it was her birthday just a few days ago
“I would not desire to be young and wise—it would be intolerable to know what life really is when one’s function is rightfully action. Sometimes when I am wise I know how difficult it would be to achieve even the merest hints of my own dreams and it makes me want to quit right there and then. But then I am foolish again, young again, and I just go on trying. Time enough for old age and bitterness. And by that time there will be other foolish youth to replace me.”
Lorena Barros
She founded MAKIBAKA, the first underground women's organisation in the Philippines. They fought for women’s empowerment and liberation. During Martial Law in the 70s, she was arrested but was able to escape from her prison cell. Lorena later on joined the New People's Army. She was killed in action by the miltary in March 1976 She was arrested when Martial Law was declared but she eventually escaped from her prison cell in Bicutan. She joined the New Peoples Army and was killed in action by the military in March 24, 1976.
Lorena was nicknamed Laurie by her mother, in reference to the Little Women character. She was a great writer and poet.