Historical timeline and milestones

• Studied at the UP College of Fisheries before eventually shifting to BS Social Work.

• Associations:
  • Member, League of Filipino Students
  • Member, Scintilla Juris Fraternity (was active in the Frat Alliance)
• Worked with the following organizations: 
  • Task Force Detainees and KAPATID
  • Filipino migrant workers, including KAKAMMPI (association of returned migrants, families, and friends of OFWs), the People’s Global Exchange (PGX, a solidarity center), and the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
  • Digest of Significant World Events for the Filipijnengroep, a Dutch solidarity group for the Philippine struggle. He edited the digest, a service provided to solidarity and support groups in the Philippines and overseas.

As remembered by family and friends

“I remember the day after Mar and I, together with 17 other protesters, were arrested. We had spent the night at Camp Panopio, after being held and repeatedly interrogated at the police station and camp the whole day and throughout the night. In the morning of September 27, 1980, we were loaded on a military bus to be brought to Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan.  

We were telling each other jokes to keep our spirits up, when suddenly Nanay broke the military cordon, climbed into the bus and started crying, worried that her bunso, Mar, had a fever that morning. Mar smiled, a little embarrassed at the attention, and we smiled, too, but as Nanay was led off the bus, and we started for Bicutan, everyone fell silent. Later on I realized we were all crying, afraid of what was to happen to us. That it was Nanay’s birthday that day made it doubly heartbreaking. I will never forget that day.

Charged with obstruction of traffic, illegal assembly, rebellion, inciting to sedition, and subversion (punishable by death), 18 year-old Mar and his comrades were detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. 

Bicutan was considered the showcase of Ferdinand Marcos’ “benevolent dictatorship” because political prisoners were not locked in cells like in the other camps. They lived in buildings that were unlocked in the morning, so they can roam the compound, and after a head count at 5:00 pm, they were locked in the buildings again. The camp allowed foreign personalities and journalists to visit to show them how the dictatorship “humanely” treated dissenters.

In detention, through the sharing of experiences with co-detainees – students from the university belt, farmers, workers, business people, priests and nuns – Mar was able to get a clearer picture of what was happening in other parts of the country. This forged his growing conviction that he must continue to serve the people and fight the dictatorship.

Mar joined a hunger strike for political detainees’ rights. It was one of a series of protests inside the camp to highlight the plight of prisoners of conscience throughout the Philippines. Mar went without food and drink for two weeks. He was among the first batch of prisoners released on December 24, 1980.

It was in Bicutan where Mar got to know and fell in love with fellow student and detainee Marivic Barriga. Their courtship went on well after their release from prison, and on December 29, 1986, they were wed in simple ceremonies. Mar described their love as a “union of two souls looking out in the same direction, and that is love of country, love for the people.” 

Mar volunteered with the Task Force Detainees and KAPATID, an organization of families of political detainees. While raising his young family, he wrote and carried out other tasks for  migrants and international solidarity groups, such as KAIBIGAN (a pioneer NGO supporting Filipino migrant workers), KAKAMMPI (association of returned migrants, families and friends of OFWs), the People’s Global Exchange (PGX, a solidarity center), and the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA). He wrote and edited the Digest of Significant World Events for Filipijnengroep, a Dutch solidarity group for the Philippine struggle. His role was part of the services provided to solidarity and support groups here and abroad.  

In his later life, Mar was beset with health issues. In 1995, he suffered from a massive stroke. The doctors discovered that Mar had an inborn brain condition called arterio-venous malformation, which had ruptured and caused the stroke. He underwent a grueling 12-hour brain surgery to remove the blood clot and the malformed arteries. With the help of friends and family, he was able to recover from surgery, although he had to painstakingly train his memory. He took anti-epileptic medication and shunned drinking alcohol.. 

Mar continued his work for migrant advocacy and people-to-people exchange.

In 2006, Mar and high school buddy and fellow music enthusiast Pong dela Cruz decided to pursue their dream of putting up a small bar where they can play their record collection. They opened Analog Record Bar and Cafe at the back of the Philippine Heart Center. The place developed a small following among people from NGOs and the academe, artists, and music lovers. On some nights Mar played his guitar and jammed with friends.

Mar worked in his NGO by day and helped manage the bar at night until early morning. Although it was becoming popular and was even featured in a magazine, the bar’s overhead costs were too much for small entrepreneurs to maintain. After a year, they decided to close shop.

In 2008 his immunity began to weaken. He suffered from several ailments. With sheer determination and discipline he took on a healthier lifestyle to improve his health. He continued writing and doing advocacy work for overseas migrant rights. Mar also pursued his love for reading and music, gathering a vast collection of books and records. He loved practicing with his guitar at home.

On October 9, 2011, Mar passed away due to tuberculosis and Pseudomonas infection. He left behind his life partner, Marivic, and his two children, Carlos and Rosa Rae. He was 49.” – Mar’s sibling

******

“Mar was a loving father to his two children. He was happy staying at home and doing most of the housework like cooking, doing laundry and handwashing diapers. He also took care of his ailing parents until their passing. There was discipline and dedication in all he did, even in his hobbies like reading, listening to his records, or solving crossword puzzles. To further hone his guitar skills, he took a course at the UP College of Music.” — Partner and co-detainee Marivic Barriga

******

“A comrade, Molave roommate and a friend. We chatted a few times in 2011 and talked about his analog cafe business in QC. Despite his short-term memory health issues, he remembered a lot about college and his life as an activist. I visited him once while he was detained in Bicutan. I was saddened by news of his death. Kaibigang Mar, may you rest in peace.” — A college buddy

******

“Pag nagkikita kami ni Kulot he always says, “Suweldo, Joy?” and ‘Ano ang food na luto?’ Kakain daw sya. Miss you Mar, ang taong cool lang kahit under pressure sa oras at gawain. Ganyan ko nakilala si Mar. Siya ang taong aalalayan ka pag hindi mo na kaya. Miss you, kulot.” — A co-worker

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“I remember him as being so timidly shy in Bicuts, only to turn kalog and jolly whenever Boyet was around. And lovestruck whenever he held your hand.” — A college friend and fellow detainee

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“He is such an amazing and smart man. He used to tutor me in Algebra when I was in high school. Good people are always remembered. May our good Lord grant you Peace in Heaven!” — A schoolmate

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“One of my fondest memories is when the three of us will cook corned beef with lots of onions in the CPHC kitchen. Ang saya-saya nun, di ba?” — Marivic’s co-worker

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“I remember Mar as the guy in his Chuck Taylors. We often jammed in high school. We would play songs by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Miss you, Mar. Marami pa kong hindi alam sa mga pinaggagagawa mo sa mundo nung nabubuhay ka pa. Salamat at nagkita tayo uli long after our high school days. Dami pa dapat ako natutunan sa ‘yo, pareng Mar.  Salamat.” — A  high school friend

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“Mar and I were very close at Kalayaan Residence Hall circa 1978-79. Ilang beses din nya akong naisama sa kanilang bahay  sa Project 4 and I joined his accommodating family in a number of meals. Sinamahan nya ako nong bumili ako ng stereo sa Anson’s Makati where we spent almost half a day at pinakain ko sya ng hotdog sandwich. We always treated each other special when we were in UP.” — A college friend

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