The Filipino people paid tribute to three heroes who passed away recently for devoting their life to the people and their excellence in their fields of struggle. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) extended its sympathies and condolences over the demise of journalist Jaime Espina (Nonoy), cartoonist Leonilo Doloricon (Neil), and mass-leader Carmen Deunida (Nanay Mameng).

Espina passed away last July 7 due to liver cancer. The CPP paid tribute to his invaluable contributions to struggles for press freedom. As a son of Negros, he never kept silent and supported the the struggles of sacadas in sugarcane plantations across the island.

He became chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and actively fought against media repression and state attacks, and for the rights of media workers.

Doloricon passed away on July 15 at the age of 63 due to complications caused by Covid-19. He was among the most prominent cartoonist and painters in the country for producing masterpieces which depict true social conditions. He is considered as one of the pillars of social realism in the Philippines.

Among his most popular artworks are drawings which he contributed to the “Philippine Society and Revolution: Isinalarawan.”

Ka Mameng died at the age of 93 on July 19. She was known for being a fierce leader and founder of urban poor organization Kadamay. Since the Marcos regime, she was an effective leader of the urban poor’s mass struggles. She served as a key mass leader in the campaign leading to the ouster of former president Estrada.