ARVIN JIMENEZ, more popularly known as “Tado” passed away on the morning of February 7, 2014 in a bus accident in Bontoc, Mountain Province. Tado had been working on a series of travel-themed video projects titled “40 Mountains”, another one of his many advocacies for the environment.
Tado is one of the co-founders of Dakila – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism, a group creatively inspiring social transformation. He established Dakila in 2005 together with Lourd de Veyra, Noel Cabangon, Buwi Meneses, and Ronnie Lazaro.
Tado, as we know him, is a true artist and a dedicated activist.
His thought-provoking lines, witty commentary and signature style commanded the attention and rebellion of the public that sought for alternative heroes. His ideas, bordering from the insanely absurd to downright brilliant, spawned outstanding works that continue to influence this generation.
His unusual creative mind blurts out genius campaign ideas such as Dakila’s “Ang Mabuhay Nang Dahil Sa Iyo”, a play on the Philippine National Anthem’s last lines to emphasize the brand of heroism Dakila advocates.
The untimely demise of Tado will truly leave a great void in the hearts of his family, friends, colleagues, comrades, fans, his fellow Marikenos, the art and culture community, and the Philippine social movement.
While Tado is known to many as a public figure, his most important role is being “Ama” to his wife Lei and to his daughters, Taja, Diyosa, Indi, and Tila. He did so with excellence, passion, and dedication that greatly surpassed his greatness as an artist and nobility as an activist.
To Dakila, his is a life worth lived. He is our modern hero. We honor him by treading the same path so that the nobility of his life will live on.
Ang mabuhay nang nagbibigay pugay sa iyong buhay!
Dakila – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism