The Aquino Museum

On our way back to Manila from Baguio last Sunday, we decided to skip the SCTEX and have lunch at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. My parents, who are both active supporters of Ninoy Aquino back in the 1980′s – kept asking people if The Aquino Museum is somewhere near Jollibee Luisita… They asked 4 people, until one guy tells us that the said museum was just a block away.

We went and we were happy to find out that they were open on a Sunday! So, inside we went after paying an entrance fee of 100 pesos each (Sky went in free of course ). But you only have to pay 50 pesos, if you show identification that you’re a student.

I immediately got goosebumps when we started the museum tour. Portraits of Senator Ninoy and Mrs. Cory Aquino seem to welcome you as they smile to every one who goes inside. The museum clearly showed a thorough family and political history of the two icons. From family pictures to mementos. I was awestruck. First time I learned that Senator Ninoy Aquino was a news correspondent in the Korean war at the age of 17! Seventeen. Can you imagine?

It was unfortunate that cameras were not allowed inside the museum. I was able to take a few shots, until they politely told me the public were not allowed to take pictures. If cameras were allowed – I could stay there the whole day! Although, I do understand…

There were so many mementos, journals, pictures, paintings and gifts that were there for The Aquino family to share with us. The suit that Ninoy wore when he was assasinated, a picture of Mrs. Cory Aquino with Mother Teresa, a signed family picture from The Kennedys, Ninoy and Cory’s wedding photo with President Ramon Magsaysay as a sponsor and former vice-president Doy Laurel as best man.

It was apparent that they came from a lineage of politicians. The kind that practiced good governance. The kind that lived to serve The Filipino people…But to me they were royalty.

After our tour, we were ushered in the audiovisual room for a short film viewing. There we watched how Ninoy sacrificed his life – and their family life for the restoration of democracy. Wow, what a team Ninoy and Cory was until the end.

At the end of the film showing – I was trying my best to hold back the tears when they showed how Ninoy was shoved him like an animal inside a waiting military van – after his assassination. What kind of people would plan a thing like that?

But, for the first time in a long time now – I felt a twinge of Hope for the future of The Philippine Government. There is still Noynoy, who would carry on the torch started by his parents – for GOOD GOVERNANCE and DEMOCRACY.

A visit to The Aquino Museum is a MUST do when you’re in the area of Hacienda Luisita.