Memories of a Hero is a candid amateur work of an 18 year old jounalist who wanted to investigate the murder of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino in 1983. Aquino, was a pro-democtacy alternative to them Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos and was shot August 21,1983 at high noon in the middle of one of the busiest airports in the world- The Manila International Airport.
Sycip traces the series of events with the skills of an admittedly amateur journalist but finds the best interviews from Aquino's mother, son, members of his family and they all point to the theory that the murder was too stupid that it could only have been hatched by then First Lady Imelda Marcos.
The book was prefaced by Benigno Aquino's son, Noynoy (now Congressman) and sold 10,000 copies in 1984 which is quite a feat considering a people whose first language is not English. It was also commended by the United States Library of Congress and United States Senator Lugar who sent a commendation letter for the HONEST and determined desire of the writer to get across the message of freedom and democracy.
The book is extremely disturbing when one reads the accounts of how one man had to escape the clutches of dictatorial rule even to the detriment of his family members and friends. It is a family interview narrative which is interesting and spiritual as the Aquino family discloses their most personal feelings right after an assasination which was never solved to date.