August 21 as Ninoy Aquino Day, marks the day when former Senator Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino stepped out of the plane amid 2,000 military and police personnel on the Tarmac and was gunned down at the Manila International Airport.

Aquino was popularly known for his daring criticisms during former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s regime, frequently challenging the latter’s dictatorship, making him the most powerful political opposition leader during Martial Law in the Philippines.

Today, as the Philippines continuously remembers his death anniversary, DZRH Online takes you back to Aquino’s works that are sculpted in the nation’s history.

NINOY AS A JOURNALIST

Aquino had already established himself as a journalist for the Manila Times Newspaper at the age of 17 when he was posted as a correspondent in Korea in 1950.

Aquino was given the Philippine Legion of Honor, Officer Degree, by then President Elpidio Quirino for his remarkable and notable service with the Philippine Expeditionary Force during the Korean War.

The Manila Times deployed him to Indo-China as a foreign correspondent in Southeast Asia in 1952, and he covered the closing moments of French colonialism in Asia at Dien Bien Phu.

Later, he was deployed to cover General Templar's British counter-insurgency efforts.

Despite entering politics, he continued to work as a journalist, contributing "perspective articles" to magazines such as "Foreign Affairs Quarterly" and "Pacific Community." When he became a Senator, he continued to work as a journalist, hosting a weekly television news analysis show called "Insight" until his imprisonment in 1972 by the persons in charge of the Martial Law regime.

In 1954, he became President Ramon Magsaysay's Special Assistant, and he was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor, Commander Degree, for his "exemplary meritorious service" to the Filipino people in negotiating the coverage of Huk Supremo Luis Taruc on May 16, 1954.

During the presidency of then-President Carlos P. Garcia in 1957, Aquino also became his special assistant and received an award for services in the peace and order campaign.

NINOY AS A PUBLIC SERVANT

Even while in public service, Aquino continued to impress. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in the field of public service in 1960. In 1964, he represented the Philippines in the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA) Conference in Korea, and he became a spokesperson at the Afro-Asian Conference in Algiers, Africa.

In 1966, he worked as a project director for a joint effort of the National Economic Council and the United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) to enhance rural income in Tarlac.

In the 1970s, Aquino traveled to countries such as Indonesia, the United States, and Japan as the Philippine delegate to several conferences.

Even while in public service, Aquino continued to impress. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in the field of public service in 1960. In 1964, he represented the Philippines in the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA) Conference in Korea, and he became a spokesperson at the Afro-Asian Conference in Algiers, Africa.

In 1966, he worked as a project director for a joint effort of the National Economic Council and the United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) to enhance rural income in Tarlac.

In the 1970s, Aquino traveled to countries such as Indonesia, the United States, and Japan as the Philippine delegate to several conferences.

NINOY AS THE "WONDER BOY" OF THE PHILIPPINE POLITICS

At a young age, Aquino established a career not just in the media but also in politics. In 1955, at the age of 22, he was elected as the youngest mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac. He was also elected as the youngest vice governor at the age of 27, governor of his hometown, Tarlac, at the age of 31, and made history by becoming the youngest elected senator at the age of 35, surviving the election sweep made by Marcos Sr.’s Nacionalista Party from the Liberal Party.

While serving as a senator, Aquino became the author of multiple speeches and numerous essays. He also drafted and co-authored various bills that were introduced and passed by Congress to benefit the general public.

Following his legislative stint, Aquino was named one of the country's most outstanding senators by the Philippine Free Press magazine.

Civic groups and organizations are still fighting to commemorate "the" Ninoy Aquino's legacy. Despite the fact that decades have gone by, memories of Aquino linger in the hearts of Filipinos who watched his courage in confronting the dictatorship and serving the country truthfully.