Friends and comrades launched The Jose Maria Sison Legacy Foundation (TJMSLF) in Utrecht, The Netherlands last February 15 to preserve the legacy of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder.
In conjunction with “Ka Joma” Sison’s 86th birth anniversary last month, the foundation was inaugurated with two exhibits of archival materials and museum items that highlighted the honoree’s books and significant moments in life.
“Sison’s life-long work as a great thinker and practical leader of a revolutionary movement has not only changed the course of Philippine history as it pertains to the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation but has also inspired and influenced progressive and revolutionary movements around the world,” the TJMSLF said.
The organizers said the foundation aims to make accessible materials related to Sison’s contributions to the national democratic revolution in the Philippines and to proletarian internationalism.
The four main components of the foundation is a website, a museum, archives and events that would showcase Sison’s works on national and social liberation, justice, peace and prosperity.
National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel chairperson Julie de Lima in her keynote speech pointed to the key writings and documents drafted by her late husband that guided the CPP in confronting various challenges and in ensuring the continued advance of the Philippine revolution.
The foundation website offers more than 50 Sison books written since 1961, chronologically listed in English, Filipino and other languages.
The books are also mostly available as physical copies from libraries of major Philippine, US and West European universities as well as in Popular Bookstore in Manila and the NDFP International Office in Utrecht.
TJMSLF executive director Dan Borjal for his part pointed to the “immense relevance” of Sison’s writings in the current global situation “where great changes are occurring that open excellent possibilities for advancing people’s revolutionary struggles.”
The Foundation said its website shall ensure that Sison’s important works would be easily accessible to progressive individuals and organizations interested in studying his writings on a broad range of topics.
Archiving of Sison’s body of work is also being done to ensure that his papers and primary source materials are preserved for accessibility and use, it added.
The event was attended by Filipinos and foreign friends.
Sison died due to illness on December 16, 2022 in Utrecht. He was 83.
READ: Joma Sison dies, CPP announces
Sison also co-founded the New People’s Army and the NDFP. He was NDFP chief political consultant at the time of death. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)