As Philippines embraces the vibrant cloak of yellow once again on Ninoy Aquino Day, a question echoes through the collective conscience of the nation: "Are Filipinos still worth dying for?"

Three years before his assassination, this poignant inquiry was also uttered by the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. himself in a convocation. He said “I have asked myself many times: Is the Filipino worth suffering, or even dying, for? Is he not a coward who would readily yield to any colonizer, be he foreign or homegrown? Is a Filipino more comfortable under an authoritarian leader because he does not want to be burdened with the freedom of choice?” Truly, this very question resounds with renewed relevance in our nation, which is now grappling with political polarization, evolving challenges, altered history, and shifting ideals.

The Ninoy Aquino Day, observed every August 21st, serves as a powerful reminder of the transcendent impact of one man's conviction, courage, and sacrifice. The day commemorates the return of Ninoy Aquino to the Philippines in 1983 after years of exile and his consequent assassination at the Manila International Airport. This tragic event fueled the Philippines toward a period of upheaval ultimately leading to the People Power Revolution in 1986.

Amid the celebrations and the sea of yellow that permeates the nation, Ninoy's question “Is the Filipino worth suffering, or even dying, for?" suggests a profound sense of introspection. It encourages Filipinos to contemplate the extent to which they honor his legacy and embody the ideals he passionately defended. The question urges Filipinos to reflect upon the significance of the causes for which they are willing to sacrifice. The question compels every Filipino to examine his own values and to actively engage in molding the nation's destiny. Beyond doubt, Ninoy answered the question by stating, “I have carefully weighed the virtues and the faults of the Filipino and I have come to the conclusion that he is worth dying for because he is the nation’s greatest untapped resource.”

Verily, as Filipinos gather to honor Ninoy's memory, they are challenged not only to reflect on his question but also to transform it into a call for positive change. The celebration highlights the commitment to preserving democratic values and the quest for justice - values that remain just as crucial in the present day as they were during the time of Ninoy.

So, are the Filipinos still worth dying for? On this Ninoy Aquino Day, may our answer to this question lead us to the commitment of upholding democratic values, to the faith in the collective power of the Filipinos and to the greatest sacrifice in pursuit of a better society.