Gone But Must Carry On: Remembering Father Rudy Romano
This article on the Father Rudy Romano is a story of a Human Rights Violations Victims of the Martial Law era.
To view the rest of the Roll of Victims see this link: Roll of Victims
A Privileged Youth
Fr. Rudy was born Rosaleo Romano in Malate, Manila on September 26, 1940.[1] The eldest of ten children, he and his family moved to his father’s province in Villareal, Western Samar when the Second World War Broke out.[2] Father Rudy came from an affluent family. His father was a town mayor who was a land and business owner.[3]
During that period, a young Rudy was introduced to the Redemptorists[4] who were conducting missions and retreats in Western Samar. A Redemptorist priest named Fr. Jim Power, emphasized to Rudy that being a missionary was no easy task.[5] It involved the willingness to step out of a place of privilege to serve the less fortunate. This somehow resonated with Rudy, and despite his privileged background, he decided to enter the seminary when he was just 16 years old. He became an avowed Redemptorist on July 2, 1958.[6]
Priesthood
Fr. Rudy Romano. Photo taken from the Filippijnengroep Nederland (FGN) Collection of the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission.
Rudy spent time studying in Bangalore and was later ordained as a priest on December 20, 1964.[7] For the next decade, Fr. Rudy was active with missions in the rural areas of Samar, Dumaguete, and Iligan. He was a progressive catechist, going beyond what was expected of the laity, and challenging the role of the Church in social work.
He served as the Vocation Director for the Redemptorist Community of Cebu from 1975 to 1980.[8] Around the same time, Fr. Rudy was a key figure in starting the Visayas Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace, in which he was elected as its first chairperson.
From 1980 to 1985, while still being involved with the Cebu Redemptorist community, Fr. Rudy began marrying social justice together with his church work.[9] As his involvement with social justice was increasing, Fr. Rudy’s schedule would become more filled out. He served as secretary for the Coalition Against People’s Persecution (CAPP) and was also the national Vice President of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) for the Visayas Region.[10]
He would also attend and support gatherings, even accepting invitations to speak to the crowds, calling out the social injustices and human rights abuses which were occurring under the Marcos regime. In December 1979, Fr. Rudy was once arrested following his involvement in a rally in Cebu.[11] This brought him more exposure, being the talk of headlines in local media. The marginalized sector embraced Fr. Rudy for his work in promoting social justice and human rights. Although the poor communities praised him, oppressors of those marginalized sectors kept a vexed eye on Fr. Rudy.
This did not faze Fr. Rudy at all. An interview with his father, Gauden Romano, reveals his unfaltering commitment to promote justice and to serve the poor. Mang Gauden remembers asking his son if he could halt his activities in Cebu, due to the dangers that surrounded the nature of his work.[12]
Fr. Rudy replied: “They go to the priest, they go to the Church, they go to me – that is why I am their voice. I am fighting in their behalf.”13
Firm in his trademark of social work and social justice, Fr. Rudy continued to remain deeply involved in the masses’ struggle against Marcos’ dictatorial regime. He was a consistent presence in during the rallies in Cebu, often taking part as a speaker and decrying the injustices brought about by the Marcos administration.[14]
Rudy spent time studying in Bangalore and was later ordained as a priest on December 20, 1964.[7] For the next decade, Fr. Rudy was active with missions in the rural areas of Samar, Dumaguete, and Iligan. He was a progressive catechist, going beyond what was expected of the laity, and challenging the role of the Church in social work.
He served as the Vocation Director for the Redemptorist Community of Cebu from 1975 to 1980.[8] Around the same time, Fr. Rudy was a key figure in starting the Visayas Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace, in which he was elected as its first chairperson.
From 1980 to 1985, while still being involved with the Cebu Redemptorist community, Fr. Rudy began marrying social justice together with his church work.[9] As his involvement with social justice was increasing, Fr. Rudy’s schedule would become more filled out. He served as secretary for the Coalition Against People’s Persecution (CAPP) and was also the national Vice President of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) for the Visayas Region.[10]
He would also attend and support gatherings, even accepting invitations to speak to the crowds, calling out the social injustices and human rights abuses which were occurring under the Marcos regime. In December 1979, Fr. Rudy was once arrested following his involvement in a rally in Cebu.[11] This brought him more exposure, being the talk of headlines in local media. The marginalized sector embraced Fr. Rudy for his work in promoting social justice and human rights. Although the poor communities praised him, oppressors of those marginalized sectors kept a vexed eye on Fr. Rudy.
This did not faze Fr. Rudy at all. An interview with his father, Gauden Romano, reveals his unfaltering commitment to promote justice and to serve the poor. Mang Gauden remembers asking his son if he could halt his activities in Cebu, due to the dangers that surrounded the nature of his work.[12]
Fr. Rudy replied: “They go to the priest, they go to the Church, they go to me – that is why I am their voice. I am fighting in their behalf.”13
Firm in his trademark of social work and social justice, Fr. Rudy continued to remain deeply involved in the masses’ struggle against Marcos’ dictatorial regime. He was a consistent presence in during the rallies in Cebu, often taking part as a speaker and decrying the injustices brought about by the Marcos administration.[14]
Disappearance
On July 11, 1985, Fr. Rudy was coming from Tisa, Labangon, Cebu City on his blue motorbike. A witness claims that Fr. Rudy mentioned that he was on his way back to the Redemptorist convent.[15] Fr. Rudy was last seen along Katipunan Road, Cebu City later that same day.[16] Upon investigation, it was discovered that at around 11 am, a white Ford Cortina, a government car, and some motorcycles were seen parked around Katipunan Street near La Paloma Village. At around 3:45 pm, a man matching the description of Fr. Rudy, riding a blue motorbike passed by, clearly on his way to the city.
The white car and motorcycles staged an accident, causing Fr. Rudy to stop and examine the situation. Men dressed in civilian clothing stepped out of the car and threatened Fr. Rudy at gunpoint to get into the car with them. Fr. Rudy’s motorbike was taken, and the perpetrators all drove off.
In the statement of the Redemptorist Community of Cebu on the abduction of Fr. Rudy, they had not heard anything from him for over 48 hours since the incident. Military personnel also denied any knowledge of his location. On the same day, a student activist named Levi Ybanez also disappeared in the same area of Cebu City.[17]
Local and Global Concern
Once word got out that Fr. Rudy had been abducted, communities all over Cebu came together to organize pickets and rallies to demand for his return. The Redemptorist Communities also held daily prayer sessions, rallies, and processions. Even then Pope John Paull II, was aware of the situation, and said a prayer for Fr. Rudy.[18] State agents could not come up with any acceptable explanation for his disappearance.
On July 16, 1985, former Senator Jose W. Diokno led a group of lawyers and filed a petition for the writ of Habeas Corpus, requesting to bring forward the body of Fr. Rudy.[19] On September 4 of the same year, President Marcos Sr. met with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani and Fr. Hechanova to address Fr. Rudy’s disappearance. The foreign audience expressed their concern, with groups such as Amnesty International from London, The Church Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines from the US, and even US senators and congressmen calling for urgent action towards the matter.[20]
Despite all the efforts and calls for concern, Fr. Rudy has still not been found to this day.
“Igawas si Father Rudy” An editorial cartoon depicting the pickets calling out for the release of Fr. Rudy Romano. Photo taken from the Filippijnengroep Nederland (FGN) Collection of the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission.
Disappeared But Never Forgotten
Every July 11, Fr. Rudy is remembered beyond his priestly duties. He was a devoted servant towards the poor and the oppressed; pushing further towards the causes of social justice and human rights. On the 41st founding anniversary of the post-martial law Provincial Government, Fr. Rudy was honored as an “Adopted Son of Cebu.”[21]
In 2020, on the 35th commemoration of his disappearance in Cebu, alliance groups stood together in remembering and saying: “Be like Fr. Rudy.”[22] Amidst the seemingly neverending prevalence of tyrants and dictators in our country, may we emulate Fr. Rudy Romano’s advocacy for social justice and human rights, and dedicate ourselves to serving those who need it most.
Footnotes
[1] “Fr. Rudy Romano.” in Produce (29 October 1985), Filippijnengroep Nederland Collection, Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Quezon City, Philippines.
[2] Reyes, Ronald O. “After 37 years, Filipino Catholic Faithful Still Remember Priest Disappeared by Dictatorship.” Licas. July 11, 2022. Accessed July 4, 2023.
[3] Alfaro-Alorro, Maria Lourdes., “Fr. Rudy Romano, Missing But Still Alive…” Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances. 2007. Accessed July 4, 2023.
[4] “The Redemptorists are a group of Roman Catholic Missionaries originally founded in Italy. The Redemptorists in Cebu, whom Fr. Rudy joined, came from Ireland in 1906.” (Produce, 1985)
[5] Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (2007)
[9] “Statement of the Redemptorist Community of Cebu on the Abduction of Fr. Rudy Romano” In Ichthys Vol. VII, No. 26 (19 July 1985), Filippijnengroep Nederland Collection, Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Quezon City, Philippines.
[21] Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (2007)
[22] Mayol, Ador Vincent S., “Cebuanos Remember Fr. Rudy Romano on 35th Year of Disappearance.” Inquirer. July 11, 2020. Accessed July 4, 2023. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1305358/cebuanos-remember-fr-rudy-romano-on-35th-year- -disappearance
References
“Fr. Rudy Romano.” in Produce ( 29 October 1985), Filippijnengroep Nederland Collection, Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Quezon City, Philippines.
“Statement of the Redemptorist Community of Cebu on the Abduction of Fr. Rudy Romano” In Ichthys Vol. VII, No. 26 (19 July 1985), Filippijnengroep Nederland Collection, Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Quezon City, Philippines.
Alfaro-Alorro, Maria Lourdes., “Fr. Rudy Romano, Missing But Still Alive…” Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances. 2007. Accessed July 4, 2023.
Mayol, Ador Vincent S., “Cebuanos Remember Fr. Rudy Romano on 35th Year of Disappearance.” Inquirer. July 11, 2020. Accessed July 4, 2023.
Reyes, Ronald O. “After 37 years, Filipino Catholic Faithful Still Remember Priest Disappeared by Dictatorship.” Licas. July 11, 2022. Accessed July 4, 2023.