“Again and again”
Last Thursday, in a media lunch for alternative media and student media groups, I shared why my memoir is entitled Ransomed by Love: A happy changemaker’s unfinished life.
First, because my life can be summed up as love stories – romantic, platonic, eros, philia, agape, with persons (Titay, my sons, family, friends, my exes, even those who have ghosted me), peoples (indigenous peoples, young people, the poor, our people, my students and mentees), the Philippines (how I love this country!), the planet (how I love nature!), and above all God, the Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit.
Second, because it is that love – being loved and loving back, being forgiven and forgiving in turn – which has ransomed me, saved me from my captivity. This includes my mental health challenges – being neurodiverse (Aspergers was the term used before), ADHD, and bipolar – and more recently my stage 4 prostate cancer. Add to that volatile storm sinfulness, selfishness, and recklessness and you have a perfect storm.
In the memoir, I tell stories of my failures, of suffering and causing suffering, of hurting and being hurt.
But love ransoms me again and again.
And that is why I am a happy changemaker – human rights lawyer, climate justice activist, environmental defender, indigenous peoples rights advocate, teacher and mentor.
I did emphasize how important it was to rest, to take care of one self and of each other, to find time for good conversations, listen to music, appreciate art, pray.
It is an unfinished life but already it is full of love stories.
Ransomed by love is a memoir of sickness, solitude, and solidarity. But more than anything, it is a memoir of hope.
When I started writing this book, my body and heart were broken. I thought I had only six months to live. It turned out that my expectation of death was premature. I am now on my third overtime extension. I would like to think that life is more like basketball than football, with unlimited overtime periods, and does not end with a penalty shoot-out.
In this memoir, I share lessons of my life of 65 years to the next generation so they may face the future with insight and confidence.
2024 is more complex and challenging than 1959 when I was born. Yet we are better equipped today to deal with these challenges than when I was born 65 years ago.
I believe future generations will do better than us.
I can see my sons Eman, Rico, and Rafa will be better than my wife Titay and me.
I know my students and the people I mentor will be better than me. They have better technology. They are more connected. They will be more mobile. Above all, they have the knowledge and the wisdom we can leave them.
My intention is for this memoir to help future generations build on the experiences and lessons of those of us who went before them. To them, I offer this book as testimonial and guide.
Here is what some colleagues have written about the book:
“This is a must-read for human rights defenders and social justice advocates. Dean Tony’s journey criss-crosses causes and generations, his achievements spanning a lifetime of teaching and selfless service.” Leila De Lima Former senator, Secretary of Justice, and Chair of the Commission on Human Rights
“La Viña’s memoir is more than just a record of his unfinished journey – it is a frank, compelling, erudite, and open look back at everything that shaped his life. Or better put, his lives; for this son of Mindanao has challenged and been challenged, fallen and risen, suffered and hoped, and triumphed with, by, and because of love many times over.” – Dean Francis Alfar, Chair of the Filipino Critics Circle (formerly Manila Critics Circle), and author of “Salamanca”
“Tony opens the door to allow the reader to travel through time with him in and out of Mindanao as he unravels the woven threads of his life’s journey. In the process, without any hint of hesitation, Tony – in a metaphorical sense – stands naked in the light and bares his soul.”- Brother Karl Gaspar CSsR Mindanao writer, interfaith scholar, missionary, Lumad and peace advocate
“As a former boss and lifelong friend, Tony showed me the dignity of public service and the beauty of a career in environmental and climate protection. Mine is not a unique story, as his memoir reveals.” – Maria Socorro Manguiat Deputy Executive Secretary, Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer.
To my readers, please come to the book launch today, November 29, 5-7 PM in Leong Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.
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