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).