What Could've Been

Not a lot of people know about it but Imelda “Meldy” Romualdez-Marcos could have been Imelda “Meldy” Romualdez-Aquino. Dubbed as the “Rose Of Tacloban", the latter had a long line of suitors and was often described by the townsfolk as a "beautiful woman".

As distant relatives, the Aquinos often visit the Romualdezes. The young Imelda, who was  paired with Ninoy, served drinks during parties, events, and whatnot. By the time her family nestled in Manila, she joined the 1953 Miss Manila beauty pageant.

Ninoy, being one of the city's most eligible bachelors, was tasked to escort the beauty queens. It was at this time when he got closer to Imelda and became one of her many suitors. 

In several anecdotes, Ninoy even likened Imelda to the Blessed Virgin Mary. "[Imelda] was the most beautiful woman, she looked like the Virgin Mary.”

Just like other stories of young love, the relationship between Ninoy and Imelda did not blossom further. The latter ended up marrying the late President Marcos on 1 May 1954.

Related: The Story of the Aquino and Cojuangco Clans And The Struggles of the Philippine Nation

The Woman He Loved Three Times

On October 11 of the same year, Ninoy married the true love of his life: Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino. 

In 1953, Cory returned to the Philippines after attending degrees in French and Mathematics at the College of Mount St Vincent, U.S. She enrolled at the Far Eastern University (FEU) to pursue law; it was then that Cory became more acquainted with politics and met her childhood friend Ninoy.

Though Ninoy had attempted to court Cory in the past, their feelings for each other never really made it to the next stage until then. "Ninoy was so confident,” Cory said of Ninoy. “He was somebody I found very interesting and I felt I would never be bored.”

Cory halted her studies and married her best friend.

Despite her marriage coinciding with Ninoy's early political ambitions, the two were able to have five children— former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Victoria Elisa Aquino-Dee, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and Kris Aquino.

On their 19th anniversary, Ninoy wrote a poem for Cory, which included several lines revealing the late icon's romantic side: "I have fallen in love// With the same woman three times// In a day spanning nineteen years// Of tearful joys and joyful tears [...] The world was my concern// While our home was her domain [...]"

During his time as a senator, Ninoy was a staunch critic of the Marcos administration. He claimed that the 1976 elections were fraudulent and fueled by "guns, goons, and gold." He stood by the nation's need to criticise its government and vehemently condemned Marcos' intent of building up a "Garrison State" which "militarises civilian government offices," installs "overstaying generals,” and inflates the armed forces budget.

He also denounced the Marcos family's projects such as the San Juanico Bridge and Cultural Center of the Philippines building.

Ninoy aspired to run for President following Marcos' second term, a dream that never came into fruition as Marcos declared Martial Law.

The morning after the declaration, Ninoy, together with his allies in the opposition were detained in Camp Crame.

In his exile, Ninoy continued to fight for freedom. He penned 10 letters against the Marcos regime and smuggled them through Cory. These write-ups would later be published in the Bangkok Post.

When the government heard of the news, Ninoy and his companion Jose "Pepe" Diokno were tied, blindfolded, and brought to a helicopter headed to Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija. There, the two would be put in solitary confinement. 

In his accounts, Ninoy said that he was stripped naked and was only issued two shirts and a pair of underwear to be worn alternately. His other belongings such as his shoes, eyeglasses and wedding ring were sent to his family without explanation. 

"When the blindfold was finally removed I found myself inside a newly painted room, roughly four by five meters with barred windows, the outside of which was boarded with plywood panels,' Ninoy recalled.

On 27 Ninoy returned to Fort Bonifacio where he faced a Military Tribunal on charges of "murder, illegal possession of firearms, and subversion". He, however, refused to participate in such a trial asserting that military officers were under their commander-in-chief President Marcos who already declared him "guilty" in his public pronouncements.

The hearings were temporarily suspended; however, on 31 March 1975, the tribunal decided to re-investigate his case. This led to Ninoy's hunger strike. For days he survived only through salt tablets, sodium bicarbonate, amino acids, and two glasses of water a day. “I would rather die on my feet with honour than live on bended knees in shame," he declared.

Despite his efforts, he was found guilty of his charges and was sentenced to death by firing squad.

Ninoy, however, was never executed. Moreover, he was allowed to run during the 1978 Batasang Pambansa elections. There, he was able to establish the Lakas ng Bayan or LABAN party list.

His time in the jail cell ended in March of 1980 when he suffered from a heart attack. The Marcos administration granted him permission to seek medical treatment in Dallas, Texas. With his family, Ninoy stayed in Newton, Boston, Massachusetts where he was in self-exile.

Related: Journalist Teddy Benigno Writes About Ninoy Aquino's Life, Patriotism, and Sacrifice for the Philippines

The events that transpired after Ninoy's untimely demise put an end to the Marcoses' reign. His assassination catapulted his widow, Cory, into politics. The 1986 EDSA People Power Uprising gathered Filipinos from different walks of life. Together, they marched to end the 20-year military rule.

Marcos attempted to smear his opponent, but Cory was met with overwhelming support. The People Power revolt was picked up by international news agencies. It has come to symbolise a bloodless uprising and challenged prevailing practices in achieving democracy. 

In a snap election, Cory became the first woman President of the Philippines. She has established a revolutionary government by signing the "Freedom Constitution" which puts human rights as the "core of Philippine democracy."

Ninoy's legacy is fondly remembered by millions of Filipinos. His small, trembling call gave birth to a national crusade that echoed the voices of the oppressed. 

More from Tatler: EDSA Revolution: A Look Back At The Historic 1986 People Power