The unyielding spirit of Doy

The late Salvador "Doy" Laurel Jr., who would have turned 97 on the 18th of November, wasn't just a prominent figure in Philippine politics, he was also someone whose life story feels like a deeply personal journey of dedication and love for his country.

- OF TREES AND FOREST FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT MANNY VILLAR

Doy showed an incredible passion for justice, especially for the underprivileged. As a young senator in the Nacionalista Party, he was known for pushing laws that helped the poor and for his unwavering integrity, earning him repeated recognition as an outstanding legislator. But Doy's story is much more than titles and awards-it's about how he genuinely cared for the Filipino people.

My connection with Doy was, of course, mediated by his leadership role in the Nacionalista Party. Ever since he was elected as the youngest postwar senator at just 39, Doy carried the party's ideals with unrivaled fervor. But his career wasn't always easy-things took a darker turn when our democracy was under attack and Doy, with all his courage, stood up bravely and defended our freedom, knowing full well the risks involved. This shift from lawmaker to defender of democracy showed just how much he believed in democracy and was willing to fight for it.