R E D ! [Under Revisions/Editings]

"My Name Is Red"

It was the rainy season of 21st day of August, 1983, when the rain from the eyes of the hopeful started to fall like dew drops.
It was a tragic day for the Filipino people and for Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the leader of the opposition against the dictatorial rule of the then-president, Ferdinand Marcos.
Aquino, was from a long-year exile in USA and decided to came back in the Philippines to continue his fight for freedom.
Filipino people, specially the political activists against Martial Law were all excited for this most-awaited event!
People gathered in groups, went into the National Airport, to welcome back the "Country's Living Hope".

But, when Aquino took his few steps..

going down from the plane..

... a GUNFIRE was shot!
Aquino, the hero, a great patriot and nationalist, was assasinated. Killed in cold-blood!

Its a cliché, that the "Country's Living Hope", became a "Dead Martyr" on that very day.

There was a huge mourning on that morning - my mama said to me when she told me that story.

But also on that very exact day when that great man died, a child was born.

And that child...
.....was me.

My folks who were also political activists were really disappointed at that time. But at the same time, they were happy that I was born on a very day that people will never be forgotten.
Because of their belligerence and the patriotism rushing on their veins, they gave me a name that portrayed the symbol of that very baneful day.

"Red, my name is Red Santos."

Red, as a color of war, patriotism, bravery, courage, anger...
My surname, Santos can be translated as "Saints".

"Red Saints".. Quite a name, eh?