28 August 2014 – Philippine Consul General in New York Mario De Leon Jr. led the wreath-laying ceremony on the marker of late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr. at the Benigno Triangle located at 184th Place and Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, New York to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the late Senator’s martyrdom on August 21.
The event was joined by the current and former Presidents of the Benigno Aquino Triangle Foundation (BATF), Mr. Antero Martinez and Dr. Connie Quiambao, and BATF members; presidents and members of the Filipino-American Human Services Inc. (FAHSI) and Ilokano Association; and Philippine Consulate General staff.
The program began with Mr. Martinez’ recollection of the events in 1983, and how Ninoy’s courage and determination caused the end of dictatorship.
Dr. Connie Quiambao, who was a personal friend of Ninoy and Cory, recalled Ninoy’s sincerity in striving for national reconciliation and winning freedom for the Filipino people. She urged other organizations to support the BATF to take care and sustain the sole marker of his remembrance in New York. “The marker reminds us of Ninoy’s ideals of unity,” she said.
Consul General De Leon thanked the Filipino community present at the event in remembering the sacrifice of the man whose death triggered the People Power Revolution. “Aquino’s courageous stand in 1983 has benefited many generations, including the generation of today,” the Consul General said. The Consul General reiterated the call of Dr. Quiambao to cooperate with the Benigno Triangle Foundation in finding ways and means to maintain the marker as an expression of remembering Ninoy’s ideals of peace, justice, and freedom.
The program was followed by a simple brunch co-hosted by FAHSI and Ilokano Association at their Center near the Benigno Aquino Triangle. END