“We are losing our soul as a nation”, an official of the Federation of Urban Poor (FedUP) said during a program to mark the 40th death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino in front of his monument at Araneta Avenue in Bacolod City on Monday morning, August 21.
The celebration was attended by about 80 FedUP members clad in yellow, who laid flowers at the foot of Aquino’s statue and sang “Ang Bayan Ko”, “Ako ay Pilipino” and “Magkaisa”.
It was reminiscent of the ”People Power Revolution” days that were triggered by the assassination of Aquino on his return to the Philippines from exile in the United States on August 21, 1983, Joy Jarabelo, FedUp provincial coordinator, said.
Francis Carreon, FedUP board member, in his speech recalled the dark days of martial law that came to an end following the death of Aquino.
Aquino’s death triggered widespread non-violent protests that led to the ouster of then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and respect for the Filipino people among nations, Carreon said.
“But here we are now 40 years after Aquino’s death losing our soul as a nation,” Carreon said, citing the growing apathy among Filipinos.
He also said there is insensitivity among those in government to the plight of the poor, and aggressiveness among those who foment hate, fighting and lies.
FedUP President Arlene Caromayan said they had gathered ”to honor the man who gave his life for the restoration of democracy and dismantling of martial law in our country”.
“We are also challenged today to be like Ninoy to call out the people in power who do not do their work and leave the people suffering from sky rocketing prices,” she said*