Kris Aquino on dad Ninoy this Father’s Day: ‘I’ve much to learn about humility, self-sacrifice, service’

Image: Instagram/@krisaquino

Kris Aquino expressed that helping her countrymen rise again is the “best Father’s Day gift” she can give to her late dad, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.

She made the remark while looking back on one of their trips to the United States back in 1980, as seen on her Instagram page yesterday, June 20.

The post featured an old clip of her and her dad taken by the Associated Press, which her nephews Jiggy and Jonty found on YouTube. The video showed Kris, at 9 years old, handing her dad a black pouch while appearing to give him instructions. Luther Vandross’ 2003 hit “Dance with My Father” also played over the nostalgic moment.

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Kris explained that it was shot at an airport when they were leaving for the United States for the late senator’s triple heart bypass surgery, which was followed by their three-year stay in Boston.

“Opo, ganun ako ka ‘confident’ na bata, at just 9 years old may ‘binibilin’ ako sa Dad namin na mga dapat nyang gawin,” Kris said.

(Yes, that is how “confident” of a child I was, at just 9 years old I was already “requesting” to our Dad things he should do.)

Kris then noted how many, including her mother former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, said she took after her father and was his female version. However, Kris believes that she has “so much more to learn” before she can be “truly worthy” of being likened to her father.

Pointing out how she is now just one year younger than Ninoy when he was assassinated in 1983, Kris said she still has to learn “humility, [self-sacrifice], and the willingness to serve with every drop of [her] blood.” Kris is 49 years old.

“BUT [I] share with both my parents an unwavering LOVE for the Philippines and Filipinos, come what may, ano man ang pagsubok, mahal ko ang bayan natin at gagawin ko ang makakaya ko para tumulong sa kapwa para makabangon tayong muli,” she added.

(BUT I share with both my parents an unwavering LOVE for the Philippines and Filipinos, come what may, whatever trials, I love our country and I will do what I can to help others so we can rise again.)

“That is the best Father’s Day gift [I] can give Ninoy Aquino,” Kris said.

Ninoy was one of the first to be arrested after President Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed martial law in 1972. The former senator was a staunch critic of the dictatorial rule of Marcos. JB

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