RENOWNED FIGURES in Philippine politics Henedina “Dina” Abad, 62, and Fr. Romeo “Archie” Intengan, SJ, 74, passed away October 8 and October 10, respectively, after years of serving advocacies within and outside the Ateneo.
Abad and Intengan had consistently pushed for human rights and democratic reform.
Abad had also founded the Ateneo School of Government in 1996, and Intengan had been one of the pioneers of Philippine social democracy.
Later on, Abad joined Congress as Batanes Representative. She served her first term from 2004-2007, her second and third from 2010-2016, and her last from 2016 until her passing.
Abad for ‘people empowerment’
Henedina “Dina” Abad went to Maryknoll College (now Miriam College), where she graduated cum laude with an Economics degree. Later on, she pursued her Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Harvard University.
Abad grew up in a non-political family, composed mostly of bankers. “But there was something in her that was stirred by the injustice she witnessed during Martial Law that led her to a lifelong commitment to fight for social justice,” said Luis Abad (AB EC ‘07), Dina Abad’s son.
Dina and her husband, former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, were strong advocates against martial law under the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. They joined political groups that eventually caused their arrests.
In her youth, Dina volunteered for many organizations that focused on community-building. “People empowerment and community development was always at the core of Nanay’s work,” said Luis.
“Dina has always been committed to a deeper meaning of democracy—not just the formal democratic process, but a deeper institution where the poor can participate more effectively,” said Associate Dean for Core Curriculum Benjamin Tolosa, PhD, Dina’s student and eventually her colleague. “Her background was very much [involved in] organizing.”
Her work and participation in community-building in Ateneo had later developed into the Center for Community Services and the Center for Social Policy. These institutions became a framework for many socially-driven programs in the Ateneo.
Beyond her work in community development, Dina was also an educator. “In many ways, she was an intellectual, not just an organizer,” said Tolosa.
Later, Dina pursued government work, becoming a member of the Congress as the Representative of the province of Batanes.
She had voted against the House Bill 4727, also known as the Death Penalty Bill, which resulted to her being stripped off her post as chairperson of government reorganization.
Dina was also known for pushing for the Sin Tax Reform Act and Reproductive Health Act, and bills such as the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the Freedom of Information bill.
As Batanes representative, she focused on heritage conservation and community-based tourism initiatives.
Fr. Archie, an ‘inspirational figure’
Before joining the Jesuits, Romeo “Archie” Intengan had pursued Medicine at the University of the Philippines-Manila in 1965.
During Martial Law, Intengan had founded and joined several pro-democracy groups. In 1978, he was arrested for being one of the leaders of a protest.
He was released, but had to flee the country in 1980 to escape another arrest after being accused of conspiring against the government. “He could not stop his political involvement, even in a covert way,” said Tolosa, who had been Intengan’s colleague.
Later on, Intengan joined the Jesuits and became a professor of Theology in the Ateneo.
Tolosa said that Intengan was “crucial” in forming the ideological vision of Filipino social democracy. Described by Tolosa as “very organized, meticulous, and systematic,” Intengan
Tolosa said that Intengan had been able to invite students to participate in political work. “He was a good mentor to young people,” said Tolosa. “Many people got their start [in politics] through Fr. Archie.”
“Fr. Archie was an inspirational figure because of the way he was able to systematize social democratic thought as a real alternative, not just politically, but intellectually and ideologically,” said Tolosa.
Legacy and remembrance
Dina Abad’s efforts in organizing community-building programs contributed to the development of notable programs in the Ateneo, including several economics courses and the AB Development Studies program, which started in 1986.
Her work at the Ateneo School of Government had created “a political education that provides for empowerment.”
“I think she continued that kind of effort even when she was a legislator, but that whole experience was important from Ateneo to governance,” said Tolosa. “[She] created an institution that directly engaged in government services.”
Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, a friend of Dina, remembers that her “values for social justice were solid and clear.”
Luis Abad also said that his mother’s legacy will live on “as long as those whose lives and hearts [she] has touched continue the work of making this country a better place.”
Intengan’s work in politics had also reflected in his service as a Jesuit. “The message of Christ has to find expression in a multidimensional way—part of it is political and social,” said Tolosa. “His political involvement is integral to his priesthood.”
“We owe a lot to Fr. Archie for the way he codified and systematized social democratic thought. Fr. Archie was one of the pioneers who put [that] together,” he added.
By raising these advocacies in their work, Abad and Intengan brought what Tolosa calls “a vision and framework for active non-violence in social and political transformation.”
