion of sorts of People Power stalwarts-Sen. Serge Osmeña III, former Sen. Wigberto Tanada, Napoleon Rama, former NCCA Chairman Cecille Alvarez, Edsa People Power Commissioner Jose Pardo, and Maria Montelibano. Other guests included Rep

Lorenzo Tanada III, former Rep. Robert Jaworski Jr., Navotas Mayor John Reynal Tiangco, and Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte. SM officials led by SM Investments Corporation Vice Chairman Tessie Sy-Coson welcomed them.

The program featured touching film clips of the late senator-from his speeches in the US to his funeral, which were flashed while Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and his singers sang poignant songs that defined the People Power movement ‘Bayan Ko,’ ‘Impossible Dream,’ ‘I Fell in Love with the Same Woman Three Times’ -the latter a song based on the poem Senator Aquino wrote to his wife Cory.

The Ninoy, My Hero exhibit features some of the most memorable photographs of the late senator, many of them taken by Bullit Marquez of the Associated Press.

It highlights the diverse aspects of Ninoy’s life and also illustrates a vibrant portrait of Filipino heroism-showing how heroism entails sacrifice, and why these sacrifices are so important in this time of our nation’s history. Ninoy as hero is also depicted in the works of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, Boboy Yonzon, Norman Isaac, Stanley Chi and Manny Francisco. 

Ninoy, My Hero is one of the many exciting projects of SM in partnership with the Edsa People Power Commission. It tours the various SM Malls nationwide.