Democratic groups and sectors launched a program honoring Ka Louie Jalandoni, who passed away on June 7 in the Netherlands at the age of 90. Two tribute programs took place at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman last week to pay homage to Ka Louie.
Hundreds attended the gathering at the UP Diliman Asian Center on June 16, in a program led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), Pilgrims for Peace, and Karapatan. The event highlighted Ka Louie’s life as a priest and religious figure, his journey into the path of revolution, and his struggle for just peace.
Veteran activists, government representatives, participants in the peace negotiations, and young people who will inherit his legacy of struggle attended the event. Christians for National Liberation, political prisoners, church people, Ka Louie’s colleagues in the National Democratic Front negotiating panel, and the Communist Party of the Philippines delivered messages at the gathering.
Veteran actor and director Joel Lamangan read the message of Ka Louie’s fellow former priest and Negros native Fr. Frank Fernandez, who narrated Ka Louie’s life. This was followed by messages from other political prisoners.
The speech of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s representative stated that Ka Louie’s role “will remain an example of the tireless spirit of the new revolutionary man.” Ka Louie attended one of Venezuela’s international activities in 2018.
The representative of the Royal Norwegian Government praised Ka Louie’s significant and crucial contribution to advancing the peace talks between the GRP and NDFP. Senator Loren Legarda, one of the advocates of the peace talks, also sent a message of solidarity and recognition.
Former GRP negotiating panel member Hernani Braganza’s message expressed respect for Ka Louie as a negotiator. “I hope there will be more like Louie Jalandoni, Randall Echanis, Fidel Agcaoili, Joma Sison, Benny Tiamzon, Wilma. And on the government side, I hope you will also find people who can match them, who are open-minded and able to engage in proper dialogue,” he said.
“The entire Party and people’s army join you in celebrating the revolutionary life of Ka Louie. Across the country, the Red flag is raised high in recognition and honor of Ka Louie as a true hero of the Filipino people,” CPP chief information officer Ka Marco Valbuena said in his message read during the program.
Valbuena challenged everyone to “draw inspiration from Ka Louie’s life and example, and embrace in our spirit the unwavering aspiration of the Filipino people for national democracy and socialism.” After the message was read, participants collectively recited an oath to Ka Louie vowing to continue his unfinished struggle. A video of a unit of the New People’s Army-Negros doing a gun salute was also shown. Aside from speeches and messages, the program featured performances of revolutionary songs, dances, and poems.
With only about ten minutes left before the program ended, Youtube censored the tribute by abruptly cutting the livestream that was being broadcasted on Altermidya’s channel.
Meanwhile, the NDF International Office launched a simultaneous program in the Netherlands on the same day.
A few days later, youth groups and Lasallians launched a separate tribute program on June 21 at the UP Diliman College of Media and Communication. Anakbayan, Panday Sining, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, and League of Filipino Students led the event.
Lasallians (students of De La Salle University, the school where Ka Louie graduated) and progressive personalities shared their experiences and interactions with Ka Louie. They also reflected on his life of sacrifice and service to the toiling masses.
At the program, Kilusang Mayo Uno awarded the Gawad Lingkod Obrero to Ka Louie for his role in the La Tondeña strike in 1975, which broke the terror of martial law. A youth organizer symbolically accepted the award as a pledge from the sector to continue Ka Louie’s legacy.
Various cultural groups also performed at the gathering. At the end of the program, the youth recited their vows to Ka Louie.
After the program, a Kabataang Makabayan-Agaton Topacio chapter member paid tribute to Ka Louie and urged fellow youth to reject the prevailing rotten fascist state and decisively follow Ka Louie’s revolutionary footsteps.
