Justo Justo

Panfilo Cagoco Justo (September 21, 1941 – May 18, 2012), widely known as Justo Justo, or simply JJ, was a Filipino columnist and Pasay city councilor. He was known as a flamboyant AIDS activist.

Early life Justo came from a poor family in the sitio of Manlumay, Leyte. He was born to Francisco Justo Sr. and Ma. Lourdes Milagros Cagoco on September 21, 1941. JJ sold local delicacies to support his elementary education. As a consistent honor student he graduated as valedictorian of the Barangay Palarao Elementary School. His father wanted him to become a lawyer, but after his early death JJ had to take care of his younger brother Francisco Jr. (Frank) and sister Edith.

Career JJ enrolled at the Rizal Central Colleges in Pasay to pursue his high school education. They left Leyte when he was in third year at the Calubian High School.

JJ sold roasted corn and lugaw to support his studies. He finished high school as Most Outstanding Graduate.

JJ's boyhood hobbies included sketching men's and ladies apparel, writing both poetry and prose, including Visayan lyrics for popular American songs. His stepfather Cecilio Pamintuan, novelist and movie writer, gave JJ his first training in journalism. He was later encouraged and helped in his writing by novelists Rico Bello Omagap, Orlando Nadres and Pablo Gomez.

In 1968 he joined the staff of the former newspaper Philippine Sun, which allowed him to develop his controversial writing style. He was the first to be published using swardspeak. He started his career in the political arena as a Kagawad and later became a barangay chairman in 1987. He became a councilor of Pasay in 1992, and completed three terms.

Personal life He married Adela, by whom he had two daughters, Maria Louela Justo-Galvez and Maria Milagros Justo-Miyazawa.

Death Justo died on May 18, 2012, at the Philippine General Hospital. He had been bedridden for a year with spinal column problems due to diabetes.

His remains were interred at Golden Haven Memorial in Las Piñas.

Filmography

Actor Title Year Role Pearly Shells 1972 The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo 1994 himself

Writing & crew Title Year Role I Love You Honey 1970 story Bad Girl 1971 story Si Waray At Ang Talyada 1971 story Avenida Boy 1971 story and screenplay Batul of Mactan 1974 story Angelita...Ang Inyong Ina 1979 publicity coordinator The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo 1994 story Ang Pulubi At Ang Prinsesa 1997 (thanks)