Noynoy Aquino

Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III was born on February 8, 1960. Noynoy Aquino is a Senator for the Philippines and a candidate for President of the Philippines in the 2010 election, intending to represent the Liberal Party. Noynoy Aquino is best known for being the only son of former President Corazon Aquino and Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

Noynoy Aquino is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, he was seriously wounded by rebel soldiers in a failed coup attempt during his mother's presidency. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province in the 11th Congress of the Philippines. In 2007, he was elected to the Senate of the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Noynoy Aquino is also the brother of TV host and actress Kris Aquino.

In light of his presidential bid, his critics claim that he cannot boast of any achievements other than those of his parents and some have raised concerns over his unremarkable performance prior to his rise to prominence after his mother's death. In his defense, Noynoy's sister, Pinky, stated that he was merely shy.

Benigno Ninoy Aquino, Jr.

Benigno Servillano "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was born on November 27, 1932 and died on August 21, 1983. Benigno Aquino or Ninoy Aquino was a Philippine Senator, Governor of Tarlac, and an opposition leader against President Ferdinand Marcos. Benigno Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (later renamed in his honor) upon returning home from exile in the United States. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the limelight and subsequently to the presidency, replacing the 20-year Marcos regime.

Benigno Aquino was no stranger to Philippine politics. He came from a family that had been involved with some of the country's political heavyweights. His grandfather served under President Aguinaldo while his father held office under Presidents Manuel L. Quezon and Jose P. Laurel. Benigno Aquino became the youngest municipal mayor at age 22, and the nation's youngest vice-governor at 27.

As part of Republic Act No. 9256, the Monday nearest August 21 was declared (SECTION 1. Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987) a nationwide special holiday (Ninoy Aquino Day) by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines and approved on July 25, 2007 by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines.

President Corazon Cory Aquino

On February 22, 1986, the People Power Revolution was triggered after two key Marcos allies, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Vice-Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos called on Marcos to resign and holed up in two military camps in Quezon City. President Corazon Cory Aquino, who was in Cebu City when the revolt broke out, returned to Manila and insisted on joining the swelling crowd that had gathered outside the camps as a human barricade to protect the defectors.[ On the morning of 25 February 1986, at the Club Filipino in San Juan, President Corazon Cory Aquino took the presidential oath of office administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee. Marcos himself was sworn into office at Malacañang Palace on that same day, but fled into exile later that night.

The relatively peaceful manner by which President Corazon Cory Aquino assumed the presidency through the EDSA Revolution won her widespread international acclaim as an icon of democracy. President Corazon Aquino was selected as Time magazine's Woman of the Year in 1986.