Abraham Sarmiento, Jr.
| Abraham P. Sarmiento Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 5, 1950 Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines |
| Died | November 11, 1977 (aged 27) Quezon City, Philippines |
| Other names | Ditto Sarmiento |
| Occupation | student, journalist |
| Known for | Martial law critic as EIC of the Philippine Collegian |
Abraham P. Sarmiento Jr., also known as Ditto Sarmiento (June 5, 1950 – November 11, 1977) was a Filipino student journalist who gained prominence as an early and visible critic of the martial law government of President Ferdinand Marcos. As editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, Sarmiento melded the University of the Philippines student newspaper into an independent though solitary voice against martial law rule at a time when the mass media was under the control of the Marcos government. His subsequent seven-month imprisonment by the military impaired his health and contributed to his premature death.
Sarmiento was born in Sta. Mesa, Manila. His father, Abraham, was a well-known lawyer and close friend of President Diosdado Macapagal who would be appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines years after his son's death. As a child, Sarmiento Jr. was a voracious reader who would engage in discussions with adults about literature, religion and art.
Sarmiento finished his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila. He distinguished himself at the Ateneo with his high marks and literary skills and even represented his school on a televised quiz show. His schooling though was frequently impaired by asthma attacks, which necessitated the installation of an oxygen tank in his bedroom.
In 1967, Sarmiento enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Diliman where he joined the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity. At U.P., he befriended student activists who were increasingly agitated against the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, especially during the First Quarter Storm. In 1970, Sarmiento married his girlfriend, Marsha, and dropped out of the university. He and his wife would separate by 1972.
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