Aquino Museum reopens on eve of 39th EDSA Revolution anniversary

TARLAC –The Aquino Center and Museum, which features memorabilia on former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., reopened on Monday, the eve of the 39th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, after a two-year renovation.

The event also saw the launch of the PNoy: Filipino, a 200-page photobook on the presidency of the couple's late son former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

The refurbished museum opened with the theme, “Pamana nina Ninoy, Cory, at Noynoy: Laban para sa Kalayaan, Demokrasya, at Dangal ng Bayan (The Legacy of Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy: A Fight for Freedom, Democracy, and National Dignity)."

Raphael Lopa, president of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, said there was no better time to launch the museum and the photobook than now when the truth is being attacked.

"At a time when truth is undermined, we felt the urgent need to enshrine the legacies of those who selflessly dedicated their lives to restoring freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and good governance," Lopa said.

"We need to show, through facts, not distortion, that while the Aquino brand of democracy was not perfect, it worked,” he added.

“Beyond remembering, we hope to inspire others to make the daily commitment, just as Uncle Ninoy, Auntie Cory, and Noy did, to remain faithful to the cause of making democracy more meaningful and relevant to the vast majority of our people, especially those that are still left behind," Lopa said.

"That is what today is all about. It is about celebrating the selfless choices of Ninoy, Cory, and Noy, and knowing their choice to serve [and] their choice to love our country and our people,” he added.

The museum features an enriched section on the 1987 Constitution which marked the country’s return to democratic governance, an expanded exhibit on Cory's post-presidency years as she participated to nation-building, and a newly dedicated wing honoring the life and presidency of Noynoy.

Contents of the photobook were taken from a collection of published and unpublished photographs of the late President, primarily from the archives of presidential photographer Gil Nartea and contributions from other Palace photographers.

The photobook collated testimonials after Noynoy Aquino's sudden passing in June 2021, alongside articles highlighting his achievements during his term such as his efforts to strengthen democratic governance, position the Philippines as a rising economic force in Asia, defend the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, and uphold the dignity of Filipino life.

Moment of reflection

Kiko Aquino Dee, Ninoy and Cory’s grandson and NCAF executive director, said the museum would explain nuances and the challenges that confronted his grandparents and late uncle in governing the country.

"As visitors journey through the stories of Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy, we hope they reflect on how the three of them grappled with the choices they faced and how those decisions shaped their lives and the course of our nation's history," Dee said.

Guided tours in the Aquino Center and Museum will be available starting tomorrow, February 25.

The museum's thematic design was conceptualized by renowned architect Dan Lichauco of Archion Architects, who also designed the original Aquino Center and Museum when it opened in 2001 in collaboration with President Cory.

The Aquino Center and Museum is managed by the NCAF.

Ninoy Aquino was the leader of the opposition during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. He was assassinated at the airport on Aug. 21, 1983.

His widow Cory Aquino came to power on Feb. 25, 1986, after the EDSA Revolution. She died in 2009.

Their son Noynoy Aquino was elected president in 2010.

Dee said the EDSA Revolution was not a feud between two families but a reminder of the people's sovereign power to resist the abuse of power by public officials.

He referred to sections in the Aquino museum that featured the achievements of former presidents Cory and Noynoy Aquino during their presidencies from 1986 to 1992 and 2010 to 2016 respectively. –NB, GMA Integrated News