It is with great sadness that we learn about the demise of a great FRIEND and COMRADE, Dr. Francisco Nemezo "Ka Dodong".
Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his beloved Princess Nemenzo, and to the entire family, not only by blood but also to the family of comrades built alongside decades of hard struggle.
We will always remember you, Ka Dodong, and will keep alive your dreams for a better world!
Dr. Francisco "Dodong" Nemenzo passes away on December 19, 2024. Born in Cebu City on February 9, 1935, Dodong lived a life rich in thought, action, and impact. He was 89 years old.
Dodong Nemenzo was a distinguished political scientist and Marxist scholar, known for his fearless views on Philippine society, politics, and international affairs. As the 18th President of the University of the Philippines, he left an indelible mark on the institution.
He modernized the university and spearheaded initiatives that fostered critical thought and academic excellence.
He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of the Philippines and his PhD from the University of Manchester. Dodong joined the UP faculty in 1957, rising through the ranks to become full Professor and Professor Emeritus of political science.
He also served as UP Faculty Regent, Chancellor of UP Visayas, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UP Diliman. A leading leftist intellectual, Dodong practiced his ideals — and was incarcerated for his actions during the martial law regime of Ferdinand E. Marcos.
He advocated unwaveringly for social justice and reform, and played leadership roles in political organizations and social movements.