Josie Lichauco: High-Society Girl Who Rubbed Elbows With the Masses

An Unlikely Activist

Lichauco came from a rich family. Araullo said Lichauco came from the ranks of high society, that is why what she did awed Araullo and the others. Lichauco was an alumna of St. Scholastica’s College and the UP College of Law. She had a Master of Laws degree, Juris Doctor, from Yale Law School.

Lichauco wrote in one of her columns for The Philippine Star: “I grew up in a family where Sunday lunch conversations dwelt often on stocks and investments, like talk about how a young family friend made a killing in the stock market just in time for his wedding in three months, or the fantastic performance of a stock just listed on the stock exchange, or the sudden surge in price of a particular stock, etc.”

Her father was highly respected among stockbrokers and investors, such that he was able to arrange a visit once for Lichauco to the New York Stock Exchange.

For years, Lichauco was secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications but gave it up briefly in 1984 because as she put it, “All my kids were taking to the streets and I felt I had to join them.” She also became chairperson of the National Telecommunications Commission and worked as consultant for the Telecom and Internet Law of Anstrico Inc.


Lichauco with activist friends Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza (right) and Bayan’s Carol Araullo (leftz) (Photo from ellentordesillas.com)

“Josie proved that she was willing and able to take the fight wherever and whenever necessary,” Araullo said. “She became a political activist not only in words but in deeds, not only in meetings in air-conditioned board rooms but in hot, dusty streets where she brushed elbows with the masa and the aktibista.

She also joined mass actions highlighting the demands of working people, such as during May 1 Labor Day rallies and March 8 International Women’s Day. She fearlessly and repeatedly ventured out of her comfort zone as she attended and spoke in many rallies at Mendiola, Plaza Miranda, Liwasang Bonifacio, Roxas Boulevard and at Commonwealth Avenue for the yearly anti-State-of-the-Nation rallies that Bayan organized.

Renato Reyes, secretary-general of Bayan, said that even during the times when she was not feeling well, “that never stopped her from going to Commonwealth for the SONA rallies, or appear in protests in Manila, or Ayala. Rain or shine, she was there. If she committed to a cause, she would give it her full support.”

Lichauco was known to speak her mind, Rep. Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna said. “She was an angry person, she was a feisty lady… There was a reason behind that anger.” He said she was a person whom he loved to see angry because she had a strong morale intuition. He said whenever there was someone she felt was insincere, whether in meetings or gatherings, she could really scare him or her off the stage or the room.

Actress Bibeth Orteza impersonated Lichauco during the tribute. She acted outLichauco’s dialogue with the police in a rally at the PICC to protest the fraud during the 2007 senatorial elections. The protesters then were drenched after being bombarded by water cannons; the police, armed with truncheons, were blocking their way. “Come on, let us pass,” Lichauco hollered at them, according to friends. “You think I’m doing this for myself? No! I’m doing this for my children and grandchildren. There has always been fraud every election. This is enough. So please let us pass.”

Memories

Lichauco was also a generous person. She helped Nanay Mameng Deunida, of Kadamay, as well as other mass leaders from the basic sectors. “She generously gave her time, graciously hosted meetings at her residence, and forked out money from her own pocket to help pay for the expenses at rallies and also for the medical needs of some mass leaders,” Araullo said.

And unknown to many, Lichauco had been supporting the widows of those who were killed in the Ampatuan massacre, according to lawyer Harry Roque. The widows she supported were also present during the tribute.

Members of the organization Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) remembered Lichauco as a person who persevered to seek the truth and justice.

Lito Banayo, a former presidential adviser on political affairs, remembers her for being a good example of an honest government official. When they were in Korea in1986, he related, after several days of meetings and a hectic schedule, he was asked by Lichauco to go to a restaurant and order ahead for their dinner as she and other colleagues would join him later. When he asked what to order, she told him “Just order what he thinks is best.” He ordered shark’s fin and other specialty food. When Lichauco arrived, she castigated him. “This is scandalous, Lito. Why did you order all of these? We are from government.”

During the tribute, her friends and colleagues also recalled funny things about her.

Lichauco was fixated with her age, friends said. A friend of hers related that up to the time of Lichaucos death, Lichauco never knew her real age. Casiño said that when Lichauco learned that he was the son of Ador Casiño, her classmate at UP Law, she exclaimed: “My God! Am I that old? I’m not as old as your dad, ha? I was the youngest in our class.” Casiño said she would always remind him of that.

In her impersonation of Lichauco, Orteza reenacted some of her funny dialogues, such as when she was called Tita. “How old are you? My gulay, and you call me Tita? If your husband who is younger than you does not call me Tita, what gives you the right to call me that?”

Facing one of her activist friends in a meeting, Lichauco once said: “You know, people think you’re a communist because you are not wearing lipstick.” When her friend asked why she was also not wearing any lipstick, Lichauco replied: “You know, I’m different. Sometimes I want people to think I’m a communist.”

Sr. Mary John Mananzan of St. Scholastica was fond of Lichauco. “Scholasticans are Scholasticans. They are women who have fire in their bellies. I would tell all the Scholasticans to be women who have fire in their bellies. I’m proud of Josie.”

Lichauco definitely touched the lives of many people, Araullo said. “We in Bayan never felt any prejudice against the Left on Josie’s part, neither the leaders nor individual members whom she met, rubbed elbows and even became good friends with.”

In its tribute to Lichauco, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines negotiating panel chairman Luis Jalandoni said: “The example of Josie Lichauco, brave fighter for the people’s rights, for truth, justice and human rights, will continue to be an inspiration.” (Bulatlat.com)

Share This Post

3 Comments - Write a Comment

  1. My name is John and I am from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Lichauco contacted my Vancouver office to test telecom equipment we developed. Our equipment would simulate individual line service, helping to upgrade telephone service and afford security.

    I wish I had the time to meet her.

    JJ

  2. Lahat ng mga mahahalagang detalye ay nandito. Sayang at pumanaw na siya. May mga iba na dapat pumanaw dahil peste sila sa ating buhay, pero nandiyan pa rin sila. Si Josie Lichauco na mahalaga sa atin sa lansangan, ay wala na.

Comments are closed.