Dr Nemenzo was one of the pillars of socialism and the progressive movement in Philippines. He played a central role in the revival of the left in the 1960’s. Both outside and inside the University of the Philippines, where he was a professor, he was instrumental in forging the political consciousness of many in a generation known for its revolutionary activism.
He and his wife Princess were jailed in the early days of the Marcos dictatorship but served as a beacon of opposition to the regime throughout the14 dark years of martial law. Both during the dictatorship and after its overthrow, he was not just a persistent critic of fascism but also a prominent advocate of unity of the left, claiming that common goals took precedence over party affiliation. He was instrumental in the founding of progressive formations such as Akbayan and Laban ng Masa.
In his quest for socialist change, he reached beyond familiar circles to democratic personalities in the traditional political elites and the military. Many progressive members of the armed forces credit him with playing an invaluable role in the forging of their political and nationalist consciousness. He achieved recognition not only as a Filipino progressive but also as an internationalist, taking an active role in particular in fostering closer ties between the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Cuba.
Dodong was also a much respected academic, contributing important studies of politics and political thought in the Philippines while serving as professor at the political science department of the University of the Philippines. He eventually became Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman and later president of the University of the Philippines system, where he introduced important innovations to foster academic excellence while opposing efforts to commercialize the university.
As an individual, Dodong was warm, engaging, and witty. His wife, Princess, and his son, Fidel, have been activists and academic personalities in their own right, and the Nemenzo household has always been known for its hospitality to activists of all stripes, young and old, Filipino and non-Filipino.
We in Focus on the Global South are privileged to have known and worked with him. Along with so many others, we mourn the passing of a giant of the Philippine Left while celebrating his exemplary life and legacy to both his country and the international progressive movement.
