LEOPOLDO DELACRUZ, SR., WRITES 30

Retired college professor Leopoldo Aguirre Delacruz, Sr., of Kalibo, Aklan, peacefully passed away at his home in San Juan City, Metro Manila, last February 21, 2011. He was 95. His wife was the late Elisa Meñez Mijares-Delacruz, also of Kalibo, Aklan and Manila.

Leopoldo, Sr., is survived by his brother, Atty. Manuel A. Delacruz, of Kalibo, Aklan. His other brothers were the late Dr. Beato A. dela Cruz, Roman A. dela Cruz, Atty. Salvador A. Delacruz, Jose A. Delacruz, and Lucrecia, all heirs of Roman Aguirre, one of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan; and the former’s children Rai Philomathes, formerly philosophy U.P. professor (and wife Elfleda), Lif Dovelion (and Josephine), Marc Evangel (and Sylvia H. Griarte, DMD), Dr. Leopoldo, Jr., St. Jude College, New Era University and Cavite State University-Silang Campus (and Dr. Maria Luisa A. Dongallo-Delacruz, formerly with UERMMMC College of Medicine and currently with De La Salle-HIS University Medical Center ); Dr. Leo Deux Fils M. Delacruz, former UST professor & currently with Philippine Normal University – Graduate School (and Dr. Doris Delacruz, Centro Escolar University); Lizette Irma, registered nutritionist-dietician and formerly faculty, De La Salle Greenhills and Dr. El Mithra M. Delacruz, St. Scholastica’s College.

Leopoldo Delacruz, Sr., author of nearly sixty published and unpublished books of poems, short stories, plays, essays, fables, novels and other literary vignettes, taught English and philosophy subjects at Jose Rizal University (1968-1982) and FEATI University (1958-1967).

In the fifties, he served as adviser of the Torres Torch, student publication of Torres High School, and V. Mapa High School, Manila. Some of his works are listed in the Asian Reading Room of the U.S. Library of Congress. His two novels in English are The Lone Warrior (1977) and Consummatum Est (1985).

A major in the Philippine Army (inac.), Leopoldo, Sr., a product of National University (BSE, 1942), University of Manila (BSFS, 1953) and Far Eastern University (MA-English & Philosophy, 1951). In the seventies, he founded the Society for the Intellectual Development of Philippines Ideas. He was also a founding member of the Philosophy Association of the Philippines (PAP).

His body lies at Sto. Cristo Parish Church, F. Blumentritt Street, San Juan City. Interment will be on February 27, 2011 at the Manila Memorial Park, Paranaque City.