The city government of Manila Saturday honored the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. by observing his 27th death anniversary with the theme, "The Filipino Is Worth Dying for."

City officials of Quezon City gave Aquino the same honors.

Present at the wreath-laying ceremonies in Intramuros were Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Ninoy's daughter "Ballsy" Aquino Cruz, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., First District Congressman Atong Asilo, Fifth District Congressman Amado Bagatsing, and the city councilors of Manila.

During the event, Lim recalled the ordeal of Ninoy and how he had been imprisoned for seven years and seven months despite his innocence.

"Wala siyang kasalanan (He had no fault)," Lim said. "Lumalaban lang siya sa karahasan ng Martial Law (He was only fighting the violence of Martial Law)."

He asked the people to try and put themselves in the shoes of the Aquino family, and imagine the pain of losing one's father simply because of a "frame-up."

But in her speech, Ballsy said that her family saw hope through pain. She narrated, "Tuwing palapit ang death anniversary ng aming ama, may nagtatanong kung may galit pa kami sa mga pumatay sa aming ama. Pero wala na sa amin 'yun, kasi napatawad na namin sila. Huwag na dapat isipin ang masasama, kundi isipin na lang ang mga positibo. Iniisip na lang namin na sa pagkamatay ng aming ama, bumalik ang demokrasya sa Pilipinas (Everytime our father's death anniversary draws near, people would ask us if there is still hate in our hearts. But there is no more hate; we have already forgiven them. We should no longer dwell on the bad things, but instead concentrate on the good. With our father's death, democracy was brought back to the country.)"

The city of Manila marks the death anniversary of Ninoy every year and the solemn gathering at the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Park in Intramuros Saturday made Filipinos remember the sacrifices and love the Aquino family had given the country.

In Quezon City, the family of Senator Benigno “Ninoy’’ Aquino Jr. and officials of the Quezon City government led the wreath laying ceremony at the monument at the corner of Quezon Ave. and Timog Ave. to mark the 27th death anniversary of the late senator.

Aquino’s daughter Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino Cruz and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, members of the City Council, and City Hall Department heads led the ceremony at around 7:30 Saturday morning.

The city government spent P5.4 million for the construction of Aquino’s memorial shrine which stands on a 500-square meter property, formerly used as a directional island in the area. The shrine is a sculptural work of popular artist Eduardo Castrillo. (with a report by Chito A. Chavez)