The 26th death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr. was observed Friday with masses, wreath-laying, and prayer rallies.

In a mass at the St. John Bosco Parish in Makati City, the life and times of his wife, former President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino were likewise remembered for her considerable contributions to the restoration of democracy in the country.

Responding to the praises heaped upon her parents, Pinky Aquino Abellada, the Aquinos’ second daughter, said that paying tribute to their father is tantamount to honoring their equally heroic mother, who died last August 1 after months of battling colon cancer.

“It was a little easier for us when Dad died in 1983 because Mom was there to check on us. But now that we are ‘ulilang lubos,’ we just have to help one another to ease [the pain of grieving],” Pinky said.

She was referring to her sisters Ballsy Aquino Cruz, Viel Aquino Dee, and Kris Aquino Yap, and brother Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Kris, who was reportedly sick, was absent during the mass, while Noynoy was at De La Salle University.

Pinky said their mother brought out the best in their father during his troubled lifetime.

“When Dad was imprisoned, he was able to survive all the trials because of Mom’s strength. If Mom had not been strong and instead told him, ‘Sumuko ka na lang, Ninoy,’ talaga pong hindi tatagal ang Dad ng seven years and seven months in prison,” Pinky said, recalling Ninoy’s detention in Fort Bonifacio.

Pinky said her parents’ legacy should inspire the public to defend the country’s democracy by voting for worthy public servants.

The Aquino family thanked WBA Interim super-flyweight boxing champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who offered his recent boxing victory in honor of their mother.

Donaire presented to the Aquino family his yellow robe with the inscription “I. M. O. (in memory of) former President Cory Aquino” at the back.

Ballsy said Donaire’s title-winning garments, except the championship belt which Donaire kept, will be displayed at the Aquino Museum at the family-owned Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

In turn, Viel gave Donaire and his wife Rachel a colorful tote bag featuring one of Cory’s paintings.

Also at the mass were US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Sen. Mar Roxas and fiancée Korina Sanchez, Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. and wife Gina, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and son Junjun, former Sen. Franklin Drilon, and Mrs. Aquino’s former Cabinet members.

In Parañaque City, hundreds of people wearing yellow shirts gathered at the Manila Memorial Park to attend a mass on Ninoy’s death anniversary.

After the 8 a.m. mass, LP members lit candles and offered flowers on the tombs of Ninoy and the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. Flowers from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former President Joseph Estrada, and from the Liberal Party were placed beside the tomb of the couple.

Some of those who attended the mass at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaaue were Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Rodofo Biazon, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Akbayan Rep. Risa Baraquel Hontiveros, and former DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman.

Simultaneous masses were also celebrated yesterday in the Makati, Manila, and Tagaytay.

President Arroyo Friday chose to stay in Malacañang and remember the country's hero in her own little way. The President offered a mass in honor of Aquino at the Malacañang chapel Friday morning, according to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

On the eve of Aquino’s 26th death anniversary, the President watched a documentary on the life and martyrdom of the late senator at the Bahay Pangarap in Malacañang Park.

The President watched the film with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Aquino's sister Lupita Kashiwahara, and some cabinet members Thursday night.

The advanced screening of the documentary titled “A Man of Peace: Ninoy” was organized by Kashiwara, Remonde said.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led wreath-laying rites at the foot of Ninoy’s statue at the corner of Roxas Blvd. and P. Burgos in Manila Friday morning. Lim led some 200 people in laying the wreath decked with while and yellow flowers.

Aquino's second daughter Aurora Corazon "Pinky" Aquino Abellada, his sister Tessie Aquino Oreta, and his brother Agapito "Butz" Aquino attended the ceremony. Also present in the wreath-laying ceremony were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and former Senator Heherson Alvarez.

Mayor Lim said that a bridge and a hospital in Manila will be named after the late former President for Cory’s contribution in restoring democracy in the country.

He said city officials are considering changing the name of Lambingan Bridge in Sta. Ana district to President Corazon Aquino Bridge.

Lim disclosed that on Jan. 25 next year, a statue of Cory will stand beside that of the late senator. Present at the wreath-laying were Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino Abellada; Maur Lichauco, sister of Ninoy; Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita; National Historical Institute Chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo; NHI Executive Director Ludovico Badoy; former Sen. Heherson Alvarez, secretary of the Ninoy Aquino Movement-SERVE; former Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta; Christopher Carrion and Margie Juico, president and treasurer, respectively, of Spirit of EDSA.

Also in attendance were Rapa Lopa, executive director of the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation; Gemma Cruz-Araneta, vice president of historical and heritage commission; and department heads, barangay chairmen and school superintendents and students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and the City College of Manila (CCM) and city employees.

In Tagaytay City, officials and city residents remembered the sacrifices, courage, and patriotism of the senator and the president during the 45-minute commemoration at the Ninoy Aquino Monument Rotunda in the city’s Silang Crossing.

The commemoration was made with a reenactment of the death of Ninoy, music and citation of his and President Aquino's sacrifices and achievements for the country and the people.

Vice Mayor Celso P. de Castro led the brief and simple ceremonies in the absence of Mayor Abraham N. Tolentino who was reportedly sick. Also present were city councilors, local department heads, barangay officials, teachers and students of the City College of Tagaytay, and hundreds of residents.

"Let's follow the footsteps of Ninoy and Cory. They left a legacy that will always be remembered. Tagaytay loves Ninoy and Cory," said De Castro.

“Ninoy's courage was the courage of a true Filipino, the courage of a real hero," said Councilor Violeta C. Parra. "Ninoy awoke the slumbering spirit of patriotism 26 years ago. Today he wakes up again, but perhaps already joined by the similarly peaceful and democracy-loving spirit of his wife Cory Aquino.”

The highlights of the observance were the reenactment of Ninoy' death by students of the City College of Tagaytay, the message of Parra, wreath-laying ceremony, and the release of yellow balloons before the program ended.