International Committee DEFEND
International Committee to DEFEND Filipino Progressives in Europe
Press Release
7 April  2011

The International Committee DEFEND launched recently at the NDFP International Information Office in Utrecht the book titled, Jose Maria Sison: A Celebration (Philippines: Aklat ng Bayan, 2011).

This is a 227-page book in honor of Prof. Jose Maria Sison. It consists of articles by various well-known authors who are his friends in order to celebrate his more than 50 years of service to the Filipino people as thinker, writer, poet, revolutionary leader, strategist, organizer and mobilizer of the national democratic movement.

Among the authors are: Atty. Romeo T. Capulong, Luis Jalandoni, national artist Bien Lumbrera, former dean Luis V. Teodoro, Prof.Epifanio San Juan Jr., Prof. Elmer Ordoñez, former president of the University of the Philippines Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, the novelist Ninotchka Rosca, the poets Gelacio Guillermo, Ed Maranan and Nonilo Queaño, Sen. Loren Legarda, Rep. Raymond Palatino, BAYAN general secretary Renato Reyes, Bishop Deogracias Yniguez, Prof. Gary Leupp, Dr. Bert de Belder, Ramsey Clark and Jan Fermon. The book is edited by the Production Group of Aklat ng Bayan.

Luis Jalandoni, chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel, and Bert de Belder, a leader of the Belgian Workers’ Party, were special guests and gave brief remarks during the book launch.

Jalandoni praised Sison for his outstanding role as chief political consultant of the panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in peace negotiations with the Manila government.

Dr. De Belder expressed high appreciation for theoretical and strategic value of the written contributions of Sison to the annual Brusssels seminar of communist and workers’ parties and organizations.

Prof. Sison reiterated his sense of gratitude to all the authors of the book. He was present to autograph the sold copies of the book .

A cultural group provided voice and instrumental music as intermission numbers and as accmpaniment to the book sale and autographing. Ms. Coni Ledesma served as the master of ceremonies.

The Utrecht launch of Jose Maria Sison: A Celebration in Utrecht is the first outside of the Philippines. The book is slated to be launched in other cities in Europe as well as in North America, East Asia and Oceania. ##

For reference:

Ruth de Leon
International Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 00-31-30-8895306