Ninoy Aquino in the 500-Peso Banknote

Former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. would have been 72 years old today. In both the New Design Series and New Generation Banknote Series versions of the 500-peso bill, Ninoy's face is prominently shown.

The obverse side of the New Design/Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Series 500-peso bill has a pensive Ninoy with his fist touching his chin.  It also recalls Aquino's career as a journalist by showing the typewriter on which the initials "B.S.A.J." is embossed. The famous quote, "The Filipino is worth dying for" also appears along with his signature.

Obverse side of the 500-peso bill, New Design / Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Series

Some milestones in Ninoy's career are also highlighted in the reverse side. Aside from being a Manila Times correspondent during the Korean War, he was elected municipal mayor of Concepcion town then governor of Tarlac province. During his tenure as Senator, Aquino was a proponent of the Study Now, Pay Later program for students needing financial assistance. Everyone knows that his assassination was a prime mover of the 1986 People Power Revolution, so a snippet of this event is also shown. .    

Reverse side of the 500-peso bill, New Design / BSP Series

The obverse side of the New Generation Banknote Series 500-peso bill apparently features a "happier" Ninoy, being joined by his wife, former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino. It also depicts the Benigno S. Aquino Monument in Makati and crowds participating in the EDSA People Power I in February 1986.

Obverse side of the 500-peso bill, New Generation Banknote Series

The reverse side of the New Generation Banknote Series 500-peso bill shows the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, blue-naped parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis), and Southern Philippines cloth design.

Reverse side of the 500-peso bill, New Generation Banknote Series

It is interesting to note that the New Generation Banknote Series 500-peso bill includes the signature of Ninoy and Cory's son, President Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III.