The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Aquino family unveil the 鈥淧Noy: Filipino鈥� book during the reopening of the Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac City on February 24, 2025. 鈥擯hotos by Jown Manalo/黑料社
TARLAC, Philippines 鈥� A photobook offering a glimpse into the presidency of Benigno 鈥淣oynoy鈥� Aquino III was launched during the reopening of the Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac City on Monday, just a day before the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
According to the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), 鈥淧Noy: Filipino鈥� is a 200-page book featuring a collection of published and unpublished photographs of Aquino, primarily from the archives of presidential photographer Gil Nartea, with contributions from other Palace photographers.
The book includes heartfelt tributes written after Aquino鈥檚 sudden passing in June 2021, alongside articles highlighting his achievements during his six-year term as president, the foundation added.
READ: Aquino Museum in Tarlac reopens ahead of 39th Edsa anniversary
It also explores Aquino鈥檚 efforts to strengthen democratic governance, boost the Philippine economy, defend the country鈥檚 sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, and uphold the dignity of every Filipino, the NCAF noted.
Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) Executive Director Kiko Aquino Dee addresses reporters during the launch of the PNoy: Filipino photobook on February 24, 2025 at the Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac City.
In the foreword, NCAF Executive Director Kiko Aquino Dee shared how the project aimed to capture the essence of Aquino, who often shied away from the limelight.
鈥淲hat [the book team] had to work with were a lot of official photos with a few candid shots captured by Tata Gil鈥檚 (Nartea) and other Palace photographers鈥� agile eyes,鈥� Dee wrote.
鈥淚 hope in particular that the Noy of the 1980s who fought the dictatorship on the streets and the Noy of the 2000s who worked with people鈥檚 organizations in opposition is pleased,鈥� he added.
Renowned lifestyle editor and journalist Thelma Sioson San Juan, who spoke at the event, emphasized that the book鈥檚 story is simple鈥攈ow Aquino proved that transformative governance is achievable within a democracy, without violence.
鈥淜ung walang corrupt, walang mahirap, without the curtailment of people鈥檚 rights,鈥� San Juan said.
(If there is no corruption, there is no poverty, without the curtailment of people鈥檚 rights.)
鈥淔rom people who worked under him and with him, from world leaders who walked alongside him, and most importantly, from the ordinary Filipinos he sought to serve, it is their voices that make up this book, to go with the images of Tata Gil (Gil Nartea) and the other photographers,鈥� she explained.
鈥淭hey form a narrative, a story that must be told. It is these voices we want you to hear. I hope Filipinos will hear these voices so that somehow, he will know that what he did was worth it,鈥� San Juan emphasized.
San Juan also expressed gratitude to the team behind the book, including Project Director Nikko Dizon, Art Director Neil Agonoy, Researcher Nisha Magsano, and Dave Fernandez of the Times Office.
鈥淲e also remember the late AJ Ardiente of the Times office who helped us at the start of the project. And of course, ang household ng Times staff, sina Ate Yoli na walang sawang nag-aasikaso sa amin. And we also thank JC Casimiro who went over the draft,鈥� she said.
(We also remember the late AJ Ardiente of the Times office who helped us at the start of the project. And of course, the Times staff household, like Ate Yoli, who tirelessly took care of us.)
San Juan also thanked Dee and the Aquino family for trusting them with the project.
The PNoy: Filipino photobook will be available to the public starting March 2025, according to the NCAF.