Where Ninoy forgot his political ambition.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Anselmo Roque

IT WAS already the fourth day of his detention but "Alpha" was barely touching his food. Probably, as the soldiers and officials of the 1st Military Security Detachment (IMSD) tasked with guarding him understood it, "Alpha" was wary that he would be poisoned.

But for the IMSD's civilian-employee Basilisa Tolentino-Ollero, then 28, she had other feelings about it. It somewhat touched on a woman's vanity who prepared food for others, especially to a very important person like "Alpha."

"Alpha," Ollero knew, was former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., a staunch anti-Marcos figure.

"Didn't he like the food I prepared?" she wondered.

Though strictly prohibited from talking to the detainee, Ollero went to the small room where Aquino was lodged and personally asked him.

An apologetic Aquino replied: "'Ne, ikaw ba ang nagluluto (Young lady, are you the cook)?" To which she replied: "Yes, sir. Kasi po, bakit hindi po yata kayo kumakain (Yes, sir. But …