In this new episode of Shakers and Shapers, we tackle the complex figure of Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines. We look back at his journey, from his aristocratic roots and eventual radicalization at the University of the Philippines, the formation of Kabataang Makabayan, the ideological underpinnings of national democracy, and the pivotal role Sison and his movement played during the dictatorship and beyond. Amidst a backdrop of red-tagging and anti-terror laws, join us as we seek to understand the complexities of the communist movement in the Philippines.

Correction:

In this episode we referred to Joma Sison as having gone into “self‑exile.” Listener and journalist Michael Beltran clarifies that this characterization could be misleading. In fact, the Philippine government revoked Sison’s passport while he was abroad, effectively forcing him to seek asylum in the Netherlands. Thus, his exile is a state action, not a voluntary departure. Sison was later granted asylum by Dutch authorities in the 1990s.

Michael is the author of The Singing Detainee and the Librarian with One Book: Essays on Exile, a book on Sison’s life in exile which included interviews with him and his legal team. We thank him for this vital nuance and encourage everyone to check his book out.