Happy birthday, Manong!

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Written by Administrator

Thursday, 09 August 2007 19:00

Today, Aug. 10, is Antonio Zumel's birthday. He would have been 75 years old. As what had become a tradition then, comrades and friends would have trooped to his flat in Utrecht and trade stories with him over topics as diverse as the raging revolution in the Philippines, the state of the media, music, family lives. And, yes, these conversatons would be interspersed with jokes and anecdotes that Manong (photo, in black suit) never tired of retelling.

Antonio Zumel loved telling stories, indeed. But since he is no longer with us, we decided to have his comrades and friends (and some organizations) do the talking by quoting excerpts from statements and articles they have written about Manong. This is our way of celebrating and honoring him on this special day.

“Isa siyang kadre ng Partido na matatag na nakatindig sa kabila ng maraming dinaanang kahirapan at matitinding tunggalian. Isa siyang malapit na kasama at kaibigan na parang bukal ng laging mainit at taos-pusong pakikitungong nadarama pa naming kahit wala na siya. Sa panahon ng mga tagumpay lagi natin siyang maaalala upang pasalamatan sa kanyang mga naging ambag sa ating pagsulong. At sa panahon ng mga kahirapan ay lalagi siyang inspirasyon sa katatagan at katapangan.” (He was one cadre that stood firm in the face of the many hardships and intense struggle experienced by the Party. He was a true comrade and friend, one whose warmth and sincerity we still feel despite his passing. In victories, we remember him and his contributions to our advance. In times of difficulties, we will remember him as an inspiration for his steadfastness and courage.) - Ka Ria at Ka Celo

“Comrade Antonio Zumel has left an indelible mark in the history of the proletariat and people. His revolutionary qualities and deeds inspire us. Let us emulate his example and make it a living force for the advance of the Philippine revolution. Let us always remember him as a communist, a fervent proletarian revolutionary fighter and a patriot ever determined to struggle for the liberation of the Filipino people from national and class oppression and exploitation.” – Jose Maria Sison

“In him, I felt that revolutionary principles became alive. He embodied these principles. Warm-heartedness towards kasama, comrades from other countries, friends, the masa, and allies—he radiated it. Boundless responsibility towards one’s work - this was flesh
and blood in him. After he suffered a stroke and could not use his left arm, he continued to write articles and statements on the computer, using his right arm. A friend who visited him a few years ago asked if he was not weakening in his revolutionary stand after so many years. He answered: ‘Wala nang atrasan ito!’” - Luis Jalandoni

“It is not easy to forget Comrade “Manong” Zumel. Nor is it easy to forget a leader who is a staunch advocate of the revolutionary emancipation of women. He never looked back to his days of machismo and checked himself at every turn a fact which endeared him even more to women, as well as men, comrades. Moreover, his unbounded optimism for the emancipation of women along the revolutionary path has been a constant source of inspiration for many us fortunate to have crossed his path.” – Aleta Alvino, Malayang Kilusan ng mga Kababaihan (Makibaka)

“Two curious items in the book (Radical Prose) explain why Mr. Zumel's self-ironic nickname KP (katawang pangromansa, body for romance) was readily accepted as fitting even by the most militant of women. The first is an essay on five people martyred in the struggle against the Marcos Dictatorship. Mr. Zumel used the penname Puri Balando, in honor of two women, Puri Pedro and Liza Balando, both also killed by the Philippine military. For a person of authority in the people's movement to use a woman's name, made up though that may be, was quite rare. The second is an off-hand observation about the NDF leaders' appearance at the National Press Club, just one sentence embedded in a report by Benjamin Pimentel: "(Zumel) had a purple ribbon tied to his right wrist, purple being the new protest color decreed by the women's groups." The charm of such non-macho-ness cannot be overstated. Emmi de Jesus, secretary-general of Gabriela Philippines, meeting Zumel just once, summed up her impression of the man: uliran Tagalog for role model but more than a model, as the word also connotes something pure, quintessential, the ideal comrade.” – Ninotchka Rosca

“A test for Ka Tony’s dedication and unwavering commitment to unionism came years when he left the Philippine Herald for the Manila Bulletin. After covering a variety of beats, he was promoted news editor of the Bulletin. But it was a promotion with complication as Ka Tony described it. Accepting the promotion would make him a management man and this was definitely in conflict to his position as the vice president of the Bulletin union then. Even as he declined the promotion, his editor Ben Rodriguez made him assume the position, but Ka Tony never forsake the union.” – Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)

“Manong, Ka Tony, Nonong devoted his life and profession entirely for the patriotic and democratic aspirations of the youth and the people. His life and struggle will continue to become an endless wellspring of inspiration and a pithy editorial for young, aspiring writers to take on a road towards not only for the freedom of the right to free speech, expression and thought, but that of the people. We bestowed upon him the Gawad Marcelo H. del Pilar, the highest citation given to fellow Guilders who have served well the purpose of journalism for truth and the publishers of truth, the people. His sanctuary is the people. It shall become ours as well.” – College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)

“His humor was infectious, sometimes dated, sometimes corny, sometimes naughty, but always infectious. He would burst into great laughter every time a new joke is imported from the Philippines. And when he senses an idle moment or that he finds you are left alone in the crowd, he would sit by your side and share his thoughts and jokes and anecdotes. But Manong in political exile was also a sad man. He longed for home. He yearned to see the Philippines truly free and democratic. Manong in exile was an angry man, too. He would be outraged by the absurd positions of the GRP panel in the peace negotiations, the malicious machinations of the contras, the violations of human rights that continue with impunity, the death of a comrade, an NPA or a civilian. He would always stand up and defend the people, the comrades, the NDFP and the Party in his writings. ” – Edre Olalia

“The Filipino expatriate community has always been in search of its outstanding sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, those who have led simple but productive, exemplary and meaningful lives abroad, those whose patriotism and devotion to the people’s cause never waned while in exile, those whose achievements may not be felt now but in the years and generations to come. We need not look elsewhere. Here is Manong Tony Zumel – the Marcelo del Pilar of our generation. He is our pride and honor.” – Migrante-Europe

“Today, what has endured for me is the friendship. Between Tony, Satur and me. Between Tony and so many of you who are here tonight. We may not share the same grand ideas. But even if we did, beyond that it is better to also have the respect and liking for each other as plain human beings, the mutual trust built through the years, the memories of good and bad times, the working together. No demands, no black-and-white, but plenty of give-and-take. I would like to thank Tony for that. And I know he thanks you too for the precious gift of your friendship.” – Carolina “Bobbie” Malay

“Whenever I saw him, which was not as often as I would have wanted to, he made me feel really missed. Like a father who hadn’t seen a daughter for a long time, he would take my face in both hands and give my cheeks a good squeeze before kissing them. Manong had the gift of making every person feel special and important because when he was with you, he was there 100%; listening and valuing everything you had to say as an expression of his love, respect and deep regard for you. The grace of his presence was a remarkable experience. The memory of his humanity, his considerateness and warm-heartedness will continue to uplift our spirits, bring a smile. Now and forever, he is only a thought away.” – Maitet Ledesma

“Isang matingkad na halimbawa si Kasamang Tony ng isang intelektwal na nagawang isantabi ang makasariling layaw at luho para sa ikabubuti ng mas nakararami sa ating lipunan. Yinakap niya ang buhay na lipos ng sakripisyo: sumama siya sa welga ng mga manggagawa sa peryodiko’t ipinaglaban ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag; lumaban sa pasismo ng estado hangga’t namundok at kumilos sa underground ng ibinaba ang batas military; nadistiero sa ibang bansa subalit walang-patid na gumampan ng gawain – lahat alang-alang sa bayan at sa dakilang adhikain ng rebolusyon.” (Comrade Tony is a shining example of an intellectual who gave up his own comfort for the interest of the majority in our society. He embraced a life full of sacrifices: he joined workers' strikes and fought for press freedom; took a stand against state fascism by going to the mountains and joining the underground movement when martial law was declared; went into exile and never stopped carrying out his tasks. All this for the people and the great goal of the revolution. – Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)

“Si Ka Tony ay hindi magmamaliw na inspirasyon sa buhay ng pakikibaka ng masang anakpawis. Inspirasyon ang buhay ni Ka Tony para sa aming mga kabataang nagsisikap maghubog ng sarili para sa kapakanan ng sambayanan. Kainlanman ay hindi pumanaw ang katatagan ng paninindigan at kasiglahaan sa paglilingkod ni Ka Tony hanggang sa mga huling sandali ng kanyang buhay. Sa kanyang paglisan ay babangon ang daang libong kabataan para muling tanganan ang kanyang pamana na sinaad sa huling bahagi ng tulang kanyang alay sa aming kabataan. ‘MARAMING SALAMAT SA MULING PAGTITIBAY, SA GINTONG KATOTOHANANG TITIYAKIN NINYONG KABATAAN ANG ATING MGA TAGUMPAY!’” (Comrade Tony will forever remain as an inspiration for all toiling masses. He is also an inspiration for young people like us to remould ourselves for the welfare of the pople. Never did Comrade Tony waver in serving the people. His death will inspire thousands of of youth to carry on his legacy which he mentioned in the last part of a poem he dedicated for the youth: "THANKS FOR REAFFIRMING THE GOLDEN TRUTH THAT YOU WILL CARRY ON TO ACHIEVE VICTORY!" – Anakbayan

“Ka Tony’s exemplary life buoys us with revolutionary optimism. He showed us that each one of us need not be extraordinary individuals or experience exceptional circumstances to lead us to the revolutionary path. We only need to open our eyes to the harsh class realities of Philippine society and show willingness to side with the most exploited and oppressed to strengthen our proletarian standpoint.” – Comrades from Australia

“We all regard Ka Tony as a people’s hero who merits and deserves a place of honor in our nation’s history. May his achievement and services to the toiling masses be emulated by generations of Filipinos now and in the future.” – Capt. Dan Vizmanos

“Those of us who have met him will always remember him as a friendly and resolute revolutionary. He was obviously a man who was totally dedicated to the revolution. One could learn so much from him. We also appreciated very much his openness to hear and learn about the experiences of other revolutionary parties and organizations. As he wanted to actively support the struggle of workers and the anti-imperialist struggle in other countries, he also participated in many meetings and rallies in Belgium. By doing so, he strengthened revolutionary internationalism in his very humble, but genuine way.” – Parti du Travail de Belgique (PTB)

“Tony exemplified the highest qualities of courage and commitment, and also demonstrated that love for the people, for co-workers and kasamas, can be one of the highest organizing principles and can stir others to act also.” – John Witteck (Philippine Workers Support Committee-Hawaii)

“For us who got to know him in Europe, he will always be our Manong Tony, a soft-spoken but passionate defender of the poor and powerless. His enthusiasm and determination never failed to inspire us as he refused to bow for the strong and the powerful, even when his own body was already weak and frail. His persistent concern for the people’s movement, not only in the Philippines but all over the world, challenged us to redefine the true meaning of international solidarity. It is because we have known Manong Tony and other like him that we are confident that the people’s victory is inevitable.” – Filippijnengroepen Belgie (FGB)

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