Graciano Lopez Jaena

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA

(Iloilo, 1856-1897)

A fiery writer and orator, he was one of the Filipino propagandists seeking reforms for the Philippines. He founded and became editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad which became the organ of the reform movement in Spain.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Jose Ma. Panganiban

JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN

(Ambos, Camarines, 1863-1890)

Known as the defender of Filipino honor, he was one of the most eloquent writers of the propaganda paper, La Solidaridad. An energetic orator, he championed the freedom of the press and advocated the improvement of the educational system of the Philippine colony.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Datu Taupan

DATU TAUPAN

(Balanguigui, c. 1848)

Also known as Panglima Taupan, he was the leader of the Sama Balanguigui of Zamboanga, Basilan and Tonquil islands. He fought for the independence of his people against Spanish incursions and launched raids against Spanish settlements. In 1848, Spanish forces using modern gunboats finally took Balanguigui Island after a fierce battle. Datu Taupan and his followers were captured and were relocated to Isabela province in Northern Luzon.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Marcelo H. Del Pilar

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

(Bulacan, 1850-1896)

Known as Plaridel, he was a nationalist and one of the greatest propagandists of reform movement. He authored pamphlets attacking the abuses of the friars and became the publisher of La Solidaridad in 1889. He later advocated a revolutionary path to freedom but was cut short by his death from malnutrition and overwork.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Apolinario Mabini

APOLINARIO MABINI

(Batangas, 1864-1903)

Overcoming extreme poverty and a crippling paralysis, he bacame known as the Brain of the Philippine Revolution. He was one of the chief advisers of President Emilio Aguinaldo and served as foreign minister and President of the cabinet. He staunchly stood for Philippine independence and was exiled to Guam for his refusal to swear allegiance to the United States.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat

SULTAN DIPATUAN KUDARAT

(Cotabato, c. 1663)

A direct descendant of Sharif Kabungsuan who propagated Islam in Mindanao. He was able to defend successfully his domain from Spanish incursions. He was a wise ruler and a good administrator. He encouraged his people to develop agriculture and to trade with non-Muslim Filipinos.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Juan Sumuroy

JUAN SUMUROY

(Samar, c. 1649)

A brilliant military leader, who led the people of Samar in opposing the conscription of men from their homes to work in the shipyards of Cavite. He won several victories against the Spaniards and their allies. He resisted for a year, was captured, and executed.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Lapu-Lapu

LAPU-LAPU

(Mactan, Cebu, c. 1521)

The Chieftain of the small island of Mactan. On April 27, 1521, with a force of more than 1,000 followers, Lapu-Lapu defeated Magellan killing him. His victory over the Spaniards delayed the colonization of the Philippines until 1565.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Aman Dangat

AMAN DANGAT

(Batanes, c. 1791)

The Chief of Malacdang, Batanes, who led an uprising of the Ivatans in 1791. Armed only with native weapons, he and his men battled the Spanish forces for three days, was captured and publicly executed to instill fear among the people.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Francisco Maniago

FRANCISCO MANIAGO

(Pampanga, c. 1660)

A leader of the village in Mexico, Pampanga, who led a revolt in protest against forced labor and confiscation of rice by the Spaniards. He blocked the mouths of the rivers of Pampanga to stop commerce with Manila. His rebellion ended with the acceptance of his demands by the Spaniards.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Apolinario Dela Cruz (Hermano Pule)

APOLINARIO DELA CRUZ

(Tayabas, d. 1814-1841)

A deeply religious man, he was known as Hermano Pule. Being a native he was refused entry into the clergy. He later founded a religious confraternity known as the Confradia de San Jose in which the members worshipped according to their own conscience. His organization gained popularity spreading to Tayabas (now Quezon), Laguna and Batangas. He aroused the jealousy of the Spanish clergy which denounced him as a heretic and a filibuster. The Confradia was ordered to disband by the Spanish authorities and an order for the arrest of its leader was issued triggering a rebellion. Hermano Pule was captured and executed. His decapitated head was placed on a bamboo stake on the road to Majayjay to instill fear among the people.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Datu Ache

DATU ACHE

(Sulu, c. 1638)

A Tausug chieftain, who commanded Sultan Bongsu's force of warriors in repelling an armada of 80 ships with 600 Spaniards and 3,000 Filipino allies led by Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera on January 4, 1638.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Diego Silang

DIEGO SILANG

(Ilocos, d. 1730-1762)

Working as a mail courier between Manila and Vigan, Ilocos Sur, he was witness to the excesses of the Spaniards. During the British invasion of Manila, he urged his provincemates to arm themselves against the British and at the same time demanded the abolition of forced labor and tribute. His actions were misinterpreted as rebellion and he was imprisoned. Upon his release he led a revolt which spread to Pangasinan and Cagayan. He also allied himself with the British to gain diplomatic support. Fearing his growing power, the Spaniards had him treacherously assassinated by his friend Miguel Vicos on May 28, 1763.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Mateo Cariño

MATEO CARIÑO

(Cordillera, c. 1898)

The Ibaloi Chieftain of Benguet who led a successful revolt against the Spanish garrison in La trinidad in 1898. Aguinaldo made him "captain" of Baguio and head of the Igorot army.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Datu Amai Pakpak

DATU AMAI PAKPAK

(Lanao, d. 1895)

The Chief of Marahui (Marawi), Datu Amai Pakpak was also known as Datu Akadir who bravely resisted the Spanish campaigns to subjugate Lanao. He was killed while defending his cotta during the Blanco campaign in 1895.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Gregorio Aglipay

GREGORIO AGLIPAY

(Ilocos Norte, 1860-1940)

A former Catholic priest who championed the Filipinization of the Philippine Catholic Church after the execution of Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jose Burgos and Fr. Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA). He was the Vicar General of the Philippine Revolutionary Army and represented Ilocos Norte as one of the framers of the Philippine Constitution at Malolos and member of the revolutionary congress. He also fought in the Filipino-American War and one of the last generals to surrender to the Americans.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Vicente Alvarez

VICENTE ALVAREZ

(Zamboanga, 1854-1910)

Already serving as a high official in the Spanish colonial government, he joined the Katipunan and started the Revolution in Zamboanga in March 1898. He led his forces in the successful capture of Zamboanga in 1899. Aguinaldo appointed him as head of the revolutionary movement of Zamboanga and Basilan. He bravely fought the American forces until his capture.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Francisco Dagohoy

FRANCISCO DAGOHOY

(Bohol, c. 1740)

Enraged by the refusal of a Spanish friar to bury his brother, he led a rebellion against Spanish rule which lasted from 1744 to 1829. The rebellion which was also fueled by the excesses of the Spanish authorities lasted for more than 80 years, the longest in Philippine history.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).

Pantaleon Villegas

PANTALEON VILLEGAS

(Cebu, c. 1873-1898)

A native of Bacong, Negros Oriental. He worked in Cebu and Manila where he was inducted into the Katipunan and took the name Leon Kilat. Upon returning to Cebu, he organized the revolutionary movement in the province and started the revolution on April 3, 1898.

* Photos taken by GBJ at the Luneta (Rizal Park), Manila, on the morning of December 30, 2022 (Rizal Day).