Islander in the City

I was introduced to Ninoy from the opposite side of the fence – as I was then a Marcos boy. I belonged to the last batch of Kabataang Barangay leaders, and as such, I looked forward to a career in politics under the tutelage of mentors who revered the Apo.

I thus knew Ninoy to be not as heroic as he is pictured today. I thought of him as the rebel-villain – the nemesis of my idol. I fear him as the spoiler, someone out to mess with my then clearly-planned future.

And he did! Had he not died, there would have been no Cory fever, no revolutionary government. It was during the reign of the OICs when I was stopped from assuming the Provincial Board seat for the youth. I was then but a high school student. Imagine my deep resentment for the unfortunate turn of events.

My frustrations drove me to Manila for college (instead of UP Tacloban where I was already admitted). But it was there when eye-openers came my way. Exposed to militant organizations, I began to value the dreams that Ninoy fought for. Stories I haven’t heard from my mentors started to creep into my consciousness and changed many of my prejudices. In the end, I knew to whom history would be kinder.

Now, I am saluting Ninoy as a true hero of our time.

And on a personal note, no regrets really. I realized politics is not really my cup of tea. I’d rather be just another Ninoy. I am.