Renato Evangelista, First Mangyan Lawyer and Rights Advocate, Dies at 52
RENATO EVANGELISTA – The first Mangyan lawyer and a strong defender of Indigenous peoples’ rights has passed away at the age of 52.
According to his daughter, Angelique, Evangelista passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, after being confined at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute due to a stroke. However, the official cause of death was listed as sudden cardiac death.
Evangelista, a member of the Hanunuo Mangyan community, was seen as a symbol of hope for Indigenous peoples who have long faced social and economic challenges. Throughout his legal career, he dedicated his work to protecting the rights of the Mangyan people, especially in cases involving ancestral lands and land ownership disputes.
He began his legal career at a prominent law firm before returning to Oriental Mindoro in 2004, where he served as a provincial legal officer. That same year, he was awarded the prestigious British Chevening Scholarship, which allowed him to complete a Master of Laws degree at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.
After returning to the Philippines, he established his own law practice and later became the managing partner of his law firm. Much of his work focused on land-related legal cases, and he also served as a legal adviser on various Indigenous rights concerns, including a significant ancestral domain case in Paitan, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Beyond his legal work, Evangelista was also active in cultural advocacy. He served as president of the Mangyan Heritage Center, where he worked to promote and preserve Mangyan culture on both national and international stages. He also participated in international cultural events, including a book fair in Frankfurt, Germany.
In recognition of his contributions to society, he was honored as one of the most outstanding individuals in Oriental Mindoro during a tribute event celebrating local achievers.
His remains will be brought to Loyola Commonwealth Chapels & Cremation Services, where public viewing will begin on Thursday evening. His cremation is scheduled for Sunday, and his ashes will later be placed in a columbarium at Our Lady of Consolation Parish.