He was the King of Mactan Island and was known as the first Filipino hero.
When Ferdinand Magellan, a Spaniard who "discovered" the Philippines, land
-ed in Cebu, he ordered Filipinos to honor the king of Spain. Chief Lapu-
Lapu refused his demand. Magellan, along with 48 soldiers, met Lapu-Lapu
in Mactan Island for a battle. During the battle, Magellan and 15 of his
men were killed. For 54 years thereafter, no Spaniard set foot in the
Philippine soil. TOP
Rizal, our national hero, was born in Calamba, Laguna. He was educated in
Europe and obtained his license in opthalmology and philosophy in France.
He wrote Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Rebel)
in Europe.He was arrested as a revolutionary and was exiled in Dapitan,
Mindanao. On December 30, 1896, he was executed by a firing squad at Bagum-
bayan, now known as Luneta, in Manila for spreading ideals of revolution.
On the eve of his execution, Rizal wrote his famous poem Mi Ultimo Adios. TOP
He is remembered as the "Hero of Tirad Pass" and to the Americans as an
"Officer and a Gentleman." He was the youngest general in the Revolutionary
Army, who fought bravely against the Americans, with only 60 men. Before his
death, he wrote, "I am surrounded by fearful odds that will overcome me and my
gallant men, but I am pleased to die fighting for my beloved country." On
December 2, 1899, he was killed in the Tirad Pass while commanding Aguinaldo's
rearguard. TOP
He established the newspaper, Diaryong Tagalog, which published criticisms
on the way the Spaniards ran the government and treated its people. He became
editor of La Solidaridad founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena. He wrote articles
on the theme of liberty and equality for the Filipinos. On July 4, 1896, he
died of tuberculosis in Barcelona. TOP
She is a famous heroine in Philippine history. In 1896, the Katipuneros of
Andres Bonifacio declared war on her land against the Spaniards. Secret meeting
of the Katipuneros were held at her house, and she tended Filipinos who managed
to escape by dressing their wounds, feeding them, and hiding them from the
Spaniards. She was called the "Mother of the Philippine Revolution." TOP
He is the founder the Katipunan, a secret organization aimed to overthrow Spanish
sovereignty in the Philippines. On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio assembled his men
at Balintawak, tore their cedulas (poll tax), and declared the start of rebellion.
After this power struggle, on May 10, 1897, Bonifacio was shot and killed in Cavite. TOP
He was born in Bigaa, central Bulacan. He expressed his political opinion
by settling on allegorical poetry as the medium to carry his message.
He depicted the injusticesFilipinos suffered in the hands of
the Spaniards, and the evils that beset them during the Spanish regime.
He wrote poems which deals with ideas from which the people of
today can deduce morals. Balagtas was known as the "King of Tagalog Poems." TOP
He was born in Trozo, Manila to Mariano Jacinto and Josefa Dizon. At
only 19, he was an advisor, a secretary, and a fiscal to Andres Bonifacio.
In addition, he edited the newspaper Kalayaan, wrote the oath of pledges
known as "Kartilla", and supervised the manufacture of gunpowder. TOP
Mabini was born in Talaga, Tanauan Batangas. His life was a constant struggle
against poverty and illness. But inspite of his ailment, he served as secretary
of foreign affairs and president of the cabinet to General Emilio Aguinaldo.
He was, therefore, the "Brains of the Katipunan" and the "Sublime Paralytic," the
name people loved to call him. He died in Manila of cholera, at the age of 39. TOP
Formerly a barber in Manila and an early member of Bonifacio's Katipunan, Sakay
had been an active participant in both the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-
American War. Captured in 1901 and later set free, Sakay continued to oppose U.S.
sovereignty. In 1902, he became head of the "Republic of Katagalugan," a revolutionary
organization that aimed to revive the spirit of the original Katipunan. TOP
In the early 1950s, Nationalism resurfaced. Recto, a senator, fired the
first volley in a speech in 1951. He said that the Philippine government
had a "mendicant foreign policy," and allowed Americans to continue their
dominant pre-war interests in the financial, commercial, and industrial
life of the country. His nationalist sentiments derived from his long-time
experience as a member of the House of Representatives in the Batangas district.
For a short time, he served as an associative justice in the Supreme Court;
a position he gave up to go into private law practice. During the Japanese
occupation, he was recruited to serve in the Laurel War Cabinet and, after
the war, he was accused of collaboration. From his Senate seat, he denounced
legislation that allowed the encroachment of American business and political
elements into the domestic and foreign affairs of the Philippines. One
piece of legislation was the parity rights clause in the Bell Trade Act,
which he described as a surrender of the Philippine birthright. In later
years, his speeches continued to emphasize themes of political and economic
nationalism for which he was branded anti-American. He died of a heart
attack in Rome, while on a cultural mission to Europe and Latin America. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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 Cariņo. She too
lost her life for freedom's sake on September 30, 1763. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP
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. TOP