A professional political scientist’s perspective and analysis are more concentrated if he consistently applies the theory and considers the diversity of people in real life as well as ongoing conflicts. 

That is what gave Ka Dodong Nemenzo the will and vigor to continue fighting for the grassroots sector in spite of his infirmity.

Nemenzo, former president of the University of the Philippines, died Thursday. He was 89.

In the first quarter of 2015, a notice of demolition was served to some 80 informal settler-families living in an abandoned lot in Sta. Elena in Barangay Balara in Quezon City.

The prime lot is located about a kilometer distance start at the back of Ever Gotesco Mall on Commonwealth Avenue.

The renowned political thinker Nemenzo, together with his wife Maria Princess Nemenzo, joined the families of informal settlers demanding a relocation site, a provision stated in Urban Development Housing Act of 1992: No demolition without proper reocation.

The two-decade community struggle of Sta. Elena Community highlight during the term of office of the former President Benigno Aquino III, between 2010 to 2016.

Media practitioners who covered the daily condition of the ISF community were prohibited by the security guards posted at the entrance of Sta. Elena community. Barbed wires also surrounded the area where possible entry could be made.

On some occasions, reporters were able to pass through a dense path entering the community while camera bags were handed by guides.

Until the last quarter of 2015, when the land developer won the ‘legal battle’ they pushed their demolition plan and later for the construction of a high-rise condominium.

With the passing of Ka Dodong this Thursday December 19 at the age of 89, activist Glecy Naquita extended the heartfelt condolences of the Socialista group to those Nemenzo left behind.

The Socialista commemorated the active participation of Nemenzo who in the group’s battles in the Subic rape case Nicole, officially known as People of the Philippines vs. Dominic Duplantis, Keith Silkwood, and Daniel Smith of the year 2005-2009. The group name was changed – Stop the War Coalition a broader perspective, Naquita said.

Nemenzo was born into a family of scholars, his father, Francisco Sr., was a marine zoologist known as the “father of Philippine coral taxonomy,” and his mother, Catalina Alfafara, was a senior librarian at UP Diliman.

Nemenzo’s academic background was impressive, having earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1957 and 1959, respectively. He then obtained his Ph.D. in political history from the University of Manchester in 1965.

As a Marxist scholar, Nemenzo’s work focused on the dynamics of revolutionary movements in the Philippines.

During his UP presidency, he led the development of the Revitalized General Education Program, which allowed students to choose their own general education courses. He also established a special fund to support faculty academic growth and improved university facilities.

Nemenzo’s personal life was also noteworthy. He is married to Ana Maria “Princess” Ronquillo, a feminist and anti-poverty activist, and they have three children: Fidel, Leonid, and Lian ¹. His son, Fidel, followed in his footsteps, becoming a mathematician and serving as the 11th chancellor of UP Diliman.