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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK
PRESS
PR-MDL-073-2016
RELEASE
22 August 2016
33rd Ninoy Aquino Day commemorated in New York
Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., joined by (L-R) Cynthia Ilagan (Ateneo Alumni Association), Deputy Consul
General Kira Danganan Azucena, Mrs. Eleanor de Leon, Michael Gonzales (Fordham University Pilipino-American Club)
and Antero Martinez (Benigno Aquino Triangle Foundation), led the wreath laying ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino
Triangle Marker to commemorate the 33rd Death Anniversary of Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
21 August 2016, New York - A solemn but meaningful program, organized by the
Philippine Consulate General in cooperation with the Benigno Aquino Triangle
Foundation, Ateneo Alumni Association and Fordham University Pilipino-American
Club, to commemorate the 33rd Death Anniversary of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. was held
on 21 August 2016 at Ninoy Aquino Triangle located at Hollis, Queens, New York.
The commemoration commenced with a flag raising ceremony and concluded by
a wreath laying of yellow flowers on the marker installed by the Filipino-American
community in Queens, New York in 1986.
Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., in his opening remarks, emphasized that
Like Jose Rizal, Ninoy believed in peaceful change, and that it is responsibility of
everyone to cause change. He said that it is important, particularly to the millennials, to
know that the EDSA Power Revolution was not just a four-day march but was the
culmination of months, even years, of struggle that resulted in the rebirth of democracy
for the Philippines.
“I hope the social, economic and technological resources of this century will pave
the way for more leaders who share the same virtues, convictions and courage as
Ninoy, particularly from the millennials who are recognized to be confident, decisive,
well informed and civic-minded,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Michael Gonzales, a senior college student of Fordham
University and President of the Executive Board of the Fordham University PilipinoAmerican Club (FUPAC), underscored the importance of the commemoration of Ninoy’s
death anniversary to the millennials like him. He thanked the Consulate General for
giving them the opportunity to know more about Ninoy and his role in the Philippine
history.
Mr. Antero Martinez, President of Ninoy Aquino Triangle Foundation, recalled the
meaning of the slogan during the time of Ninoy “Hindi ka Nagiisa” (You are not alone),
which was a chant and a revolutionary slogan in 1983 during the time of mourning of
Filipinos on Ninoy’s death. He remembered the support of the thousands of Filipinos on
the street as they accompanied the hearse on its journey from Manila to his province in
Tarlac and back to Manila. He expressed appreciation to the Consulate General and
invited more partners like FUPAC to celebrate this important event.
The Benigno Aquino Triangle is a triangular area located between the Hillside
Avenue and 89th Avenue. The installation of the marker was approved by legislation by
the Borough of Queens on 9 October 1986 in honor of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr and in
recognition of the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the Queens community.
The Benigno Aquino Triangle, a triangular area located between the Hillside Avenue and 89th Avenue, bears the marker
honoring Ninoy Aquino. The marker was installed as a result of legislation by the Borough of Queens on 9 October
1986 in honor of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr and in recognition of the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the Queens
community.
END