The commemoration takes off with this fine essay, written by the erudite scholar Ricky Celeste Ornopia, poet, researcher, and founder of 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚊𝚙 / 𝚃𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝚗𝚐 𝙿𝚞𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚐, “a heritage initiative that seeks to bridge the divide between the past and the present through historical research, archival preservation, public exhibitions and discussions.” Ornopia’s project “aims to reconnect contemporary audiences with individuals, objects, and places that have shaped local and national history.”

Ornopia’s essay on Antonio Kabigting Abad (AKA), does exactly what 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚊𝚙 professes. By bringing to light the immense contributions of AKA to Philippine society and the struggle for social and national emancipation, Ornopia reconnects Abad, the writer and thinker, with scribes and intellectuals struggling today to make sense of the chaos generated by decades of neglect, omissions, and avarice.

Oligarchies thrive not only in times of political listlessness and the generalized indifference of a population exhausted by the relentless plunder abetted by a seemingly rudderless state. What threatens to inundate even restless unorganized forces is when progressives lose track of their roots, disregard the historical compass, and by forgetting their own lose sight as well of the harbor of a common national purpose.

First in a series of necessary research initiatives, Ornopia’s essay helps rescue Abad and in doing so, it equips the reader with additional capacity to better navigate the turbulent waters that define our current era.

We thank VERA Files for taking interest in and publishing Ornopia’s essay. Bravo!