Monday, June 15, 2009

Dr. Jose P. Rizal

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

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

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.

General Emilio Aguinaldo

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

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.

GOMBURZA

Father Mariano Gomez
(1799-1872)
Father Jose Burgos
(1837-1872)
GOMBURZA

Three intellectuals who crusaded for reform. Killed by garrote in Bagumbayan, Manila on February 17, 1872, for allegedly instigating the Cavite mutiny.
Father Jacinto Zamora
(1835-1872)

Emilio Jacinto

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.