Unknown Filipino Hero: Jose Maria Basa

 

Jose Maria Basa

Patriot; Hero-Smuggler

(1839 - 1907)

A successful merchant and the so-called “smuggler of the Filipino Revolution,” and one of the pillars of the propaganda movement, José Ma. Bása was instrumental in getting copies of the newspaper La Solidaridad, published by Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and others, sent to the Philippines every other week from Madrid, Spain. Basa also came up with a creative way to secretly smuggle and distribute copies of Rizal’s novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to the Philippines.

Jose Maria Basa was a close friend of Jose Rizal and went on to become the family's most famous member. His smuggling of copies of Jose Rizal's writings, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, into the Philippines and his use of his Hong Kong mansion as a center of operations for Filipino revolutionaries are arguably his biggest contributions to Philippine history.

Jose Ma. Basa's greatest contribution to history was his smuggling of banned copies of Jose Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, into the Philippines. As a wealthy merchant based in Hong Kong, he facilitated the entry of this subversive literature, which significantly fueled the Filipino nationalist consciousness against Spanish colonial rule. 

Birth and Early Years

José Ma. Matias Basa, a Spanish mestizo, and Joaquina San Agustin welcomed Basa into the world on December 19, 1839, in the busy streets of Binondo, Manila. He was a clever young man who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. By the time he was 20, he was running his family's successful distillery. In the shadow of Spanish colonialism, this early promise blossomed into a life of quiet bravery.

Thirst for Reform and Exile

Basa's merchant heart inspired bold ventures, but his spirit burned for reform, joining the Comite de Reformadores to advocate for Philippine autonomy and the rights of the native clergy. He smuggled out issues of El Eco Filipino, a liberal newspaper published in Spain by his brother-in-law Federico Lerma, husband of Basa's sister Rafaela, to avoid prying eyes. The 1872 Cavite mutiny cast a dark shadow; he was accused with Fr. Jose Burgos and others of plotting a revolution that led to the execution of the three priests GomBurZa (Gomez, Burgos, Zamora). Since Father Jose Burgos was also part of the said committee, Basa was implicated in the persecution of the said priest, and after the execution of the three priests Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, Basa was among those exiled to the Marianas. Basa spent two years in the Marianas before going to Hong Kong. He endured arrest on trumped-up charges, exile to the Marianas, and later refuge in Hong Kong.

As a smuggler of enlightenment, Basa skillfully orchestrated his greatest works in Hong Kong's harbors, sneaking full shipments of Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo past Spanish patrols through bribed officials and devoted Filipino sailors, as well as La Solidaridad editions and his own powerful anti-friar pamphlets that boldly exposed clerical abuses. His home turned into a beacon that welcomed exiles, and the Propaganda Movement's ferocious flame for equality, justice, and change was ignited by his extensive networks, which were skillfully and boldly weaved to spread these waking words like seeds throughout Manila and the provinces. His imaginative writings continued even in later years, when he was confined to a wheelchair due to a leg tumor. In 1898, he called for American protectorate, envisioning the bright light of democracy for his own country. Basa thought that the US government was the world's most liberal and compassionate democracy. In order to support the protectorate of the Philippines, he and a number of other Filipinos even made financial offers to the US government. They also wanted to become citizens of the United States.

Legal Battle

Ma Jose. Basa was personally embroiled in a dramatic legal battle. In order to obtain her fortune from her murdered husband, Josephine Bracken, Rizal's common-law wife, sued Rizal's family after his death. Jose Ma was one of her demands. Rizal trusted Basa with his vast and costly library, which she turned over to her. Rizal's Austrian friend Ferdinand Blumentritt received a series of letters from Josephine pleading with him to act on her behalf over Rizal's vast book collection. The case was dropped as Josephine could not produce documentation of her marriage to Rizal.

Death

Basa remained in Hong Kong and only visited the Philippines in 1888 and 1889. He contracted pneumonia and died on 10 July 1907. Eight years later, his remains were buried in the Cementerio del Norte, Manila on 18 April 1915.

Legacy

A street in Iloilo City was named in his honor now known as JM Basa St.

The street in Iloilo City named after the patriotic and nationalistic Jose Maria Basa

Sources:

"Basa, Jose Ma". CulturEd: Philippine Cultural Education Online. Retrieved 2026-01-25.

"Jose Ma. Basa was born in Binondo, Manila December 19, 1839". The Kahimyang Project. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2026-01-25.

Doyo, Ma Ceres P. (2012-06-12). "Jose Ma. Basa: Hero-smuggler of Propaganda Movement". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-01-25.

"Patriot in Shadows". WVSU Maaram. Retrieved 01/26/2026. https://www.facebook.com/wvsumaaram/posts/patriot-in-shadowsjos%C3%A9-ma-basa-entered-the-world-on-december-19-1839-in-the-bust/837752312380281/

Unknown Filipino Hero: Candido Tirona

 

Candido Tirona

Revolutionary General and Secretary of War

(1863 - 1896)

Candido Tría Tirona y Mata was a Filipino revolutionary leader who participated and died in the Battle of Binakayan-Dalahican during the Philippine Revolution. He was a secretary of war in Magdalo chapter of the Katipunan and a close friend of Emilio Aguinaldo.

Early Years

Candido Tirona was born in Kawit, Cavite, on October 29, 1863 to Don Estanislao Tirona and Juana Mata. His father was a capitan municipal of Cavite Viejo. His brother Daniel Tirona also became a general in the revolution.

While studying in Manila, Candido's father died. He was forced to stop studying to manage the vast plantations and fisheries.

Call to Battle

The call to war came to Candido when the Katipunan was founded. He became known as a member of the Magdalo Group led by General Emilio Aguinaldo. He was close to General Aguinaldo because when he took office as Capitan Municipal of Kawit, Candido became a councilor.

When the Katipunan was exposed to the Spaniards, Governor General Ramon Blanco declared martial law in the provinces. This included Cavite. The arrival of many Spanish troops in Manila was taken advantage of by Candido to disarm the Guardia Civil who remained at the Tribunal.

Local Election in Cavite

When the elections were held in Kawit, Candido won as president. The former president, General Aguinaldo, had to serve as the commander of the battle.

For the courage shown in the battles in Imus and Talisay, he was appointed Secretary of War. On his shoulders fell the responsibility of providing food, ammunition and weapons to the fighting Katipuneros.

Battle of Binakayan and Death

Once, while Candido was going from town to town, he received a message that the Spaniards were going to attack Binakayan. He quickly joined forces with General Emilio Aguinaldo and General Pio del Pilar to build trenches to prevent the enemy's attack.

On the morning of November 10, 1896, the Spaniards did attack. Candido defended the left flank of Binakayan. General Aguinaldo held the center and the right flank was supported by Gen. Pio del Pilar.

The Spaniards fired on the Katipuneros. The Filipinos did not budge. Each time they were hit, they became more courageous. As the battle intensified, General Aguinaldo reminded Candido to be careful in the fight. He returned the warning to the tree when it also reminded him, "Be careful, General."

Even though the soldiers led by the three Filipino leaders were far apart, they improved their strategies in warfare. When the smoke of the battle cleared, it was only then that it was learned that while fifty Filipinos had died, hundreds of Spaniards had lost their lives in the horrific conflict. Although the Filipino revolutionaries were rejoicing in their victory, everyone was saddened that Candido was among the fallen Katipuneros.

During the Philippine Revolution against Spain on November 10, 1896, Candido Tirona, a Filipino commander and revolutionary, was killed by a Spanish soldier stabbing him in the neck with a bayonet during the Battle of Binakayan-Dalahican in Cavite. He and his older brother Daniel Tirona supported Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's Magdalo group and assisted in enlisting Filipinos in the Katipunan.

Ramon Blanco's soldiers were soundly defeated during the November 9–11, 1896, Battle of Binakayan. In addition to Tirona, the battle was fought by Emilio Aguinaldo, the commanding general, Pio del Pilar, Vito Belarmino, Crispulo Aguinaldo, Baldomero Aguinaldo, and Pantaleon Garcia.

The Filipino revolutionaries commanded by Emilio Aguinaldo achieved their first clear victory over the Spanish in Cavite during the Battle of Binakayan.

Even though the clan he belonged to was wealthy, Candido Tirona still sacrificed his life for the sake of the liberation of the people.

If you dedicate your last breath to the people, it can be said that you have upheld your heroism. That is what Candido Tirona did, which is why the people appreciate him.

Media

He was portrayed by Ronnie Lazaro in the 2012 Mark Meily's film El Presidente. 

Sources:

"Candido Tria Tirona died in Binakayan battle November 10, 1896". The Kahimyang Project. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2022.

"Talambuhay ni Candido Tirona - Bayani - Pinoy Edition". www.pinoyedition.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.

"Who Is General Candido Tirona?". Bluedreamer27.com. Retrieved 9 February 2022.

Unknown Filipino Hero: Leandro Fullon

 

Leandro Fullon

Hero and Liberator of Antique

(1874 - 1904)

During the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War, Leandro Fullón y Locsín, a general and government administrator from the Philippines, battled both the Spanish and the American invasion army.

Fullón, a Katipunan member, assisted in setting up the Philippines' first revolutionary government. He founded a Revolutionary Provincial Government in Antique after leading the invading army to Panay. Later, from 1901 until 1904, Fullón served as the Province of Antique's first Filipino governor.

Early Years and Education

Justo Guerrero Fullon and Fausta Gerona Locsin welcomed Leandro Fullón into the world on March 13, 1874, in Hamtic, Antique. Before moving to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila in 1896, he attended Ateneo Municipal de Manila.

Personal Life

Fullon wed Petra Francisco, the daughter of Evaristo Francisco and Margarita Dairo, a well-known Binondo, Manila family, at the age of 22.

Conflict with Spain

General Emilio Aguinaldo sent Fullón, who was now a general in the Philippine troops, on September 6, 1898, and he returned to Antique with 350 men and 140 officers. Numerous local volunteers joined his army after he arrived in Antique on September 21.

In Pandan and Culasi, Fullón installed a revolutionary government. Fullón's troops took San Jose de Buenavista on November 22, 1898. Together with Vicente Gella (representative to the Malolos Congress), Anacleto Villavert Jiménez and José Gontanilla (Council of Justice), Anselmo Alicante (Council of Internal Revenue), and Santos Capadocia (vice governor), he established a Revolutionary Provincial Government.

In San Miguel, Pavia, and outside of Jaro in Iloilo City, Fullón's troops engaged the Spanish. Later, Fullón was named Politico-Military Governor of Antique by the new revolutionary administration in the Visayas.

Conflict with United States

The Spanish-American War came to a conclusion on December 10, 1898, when Spain gave the Philippines to the United States. Fullón joined the resistance on February 11, 1899, when American forces stormed Iloilo. He went back to battle in Antique at the beginning of 1900. Fullón and the other resistance fighter were compelled to surrender on March 22, 1901.

The American government named Fullón Provincial Governor of Antique on April 15, 1901. He served as governor until his death on October 16, 1904, at the age of thirty. The province was badly impacted by the cholera outbreak in 1902 and the escalating religious hostilities between Roman Catholics and Aglipayans during his tenure. Additionally, Fullon disclosed that most pueblo officials did not approve of the amalgamation of the municipalities under the province.

Since 1901, a number of disasters have severely damaged the province's finances by destroying almost all farmland. Less than half of the plantations were spread out in 1903 due to the cholera outbreak and fevers, which first appeared in May and peaked during the planting season.

— Leandro Fullon, Annual Report of the Governor of the Province of Antique (July 15, 1904)

Death

General Leandro Fullon, the liberator of Antique and its first Filipino governor, died on October 16, 1904, at the age of 30. 

The exact cause of his death is often linked to the severe health crises affecting his province at the time. Historical records and local accounts state the following: 

Disease: During his term as governor, Antique was ravaged by a major cholera epidemic and persistent fevers.

Circumstances: He died in office while managing the province's recovery from these epidemics and other natural calamities.

While some sources list his cause of death generally as "disease" during this period of epidemic, others specifically associate his passing with the health struggles prevalent in Antique in 1904.