In Memoriam: Agustin “Nong Usting” Docena, former CODE-NGO Board Member

Mario Ian Mosquisa

When I was asked to say something as part of a tribute to “Mano Osting,” I did not have any second thoughts. I took it as an opportunity to say something out of my great respect for the man, as person, as our leader, as my mentor, a father to us, above all as a good friend.

If my reckoning serves me right, my initial encounter with “Mano Osting” was when we were both invited in a community consultation involving a labor dispute. He, being a member of a committee of the Provincial Board tasked to hear the case, and I, as an invited observer from the Social Action Center of the Diocese. To make the long story short, he immediately made an impression to me with his straightforwardness. Of course, not all were happy for this. But for the defenseless, Mano Osting was a welcome relief. Their cause is his cause.  He pursues their cause with so much passion that sometimes led to an emotionally charged encounter, made him a misunderstood man. Misunderstood in the sense that he would stand his ground if he believes he is right often causing strained relations. But he would readily make apologies if he hurts somebody.

As a leader he led and lived by example. His passion for his advocacies for the downtrodden and the environment is matched by the energy he had exhibited even at his age then. Mano Osting in his younger years was with the private sector, ironically, in the logging business. He was in politics as an elected official. But his passion for his advocacies had taken root more with his involvement in development work among CSOs (civil society organizations). 

Since my initial encounter with him when he was still in government, our paths again crossed with each other, both of us already in the arena of NGO work. And the tie that bound us together was our involvement in our common advocacy against the destruction of our environment in Samar, particularly against mining. I would say he is the front man, and I as his assistant; he, as the teacher, and I his student. From the mining issue in Manicani and Homonhon Island to the creation of the Samar Island Natural Park, we were together. We had small and big victories in our causes, and we also share many failures, lessons learned so to speak – confronting the hard issues, in many ways, cemented our common bond.

We share the same life of “Living Dangerously” during the time of General Palparan. He was number 3 in the order of battle. Maybe, I am not in the list, of course it’s not my wish, but by mere association with people in the list, there is also that risk involved. Two of our common friends in NGO work were already gunned down, and yet his straightforwardness did not mellow even in the lion’s den. In front of the military officials when we had a meeting with them on the issue of extra-judicial killing in the province he afforded to lecture them about human rights.  That was the time when a kind of memo circulated among the ranks of the military, “Knowing thy Enemy,” which tracked down activists during the Martial Law years and were targeted for liquidation. After that forum, I asked him, “How are you Mano?” His reply, “makaharadlok.”  Human as he is, he also had his share of fear for his life. But this did not deter him from moving on with what he believed is right.

Mano is a doting father. He draws strength from his family, his wife Mana Shirley, his children, Ryan and Rizza, and his grandchildren, especially, little Bea. It is something that we, too, emulated. Others who do not understand genuine social development work would find the arena a thankless job because of the risks involved, the complexities of issues to handle from within the organization that he is in and from without among others. But Mano showed us that it is not and it is not a mere show. He lived with it, and literally died for it, though not in the manner of martyrs. 

When Mano, speaks out his mind, most often, it would elicit varying reactions, maybe because people have differing views of the man or of what he says. But what I know of him is his consistency of what he believes in and his being passionate in pursuing such beliefs. This consistency is highly apparent when he speaks out and acts out on issues such as human rights, poverty and social justice, good governance and environment, to a name a few. Such a big arena for an old man… but in fact, kidding aside, the more he was engaged the more he felt younger.  Sadly, he had to leave us… which is not easy for us who know who he is… what he can be… much as we want him to be with us… we had to accept, I had to accept… we had to let him go, I had to let him go… I believe he is in better hands now. 

In his last moments with us, he left us a mission to continue the journey he set for himself, he set for us… aptly, he said, “Ipadayon niyo an aton gintikangan para han mga kablas naton nga mga kabug-tuan.Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang mga gawain natin para sa mga kapatid nating naghihirap.” I know why he pressed for that mission – he came from a poor family, and he has consistently fought for their cause…

To you Mano, we are challenged and we are inspired by your example and leadership, “Damo nga Salamat…”

Mario Ian Mosquisa is a Board Member of CODE- NGO, representing the Eastern Visayas Network of NGOs and POs.

A video of the “Tribute to Nong Usting” may be accessed from this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdtBvZkNHDU