Sen. Bam Aquino commemorated the 43rd Ninoy Aquino Day on Friday, honoring his uncle, former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and reflecting on the sacrifice that shaped his family and the country.

In an online statement marking the 43rd anniversary of Ninoy Aquino’s death, Aquino recalled stories from his parents about visiting his uncle when he was a child. Ninoy would reportedly joke with Aquino’s parents, Paul and Melanie, that they should leave Bam with him so he would have company.

Aquino said he was too young at the time to understand what it meant for his uncle to be imprisoned and separated from his family. As he grew older, he said, he came to understand the loneliness and hardship Ninoy endured during his seven years and seven months in detention.

Despite his imprisonment, Aquino said his uncle maintained his faith in God and his trust in the Filipino people.

Aquino also reflected on Ninoy’s decision to return to the Philippines in 1983 after spending years in the United States with his family. He knew that returning could lead to another imprisonment and potentially cost him his life, Aquino said.

“Pero umuwi pa rin siya,” Aquino said.

For Aquino, that decision captured the meaning of genuine patriotism: serving and standing up for the country without certainty of reward, recognition or even victory.

He said Ninoy’s well-known statement, “The Filipino is worth dying for,” reflected his uncle’s deep belief in the worth of every Filipino, particularly during times when hope seemed difficult to find.

Aquino said Filipinos eventually answered Ninoy’s sacrifice by standing together despite fear, demonstrating that his sacrifice had not been in vain.

“43 taon na ang lumipas, pero ito marahil ang pinakamahalagang pamana ni Tito Ninoy sa akin: huwag mawalan ng pag-asa sa Pilipino,” Aquino said.

He acknowledged that the country continues to face serious problems and that Filipinos may at times feel exhausted, angry or discouraged. But he urged people not to lose faith in one another.

“Kung si Tito Ninoy, sa pinakamadilim at pinakamalungkot na bahagi ng kanyang buhay, ay hindi nawalan ng tiwala sa Pilipino, sino tayo para sumuko sa isa’t isa ngayon?” Aquino said.

He closed his tribute by thanking Ninoy for the inspiration, courage and love he gave the country, saying his uncle showed that even in difficult times, the Philippines and its people remain worthy of love and sacrifice.