BACOLOD CITY – Members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) who knew former priest and National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiator Luis Jalandoni, then a member of the Diocese of Bacolod, said they are deeply saddened by his passing.
They described Jalandoni as “one of the deeply committed and dedicated priests to the cause and struggles of sugar workers” in the Negros Island Region.
In an interview with Manila Standard, Jun Hustado—a former organizer of NFSW in north Negros, now in his 70s—said in Ilonggo Jalandoni interacted with hacienda farmers.
He was “listening to our stories of poverty and struggle, helping us secure our food, holding liturgical mass and prayer services, and joining in our political education, even as he was performing his priestly duties in his parish,” according to Hustado.
Butch Amper, a former NFSW member and organic farming advocate, said he was fascinated by Jalandoni who grew up with the landowning class in Negros, but “sacrificed his prosperous and comfortable life” to become a priest and join an underground movement.
The Jalandoni family hails from Silay City, reportedly a haven of the old rich. Its earlier settlers migrated from Iloilo to undertake business ventures and sugar farming across the Negros Islands.
Jalandoni’s contemporaries remember him as a “simple, humble, gentle, very open, intelligent, and dedicated priest,” who stood by and fought for the rights of sugar workers. He was credited for inspiring the formation of NFSW to challenge the unfair labor practices of landowners.
A local priest said they will propose to Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod to hold a special tribute for Jalandoni on its homepage to honor his memory as “a true servant of God.”
