Abraham Sarmiento Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abraham Sarmiento Jr.
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Detail of the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, showing names from the first batch of Bantayog Honorees, including that of Abraham Sarmiento Jr.
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| Born | June 5, 1950 Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines
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| Died | November 11, 1977 (aged 27) |
| Other names | Ditto |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (no degree) |
| Occupation | student, journalist |
| Known for | being the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian during martial law |
| Spouse(s) |
Marsha Santos
(m. 1970) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Abraham Sarmiento Sr. Irene Pascual |
Abraham "Ditto" Pascual Sarmiento Jr. (June 5, 1950 – November 11, 1977) was a brave Filipino student journalist. He became well-known for speaking out against the martial law government of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
As the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, Ditto made the University of the Philippines student newspaper a strong, independent voice. This was important because most news was controlled by the Marcos government. His time in prison made him sick and led to his early death.
Growing Up and School
Ditto was born in Santa Mesa, Manila. His father, Abraham Sarmiento Sr., was a famous lawyer. His mother, Irene, came from a family who started Pascual Laboratories. As a child, Ditto loved to read. He would talk with adults about books, religion, and art.
Ditto went to the Ateneo de Manila for primary and secondary school. He was a very good student and skilled at writing. He even represented his school on a TV quiz show. Ditto often had asthma attacks, which sometimes made it hard for him to go to school.
In 1967, Ditto started at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He joined a student group called Alpha Phi Beta, like his father. At the university, he became friends with students who were upset with President Ferdinand Marcos. In 1970, Ditto married his girlfriend, Marsha. They had one son, Abraham III, nicknamed Ditter.
Speaking Out with the Philippine Collegian
After Marcos declared martial law in 1972, Ditto went back to the University of the Philippines. He studied business and joined the staff of the university newspaper, the Philippine Collegian. In 1975, Ditto became the editor-in-chief of the Collegian. He got the job after scoring first in the editorial exams.
When martial law began, many newspapers were shut down. Only those that supported the Marcos government were allowed to open again. But under Ditto's leadership, the Collegian started to publish articles and editorials that criticized martial law. They called for democracy to return.
Ditto wrote and signed many editorials himself. He wrote about freedom of speech and press freedom. He told students to fight for their civil liberties and democratic rights. He famously urged his fellow students: "Kung hindi tayo kikilos? Kung di tayo kikibo, sino ang kikibo? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?" This means: "If we do not act, who will act? If we do not care, who will care? If not now, when?"
Ditto was not a radical person himself. He was driven by a strong sense of justice and fairness. He helped unite the Collegian staff, even though they had different political ideas.
Time in Prison
In December 1975, Ditto and Fides Lim, the managing editor, were questioned by the military. This was because of an editorial Ditto wrote called "Purge II". They were released soon after. But they first met with Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who was unhappy about the editorial.
The next month, Ditto wrote another editorial for the Collegian. It was called "Where Do We Go from Here". It criticized Marcos's "New Society" and asked for public discussions about martial law. On January 15, 1976, Ditto read his editorial at a university event. Nine days later, he was arrested at his home.
Ditto stayed in prison until August 1976. The official arrest order, which mentioned "rumor-mongering," came five months after he was arrested. At one point, he shared a cell with Satur Ocampo, a member of the National Democratic Front.
While in prison, Ditto's health got worse. He did not get his asthma medication. He was held in a cell at Camp Crame that had its doors and windows almost completely sealed. Despite this, Ditto wrote a statement defending his editorials. He said they were part of his right to free speech and press freedom. He also refused to take back his words. He wrote to his father, "To back off now would be an abandonment of principles I believe in and a tarnish on my integrity as an individual. I do not believe I could live with myself then."
Ditto's father asked for help from Deputy Defense Minister Carmelo Barbero to get medical care for his son. On August 28, 1976, Ditto was released from prison.
His Legacy
After being released, Ditto went back to the University of the Philippines. He tried to live quietly. However, his asthma was much worse because of his time in prison. He suffered severe and painful attacks regularly. On November 11, 1977, just over a year after his release, Ditto was found dead in his bedroom. He was 27 years old and had suffered a heart attack.
Two weeks after Ditto's death, the Collegian published a special issue. On the cover were the words: "Para sa iyo, Ditto Sarmiento, sa iyong paglilingkod sa mag-aaral at sambayanan." This means: "To you, Ditto Sarmiento, for your service to the studentry and the Filipino people." The cover also showed the U.P. Oblation statue with its right hand raised in a fist, breaking free from chains. The University gave Ditto a special degree after his death in 1978.
After Ditto died, his father became more active in opposing the Marcos government. Abraham Sarmiento Sr. was even arrested in 1979 for publishing a book that criticized the government. He was later appointed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines after the Marcos government was removed from power.
In 1992, Ditto was named one of the first "65 Martyrs." These are heroes honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani. This monument in Quezon City remembers the victims and heroes of martial law.
