First of 2 parts

AFTER his murder at the Manila International Airport tarmac on Aug. 21, 1983 — 40 years ago — opposition leader Ninoy Aquino's prison writings were compiled and collected in a book titled 'Testament from a Prison Cell.' My copy of the book (a second edition signed by President Cory Aquino in 2001) is almost worn-out; the sides of the book are yellowing and are filled with markings to his important quotations. Some people were enamored of the way he spoke, but his words are equally inspiring and, many times, even comforting and hopeful. The essays were written by a man who is undergoing a lot of hardship, which is much more than most of us will go through.