A TRUE LOVE STORY


BENIGNO "NINOY" AQUINO, JR.

"Ninoy", as Filipinos remember this name of a great man; the youngest municipal mayor at age 22, the nation's youngest vice-governor at 27, governor of Tarlac province in 1961 at age 29, secretary-general of the Liberal Party in 1966. In 1967 he made history in the Philippines by becoming the youngest elected senator at age 34. A Philippine Senator who became a leader of the opposition to the rule of Ferdinand Marcos. He was exiled in the United States in 1980, yet upon returning home , on August 21, 1983, he was assassinated at the Manila International Airport with a fatally shot in the head as he was escorted off the airplane.

MARIA CORAZON "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino

President Cory Aquino served as the 11th President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992.

After her husband (Benigno Aquino, Jr.) was assassinated in 1983, she was drafted to run against Marcos in the 1986 snap presidential elections. After Marcos was proclaimed the winner despite widespread reports of electoral fraud, Cory was installed as President by the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution.

In Senator Aquino's honor, the Manila International Airport (MIA) where he was assassinated was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and his image is printed on the Philippines' 500-peso bill.

Today, (August 1, 2009) at 3:18 AM, Cory Aquino died at the age of 76 after a year long battle with colon cancer, which had spread to other organs.

Filipinos are mourning for the death of a beloved democracy icon who swept away a dictator and fought off seven coup attempts. A lot of reporters, writers, and even bloggers, are writing about the political career of the couple. But yours truly would like to take this opportunity in writing more about a true love story. A love story so pure when a man have loved a woman of his life not only once, but thrice in his lifetime. A national hero whose courage is immeasurable and undoubted for he fought for democracy and risked his life for his battle and of Filipinos' freedom from Marcos's dictatorship. And this man kept in his heart a love so true that he put all his emotions into words in writing a poem for the only love of his heart; his wife. Very rare to have a man who could be honest of his feelings to tell his wife how grateful he is for having her not just a wife, but a friend and a mother of his children, and most of all, his partner in life. After reading Ninoy's love letter for Cory, after absorbing the words of the poem he lovingly dedicated to his beloved wife, I can't find words to describe how a woman could possible feel having a man like him whose love for his country, for his people, for her, is priceless.

Below is a copy of the poem and of the letter in memory of a true love story of one Ninoy & Cory Aquino, whose lives and love have left a good memory to all of us. May their souls rest in peace with our Lord Almighty.

“I Have Fallen In Love With The Same Woman Three Times”

I have fallen in love
with the same woman three times;
In a day spanning 19 years
of tearful joys and joyful tears.
I loved her first when she was young,
enchanting and vibrant, eternally new.
She was brilliant, fragrant,
and cool as the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time;
when first she bore her child and mine
always by my side, the source of my strength,
helping to turn the tide.

But there were candles to burn
the world was my concern;
while our home was her domain.
and the people were mine
while the children were hers to maintain;

So it was in those eighteen years and a day.
’till I was detained; forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support;
source of comfort,
our wellspring of Hope.
On her shoulders felt the burden of Life.

I fell in love again,
with the same woman the third time.
Looming from the battle,
her courage will never fade

Amidst the hardships she has remained,
undaunted and unafraid.
she is calm and composed,
she is God’s lovely maid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukn3qEpdAr0



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQ83LttyD8


My Dearest Cory,

In a few hours I shall be embarking on an uncertain fate, which may well be the end of a long struggle. I slept well last night for the first time since I left Boston -- maybe because I'm just plain tired or I'm really at peace with myself. I want to tell you many things but time is running out and I do not have any machine. After a few more paragraphs, my penmanship will be illegible.

All the things I want to tell you may be capsulized in one line - - I love you! You've stood by me in my most trying moments and there were times I was very hard on you. But if anyone will ever understand me, it is you, and I know you will always find it in your heart to forgive -- and unfair and ironic as it is -- it is because of this thought and belief that I often took you for granted.

Early on I knew I was not meant to make money -- so I won't be able to leave anything to the children. I did what I thought I could do best, which is public service, and I hope our people in time will appreciate my sacrifices. This would be my legacy to the children. I may not bequeath them material wealth but I leave them a tradition which can be priceless.

I realize I've been very stingy with praise and appreciation for all your efforts -- but though unsaid -- you know that as far I'm concerned, you are the best. That's why we've lasted this long. There will only be one thing in the world I will never accept -- that you love me more than I love you -- because my love for you though unarticulated will never be equaled.

If all goes well I should be back in my cell before sundown. Should I be detained do not rush to get home. Take your time and enjoy a side trip to Europe with the girls.

I'll try to call you tonight if the authorities will allow me. Otherwise just remember me in your dreams.

Love,
Ninoy