Kris remembers late father Ninoy Aquino on his birthday

MANILA, Philippines – On Sunday, November 27, Kris Aquino took to Instagram to share fond memories of her late father, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, who would have turned 84 years old that day.

“I got to know my Dad as a Father from May 1980 to August 1983. When he was jailed during Martial Law, I was only one year and 7 months old,” wrote Kris.

After years of exile in the United States, Ninoy died on August 21, 1983. He was assassinated upon arriving at the Manila International Airport, which is now named after him.

“Those Boston years with him were special. My Dad was brilliant and had a photographic memory. Our bonding would be while watching the evening news, him quizzing me about what I read in Time and Newsweek, us watching 60 Minutes and CNN, and every month on a Friday we’d have a Dad and bunso (youngest chile) date, we’d go to Barnes & Noble and I could buy all the books and magazines I wanted for as long as I finished reading them within that month and then we’d have ice cream,” she wrote.

Kris said that her love for books, magazines, and newspapers was because of her dad. 

“I read voraciously – but you can see I lean towards fiction featuring lawyers and detectives, my magazines are about business, entertainment, and fashion, while my newspapers and online reading are political. Sabi kasi ng Dad ko (My dad always said) – in any work I’ll enter being well read, well informed, and well prepared will help me get ahead of the pack. Labanan daw ng (It was really a battle of) depth and breadth of knowledge, the courage to speak and stand by the truth, and most of all the ability to convey your message with impact in a way that will make people listen, think, and react.”

Kris ended with the hashtag “#November271932August211983” and added that her dad died at 50 years old, just 5 years older than she is today.

I got to know my Dad as a FATHER from May 1980 to August 1983. When he was jailed during Martial Law I was only 1 year & 7 months old. Those Boston years w/ him were SPECIAL- my Dad was brilliant & had a photographic memory. Our bonding would be while watching the evening news, him quizzing me about what I read in Time & Newsweek, us watching 60 Minutes and CNN, and every month on a Friday we’d have a Dad & bunso date, we’d go to Barnes & Noble and I could buy all the books & magazines I wanted for as long as I finished reading them w/in that month & then we’d have ice cream… I read voraciously- but you can see I lean towards fiction featuring lawyers & detectives, my magazines are about business, entertainment, and fashion, while my newspapers & online reading are political. Sabi kasi ng Dad ko- in any work I’ll enter being well read, well informed, and well prepared will help me get ahead of the pack. LABANAN daw ng depth & breadth of knowledge, the courage to speak & stand by the truth, and most of all the ability to convey your message w/ impact in a way that will make people listen, think, and react. #November271932August211983 (My Dad died at 50 years old, just 5 years older than me now.)

A video posted by  Kris Aquino (@krisaquino) on Nov 26, 2016 at 10:15pm PST

Kris, who left ABS-CBN early this year, was recently back in the spotlight when she hosted the Go Negosyo business summit event in Davao. It would have been her first meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, but the president begged off at the last minute because he was not feeling well. – Rappler.com