Unless action is done based on the many tributes to Ka Jimmy Tadeo, his exemplary life dedicated to our people will only remain in writing.
Last March 29, during the necrological rites for Ka Jimmy in Plaridel, Bulacan, hundreds of those he greatly influenced gathered in person and through Zoom to express their admiration and gratitude.
The most significant impression they got from the tributes was that Ka Jimmy was a man of God, and that this faith guided all his actions. In Ka Jimmy, faith and action were one. His life was filled with passion, intensity and sacrifice, both for himself and for his family.
Much of his time was spent in danger. He received several death threats trying to stop him from pursuing social justice and farmers’ rights. He was the face of agriculture struggle, especially during the waning years of martial law and the years thereafter.
Even as his health deteriorated, Ka Jimmy unselfishly continued his crusade for true agriculture development.
Tributes
Here are some of the tributes from the agriculture and labor sectors.
Arsenio Tanchuling, president of Alyansa Agrikultura, wrote: “We pay the highest tribute to Ka Jimmy. In 2001, he was a key founder of Alyansa Agrikultura, which sought to unite the different agriculture subsectors to have a common voice. He advocated agrarian reform, but emphasized that this must go with the necessary support services. The lack of this essential support component explains much of the failure in agrarian reform today.
“In 2009, Ka Jimmy shifted focus from the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, which he cofounded, to form Paragos, Pilipinas. This promotes sustainable agriculture and organic farming. He became the spokesperson of Go Organic! Philippines, led by the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and La Liga Pilipinas. This showed Ka Jimmy’s wholistic and long-term perspective. Throughout his life, Ka Jimmy generously shared his wisdom, commitment and courage, which were his legacies to us that we will always treasure.”
For labor, several organizations stated: “We mourn Ka Jimmy’s passing, especially at a time when attempts at changing the 1987 Constitution are being revived in Congress.”
Sonny Matula, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition chair, said: “Tadeo was a key member of the Constitutional Commission that framed the 1987 Constitution, which carried strong social justice and human rights provisions, including agrarian reform and full protection of labor. He was one of the icons of street protests during the time of the Marcos dictatorship, and he continued to champion the cause of social justice throughout his life.”
At the necrological rites, different groups touched by Ka Jimmy’s life shared their experiences. The convicted criminals Jimmy was with during his three years in prison for alleged trumped-up charges appreciated the affection and respect he showed them, as he shared his family, social and spiritual views.
His fellow activists, many of whom suffered the same oppression, talked about Ka Jimmy’s continuing call for action, and his optimism that someday, justice would prevail.
Action
What therefore are the actions we must now take from the many tributes to Ka Jimmy?
First, like him, we must walk the talk, and ensure that our faith guides our actions. We must also fight, struggle and sacrifice for the good of others, especially the marginalized, no matter what the odds are.
Second, we must continue to seek the support services that our agrarian reform beneficiaries and farmers and fisherfolk sorely lack. We must do what other countries do, the absence of which largely explains our agriculture decline today.
Third, we must emphasize and implement the right technology, such as sustainable agriculture and increased organic farming. This should be done in stages, which may initially be inconvenient, but is absolutely necessary and beneficial in the long run.
Fourth, we must always fight for social justice. Ka Jimmy has planted the seeds and shown the path. We must now tend to these seeds and take the path less-traveled, but one that will ultimately lead to peace and prosperity.
Through the actions we take from these “Tributes to Tadeo,” Ka Jimmy’s life can better achieve its full potential, perhaps even more so after his death. INQ