Consul General and Mrs. Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. are joined by members of the Aquino Family and other distinguished guests in the “Friends Meeting Friends” commemoration of Benigno Ninoy Aquino’s martyrdom.
SAN FRANCISCO, California — Close relatives and friends of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, and other Filipino community members gathered at the Philippine Center Gallery to commemorate his 31st death anniversary on August 20.
“Friends Meeting Friends, Remembering Ninoy Aquino,” hosted by the Philippine Consulate General began with a Eucharistic Celebration led Father Arnold Zamora, Pastor at the Holy Name of Jesus Parish in San Francisco. He was joined by the Singing Priests of Tagbilaran, who later led the community in the singing “Bayan Ko.”
Speakers recalled the events and the Filipinos’ experience under the Marcos dictatorship, including the fateful moment when Senator Aquino was shot.
Consul General Bensurto, Jr. welcomes guests. Right photo: Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Kim Komenich, a special guest, during the event, covered the aftermath of the Aquino assassination up to the People Power Revolution. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Consul General Henry s. Bensurto, Jr., in his welcome remarks, described the difficulties that people encountered during that period, and stated that the people’s struggle was well worth it.
Photojournalist and Pulitzer-Prize winner Kim Komenich also shared his experiences. Komenich and showed a ten-minute version of his film, “Revolution Revisited,” featuring interviews with key players during the People Power Revolution that was sparked by the assassination of Ninoy Aquino.
The program concluded with another imusical performance by the Singing Priests of Tagbilaran.