ABOUT THE BOOK

Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo was an outstanding critical intellectual of the Philippine Left. On the one hand, nothing disheartened him more than rampant silence, apathy, and servility among the intelligentsia. On the other hand, he also disliked the drama that often came with polemics and preferred to debate on the basis of quiet logic and unadorned facts. More than anything, what lifted up his spirits were principled disagreement, lively intellectual engagement, and the productive driving force of dialectical contradiction. Imbued with a truly scientific attitude, he cultivated the habit of asking uncomfortable political and ideological questions in the face of general conformity. However, beyond the purely intellectual, his personal warmth and openness as a comrade was truly limitless and utterly generous. This collection of essays should give an idea of what he was as an important thinker and passionate fighter for social justice and equality.

Ramon Guillermo

Center for International Studies,

University of the Philippines

***

Deeply personal and political, impassioned and analytical, sweeping and granular, Notes from the Philippine Underground is a collection of iconic essays by one of our country’s most iconic revolutionary intellectuals. Francisco Nemenzo was always clear-eyed, far-sighted, and sanguine in his discussion of the indigenous origins, “growing pains,” crises, and divergent pathways of Philippine Marxism and the Philippine Left; his diagnosis of the Marcos dictatorship and EDSA restoration; and his prognosis regarding the once and future struggle over democracy. Inspiring.

Caroline S. Hau

Center for Southeast Asian Studies,

Kyoto University

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo, the eighteenth president of the University of the Philippines (UP), left an indelible mark as a professor of political science, dean, chancellor, and faculty regent. Renowned for his unwavering commitment to academic freedom, he stood firm even during the repressive martial law regime. As UP president from 1999 to 2005, he modernized the university and spearheaded initiatives that promoted critical thinking and academic excellence.

Beyond the academe, Nemenzo was recognized as the Philippines’ foremost Marxist scholar and a fearless advocate for social justice and reform. He was imprisoned during martial law and, as a former member of the Politburo of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, broke with the organization when it capitulated to the Marcos administration. He played a pivotal role in founding and leading several socialist and democratic political organizations and social movements.

Nemenzo passed away on December 19, 2024.