This year’s honorees are Tayab (Arthur) Aboli, Cesar T. Cayon, Coronacion Chiva, Dalama (Elma V. Tangente), Fr. Jose P. Dizon, Pablo G. Fernandez, Lumbaya Gayudan, Antonio Maria O. Nieva, Sabino G. Padilla Jr., Francis S. Sontillano, and Amb. Alfonso T. Yuchengco.
Alfonso T. Yuchengco gave his wholehearted support to the people’s opposition to the Marcos dictatorship as open resistance was building up in the urban areas towards the late 1970s.
Francis Superal Sontillano died at 15, a young martyr in the fight against injustice during the time of Ferdinand Marcos.
Sabino “Abe” Padilla was an academic, anthropologist, artist and organizer who got involved in important activist struggles during the Marcos regime.
Tony was a writer, journalist, union organizer, and activist devoted to the defense of press freedom, the rights of workers and the defeat of dictatorship.
Lumbaya and other tribal leaders kept on fighting back. In early 1975, the first bodong, or peace pact, was forged against the Chico River Dam project.
Hundreds of people came to Guimaras to attend Pablo’s wake. One in expressing their admiration for Pablo’s courage, selflessness and love of country.
Fr. Joe summed up his lifelong passion ‒ “Sandigan ang masa; paglingkuran ang sambayanan.” Rely on the masses; serve the people.
Dalama is a champion of the rights of her community, the Tumanduks, before embracing the broader struggle against the Marcos dictatorship.
Walingwaling’s political life spanned over 3 decades, a symbol of people’s struggles for decent life, and under martial law, resistance against oppression.