AN OCTOGENARIAN and veteran antimartial law activist was among the 10 recipients of this year’s “Natatanging Anak ng Lucena” awards which were given as part of the celebration to mark the 54th founding anniversary of Lucena City in Quezon province.
Leonor C. Sevilla, 83, was recognized as an active religious worker at St. Ferdinand Cathedral in the city and pioneer writer who still sends her regular column to the weekly “Boletin Lucentino,” the official news organ of the Diocese of Lucena.
She was also hailed for her contribution as a religion teacher at the local public elementary school for 50 years.
But unknown to young city residents, Sevilla had been a passionate defender of freedom and democracy during the martial law regime of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Arween Flores, chair of this year’s celebration of “Araw ng Lucena,” said the other awardees were Dr. Potenciano A. Andaman (business entrepreneur), former Lucena Vice Mayor Raymundo M. Adormeo (government service), Elizabeth Reyes-Enverga (education), Eduardo M. Muñoz (community service), Sancho A. Buncha (agriculture), Dr. Gerardo Carmelo B. Salazar (professional), Lydia A. Reyes (public health), Imelda O. Abadilla (performing arts) and former Lucena Vice Mayor Constancio L. Cusi Sr. (posthumous).
In 1982, while serving as a lay missionary and catechist in Mati, Davao Oriental province, Sevilla was arrested without any warrant by Army soldiers.
LEONOR C. SEVILLA
DELFIN T. MALLARI JR
Sevilla was imprisoned for 13 months at a military stockade in Davao. She once narrated to the Inquirer when she appeared before the Human Rights Victims Claims Board last year that she suffered various forms of mental torture during incarceration.
The activist was lucky that one Army official, who was once a student of her sister, recognized her. The meeting spared her from the painful physical torture and led to her release.
However, her prison experience did not stop her from rejoining fellow activists in Quezon and continue the campaign against military rule until the historic Edsa People Power Revolt that toppled Marcos in February 1986.
Mayor Roderick Alcala led local government officials during the awarding ceremony held on Aug. 20 in a hotel and restaurant on the outskirts of the city. In his State of the City Address, he detailed his accomplishments and future plans for the city under his “Bagong Lucena” policy of administration.
Lucena became a chartered city on June 17, 1961, by virtue of Republic Act No. 3271. Delfin T. Mallari Jr.