00:00 Yellow flowers and ribbons surrounded the statue of former Senator Ninoy Aquino this Sunday.
00:06 These were from relatives, friends and supporters of the former lawmaker.
00:10 They also handed out flowers to motorists a day before the 40th death anniversary of Aquino,
00:16 one of the country's prominent icons of democracy.
00:19 A few months before he was assassinated at the airport that now bears his name.
00:24 He uttered the now famous line that the Filipino is worth dying for.
00:28 Kiko D, one of Aquino's grandchildren, said if there's one thing he's sure about his grandfather,
00:34 it was Ninoy's unwavering love for the country.
00:37 The reason why Grandpa Ninoy sacrificed himself is because he really wanted to make his Filipino life great.
00:44 He was so happy to be a Filipino and to be with the people.
00:48 Maybe that kind of personal love for the people is what we will feel this season of August.
00:57 For some supporters of the late Senator, Filipinos owe him our freedom.
01:02 They said the death of Aquino on August 21, 1983 paved the way for different movements against the Marcos dictatorship,
01:10 eventually leading to the People Power Revolution in February 1986.
01:15 Ninoy, of course, is the one who brought the freedom of the Philippines back to life.
01:22 If not for him, we wouldn't have this fervor for nationalism and unity.
01:34 So we owe a lot to Ninoy Aquino.
01:37 He did so much for the country, more than anyone's done in recent history.
01:41 And I think we have to remember that from the time that he died until today, nothing really has changed.
01:49 They're still back in power again, and we haven't felt the change that I think he wanted to be done to the country.
01:58 According to Ninoy's family and supporters, all Filipinos should embody Ninoy's courage in our lives.
02:05 On Monday, several activities arranged by different groups are expected to be held at the tomb of Ninoy and his wife,
02:12 former President Corazon Aquino, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parangyaki City.
02:17 A mass will also be held at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.
02:22 Christy Dimatulak, CNN Philippines.
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