Time really flies. It’s the first anniversary of Tito Nas’ passing and I’m drawn back to my childhood. One of my earliest memories of him was one afternoon after school. I saw him sitting in our garden set. Greeting me warmly, he said my father had asked him to come. I learned that he was representing Kuya Badong, our family driver, who had been involved in a vehicular accident. Tito Nasser was a lawyer. But he was more than that — he was a friend, always ready to help.

Over the years, we continued to see each other. When our family returned from Oman in the late 1990s, we met again, this time at a popular fast-food restaurant near the Century Park Hotel.

On seeing me, Tito Nas teased, “Aba, binata na ang panganay ni Ching and Grace! (Hey, Ching and Grace’s eldest is now a young man)!” This lighthearted remark made me realize that Tito Nas was more than my father’s colleague — he was family. Those moments defined his relationship with us.

Tito Nas worked tirelessly alongside my father and other UMDP members even after their presidential candidate lost. Despite being sidelined, they continued to discuss how to keep their advocacy alive, particularly for Filipino Muslims. Their focus was never on the loss but on how to continue making an impact.

Tito Nas always carried a manuscript of a novel he was writing, “The Mujahidin.” He said it was being written at a time Muslims were facing increasing allegations of terrorism. It felt like a timely response to the rising tensions. Though I lost track of whether the novel was ever finished or published, I believe it reflected Tito Nas’ own determination to challenge stereotypes and tell untold stories.

The last time I saw him was when I accompanied him to our family doctor who advised immediate hospitalization. I found myself wheeling him to the emergency room. That final memory, filled with both helplessness and gratitude, underscored my deep respect for the man who had always been a pillar of strength and dedication.

Legacy of advocacy, service

Tito Nas made a great impact on the community and the nation beyond his professional roles.

He was a commissioner at the Commission on Human Rights and, at the time of his death, at the National Amnesty Commission. His work was not just about laws but about ensuring that the oppressed were heard.

He was a fierce advocate for Muslim democracy. He believed that Filipino Muslims need representation in national politics and not just on the margins. He played an important role in the United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines (UMDP) which aimed to elevate Muslim voices within the political arena.

He also made history as the first Maranao elected National Secretary of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. This further highlighted his dedication to ensuring representation in the legal community of Filipino Muslims, giving them a voice in the halls of power.

“The Mujahidin” remains unfinished but his legacy continues. Tito Nas’ work in human rights, Muslim democracy, and the legal profession has deeply impacted the nation. His life, like his novel, may have had unfinished chapters, but his contributions will always be remembered as a powerful force in shaping a more inclusive future for the Philippines.