Unknown Filipino in History - Felipe Agoncillo

 

Felipe Agoncillo

First Filipino Diplomat and Minister Plenipotentiary

(1859 - 1941)

Felipe Agoncillo

"The Diplomat of the First Philippine Republic"

Don Felipe Agoncillo y Encarnacion

Born	May 26, 1859 Taal, Batangas, Spanish Philippines
Died	September 29, 1941 (aged 82) Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Alma mater	Colegio de San Juan de Letran University of Santo Tomas (Licentiate in Jurisprudence, Summa Cum Laude, 1881)
Profession	Lawyer, Diplomat, Statesman

Public Service

Political Office	Minister Plenipotentiary First Philippine Republic (1898) Representative Batangas's 1st District (1907–1909) Secretary of the Interior Insular Government (1924–1925)
Key Actions	Authored the Memorial to the Foreign Relations Committee (Paris, 1898); Funded the Hong Kong Junta

Family & Relationships

Spouse	Marcela Mariño (m. 1889)
Children	6 daughters (including Lorenza, Gregoria, and Maria)

While many Filipinos recognize his name from the busy street cutting through Malate, Manila, or the town named after him in Batangas, few realize that Felipe Agoncillo was the "Diplomat of the First Philippine Republic." A man of piercing intellect and uncompromising integrity, he was one of the premier legal minds of his generation. He weaponized his mastery of international law not for personal aggrandizement, but to wage a lonely, brilliant diplomatic battle in Washington and Paris, striving to force the global empires of the world to recognize Philippine independence.

Felipe Agoncillo was a visionary statesman who understood that a nation's sovereignty is fought for not only on blood-soaked battlefields with rifles, but also in the polished halls of foreign ministries with pens, protocols, and treaties. His life was a masterclass in patriotism; he willingly bankrupted his own wealthy family and spent years in exile to ensure that the fledgling Philippine Republic would have a voice on the global stage.

Childhood and Education

Felipe Agoncillo was born on May 26, 1859, in the historic town of Taal, Batangas. He belonged to a wealthy and highly respected family, born to Ramon Agoncillo and Gregoria Encarnacion. Exhibiting a sharp, analytical mind at a very young age, he was sent to Manila to pursue his education. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran before transferring to the University of Santo Tomas.

At the university, Agoncillo anchored himself in the study of law. He graduated with a Licentiate in Jurisprudence summa cum laude in 1881. Returning to Batangas, he opened a free legal clinic, quickly earning a reputation as the "lawyer of the poor" because he defended impoverished tenants and criticized the abusive Spanish friars.

His open defense of the native population and his progressive reformist ideas caught the ire of the colonial authorities. Local friars labeled him a filibustero (subversive). By 1895, the Spanish Governor-General issued an order to deport Agoncillo to the remote island of Jolo. Tipped off by a sympathetic official, Agoncillo boarded a ship bound for Yokohama, Japan, narrowly escaping arrest and beginning a long chapter of patriotic exile.

The Diplomat of the Republic

When the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896, Agoncillo moved to Hong Kong, joining other exiled reformists to establish the Hong Kong Junta. When General Emilio Aguinaldo arrived following the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, Agoncillo became one of his closest advisers. Upon the declaration of Philippine Independence in 1898, Aguinaldo appointed Agoncillo as the Minister Plenipotentiary of the First Philippine Republic.

His mission was monumental: travel to the United States and Europe to secure international recognition of Philippine independence and block Spain from selling the islands to America. Agoncillo arrived in Washington, D.C., in September 1898. Though President William McKinley refused to officially recognize his diplomatic status to preserve America's geopolitical leverage, Agoncillo managed to secure an audience, passionately arguing that the Filipino people had already established a functional, democratic government.

Realizing the true battle was happening across the Atlantic, Agoncillo rushed to France to intervene in the Treaty of Paris negotiations between Spain and the United States. Barred from entering the conference room because the imperial powers viewed the Philippines as a mere colony, Agoncillo refused to step down. He authored the historic Memorial to the Foreign Relations Committee, an extensive legal brief demonstrating that Spain had no legal right to cede the Philippines to the United States because Spanish rule had already been completely overthrown by Filipino forces. Despite his brilliant legal maneuvering, the treaty was signed, and the Philippines was sold for 20 million dollars.

Later Years and Death

Undeterred by the outbreak of the Philippine-American War, Agoncillo continued his diplomatic campaign from Paris and Hong Kong, channeling funds and printing propaganda to support the revolutionary forces back home. When the war finally ended with Aguinaldo's capture, Agoncillo returned to the Philippines in 1903 to rebuild his life under the American civil administration.

He passed the American-administered bar exam and resumed his legal practice. His peerless reputation for clean governance led to his election as the Representative of Batangas to the Philippine Assembly in 1907. He later served as the Secretary of the Interior under Governor-General Leonard Wood in 1924, a turbulent period where he consistently defended Filipino autonomy against American executive overreach.

Felipe Agoncillo passed away peacefully on September 29, 1941, at the Manila Doctors Hospital, just months before the outbreak of World War II. He was 82 years old. He died a poor man, having spent his massive family fortune entirely on the revolutionary cause, leaving behind a legacy of absolute incorruptibility.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

• A Powerhouse Marriage: Felipe was married to Marcela Mariño, famously known as the "Mother of the Philippine Flag." It was Marcela, along with their daughter Lorenza and Rizal's niece Delfina Herbosa, who hand-sewed the first official Philippine flag in Hong Kong under Felipe’s watchful eye.

• Willingly Bankrupted for Country: Before the revolution, the Agoncillos were among the wealthiest clans in Batangas. To fund his diplomatic travels, hotel stays, and publication prints across America and Europe, Felipe spent his entire savings and instructed Marcela to sell off all her ancestral jewelry. They returned to Manila practically penniless.

• The Miraculous Shipwreck: In 1898, while rushing back from America to Europe on the steamship China, the vessel struck a reef and began to sink. Refusing to take a life jacket until women and children were safe, Agoncillo was thrown into the freezing ocean water. He survived by clinging to a piece of wreckage for hours, refusing to let go of his leather briefcase, which contained the vital diplomatic documents of the Republic.

• An Uncompromising Standard: When he was serving as the Secretary of the Interior, he refused to let any relatives use government vehicles or resources, and famously rejected salary increases, stating that public service was a duty, not a business venture.

• The "Lawyer's Lawyer": Agoncillo was so highly regarded in jurisprudence that when he took the bar exam under the American system, he reportedly finished the test well ahead of time and corrected errors in the American examiner's phrasing of legal questions.

Sources

Agoncillo, T. A. (1960). Malolos: The Crisis of the Republic. University of the Philippines Press.

Fernandez, L. H. (1926). The Philippine Republic. Columbia University Press.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Eminent Filipinos. NHCP Publications.

Quirino, C. (1995). Who's Who in Philippine History. Tahanan Books.

Zaide, G. F. (1970). Great Filipinos in History. Verde Bookstore.

Unknown Filipino Hero in History: Edilberto Evangelista

 

Edilberto Evangelista 

First Filipino Civil Engineer and Revolutionary General 

(1862 - 1897)

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While many Filipinos recognize his name from the major street in Quiapo or the military camp in Cagayan de Oro, few realize that Edilberto Evangelista was the "Engineer of the Revolution." A man of immense intellect, he was one of the few Filipinos of his time to hold a high-level European degree in engineering, which he used not for personal profit, but to design the sophisticated trenches and forts that allowed the poorly armed Filipino rebels to withstand the might of the Spanish Empire.

Edilberto Evangelista was a brilliant strategist and a brave soldier who proved that the Philippine Revolution was not just a struggle of bolos and grit, but also one of science and mathematics. General Emilio Aguinaldo once remarked that if the Revolution had a brain like Rizal and a sublime paralytic like Mabini, it had its master builder in Evangelista.

Childhood and Education

Edilberto Evangelista was born on February 24, 1862, in Santa Cruz, Manila. He was the son of Agaton Evangelista and Faustina Sablan. Growing up in a modest household, he showed early academic promise. He completed his primary education in Manila and eventually earned his Bachelor of Arts from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1878.

Seeking to improve his family's standing and satisfy his hunger for technical knowledge, he initially worked as a cattle dealer and a tobacco merchant. However, his life took a pivotal turn when he traveled to Europe. In 1890, while in Madrid, he met Jose Rizal. It was Rizal who suggested that Evangelista study engineering, noting that the Philippines would soon need builders and technical experts to modernize the nation once it gained independence.

Following Rizal’s advice, Evangelista moved to Belgium and enrolled at the University of Ghent. He excelled in his studies, graduating in 1896 with a degree in civil engineering and architecture. He was the first Filipino to graduate from this prestigious institution. Despite receiving lucrative job offers from the Belgian government to work on infrastructure projects in Europe and South America, the echoes of the 1896 Revolution called him home.

The Engineer of the Revolution

Evangelista arrived back in Manila in September 1896, just as the revolution was gaining momentum. He was immediately suspected by Spanish authorities and was briefly imprisoned. Upon his release, he fled to Cavite to join the forces of Emilio Aguinaldo.

Aguinaldo was quickly impressed by Evangelista's technical background. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant General and tasked with the fortification of Cavite. Evangelista applied modern European military engineering to the Philippine landscape. He designed a complex system of trenches, redoubts, and forts that were so well-constructed that Spanish generals were shocked to find "European-style" defenses manned by "indios."

His most famous achievement was the fortification of Binakayan and Dalahican. During the Battle of Binakayan in November 1896, his defensive designs allowed the Filipino revolutionaries to deliver the first major defeat to the Spanish regular army. His trenches were deep enough to protect soldiers from artillery fire and angled to provide optimal fields of fire.

Death and Legacy

Edilberto Evangelista’s life was cut short during the Battle of Zapote Bridge on February 17, 1897. As he was directing his troops and inspecting the defenses, he stood up to get a better view of the enemy's positions. At that moment, a Spanish sniper’s bullet struck him directly in the forehead. He died instantly at the age of 34.

His death was a massive blow to the revolutionary cause. Aguinaldo wept at his funeral, realizing he had lost his most capable military engineer. Evangelista's body was buried in the cemetery at Bacoor, Cavite, but his legacy lived on in the fortifications that continued to hold back the Spanish forces for months after his passing.

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Interesting Facts and Trivia

• Rizal’s Protege: Evangelista was so close to Jose Rizal that Rizal once wrote to his family about the young engineer's "extraordinary talents."

• The First Engineer: He is officially recognized as the first Filipino civil engineer to have graduated from a foreign university.

• The "Science" of War: Unlike many revolutionary leaders who relied on "anting-anting" (amulets) and raw courage, Evangelista insisted on using surveying tools, maps, and mathematical calculations to determine where to dig his trenches.

• A Belgian Offer: He turned down a salary that would have made him a very wealthy man in Europe just to return to the Philippines with no guarantee of safety or pay.

• Camp Evangelista: The headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Cagayan de Oro City is named "Camp Evangelista" in his honor.

• Quiet Brilliance: Peers described him as a man of few words but immense action. He was often seen carrying his surveying equipment and transit level onto the battlefield rather than a ceremonial sword.

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Sources

1. Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of the Filipino People. Garotech Publishing.

2. Quirino, C. (1995). Who's Who in Philippine History. Tahanan Books.

3. Zaide, G. F. (1970). Great Filipinos in History. Verde Bookstore.

4. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Biographical entries on Revolutionary Generals.

5. University of Ghent Archives. Records of Filipino Alumni (1890-1900).

Unknown Filipino Hero: Deodato Arellano

 Deodato Arellano

Propagandist and First President of the Katipunan 

(1844 - 1899)

Often overshadowed by the fiery leadership of Andres Bonifacio or the intellectual weight of Marcelo H. del Pilar, Deodato Arellano was the quiet, methodical engine that powered the early Philippine revolutionary movement. As the first president of the Katipunan, he provided the administrative backbone and the necessary link between the reformist Propaganda Movement and the radical underground revolution. He was a man of dualities: a dedicated civil servant within the Spanish colonial bureaucracy by day, and a subversive architect of national liberation by night.

Arellano’s life was a testament to the "middle-class" radicalism that defined the late 19th-century Philippines. He was not merely an officer of the revolution but a vital conduit for communication, serving as the primary liaison for Marcelo H. del Pilar while the latter was in exile in Spain. His role was perilous; he managed the clandestine flow of funds and information that kept the flame of reform alive while simultaneously laying the groundwork for an armed struggle that would eventually end three centuries of Spanish rule.

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Childhood and Matrimony

Deodato Arellano was born on July 26, 1844, in Bulakan, Bulacan, to Juan Arellano and Mamerta de la Cruz. Growing up in a province known for its fierce intellectualism and elite families, Arellano received a solid education, eventually finding stable employment as a compitador (clerk-scribe) in the Spanish arsenal in Cavite. This position gave him a unique vantage point into the inner workings of the Spanish military apparatus—knowledge that would later prove invaluable to the revolutionary cause.

His personal life was inextricably linked to the revolution through his marriage to Hilaria del Pilar, the sister of the "Great Propagandist" Marcelo H. del Pilar. This union was more than a domestic partnership; it was a political alliance. Arellano became Del Pilar’s most trusted confidant and his primary "man on the ground" in Manila. Through this connection, Arellano was brought into the inner circle of the Filipino intelligentsia, bridging the gap between the affluent reformists and the working-class revolutionaries.

Revolutionary and Organizational Works

Arellano was a serial founder of patriotic organizations. In 1892, he was one of the founding members of La Liga Filipina, organized by Jose Rizal upon his return to the Philippines. Arellano served as its secretary under the presidency of Ambrosio Salvador. When the Liga was dissolved following Rizal’s arrest and deportation to Dapitan, Arellano did not retreat into safety. Instead, he joined forces with Andres Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, and Teodoro Plata to form the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) on the night of July 7, 1892.

Recognized for his maturity and administrative experience, Arellano was elected the first Supremo (President) of the Katipunan's Supreme Council. During his tenure, he focused on the slow, careful recruitment of members and the establishment of a financial base. However, his cautious, deliberate approach eventually clashed with the more aggressive stance of Andres Bonifacio. In 1893, believing that Arellano was not moving fast enough toward an armed uprising, Bonifacio orchestrated a reorganization of the council, replacing Arellano with Roman Basa.

Collections and Clandestine Correspondence

Arellano’s "collections" were not of art or gold, but of dangerous ideas and revolutionary funds. He was the chief solicitor for La Solidaridad, the Filipino mouthpiece in Spain. He spent years collecting "contributions" from wealthy Filipinos and secret sympathizers, meticulously spiriting the money away to Hong Kong and Madrid to keep the reform movement afloat.

His home at 72 Calle Azcarraga (now Claro M. Recto Avenue) in Manila became a hub for seditious literature. He was responsible for the distribution of Rizal’s novels and the copies of La Solidaridad that arrived smuggled in crates. To the Spanish authorities, he was a loyal clerk; to the patriots, he was the librarian of the revolution.

Other Interests

Beyond his clerical duties and revolutionary fervor, Arellano was deeply interested in the logistics of military organization. His time at the Cavite arsenal allowed him to study weaponry and colonial troop movements. Unlike the purely academic interests of some propagandists, Arellano’s interests were practical: he wanted to know how a poorly armed populace could successfully challenge a disciplined colonial army.

Serving the Public

Arellano served the public by sacrificing his professional security for the dream of a sovereign nation. Even after being ousted from the Katipunan leadership, he remained active. When the Revolution broke out in 1896, he fled to the mountains of Bulacan to join the fighting. During the Philippine-American War, he served as a commissary captain under the command of General Gregorio del Pilar (his nephew-in-law). He was tasked with the logistical nightmare of feeding and supplying the revolutionary army while it was being hunted through the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon.

Death and Legacy

Deodato Arellano met a soldier’s end. In 1899, while the Filipino forces were retreating into the Cordillera mountains to protect President Emilio Aguinaldo, Arellano succumbed to a fever (possibly malaria) or was killed in a skirmish with American forces in the town of Itogon, Benguet. His grave, like those of many original Katipuneros, remained unmarked in the wild mountains of the north.

His legacy is that of the "forgotten founder." While Bonifacio is the "Father of the Revolution," Arellano was the man who held the keys to the room where it all began. He proved that the revolution required more than just bravery; it required the steady hand of an administrator who could turn a secret society into a functional shadow government.

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Sources and Footnotes

1. Agoncillo, Teodoro A. The Revolt of the Masses: The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1956. (Provides details on the founding meeting at Calle Azcarraga and Arellano's presidency).

2. Richardson, Jim. The Light of Liberty: Documents and Studies on the Katipunan, 1892-1897. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2013. (Primary source analysis of the Katipunan’s founding and the roles of its early leaders).

3. Manuel, E. Arsenio. Dictionary of Philippine Biography, Volume 1. Quezon City: Filipiniana Publications, 1955. (Contains the biographical sketch of Arellano’s early life and service in the revolutionary army).

4. Zaide, Gregorio F. The Philippine Revolution. Manila: Modern Book Company, 1968. (Details Arellano's work as a liaison for Marcelo H. del Pilar and his involvement in La Liga Filipina).

Unknown Filipino Hero: Crispulo Zamora

Crispulo Zamora

Engraver, Silversmith, and Sculptor

(1871 - 1922)

His name is etched on the backs of countless historical plaques, academic medals, and monuments across the country, but little do most Filipinos know that the man behind "Crispulo Zamora & Sons" was a trailblazing artist and a master metalworker whose legacy is deeply ingrained in Philippine history.

Crispulo de Guzman-Mendoza Zamora was a prominent Filipino engraver, silversmith, and sculptor considered the foremost artisan in his field during the late Spanish and American occupational eras in the Philippines. He was not just a businessman, but a classically trained artist who revolutionized the metalworking and engraving industry in the country. From producing religious ornaments and military decorations to crafting commemorative medals for momentous national events, his artistry captured the political, religious, and cultural shifts of his time.

He successfully transitioned from a skilled craftsman to an industrial pioneer, transforming his father's modest Quiapo workshop into a highly acclaimed national enterprise. He secured significant commissions, including the design of medals and ornaments for the U.S. Army, the Philippine Constabulary, and various units of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). After his passing, his firm became an institution of its own, serving the government and private sector for generations and setting the standard for metallurgy and engraving in the country.

Childhood and Matrimony

On June 10, 1871, Crispulo Zamora was born in Sampaloc, Manila, to Mauricio Zamora, a skilled silversmith who taught him the early foundations of the craft. His formal education in the arts began with private lessons from Jose Flores, after which he enrolled at the prestigious Academia de Dibujo y Pintura from 1890 to 1893. There, he trained under distinguished masters Lorenzo de Icaza Rocha and Melecio Magbanua Figueroa. He furthered his studies under Felix Lorenzo Martinez at the Escuela Practica y Professional de Artes Oficios de Manila.

During his time at the Academia, he met a fellow student, Pelagia Gotianquin Mendoza. Pelagia was an exceptional artist in her own right, historically recognized as the first female sculptor in the Philippines. The two later married, and their union produced several children, including Vicente and Clemente. Instead of pursuing independent sculpting careers, the couple merged their talents to manage and elevate the family engraving business. Following Crispulo's death, Pelagia took over the enterprise, introducing modern techniques she learned from her international travels and leading the company to even greater acclaim.

Artistic and Sculptural works

Crispulo Zamora was celebrated as the finest engraver of his time, blending classical art training with meticulous metalworking. After graduating, he initially worked with his brothers under their father's shop before establishing his own legendary reputation. His works ranged from large-scale civic pieces to intricate religious items. Some of his most notable religious creations included the highly detailed chanter of the Manila Cathedral, the exquisite crown for the icon of the Virgin of Peñafrancia in Naga, and the 18-karat gold scepter designed in 1908 for the revered image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila.

He was highly sought after for state and historical commemorations. In 1907, Zamora designed and struck the official bronze and silvered-bronze medals celebrating the First Philippine Legislative Assembly and the visit of U.S. Secretary of War William Howard Taft. His portfolio also included creating detailed plaques featuring the likenesses of prominent global figures, including U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, and Emperor Yoshihito of Japan.

Collections

Today, Zamora's works are highly prized by numismatists, historians, and museums. Rare medals, such as the 1907 First Philippine Assembly pieces bearing his distinct "CZ" initials, remain highly sought-after artifacts in Philippine numismatics and are carefully cataloged by collectors worldwide.

Beyond private collections, his firm's large-scale castings belong to the public sphere. The Zamora business was contracted to cast major historical monuments and plaques, including the brass markers for the iconic Gomburza National Monument in Plaza Roma, Intramuros. The intricate molds, dies, and historical markers produced by his foundry over the decades formed a vast physical collection that shaped the visual identity of Philippine civic and military honors.

Other Interests

Apart from his technical mastery in metallurgy, Zamora was deeply invested in the modernization of local industry. He and his wife Pelagia shared an intense interest in international art styles and technological advancements.

This curiosity drove them to study foreign techniques, exploring how different nationalities applied their artistry and technology in the production of arts and crafts. This interest in global methodologies allowed them to modernize the Philippine engraving and metalworking industry far beyond the traditional Spanish-colonial methods they inherited.

Serving the Public

While not a politician like Epifanio de los Santos, Zamora served the public by becoming the de facto visual historian of the Philippine government. Starting out as an apprentice in Quiapo, Crispulo eventually took the helm of the family trade and elevated the craft to an industrial scale.

Under his leadership, he provided essential services to the state by minting official government awards, military insignias, and public monuments. His firm dominated the local market for trophies and medals, winning numerous local and international awards. The company was so vital to public infrastructure and state ceremonies that it was legally recognized by the Philippine government, holding such a prominent status that acts of the Philippine Legislature (such as Act No. 3867 in 1931) specifically cited financial transactions and contracts with his firm.

Death and Legacy

On October 11, 1922, Crispulo Zamora passed away. Though his life was relatively short, the institution he built far outlasted him. His wife Pelagia, and later his sons, continued the business, maintaining its status as the premier engraving and metal-crafting firm in the country for decades.

Viuda e Hijos de Crispulo Zamora

For much of the 20th century, the name "Viuda e Hijos de C. Zamora" (Widow and Sons of C. Zamora) stamped on the back of a medal, plaque, or historical marker was a guarantee of excellence and prestige.

It became the gold standard for official government commissions, ensuring that Crispulo Zamora's legacy survived through the Commonwealth era, World War II, and into the modern Republic.

The business became a testament to the enduring partnership between him and Pelagia, proving that their combined artistic vision could forge a lasting industrial empire that recorded the nation's most important milestones.

He was one of the first native artisans to elevate a traditional craft into a highly respected, formalized industry that chronicled the nation’s milestones in bronze, silver, and gold. And he did it with unparalleled skill, marrying artistic elegance with industrial utility. Just as his contemporaries used the pen to define the Filipino identity, Zamora used the crucible and the chisel.

"Every medal, every historical marker, and every monument cast in the fires of his foundry was a permanent testament to a nation's unfolding history. Crispulo Zamora did not merely record the triumphs of his era; he forged them into enduring physical form, proving that the Filipino artisan was second to none."

Sources:

Lakbay ng Lakan - https://lakansining.wordpress.com/tag/crispulo-zamora/

Review of Women's Studies (Women Artists in 19th Century Philippines) - https://scispace.com/pdf/women-artists-and-gender-issues-in-19th-century-philippines-3p1ipxn21d.pdf

JAA Philippine Medals & Tokens - https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinView.aspx?sc=629771

Unknown Filipino Hero: Epifanio de los Santos

 

Epifanio de los Santos

Historian and Scholar

(1871 - 1928)

The famous highway named after him was just the acronym EDSA for most Filipinos but little did they know that this great man is an intellectual and patriotic the level and contemporary of Jose Rizal.

Epifanio de los Santos y Cristóbal, sometimes referred to as Don Pañong or Don Panyong, was a prominent civil servant, journalist, and historian from the Philippines. He was a prominent civil servant, journalist, and historian from the Philippines. In addition, he practiced law, was a philosopher, a bibliophile, a biographer, a painter, a poet, a musician, a literary critic, a librarian, and an antique collector. Some people considered him to be among the greatest Filipino authors of his era.

He also got involved in politics, representing Nueva Ecija as a member of the Malolos Congress from 1898 to 1899 and then as governor of Nueva Ecija from 1902 to 1906. In 1900, he was appointed district attorney of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, and subsequently served as fiscal of Bataan and Bulacan provinces. He was appointed in 1918 as the Philippine Census's assistant technical director. In 1925, Governor General Leonard Wood named him Director of the Philippine Library and Museum, a position he held until his passing in 1928.

Childhood and Matrimony

On April 7, 1871, Epifanio de los Santos was born in Potrero, Malabon, Manila Province, to Escolastico de los Santos of Nueva Ecija and pianist Antonina Cristóbal y Tongco, who was well-known for her harp and piano skills. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. Although he spent some time painting, music eventually became a part of his everyday life, and he was even given a professorship in the field. After completing his legal education at the University of Santo Tomas, he took the bar exam in 1898. He worked as a private secretary to a high-ranking Spanish official after graduating, a role that was somewhat like to that of a solicitor-general.

When he committed himself to collecting plants and flowers in Nueva Ecija during his college years, Rafael Palma (1930) observed that his collecting instinct was already apparent. He also sought out and spent time with rural communities during this period. "Nobody suspected that he would someday become a literary man" is how Agoncillo puts it. He became interested in Spanish literature as a young law student after reading "Pepita Jimenez" by Juan Valera and other available works. Later, after meeting Valera in Spain, he became friends with him.

Leticia, Fernando, Socrates, Federico, Hipatia Patria, Espacia Lydia, Glicera Ruth, and Margarita were the eight children Epifanio had with his second wife, Margarita Torralba of Malolos, while his first wife, Doña Ursula Paez of Malabon, gave birth to four children: Jose, Rosario, Escolastico, and Antonio. Jose, his first wife's son, went on to become a collector, historian, and biographer. In addition to being a pianist for silent films, his brother Escolastico wrote poetry and told realist stories for Philippine newspapers and magazines. His second wife's son, Socrates, went on to become a prominent aeronautics engineer for the Pentagon.

Scholarly and Literary works

Some people regarded Epifanio as one of the greatest Filipino authors in Spanish at the time. His memberships included the Spanish Royal Academy of History, the Spanish Royal Academy of Literature, and the Spanish Royal Academy of Language in Madrid. Marcelino Menéez y Pelayo was an admirer of his writings.

Epifanio, who wrote in prose under the pen name G, was a youthful associate editor of the revolutionary newspaper "La Independencia" (1898). Solon and a Malolos Congress member as well. La Libertad, El Renaciemento, La Democracia, La Patria, and Malaysia are among the other newspapers he co-founded. Algo de Prosa (1909), Literatura Tagala (1911), El Teatro Tagala (1911), Nuestra Literatura (1913), El Proceso del Dr. José Rizal (1914), and Folklore Musical de Filipinas (1920) are some of his works. Additionally, he wrote Cuentos y paisajes Filipinos (Philippine Stories and Scenes), Filipinas para los Filipinos, Filipinos y filipinistas (Filipinos and Filipinists), and Criminality in the Philippines (1903–1908). He is a linguist in Spanish, English, French, German, and Tagalog.

Lope K. Santos, Rosa Sevilla, Hermenegildo Cruz, and Jaime C. were among the active members of Samahan ng mga Mananagalog, which was founded by Felipe Calderon in 1904. He spoke Ita, Tingian, Spanish, English, French, German, and Ibalao with ease. Florante and Laura were translated into Castilian by him. He belonged to the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española as an honorary member.

As a scholar, he contributed to early Philippine studies in anthropology, ethnology, archaeology, linguistics, and demography. He traveled to European museums and libraries to collect rare documents and artifacts from and about the Philippines. As a statesman, De los Santos was elected governor of Nueva Ecija in 1902 and 1904. He was the first governor of the province to be democratically elected. After his term, he was appointed provincial fiscal of Bulacan and Bataan. In 1925, Governor General Leonard Wood appointed him director of the National Library and Museum.

Collections

Epifanio de los Santos made a lot of trips in quest of rare Philippine documents. Almost 200 paintings and sculptures, musical compositions, records of operas, written materials, documents and manuscripts pertaining to the revolution, and historical photographs were all part of his collection. His collection of Filipiniana was well-known. In Europe, he was recognized as a philologist and biographer of Philippine subjects.

His collection includes certain printed materials and documents that are thought to be unique. W acknowledged his collections from Rizaliana. Austin Craig, James A. Le-Roy, and E. Retana. 213 materials or documents about the Philippine Revolution and 115 printed works make up his collection. Following his passing, the Philippine Legislature paid ₱19,250.00 to acquire de los Santos's library and collection under the Philippine Clarin Act.

Other Interests

He was regarded as a talented guitarist as well.

According to one story, Antonio Luna offered his guitar to the winner of a quarrel between de los Santos and Clemente Jose Zulueta. According to reports, De los Santos won and got Luna's guitar.

Serving the Public

Up until November 1899, Epifanio de los Santos was one of three delegates from Nueva Ecija in the Malolos Congress, having been elected in September 1898. He was named San Isidro, Nueva Ecija's district attorney in 1900. Later, in 1902 and 1904, he was elected governor of Nueva Ecija, a position he held until 1906. As a result, he became Nueva Ecija's first democratically elected province governor and the leader of the Federal Party. He was chosen to represent the Saint Louis World's Fair in 1904 as a member of the Philippine Commission. Later on, he was named Bataan's and Bulacan's provincial fiscal. In 1907, he penned "Electoral Fraud and its Remedies" (Fraudes Electorales y Sus Remedios) for the Philippine Assembly. He also spent time studying Philippine literature and history. Fires at his home in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, destroyed a portion of his collection. Agoncillo and Palma claim that politics was not his main focus. Governor General Francis Burton Harrison appointed him assistant technical director of the Philippine Census in 1918. 

Following Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, de los Santos was named Director of the Philippine Library and Museum by Governor General Leonard Wood in 1925. Additionally, he became the first native-born Filipino to be elected as the third President of the Philippine Library Association (now known as the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.). According to Gabriel Bernardo, he gave up "all his other avocations except music and bibliophile" in order to devote himself fully to his profession as director of the Philippine Library.

Death and Legacy

On April 18, 1928, de los Santos passed away while in office. The principal thoroughfare in Metro Manila, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), bears his name. In his honor, the National Library of the Philippines has named a number of schools, streets, a college, a hospital, a printing press, and an auditorium.

EDSA

On April 7, 1959. Highway 54 was officially renamed Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). The name change was enacted through Republic Act No. 2140 to honor Epifanio de los Santos, a renowned Filipino scholar, historian, and jurist. The date of the law’s passage coincided with his birth anniversary. 

Before becoming Highway 54, the road was known as the North-South Circumferential Road (1930s) and Avenida 19 de Junio (1946), named after Jose Rizal’s birthday.

The name was assigned by the American military after World War II. It was commonly (though mistakenly) believed to be exactly 54 kilometers long.

While it was renamed in 1959, the acronym "EDSA" only became the dominant way to refer to the highway starting in the 1970s.

He was the first well-educated and cultured Filipino to draw his fellow citizens' attention to their own notable personalities as well as to their own poetry, music, art, and literature. And he did it critically, without being overly emotional or chauvinistic. However, he had faith in his people. At one point, he said:

"We Filipinos are the most promising people in the world. We have unheard of possibilities. There never has been a people similarly situated. Here we are in the Orient, with our Oriental thoughts and sentiments, but living amidst a civilization more Western than was ever known in the East. The Philippines is the only country where East meets West. The Filipino is a true cosmopolite. From him the world may expect something new and distinctive." - Epifanio de los Santos

Sources:

CulturED Philippines - https://philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/de-los-santos-epifanio/

The Kahimyang Project -https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1060/today-in-philippine-history-april-7-1871-epifanio-de-los-santos-was-born-in-malabon

Munting Nayon - https://muntingnayon.com/102/102441/index.php

This very long stretch important main highway in Metro Manila is popularly called EDSA beginning only in the 1970s named in honor of this great intellectual and nationalist.

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.