Leandro Alejandro

Leandro Legara Alejandro

Lean Alejandro (standing with a microphone) during a students' protest against Marcos
Born July 10, 1960
Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines[1]
Died September 19, 1987(1987-09-19) (aged 27)
Manila, Philippines
Other names Lean Alejandro
Alma mater University of the Philippines
Organization Colegium Liberium
Philippine Collegian
Anti-Imperialist Youth Committee
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy
UP Diliman University Student Council
Center for Nationalist Studies
People's MIND
Justice for Aquino, Justice for All
Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy
BAYAN
Movement People Power Revolution
Spouse(s) Lidy Nacpil-Alejandro

Leandro Legara Alejandro (July 10, 1960 – September 19, 1987), known among activists and street parliamentarians as Lean, was an activist, a student leader, and a left-wing nationalist in the mold of Lorenzo Tañada, Jose Diokno, and Ninoy Aquino.


Education

Lean studied at the University of the Philippines at first as a Chemistry major. He later shifted to Philippines Studies. He was a member of Collegium Liberium.

Activism

On his first year at the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus he joined the Colegium Liberum (CL). He was also a feature writer of the Philippine Collegian, where he wrote articles critical of the Marcos administration. He was described by his contemporaries as an intellectual rebel. He played a key role in the formations of different nationalist organizations. From the formation of the Anti-Imerialist Youth Committee (AIYC), then as the founding Chairperson of a national youth and student umbrella organization, Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND) founded in August 17, 1980. He was elected chairperson of UP College of Arts & Science Student Council in 1982-83 then University Student Council (USC) in 1983-84. The establishment of the Center for Nationalist Studies (CNS) 1983.

He also played a key role in the formations of broad multi-sectoral organizations during Marcos Martial Law time. PAPA during the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1981. People's MIND in 1982 against the fraudulent Marcos national referendum. The formation of Justice for Aquino, Justice for All (JAJA) 1983 after Sen. Benigno Aquino was assassinated on his return to the Philippines. Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy (NAJFD) 1984. In 1985, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) was established and Alejandro became its secretary-general. Alongside Ka Bert Olalia, Lando Olalia, Crispin Beltran, Ka Pepe Diokno, Sen. Lorenzo Tañada and the other prominent Filipino nationalist leaders, Alejandro would be at the frontlines of the parliament of the streets during the 1980s.

1987 Elections

After the People Power Revolution of 1986, Alejandro decided to enter mainstream politics and bring the movement's ideals to Congress. He ran for the congressional seat of the Malabon-Navotas district against Tessie Aquino-Oreta, President Corazon Aquino's sister-in-law. He lost in his bid amid reports of election irregularities.

Assassination

On September 19, 1987, after the failed coup attempt led by Col. Gregorio Honasan, Alejandro announced plans for a major demonstration against the return to fascism. Returning by car to the headquarters of BAYAN, he was fired upon, instantly killing Alejandro. He was killed in a campaign sortie at Tanza Navotas. He was shot while on stage by an assailant his murderer rumored to be master-minded by Tessie Oreta Aquino.

Legacy

The Leandro L. Alejandro Foundation (LLAF) was founded after the murder in 1987, stimulating the peace process under president Fidel Ramos. Organized in the early nineties as a peace network, Alejandro's widow Lidy Nacpil-Alejandro played an important role.[2]

In 1997, a musical play entitled "Lean" was staged to commemorate the 10th year since Alejandro's assassination. In this play, Gary Granada, who wrote the libretto, remixed the tune of U.P. Naming Mahal in a contemporary rock version and gave it new and more "nationalistic sounding" lyrics.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito". City of San Juan. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
  2. ↑ "Leandro L. Alejandro Foundation Archives". International Institute of Social History. Retrieved 2011-01-19.

External links

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