Dr. Jose P.

Rizal
(1861-1896)

The Philippines' national hero. Born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19,

1861. Published his masterpiece Noli Me Tangere in Berlin(Germany) in 1887 and his second novel El Filibusterismo in Ghent(Belgium) in 1891. His two novels stirred the conscience of his people. He contributed various literary works to La Solidaridad. For his leadership in the reform movement and for his incendiary novels, Rizal was arrested and later killed by musketry in Bagumbayan, Manila, on December 30, 1896. His execution was the last straw for other Filipinos who called for a bloody revolution against Spain.

Andres Bonifacio
(1863-1897)

He founded the secret society, Katipunan, on July 7, 1892, to fight

Spain. He was also president of the Tagalog republic from August 24, 1896 to May 10, 1897. Born in Tondo, Manila, on November 30, 1863. He grew up in the slums and never knew the benefits of a prosperous life. He married Gregoria de Jesus in 1892. He was killed on May 10, 1897, near Mount Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite.

General Gregorio del Pilar

(1875-1899)

Hero of Tirad Pass. Born on November 14, 1875, in Bulacan, Bulacan.

Died on December 2, 1899, in the battle of Tirad Pass, to enable Aguinaldo to escape from the Americans. One of the youngest and bravest generals ever produced by the Philippines.

Centennial | Heroes | Previous | Next

General Emilio Aguinaldo

(1899-1964)

He officially proclaimed the Philippine independence in Malolos,

Bulacan, on January 23, 1899, with him as the first president. It was the first republic in Asia. Born in Kawit, Cavite, on March 22, 1869. Died at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Quezon City, on February 6, 1964.

Apolinario Mabini
(1864-1903)

Sublime paralytic and the brain of the revolution. Born in Talaga,

Tanauan, Batangas, on June 22, 1864. He joined La Liga Filipina in 1892 and Aguinaldo's revolutionary government from June 1898 to May 1899. He was captured by the American forces in December 1899 and deported to Guam in January 1901. He died in Manila on May 13, 1903.

Father Mariano Gomez (1799-1872)

GOMBURZA Three intellectuals who crusaded for reform. Killed by

garrote in Bagumbayan, Manila on February 17, 1872, for Father Jose allegedly instigating the Cavite mutiny. Burgos (1837-1872)

Father Jacinto Zamora (1835-1872)

Emilio Jacinto
(1875-1899)

Brains of the Katipunan. Born in Trozo, Manila, on December 15, 1875.

He joined the Katipunan in 1894 and became Bonifacio's trusted friend and adviser. He wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan, the primer of the Katipunan which embodied the teachings of the organization. He founded and edited the Katipunan newspaper, Kalayaan, whose first issue came out in January 1896. Died on April 16, 1899. He was one of the heroic figures in Philippine history.

General Antonio Luna

(1866-1899)

The greatest general of the revolution. Younger brother of Juan Luna,

the famous painter. Editor of La Independencia, whose first issue came out on September 3, 1898. Born in Binondo, Manila, on October 29, 1866. He was one of the propagandists in Spain who were working for political reforms in the Philippines. He contributed articles to La Solidaridad. He was assassinated in Cabanatuan City, on June 5, 1899.

Trece Martirez The 13 martyrs of Cavite, who were executed by a firing squad on
September 12, 1896. They were: 1)Maximo Inocencio; 2)Jose Lallana; 3)Eugenio Cabezas; 4)Maximo Gregorio; 5)Hugo Perez; 6)Severino Lapidario; 7)Alfonso de Ocampo; 8)Francisco Osorio; 9)Antonio de San Agustin; 10)Luis Aguado; 11)Agapito Conchu; 12)Victoriano Luciano; and 13)Feliciano Cabuco.

Melchora Aquino
(1812-1919)

B etter known as Tandang Sora. Born in Banlat, Kalookan City, on

January 6, 1812. She helped the Katipuneros under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio by providing them food, shelter, and other material goods. She is recognized as the Grand Woman of the revolution and the Mother of Balintawak. She died on March 12, 1919.

Graciano Lopez-Jaena
(1856-1896)

Founder and first editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad, which

became the vehicle of expression for Filipino propaganda in Spain. Together wtih Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar, he undertook propaganda campaigns in Spain. Born in Jaro, Iloilo, on December 18, 1856. He died on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain.

Panday Pira
(1483-1576)

First Filipino cannon-maker. He forged the cannons which Rajah

Sulayman used in defending the Muslim Kingdom of Manila against the Spanish invaders. Born in one of the islands in Southern Philippines in 1483. He died in 1576.

Mariano Ponce
(1863-1918)

Researcher, historian, bibliographer, propagandist, diplomat, physician,

folklorist, and an outstanding reformist. Born in Baliwag, Bulacan, on March 23, 1863. While in Spain, he joined the propaganda movement and became one of the initiators of La Solidaridad, later becoming its managing editor. Died in HongKong on May 23, 1918.

Gregoria de Jesus
(1875-1943)

One of the brave and patriotic women who played a heroic role in the
Philippine revolution. Born in Kalookan City, on May 9, 1875. Wife of Andres Bonifacio and Lakambini of the Katipunan. She actually fought alongside her husband during the revolution, aside from being the custodian of the Katipunan documents. She organized the Katipunan's Women Chapter. She died on March 15, 1943.

Fernando Ma. Guerrero

(1873-1890)

Musician, journalist, politician, and lawyer. Considered the greatest

lyric poet in Spanish. Born in Ermita, Manila, on May 30, 1873. When the revolution broke out, General Antonio Luna invited him to join the editorial staff of La Independencia, the organ of the revolution. Thus, he fought for the Filipino cause with his pen. Died in Manila June 12, 1929.

Felipe Agoncillo
(1859-1941)

Outstanding diplomat of the Philippine revolution. Born in Taal,

Batangas, on May 26, 1859. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo appointed him as Minister Plenipotentiary to the peace conference in Washington and Paris. Died on September 29, 1941, at the Manila Doctor's Hospital.

Juan Luna
(1857-1899)

A genius of the brush and a patriot of the highest order. Creator of the
world-famous painting, SPOLARIUM, which was awarded the gold medal in the Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884. It is also known as the greatest painting of all times. Born in Badoc, Ilocos, Norte, on October 23, 1857. He was closely associated with the Reform Movement, together with Rizal, Lopez-Jaena, Ponce, etc. He died in Hongkong on December 7, 1899.

Rafael Palma
(1874-1939)

Orator, statesman, scholar, educator, and writer. Born in Tondo,

Manila, on October 24, 1874. He was involved in the propaganda campaign against the Spaniards. He cofounded with Gen. Antonio Luna the revolutionary newspaper, La Independencia. Later, he also founded El Nuevo Dia, Cebu's first daily. Died in Manila on May 24, 1939.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar

(1850-1896)

Political analyst of the Filipino colony in Spain. Born in Kupang,

Bulacan, Bulacan, on August 30, 1850. In 1882, he founded the nationalistic newspaper, Diariong Tagalog. In December 1889, he became the editor of La Solidaridad and became the moving spirit behind the propaganda movement. Died on July 4, 1896.

Pedro Paterno
(1858-1911)

Statesman, poet, writer, and peacemaker. Born in Manila on February

27, 1858. He was the negotiator/mediator of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. He helped prepare the Malolos constitution. Died on April 26, 1911.

Leona Florentino
(1849-1884)

First poetess of the Philippines. Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on April 19,
1849. Her poems were given international recognition at the Exposicion in Madrid in 1887 and in Paris in 1889. Died on October 4, 1884.

Artemio Ricarte
(1866-1945)

The unconquerable hero of the revolution. Born in Batac, Ilocos Norte, on October 20,
1866. Known as Viborra, he was a gentle public school teacher who became a dashing revolutionary general. Died in the jungles of Sierra Madre on July 31, 1945.

Isabelo delos Reyes

(1864-1938)

Last of the propagandists. Gifted son of Leona Florentino, first poetess of the Philippines.
Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on July 7, 1864. He aroused the hostility of the friars and government officials when he openly criticized the evils of the Spanish rule and he advocated reforms. He was the founder of the first Philippine labor union, as well as the first independent Filipino Catholic church. Died on October 9, 1938.

Jose Palma
(1876-1903)

Poet and soldier. Born in Tondo, Manila, on June 3, 1876. Younger brother of Dr. Rafael
Palma. He was a staff member of La Independencia. He wroteFilipinas, a patriotic poem in Spanish, which became the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem. Died in Manila, on February 12, 1903.

Rajah Lakandola
( -1575)

One of the most illustrious ancient Filipinos. Chief of Tondo, when

Legazpi came to Manila in 1571. He became a Christian and took the name of Carlos, after the king of Spain. He made the blood compact with Goiti. He fought alongside the Spaniards against the Chinese pirate, Limahong. Died in 1575.

Rajah Soliman
( -1571)

The last rajah of Manila, noted for his daring and bravery. Nephew of
Rajah Lakandola. Of all of the early rulers of Manila, he was feared most by the Spaniards. He was killed on June 3, 1571, in the Battle of Bangkusay.

Leonor Rivera
(1867-1893)

Cousin and fiancee of Jose Rizal. She was the Maria Clara in
Rizal's Noli Me Tangere.

Marcela Mario Agoncillo

(1859-1946)

Maker of the first Philippine flag. Born in Taal, Batangas, on June 24,
1859. Married to Felipe Agoncillo. She labored to make the Filipino flag in Hong Kong with the help of Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, a niece of Rizal. Died on May 30, 1946 in Taal, Batangas.

Galicano Apacible One of the founders of La Solidaridad.

Jose Ma. Panganiban

(1863-1890)

Avenger of Filipino honor. Born in Mambulao, Camarines Norte, on

February 1, 1863. A good friend and co-worker of Rizal. He was Bicolandia's greatest contribution to the historic campaign for reforms, more popularly called the Propaganda Movement. He wrote articles for La Solidaridad, under the pen names Jomapa and J.M.P. Died in Barcelona, Spain, on August 19, 1890.

Diego Silang

(1730-1763)

He led the revolt of the Ilocanos in opposition to the tribute and abuses of the Spanish
officials. Born in Aringay, La Union, on December 16, 1730. The revolt started in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He was killed by Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo who bore grievances against Diego Silang.

Maria Josefa Gabriela Silang After the death of Diego Silang on May 28, 1763, the fight was carried on by his wife,
MARIA JOSEFA GABRIELA SILANG, and his uncle, Nicolas Cario. She too lost her life for freedom's sake on September 30, 1763.

Lapu-Lapu
(c. 16th century)

Chief of Mactan who led the first successful Filipino armed resistance against Spanish
aggression. He fought and killed Magellan in a battle in Mactan, on April 27, 1521.

Francisco Baltazar
(1788-1862)

More popularly known as Balagtas, he is considered the prince of Tagalog poets. Born in
Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan, on April 2, 1788. He wrote Florante at Laura, a masterpiece of local versification, upholding moral and social values; it served as the basic foundation of the Philippine literature. Died in Orion, Bataan, on February 20, 1862.

Epifanio delos Santos

(1871-1928)

Lawyer, journalist, historian, philosopher, bibliographer, biographer,

painter, poet, musician, literary critic, antique collector, and librarian. Born in Malabon, Rizal, on April 7, 1871. Died on April 28, 1928, in Manila.

Francisco Dagohoy
(c. Mid-18th century)

He led the longest revolt in Bohol against the Spaniards. The immediate
cause of the revolt was the refusal of a Jesuit priest to give a Christian burial to Dagohoy's brother. The Spaniards needed 85 years before they were able to suppress the rebellion. It was only in 1829 that they finally succeeded in bringing to end the revolt started by Dagohoy.

Teresa Magbanua
(1871-1947)

The first woman in Panay to fight in the Philippine revolution. Known

as the Visayan Joan of Arc. Born in Pototan, Iloilo, on November 4, 1871. Died in August 1947.

Trinidad Tecson
(1848-1928)

Mother of Biak-na-Bato. Born in San Miguel, Bulacan, on November

18, 1848. Even though women-members of the Katipunan were exempted from the pact, she participated in Sanduguan(blood compact). She fought fearlessly in 12 bloody battles of the revolution in Bulacan, including the famous Battle of Biak-na-Bato. Later, she became known as The Mother of the Philippine Red Cross. Died on June 28, 1928.

Agueda Esteban Katipunan member who later married Artemio Ricarte. She commuted
from Cavite to Manila to buy saltpeter, lead, and copper which where used to make ammunitions. She also carried secret messages about the planned offensives against the Spanish posts.

Julian Felipe
(1861-1941)

Composer of the Philippine National Anthem. Born in Cavite City on January 28, 1861. A
dedicated music teacher and composer, he was appointed by Aguinaldo as Director of the National Band of the Philippine Republic. Died in Manila on October 2, 1941.

Marina Dizon
(1875-1950)

Daughter of a Katipunan leader in Cavite, who was one of the Trece

Martirez, executed by the Spanish officials in 1896. Born in Trozo, Manila, on July 18, 1875. She joined the Katipunan in July 1893, one of the first women to have done so. She also kept important documents of the Katipunan. Died on October 25, 1950.

General Francisco Makabulos

(1871-1922)

Leader of the revolt in Tarlac. Born in La Paz, Tarlac, on September 17,

1871. He was the first patriot in Tarlac, who joined the Katipunan. General Aguinaldo appointed him as one of the brigadier generals of the Central Luzon area. He established the Central Executive Committee, which had a constitution called the Constitution of Makabulos. Died in La Paz, Tarlac, on April 30, 1922.

Calendar of Events
MONTH/DATE/YEAR EVENTS January 4/ (1897) Execution of 15 Bicolano Martyrs 6/ (1812) Birth of Melchora Aquino, Mother of Philippine Revolution Printing of the Kalayaan, the Newspaper of the Katipunan, with 18/ (1896) Emilio Jacinto as Editor. 20/ (1896) Death of Graciano Lopez-Jaena 23/ (1899) Inauguration of the First Philippine Republic at Barasoain Church. 28/ (1861) Birth of Julian Felipe February 6/ (1964) Death Anniversary of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo 15/ (1889) Anniversary of La Solidaridad 17/ (1872) Death Anniversary of GOMBURZA March 22/ (1869) Birth of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo 22/ (1897) Tejeros Convention

23/ (1897) April 16/ (1899) May 10/ (1897) 13/ (1903) 28/ June 12 19/ (1861) July 3 4 7 22/ (1864) August 23/ (1896) 30/ (1896) 31/ (1896) September 23/ (1896) November 11/ (1896) 27/ (1896) 30/ (1863) December 17/ (1856) 15/ (1875) 30/ (1896)

19 Martyrs of Aklan Death of Emilio Jacinto Death of Andres Bonifacio at Mt. Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite Death of Apolinario Mabini First flag was raised due to victory of the Battle of Alapan, Imus, Cavite Independence Day Celebration Jose Rizal's Birthday Anniversary of La Liga Filipina Centennial Celebration of MH del Pilar Founding of the Katipunan / Rizal's Exile to Dapitan Birth of Apolinario Mabini Cry of Pugad Lawin Battle of Pinaglabanan, first major battle Start of Philippine Revolution in Cavite Execution of 13 Martyrs in Cavite Battle of Binakayan, first major victory in the revolution Cry of Sta. Barbara, first cry of revolution against Spain in Visayas Birth of Andres Bonifacio Birth of Graciano Lopez Jaena Birth of Emilio Jacinto, Founder of Kalayaan Execution of Rizal

PHILIPPINE FLAGS

The current Philippine National Flag evolved out of many earlier versions. But all of them traced their origin from the common endeavors of the Philippine revolutionaries to show their love for the country. The first Philippine flag was the war banner adopted by Andres Bonifacio in 1892. It was a rectangular piece of red cloth, with three white K's arranged to form three angles of an equilateral triangle.

Several months before the outbreak of the revolution in 1896, Bonifacio had another flag made. This flag consisted of a red rectangular field, with a whiterayed sun in the middle and three white K's below it. This served as the Katipunan standard.

In October 1896, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo fashioned out a banner consisting of a rectangular field, with a white sun in the middle. The sun had eight rays representing the first eight provinces (Manila, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Batangas,and Cavite) to take up arms against the Spaniards. In the middle of the white sun was a white K, in the ancient Tagalog script.

On March 17, 1897 Aguinaldo displayed a new banner at the Naic Assembly. This was a rectangular red cloth, with a white mythological sun in the middle adorned with eyes, nose, and mouth. Radiating from the sun were eight group of rays, each group consisting of three rays. This flag was used in the Truce of Biak-na-Bato, on December 14-15, 1897.

During Aguinaldo's exile in Hongkong, He requested Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo to make a new flag. Assisted by her eldest daughter Lorenza and Miss Delfina Herbosa ( Rizal's niece ). Mrs. Agoncillo sewed the banner that later became the Philippine National Flag. This flag is made of two stripes - one red, the other blue - and a white stripe to the left of the flag area. The upper stripe is blue and the lower stripe is red. Inside the white triangle is a central sun with eight rays. In each angle of the triangle is a five-pointed star.

The sun symbolizes liberty; the eight rays represent the first eight provinces that fought Spain. The three stars represent the three major islands of Luzon, Visayas,and Mindanao.

TERMS FROM THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

1. Cavite Mutiny - Filipino soldiers in the fort of San Felipe in Cavite rose in mutiny under the leadership of Sergeant La Madrid. The cause was the abolition of some privileges of the Filipinos. GOMBURZA were arrested and killed because of the suspicion that they were involved in the said mutiny. 2. El Filibusterismo - Rizal's second novel, published in 1891 in Belgium, with the financial support of Valentin Ventura, who lent him the money to print the book. Rizal dedicated this book to Gomburza, the three martyr-priests. This is a political novel in which Rizal predicted the coming of the revolution. 3. Insulares - Spaniards born in the Philippines. 4. Kalayaan - Newspaper of the Katipunan, which first came out on January 18,1896, with Emilio Jacinto as editor. 5. Katipunan - The secret revolutionary movement founded by Andres Bonifacio on July 7,1892 in Tondo,Manila. It means KATAASTAASAN KAGALANG-GALANG NA KATIPUNAN NANG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN. It laid down three fundamental objectives: Political,Moral and Civic. The political aim consisted in working for the separation of the Philippines from Spain. The moral objective focused on the teaching of good manners, hygiene, good morals and attacking obscurantism,religious,fanatism, and weaknesses of character. The civic aim revolved around the principle of selfhelp and the defense of the poor and the oppressed.

6. La Liga Filipina - Founded by Rizal on July 3,1892, in Tondo, Manila, its aims were: o to unite the whole archipelago into one compact,vigorous, and homogenous body; o mutual protection in every want and necessity; o defense against all violence and injustice; o encouragement of instruction,agriculture, and commerce; and o study and application of reforms. 7. La Solidaridad - Organ of the Reform Movement in Spain, with Graciano Lopez-Jaena as its first editor. Its first issue came out on February 15,1889. Its aim was to gather, to collect liberal ideas which were daily exposed in the camp of politics, in the field of science, arts, letters, commerce, agriculture, and industry. Known as Sol to the propagandists, it became the mouthpiece of the Filipinos in Spain. 8. Magdalo - One faction of the Katipunan in Cavite, led by Baldomero Aguinaldo, with headquarters in Kawit,Cavite. 9. Magdiwang - The other Katipunan faction in Cavite, led by Mariano Alvarez, with headquarters in Noveleta, Cavite. 10. Noli Me Tangere - Rizal's masterpiece, published in 1887. This is a sociohistorical novel based on facts that Rizal gathered while in the Philippines. It is a novel, but not fiction. The novel gained popularity immediately, but the Spanish authorities, especially the friars whom Rizal ridiculed in the novel, prohibited its reading. 11. Pact of Biak-na-Bato - Agreement made between the Filipinos and the Spaniards, mediated by Pedro Paterno, wherein Aguinaldo and his companions would go into voluntary exile in Hong Kong while Governor Gen. Primo de Rivera would pay cash money to the rebels. 12. Palabra de Honor - Word of honor, or keeping one's promises. 13. Peninsulares - Spaniards born in Spain. 14. Spolarium - The most famous painting of Juan Luna. 15. The True Decalogue - A political tract written by Apolinario Mabini which became the bible of the Filipino rebels. 16. Thomasites - American teachers who came to the Philippines in 1901 to teach English to the Filipinos. The first batch of these teachers arrived aboard the American ship Thomas, hence, they were called Thomasites.