One Hundred Years of Activism - Don Vicente Sotto and Vico

 

Between Don Vicente Y. Sotto and his great grandson, the current Pasig City Mayor, Vico Sotto, span four generations—a century marked by both peace and political turmoil. Each rose to prominence in their respective eras: Don Vicente during the early years of American occupation, and Mayor Vico in the twilight of a political dynasty that have long ruled. The former, perhaps unsuccessful in his battle to rid the nation of colonial power and its lingering influence; the latter, just begun his path—one that may open the country to new possibilities, guided by social virtues, freed from the ills that haunt it, striving for equality and prosperity for all.

During the early years of American colonization, Don Vicente Sotto was among the first to criticize the "Yankee" system that was hastily being imposed on Filipinos. His weapon of choice in this resistance was the pen. He was a journalist, a writer and lawyer. Born and raised in Cebu, he elegantly expressed himself in two languages—Cebuano, the language of his homeland, and Spanish.

The young Vicente Sotto’s activities caught the attention of a prominent Filipino journalist who was, at the time, an exile in Madrid, Spain—none other than Isabelo de los Reyes. A prolific writer, social reformer, and founder of the first labor union in the Philippines, De los Reyes (or Ka Belong) praised the talents of the young Sotto, whose articles, deemed subversive by American authorities, led to multiple arrests. He was imprisoned, fined, and repeatedly warned. His exploits eventually made their way into the pages of "Filipinas Ante Europa", a newspaper founded and edited by Ka Belong.

In 1907, seeking respite from American interrogations, Vicente Sotto exiled himself to Hong Kong. Finding it difficult to make ends meet, he worked as a pianist at the Stag Hotel and gave private Spanish lessons. The Philippine resistance against the United States did not achieve a triumphant conclusion. Sotto eventually returned to politics in Cebu, rising through various local government positions before being elected to the Philippine Senate in 1946.

In the Senate, Vicente Sotto championed the diversity of Filipino cultures and languages, challenging the dominance of Tagalog—perhaps an early precursor to the advocacy against what some call "imperial Manila." He also took a firm stance on the issue of "collaborators"—Filipino officials who had cooperated with the Japanese during World War II—becoming a voice of conscience in the postwar years.

Now, another young Sotto stands at the threshold of history. In front of him lies a similarly quixotic task—reshaping Philippine politics. This time, the ground he treads is Pasig.

As I began writing this, it occurred to me that, for many Filipinos today, their sense of nationhood seems to be anchored thousands of miles away. Perhaps at this very moment, hundreds of Filipinos are camped outside a detention facility, in The Hague, seeking justice in the case against their "Tatay". Meanwhile, the leader at Malacañang ponders upon his next steps--Impending clash of dynasties? But for days now, the nation's focus seems to have shifted to one city—the political developments in Pasig have captured national curiosity. Planet Pasig.

Is Pasig the epicenter of a continuing change?

I tend not to over define. Pero libre tayong mangarap. Here’s a toast to a hundred years of activism!