Oscar passed away last April 17. He had been hospitalized earlier that week with serious heart problems that aggravated a severe respiratory condition.

For 21 years he worked at the IUF General Secretariat’s printing shop in Geneva: a labyrinth of paper, machines and documents that Oscar knew like no one else.

Born in the Philippines, Oscar could speak a few words in Spanish, and one of them was the term we use to call our fellow unionists and friends: COMPAÑERO.

We are all going to miss his constant smile, his warm greetings every time we met.

With his passing the labor movement loses a dear friend known for his solidarity, an excellent person, but, above all, a great union activist.

I imagine that

you’ll still be there, Oscar,

hiding secretly in that room,

in your nest of papers.

From Latin America,

we wish to send his wife, Nora,

and the rest of his family

our most heartfelt solidarity

and support.

We salute you, COMPAÑERO!