Remembering the greatness of our national heroes

MANILA, Philippines - In line with the celebration of the National Heroes Day, let us all relive the greatness of our heroes who struggled and sacrificed their lives to free the Philippines from oppression and from the  chains of other countries who have tried to imprison our nation.

Jose Rizal (1861-1896)
He was dubbed as the Philippines' National Hero. Noli Me Tangere  in 1887 and El Filibusterismo  in 1891 were his novels which stirred the conscience of his people. He also contributed various literary works to La Solidaridad. Rizal was arrested and later killed by musketry in Bagumbayan, Manila, on December 30, 1896 for his strong participation in the reform movement and his provocative novels.

Ang unang kabanalan ay ang pagsunod sa matuwid, anuman ang mangyari. - Jose Rizal (Ang Liham ni Dr. Jose Rizal sa mga Kadalagahan sa Malolos, Bulakan)

Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897)

He was known as the Great Plebeian and the Father of Philippine Revolution. He became the Filipino leader of the first revolution in Asia against European colonial rule in 1892. He was also president of the Tagalog republic from August 24, 1896 to May 10, 1897. He grew up in the slums of Tondo, Manila and never knew the benefits of a prosperous life. He was ordered killed on May 10, 1897, near Mount Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite.

Ang pagsusumikap at pagpipilit na kumita ng ikakabuhay ay nagpapahayag ng tunay na pagmamahal sa sarili, sa asawa, anak, kapatid, at kababayan. - Andres Bonifacio (Kartilya ng Katipunan)

General Gregorio del Pilar (1875-1899)
He was proclaimed as the Hero of Tirad Pass and was one of the youngest and bravest generals ever produced by the Philippines. The “boy general” of the Philippine revolution was killed with 52 of his 60 men while defending Mount Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur against the American Army on Dec. 2, 1899.

The last entry on his diary:

The General [Aguinaldo] has given me a platoon of available men and has ordered me to defend this pass. I am aware of what a difficult task has been given to me. Nevertheless, I feel that this is the most glorious moment of my life. There is no greater sacrifice.

General Emilio Aguinaldo (1899-1964)
He was the first president of the Philippine Republic. Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo led his country to achieve independence after fighting off both the Spanish and the Americans. He officially proclaimed the Philippine independence in Malolos, Bulacan, on January 23, 1899. He died of heart attack at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Quezon City, on Feb. 6, 1964.

Inaugural Address of General Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the Philippines, 1899:

We are no longer insurgents; we are no longer revolutionists; that is to say armed men desirous of destroying and annihilating the enemy. We are from now on Republicans; that is to say, men of law, able to fraternize with all other nations, with mutual respect and affection. There is nothing lacking, therefore, in order for us to be recognized and admitted as a free and independent nation.

Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903)
He was a sublime paralytic and brain of the revolution. 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.

Linangin mo ang mga sadyang katangiang kaloob sa iyo ng Diyos, sa paggawa at pag-aaral ayon sa iyong kakayahan, na di lumalayo sa landas ng kagalingan at katarungan… - Apolinario Mabini (Ang Tunay na Sampung Utos)

GOMBURZA
Father Mariano Gomez (1799-1872), Father Jose Burgos (1837-1872)  and Father Jacinto Zamora (1835-1872) were the three intellectual priests who crusaded for  reform. They were killed  by garrote in Bagumbayan, Manila on Feb. 17, 1872, for allegedly  instigating the Cavite mutiny.

Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to GOMBURZA. On the novel, he says:

The Church, in refusing to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime imputed to you; the Government, in shrouding your cause with mystery and obscurities, creates belief in some error committed in crucial moments, and the whole Philippines, in venerating your memory and calling you martyrs, in no way acknowledges your guilt.

Emilio Jacinto (1875-1899)
He was known as the brain of the Katipunan. He joined the Katipunan in 1894 and became Bonifacio's trusted friend and advicer. 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. He died of malaria on April 16, 1899.

Ang babae ay huwag mong ituturing na isang bagay na libangan lamang kundi isang katulong at karamay sa mga kahirapan nitong kabuhayan; gamitin mo nang buong pagpipitagan ang kanyang kahinaan at alalahanin ang inang pinagbuhata’t nag-iwi sa iyong kasanggulan. – Emilio Jacinto (Kartilya ng Katipunan)

General Antonio Luna (1866-1899)
He was the younger brother of Juan Luna, the famous painter.  He was an Ilocano Filipino pharmacist and general who fought in the Philippine–American War. Antonio Luna is known as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Filipino general.   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 by his own soldiers in Cabanatuan City, on June 5, 2899.

His speech on how to defeat the US in the Philippine-American war:

Calmly and without exaggeration I sincerely confess that it is better to die on the field of battle rather than accept any domination.

Melchora Aquino (1812-1919)
Better known as Tandang Sora or Tandang Gillian, she was the first Filipina octogenarian heroine during the Philippine Revolution. 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 at the age of 107 on March 2, 1919. 

I have no regrets and if I had nine lives I would have gladly given them all up for my country.

Graciano Lopez-Jaena (1856-1896)
He was the founder and first editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad, which became the vehicle of expression for Filipino propaganda in Spain. Together with Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar, he undertook propaganda campaigns in Spain. Born in Jaro, Iloilo, on December 18, 1856. He died of tuberculosis on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain.

Offered the editorship of a Spanish newspaper in New York, he refused, saying:

My brain and my pen belong to the Philippines and not to any foreign country.

Other eminent heroes are:

Panday Pira - First Filipino cannon-maker.
Mariano Ponce - Propagandist, Historian, Diplomat And Managing Editor of La Solidaridad.
Gregoria de Jesus - Lakambini of Katipunan and Wife of Andres Bonifacio.
Fernando Ma. Guerrero - Poet of the Revolution.
Felipe Agoncillo - Outstanding Diplomat of the First Philippine Republic.
Rafael Palma - Cofounder of La Independencia and First UP president .
Juan Luna - Greatest Filipino Painter.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar - Greatest Journalist and Moving Spirit of the Propaganda Movement.
Leona Florentino - First Filipino Poetess(from Ilocos Sur).
Pedro Paterno - Peacemaker of the Revolution.
Isabelo delos Reyes - Founder of Philippine Socialism.
Artemio Ricarte - Revolutionary General, known as Viborra.
Jose Palma - Wrote the Spanish Lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.
Lakandola - Chief of Tondo, Friendly to the Spaniards.
Rajah Soliman - The Last Rajah of Manila.
Leonor Rivera - Cousin and Fiancee of Jose Rizal.
Marcela Mariño Agoncillo - Maker of the First Filipino Flag.
Galicano Apacible - One of the Founders of Katipunan.
Jose Ma. Panganiban - Bicolandia's Greatest Contribution to the Historic Campaign for Reforms.
Diego Silang - Leader of the Ilocano Revolt.
Maria Josefa Gabriela Silang - Continued the Fight After her Husband's Death.
Lapu-Lapu - Chieftain of Mactan Who Killed Magellan. First Filipino Hero.
Francisco Dagohoy - Leader of the Longest Revolt in Bohol.
Epifanio delos Santos - A Man of Many Talents; the Former Highway 54 is Now Named After him (EDSA).
Francisco Baltazar - Prince of Tagalog Poets.
Teresa Magbanua - First Woman Fighter in Panay. Visayan Joan of Arc.
Trinidad Tecson - Mother of Biak-na-Bato.
Agueda Esteban - Wife of Artemio Ricarte Who Carried Secret Messages About Spanish Troops.
Marina Dizon - Daughter of One of the Trece Martirez.
General Francisco Makabulos - Leader of the Revolt in Tarlac.
Julian Felipe - Composer of the Philippine National Anthem.

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