Tributes

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
7/29/2005



Artist, political leader and former governor of the Mountain Province, entrepreneurial innovator who successes include the world renowned Hobbit House in Malate, FPJ campaign organizer and convenor of the movement MATA , vintage car collector and nationalist collaborator of Alejandro “Ding” Lichauco; that was John Andrews Moldero, Jr. friend and colleague in the political opposition movement who passed away at the age of 55, in a motorcycle accident on July 25, 2005 the day of the largest SONA protest rally in Philippine history.

It was a very untimely passing coming at the pinnacle of the struggle to oust oppressive rulers and to restore political justice – just as victory is in the air. It was around nine in the morning of that fateful day when John Moldero Jr. cruised on a scooter towards the Quezon City Elliptical Circle, after reconnoitering around the massing demonstrators to ensure order and discipline among his group’s ranks. A delivery van sideswiped John who flew off and, apparently, hit his front lower right quadrant on the curb with such force as to cause massive internal damage.

Among the legacy he leaves the nation is his art work for the cover of Alejandro Licahuco’s newest book “Hunger, Corruption and Betrayal in the Philippines”, done gratis et amore. Lichauco chose John’s pencil drawing, which was done in swift, flying strokes, of emaciated children staring blankly into empty space. Lichauco commented to me that “it was the eyes” of the scrawny children that fascinated him and made him chose the piece over other cover designs. John captured the bewilderment and hopelessness of the hungry children of this nation, the symbol of the country’s desperation.

John preferred to stay Filipino even if his grandfather was the American that the Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga is named after. His mother was Amparo Andrews Moldero. John could have brought his family to the easy life in the Big Apple, but hie loved the Mt. Province and the country. John was a nationalist and a hero. He felt the crisis and took to the streets to help the country resolve it. We can not explain why John has been taken away, we only know that he has left us so much or memories that will continue to inspire and stir us to greater effort.

Another tribute I must make today is to Rodolfo Eco Dula, my brother-in-law who passed away at the age of 54 two years ago on July 21. He was the rock of the Dula family after the parents passed away, a vital source of comfort and solace to her two sisters all throughout. He was the loving Santa Claus of the small brood of nieces and nephews, and pride of the Eco clan. Rudy, or Rod to friends, was an eloquent writer who always had immaculate verse for his thoughts. Rudy paved my way to column writing, for which I am forever thankful.

Today I must also pay tribute to some courageous young people who still have a long life ahead of them and many years to contribute to their high ideals. I am referring to the Oakwood young officers, also known as the Magdalo, but who prefer to be known as the Bagong Katipuneros. Two years ago on July 27, this group of young officers took to the streets to protest the corruption in the military. One must keep in mind that these young officers were the crème of the crop, each certain to make general if they just shut their eyes, mouths and ears to the shenanigans in the top echelons of the AFP.

I was reminded of Fidel V. Ramos’ advice to the Bagong Katipuneros that evening at Oakwood, trying to persuade them to give up their fight. Ramos’ urged them to: “think of your social mobility”! Wow. How deep of FVR, who has always missed the point. The Bagong Katipuneros are not climbing the social ladder, they are after ideals and a moral basis for their actions. To paraphrase what one of them said: “If we did not protest now we would be corrupted by the same system when we become generals.” They preferred to preserve their integrity than just pursue “social mobility”.

These young officers who have stood for the virtues we honor are still imprisoned, despite lapse of the time limit in which arraignment should have been conducted. They are continuing victims of injustice. The AFP and PNP are apparently still defending the continuance of an admitted liar, cheat and thief, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and her shady supporters like “confessed felon” (as an international magazine reported) Chavit Singson, Bong Pineda, et al. I salute again: Trillanes, Maestrecampos, Gambala, Faeldon, Layug, and many others whose names cannot fit this column.

The last tribute to make today is to the dedicated and creative leadership at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, particularly the Department of Business, Finance and Politics (DBFP), who launched on July 28 four, new audio-visual equipment acquired through its faculty’s production and sale of academic works. I teach at the PUP, one of my major teaching tools are VCDs. They break classroom monotony and the visuals enhance the impact of the ideas verbalized. Under Dean Manuel Dannug the department has done great things which I as faculty and my students truly appreciate.

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