Lean Alejandro's widow: My husband would've loved Facebook, Twitter

If slain student leader Leandro “Lean” Alejandro were still alive today, he would have been a “techie,” a blogger and an active user of social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, his widow said Wednesday night. “Kung inabutan niya ‘yan matutuwa siya riyan sa mga cellphone, laptop,” said Lidy Nacpil, one of the founders of the Gabriela Women’s party-list group, during a dinner commemorating Lean’s 25th death anniversary. “Alam mo ‘yan, palagay ko, every few moments or every opportunity magti-tweet ‘yan o magpo-post ‘yan sa [Facebook] wall sa mga observation at analysis niya sa pulitika, ekonomiya,” she added. Lidy also said Lean would probably have his own blog. “He will absolutely love the wonders and the advantages of this technology kasi you can reach more, you can make comments,” she said. But for more “in-depth” discussion, Lean would have surely preferred the traditional ways of communication. “I think he will still value the old ways of doing things that allow you to have more depth. Kasi minsan ang problema doon sa social media napaka-snapshot ng idea, hindi ka nakaka-develop ng mas in-depth na discussion,” Lidy said. An ordinary man She said Lean was an “interesting combination” of an ordinary man who likes comedy films and one who has so much interest in technology, particularly in the development of new gadgets. “Interesting combination siya ng isang ordinaryong tao na mahilig manood ng sine, natutuwa sa mga nakikita niyang comedy. Interesado siya sa mga nagdedevelop na bagong gadgets at technology,” Lidy said. On September 19, 1987, Lean was shot and killed while approaching the headquarters of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Quezon City. He was only 27 years old and left behind Lidy and their then-six-month-old daughter Susan. He would have been 52 years old now. A leader beyond his time   Former activist Alex Padilla described Lean as “a leader beyond his time.” “He is the best president that the Philippines never had,” said Padilla, currently vice president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and a board member at the Leandro L. Alejandro Foundation (LLAF).  Lean first made his mark as a charismatic student leader from the University of the Philippines in the Eighties opposing the Marcos dictatorship. His dedication to the cause was so pure that he decided to quit school and worked full-time in anti-dictatorship movements like the Justice for Aquino, Justice for All, Coalition of Organizations for Restoration of Democracy, Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy, and Bayan.   “Mahirap siyang i-describe,” Padilla said of Lean. “He is a complex man. Kaya niyang tugunan ang kagustuhan ng mahihirap at intindihin ang iba’t ibang sector ng lipunan. Pero he is also a decision-maker with respect and humility for people.”  “Ang medyo natatangi sa kanya, napakatalino, napaka-articulate niya saka mapagbiro. Mahusay siya makipag-relate sa tao. Napakapassionate at dedicated niya,” Lidy told GMA News Online.   Search for Justice   Meanwhile, Lean’s mother, Sally, told GMA News Online that she is leaving justice for her son’s murder in the hands of God.   “Nasisiyahan ako at hindi siya nakakalimutan ng mga kaibigan niya… Pinagdadasal ko na lang, bahala na ang nasa itaas,” Sally said.   Lidy said they are no longer optimistic that justice will be served.   “Kahit noon pa naman alam ko mahihirapan kaming malaman kung sino talaga ang pumatay kasi alam namin na bahagi sila ng military. ‘Yun ang paniniwala namin,” she said.   “Para sa akin ang katarungan, kahit noon pa man, para sa akin mas mahalaga na mabago talaga yung sistema natin. Hindi lang ako naghahangad ng katarungan para sa akin at para kay Lean, magkaroon talaga tayo ng makatarungang sistema… Ano ba naman yung ma-investigate ang isang kaso, paano naman yung libu-libo pang mga kaso [na nakabinbin],” she added.   The Legacy   After the EDSA Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime, Lean entered mainstream politics by running as congressman in his hometown Malabon-Navotas district in 1987. However, he lost to Tessie Aquino-Oreta, former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s sister-in-law, amid purported poll irregularities.   Twenty-five years after Lean’s death, his family, friends and comrades unveiled the projects that will continue his legacy as a “parliament of the street.”   The Leandro L. Alejandro Foundation is set to build a People’s Center that shall serve as a place for people to gather for meetings, educational and training workshops, creative and learning activities, public forums and social events.   The foundation will also be granting a fellowship program for “Disruptive Innovations” that showcases new and innovative ideas relevant to social transformation.   For the youth to know more about this charismatic leader, LLAF hopes to publish a book on Lean’s life through an anthology series.   The foundation is also set to establish a Lean Alejandro Professorial Chair in his alma mater, UP Diliman, which will provide scholarship and research grants in the field of Philippine studies. — KBK, GMA News