Aloysius 'Ochie' Baes,
1948-2006: Scientist for the People
Dr. Aloysius U. Baes—Ochie,
scientist and activist, quietly passed away at the National Kidney
Transplant Institute on December 21, 2006. A scientist through and
through, he studied chemistry not only that of elements and compounds but
also the chemistry of society-- the complex interaction of Philippine
society, working hard to change the current situation towards a better
future for the oppressed majority.
By the ADVOCATES of Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM)
Posted by
Bulatlat
At this time when extrajudicial
killings of activists happen left and right, Dr. Aloysius U. Baes-- Ochie--
quietly passed away at the National Kidney Transplant Institute on
December 21, 2006. A poet once wrote, it is not the manner of death that
makes someone a hero, it is the meaning drawn from the struggles against
the foe, serving the people to his very last breath.
Despite our deep sense of loss over the
death of Ochie, we celebrate the life of a man who has contributed much in
the service of the oppressed and exploited people; a life full of
significance and relevance to the Filipino people's struggle for national
liberation and democracy.
A scientist through and through, he
studied chemistry not only that of elements and compounds but also the
chemistry of society-- the complex interaction of Philippine society,
working hard to change the current situation towards a better future for
the oppressed majority. As an activist during Martial Law, he was one of
those who were incarcerated in Marcos' jails. Afterwards, he went to the
U.S. where he obtained his Ph.D. while continually working among the
Filipino community there in support of the struggle here in the
Philippines. He continued this even when he transferred to Japan.
We were fortunate in AGHAM to have Dr.
Aloysius Baes as one of our founding members and as the convenor of the
AGHAM Laguna chapter in 2000. He was instrumental in formulating the five
concerns that a scientist could work on in order to make science and
technology serve the people-- the environment, public utilities, food
security and self-sufficiency, scientific and mass culture, and national
industrialization. He also clarified that the people themselves are the
primary advocates of making science and technology benefit and serve the
people. He has also deepened our sense of environmental awareness driving
home the point that the struggle for the environment is the struggle of
the people.
He never faced the dilemma of
"scientific neutrality" because he never ceased to be a genuine scientist:
objective and inquisitive, and yet clearly knowing where he stands in the
objective reality of our society. He carried this standpoint in clarifying
scientific issues through his expertise and his insightful explanations:
in the toxic waste issues at the Clark Air Base, the Marinduque mining
spill, in the Rapu-Rapu commission, and the Guimaras oil spill-- always
explaining the effects to the people's livelihood and welfare despite the
frequent obfuscation of the wrongdoers.
Ochie serves as an inspiration for all
of us to take the standpoint of the people in our daily practice as
scientists-- to always make science and technology serve the people. His
memory will always be cherished and his life always worthy of emulation:
Ochie Baes, Scientist for the People. Agham/posted by Bulatlat
WHAT MAKES A HERO
It's not the manner of death
That makes someone a hero.
It is the meaning drawn
From the struggles against the foe.
There is the hero who dies in the battlefield,
There is the hero who dies of hunger and disease,
There is the hero who dies of some accident,
There is the hero who dies of old age.
Whatever is the manner of death,
There is a common denominator
A hero serves the people
To his very last breath.
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