Today in the Past

Today, November 13, 1899, Emilio Aguinaldo's retreat to Northern Luzon begins. He leaves Bayambang with his staff and a force under the command of General Gregorio del Pilar.

At this point it should be recalled that the Fall of Constantinople, which closed the trade routes to the East, led to the overseas expansion of Europe (the Old World) consequent to the search for alternative routes.

At the outset the East was also reached by sailing westward via the Strait of Magellan after Columbus reached the Americas (the New World).

America became part of the overseas expansion or modern imperialism when she extended her westward expansion across the Pacific Ocean.

While the Revolution was gaining ground against the hated Spanish colonizer, the people moved as one. Swept up by the revolutionary tide, they could not ignore or condone defects in their leadership.

But when confronted by a new and powerful colonial power, the tide of Revolution began to wane, the abuses of their own leaders became a factor which caused sections of the population to waver.

All this is not to say that the people ever abandoned their goal of independence, for they would rally again and again behind resistance movements.

The Americans mounted a full-scale offensive on October 12.

After Luna's death Aguinaldo took personal command of the army.

From Kabanatuan he moved his government to Tarlac then to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and then to Bayambang, Pangasinan. Then he disbanded the regular army and instituted the Guerilla forces.

Aguinaldo and his small party moved from place to place, frequently over rough and difficult terrain.

Guerrilla forces engaged the enemy to cover Aguinaldo's retreat.

One such battle was the one at Tirad Pass where General del Pilar lost his life.