December 30, 2024 saw the country commemorating the 128th martyrdom anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Luneta Park.
Government officials, led by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., participated in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the country’s national hero.
On that day, in the spacious confines of the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium in UP Diliman, the life of a people’s hero was similarly being remembered.
It was the last vigil for Dr. Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo—respected political scientist, long-time educator, unrelenting activist, and ultimate patriot—who passed away on Dec. 19 at the age of 89.
Running priest and social issues advocate Fr. Robert Reyes officiated the Holy Mass. He delivered an anecdote-punctuated homily, to the delight of the family, friends, fellow government workers, cultural workers and colleagues in the academe.
Rebecca ‘Becky’ Demetillo sang ‘Awit ng Kapayapaan,’ with husband, cultural worker, and Kontra Gapi founder Edru Abraham playing the drum that echoed solemnly throughout the auditorium.
Former Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Rep. Erin Tañada were among those present during the final farewell tribute to Ka Dodong.
A short eulogy was delivered by Emil Aguinaldo and Robert Sombillo, two of the eight founders of the Pi Sigma Fraternity that had Dr. Nemenzo as fraternity adviser
Founded on August 15, 1972, the Pi Sigma was formed a little more than a month before the declaration of Martial Law. The fraternity’s ‘tambayan‘ was just outside the Arts and Sciences auditorium in Palma Hall.
As fraternity adviser, Ka Dodong saw the membership of Pi Sigma grow over the decades, from eight founders to thousands of service-oriented members nationwide.
“In his late 80s, he (Dodong) was wheelchair-bound for some time. We are extremely saddened by his passing,” Sombillo said, adding that Ka Dodong remains an outstanding inspiration and source of strength among the founders, pioneers, and members of Pi Sigma.
“It can be said that Pi Sigma mustered the courage and determination to be strong like the old, famous Greek Letter Fraternities in UP because of Brod Dodong’s encouragement and support, particularly when he was our Frat Adviser, and later, as the Dean of our home college—the College of Arts & Sciences, from 1975 to the 1980s” Sombillo narrated.
Most of these students grew up fighting the dictatorship and Ka Dodong was no different. He was imprisoned during the dark days of Martial Law.
After his release from prison, he went back to teaching, becoming UP Faculty Regent, Chancellor of UP Visayas, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in UP Diliman. From 1999 to 2005, he served as the 18th President of the UP.
Dr. Nemenzo’s wife, Ana Maria “Princess” Nemenzo, son and former UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Fidel Nemenzo, Leonid Nemenzo, Lian Nemenzo-Hernandez, their spouses and children, and other members of the Nemenzo family acknowledged the fraternity tribute with ceremonial toasts, celebrating Ka Dodong’s colorful and passionate life in the university.
Princess Nemenzo ended the tribute by saying thank you for the unending support extended by Pi Sigma to Ka Dodong,
She added that they never stopped visiting him, inviting her husband to some of the frat’s events within the university premises.
