Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13) — Zeneida “Nini” Quezon-Avanceña, the last surviving daughter of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, has died, her son Ricky announced on Tuesday. She was 100.
“Mom passed peacefully as her children surrounded her, reading psalms from the Bible and praying the rosary,” said Ricky in a statement. “An agent of light, of all things good and just, promoter and advocate of human rights, equality, social justice, land reform and freedom from oppression and poverty, has passed on to eternity.”
Quezon-Avanceña is survived by her nine children.
She was also known as the co-founder of the Concerned Women of the Philippines, a socio-civic organization created in 1978 which aimed to support anti-prostitution programs and promote non-violence.
Her nephew, columnist Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III, paid tribute by sharing an old footage of Quezon-Avanceña with her father in 1937.
Quezon-Avanceña was also a member of the Presidential Human Rights Committee, Senator Kiko Pangilinan mentioned, adding that the two met when he was a student activist and that she later supported his electoral campaign in 1992.
“Most of Tita Nini’s 100 years were as a family woman and staunch ally of justice and human rights,” said Pangilinan. “She always carried her family’s legacy with grace and added her own pursuits befitting the needs of the time.”
Former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also honored Quezon-Avanceña, calling her a pillar of strength during the Martial Law era.
“She never wavered when the country needed a voice and spoke by marching with the youth, despite her age,” said Lacierda.
A light has dimmed once more, the country orphaned by her passing. A pillar of strength during the dark days of martial law. She never wavered when the country needed a voice & spoke by marching with the youth, despite her age.
Thank you Nini for your service to our nation. https://t.co/7wWwK7t4y6
— Edwin Lacierda (@dawende) July 13, 2021
We lost Tita Nini Quezon-Avanceña last night. She lived a life full of passion and service. We offer our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/npldeV100p
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) July 13, 2021
Zeneida Quezon Avanceña, April 9, 1921–July 12, 2021.
Here are two Ninis: the first, circa 1937, in Los Angeles, with her sister Baby (in grey) and her father; Nini is in black. The other, circa 1981, in a protest rally being greeted by the crowd. The same Nini throughout. pic.twitter.com/69OxPHykHe— Manuel L. Quezon III (@mlq3) July 13, 2021
