18 Facts About Soc Rodrigo

Francisco "Soc" Aldana Rodrigo was a Filipino playwright, lawyer, broadcaster, and a Senator of the Philippines from 1955 to 1967.

Soc Rodrigo was a relative to the Filipino heroes Marcelo del Pilar and Gregorio del Pilar.

Soc Rodrigo received his elementary education from the Bulacan Elementary School, and moved on to secondary school at the University of the Philippines High School.

Soc Rodrigo was captain of the debate team at university.

Soc Rodrigo then earned His Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Soc Rodrigo was a playwright in English and Tagalog, with works described as those that distilled within the Filipino soul.

Soc Rodrigo authored Philippine Modern Legal Forms and Handbook on the Rules of Court.

In 1951, Rodrigo became the president of the Ateneo Parent-Teacher Association, then became the president of the Ateneo Alumni Association in 1953.

Soc Rodrigo was awarded by President Ramon Magsaysay a Legion of Honor due to this marathon broadcast.

In 1955, Soc Rodrigo won a seat in the Philippine Senate under the Nacionalista Party of President Magsaysay.

Soc Rodrigo was awarded a US Government grant under the terms of Public Law 402 for observation and travel under the auspices of the Governmental Affairs Institute.

Aquino would treasure the crucifixes that Soc Rodrigo gave him during this time.

Soc Rodrigo was released after three months but was detained two more times: in 1978, for writing Tagalog poems attacking the Marcos dictatorship, and in 1982, for his anti-Marcos poems in the newspapers, WE Forum and Philippine Star.

Soc Rodrigo felt distraught over this incident since he was one of those who advised Aquino to return to the Philippines from exile in the United States.

Many of Soc Rodrigo's children were against his being a member, preferring instead to see him in the Senate one more time.

On January 4,1998, Soc Rodrigo died at the age of 83 due to complications from cancer.

In November 1998, a few months after his death, Soc Rodrigo's name was inscribed in the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, to honor his role in the struggle against Ferdinand Marcos.

The Gawad Soc Rodrigo is an award named after him given by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.