Classroom Tools Series: Makabayan – Araling Panlipunan
Filipinos in History: The Unsung Heroes and Heroines
Truly, heroism can be shown in many ways. No matter how young or old you are, or whatever your gender or social status or profession or education attainment or religion may be, you can always show your love for and loyalty to your country and your fellowmen in your own ways.
Arthur Robert Ashe Jr., an African American tennis player and active civil rights supporter, once said, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost.”
We Filipinos have a strong sense of service and heroism. Our endless list of heroes, idols, and role models proves this. Monuments and busts and other commemoratives have been made for our heroes. We also celebrate National Heroes’ Day every year.
This year, on August 26, let us acknowledge and get inspiration from the ideals and heroic deeds of not only our national heroes but also from those who stood behind them --- the unsung heroes and heroines of the Philippine Revolution.
The following men and women have committed their lives to service for their fellowmen and their country and have played a role in fighting for and winning the freedom that we experience today.
Federico Isabelo Abaya
A member of the Espiritu de Candon, Federico Abaya led the “Cry of Candon” (Ikkis ti Kandon), shut out Spaniards, and declared the free Republic of Candon. He was killed by Americans while serving as a guerilla commander of forces in southern Ilocos.
Marcela Agoncillo
Marcela Agoncillo, together with her daughter and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, made the Filipino flag that was unfurled at Kawit on June 12, 1898. Her home in Hong Kong also became the refuge of Filipino leaders.
Hilaria del Rosario – Aguinaldo
Hilaria Aguinaldo was Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s first wife. She is the founder of the Hijas de la Revolucion (Daughter of the revolution), an organization which later became the Associacion Nacional de la Cruz Roja (National Association of the Red Cross).
Sultan Jamalu’l Alam
During the Spanish invasion on 1876, Sultan Jamalu’l Alam defended Jolo and worked with the Muslim jurumentados to attack the Spaniards. Sultan Alam signed a treaty of peace with Spain in 1878.
Datu Ali
Datu Ali, also known as Raja Buayan, was the ruler of the Upper Valley of Cotabato and an acknowledged leader of the Maguindanaos in the 1900s. He led revolutions against the Americans using guerilla warfare.
Ramon Avancena
Ramon Avancena led a group in Panay and in other neighboring islands and drove Spaniards out of the province. He also led uprisings againg the Americans and later became a Supreme Court Justice.
Roman E. Basa
Known as “Liwanag,” Roman E. Basa was the second supremo of the Katipunan. He organized chapters in Cavite. He was arrested and shot at Bagumbayan for treason charges.
Espiridiona Bonifacio
Espiridiona Bonifacio came from a family of revolutionists --- she is the youngest sister of Andres, Ciriaco and Procopio Bonifacio. She helped the Katipuneros and took care of their needs during the revolution.
Procopio Bonifacio
Procopio Bonifacio, brother of Andres, led Tanglaw, one of the two sections of the Laong-Laan Council of the Katipunan. The Bonifacio brothers were executed on May 10, 1987.
Geronimo Cristobal
Known as “Burgos,” Geronimo Cristobal is an infantry corporal in the regiment who was shot, along with 12 of his compatriots, at Bagumbayan on January 11, 1897 and was honored henceforth as one of the 13 martyrs of Bagumbayan.
Eugenio S. Daza
A teacher from the Borongan Municipal School, Eugenio Daza joined the Filipino rebel forces in Samar during the second phase of the Revolution and led the Balangiga attack on September 28, 1901.
Pio Del Pilar
A member of the Katipunan, Pio del Pilar formed “Matagumpay,” a Katipunan chapter, and led rebels in the Battle of Binakayan.
Leona Florentino
Leona Florentino helped Filipino women during the 1898 Revolution improve their social and intellectual status through her internationally-acclaimed poems and other literary works.
Licerio Geronimo
Licerio Geronimo organized his own rebel armies in Montalban, San Mateo and Marikina and fought in the battle of Mt. Purog in 1897 where a large number of Spanish forces were destroyed. He became the Division General of the revolutionary army for Rizal province after Andres Bonifacio’s death. He also commanded troops during the Filipino-American war.
Wenceslao Gonzalez
Wenceslao Gonzalez helped in spreading the ideals and educating Filipinos in Surigao about the Revolution. He was the first person to wave the Philippine flag in Mindanao.
Fernando Guirnalda
Spanish civil guards arrested and tortured Fernando Guirnalda and his family for being Masons and for writing zarzuelas and translating Spanish poems to Iloco. Upon return to Candon, Guirnalda joined forces with a rebel army for mutiny against the Spaniards.
Agueda Kahabagan
The only woman general in the Philippine revolution, Agueda Kahabagan, also known as “Henerala Agueda,” fought in the attack on San Pablo, Laguna. With a gun in one hand and a dagger in the other, she led her troop in the battlefield against the Spaniards.
Daniel Marambia
A nationalist, Daniel Marambia refused to kiss the hand of a friar and was imprisoned. He joined the Katipunan, which was co-founded by his brother Valentin Diaz, and protected the towns of Mangaldan and Dagupan from Spanish rule.
Gregoria Montoyo
Gregoria Montoyo led the Battle of Calero Bridge in Cavite with a long bolo and the Katipuan flag in her hands.
Paciano Rizal
Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose Rizal, was his younger brother’s influence, adviser and sponsor. Paciano sent Jose to Europe for the latter’s education. After Jose’s execution, Paciano became the military commander of Emilio Aguinaldo’s revolutionary forces in Laguna.
Adriana Sangalang
Adriana Sangalang showed her love for her fellowmen when she and her family helped feed and nurse sick rebels, and distributed rations to the soldiers and their families.
Juan Crisostomo Soto
Known as the Father of Pampanga Literature, Juan Crisostomo Soto is a contributor to La Independencia and also a Katipunero who wrote propagandas for the people of Pampanga.
Trinidad Teczon
Trinidad Teczon was named by Emilio Aguinaldo as the “Mother of Biak-na-Bato.” She organized women groups during the war and helped Filipino soldiers obtain firearms and supplies.
Rosario N. Villaruel
A daughter of one of the 13 martyrs of Bagumbayan, Rosario N. Villaruel was the first woman Mason in the Philippines. She took the Masonic name “Minerva” and lived up to his father’s ideals of brotherhood, equality and fairness.
Panteleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas
Leon Kilat is a Katipunero who led revolutionary groups in Panay and Negros Islands. He led several revolts in Cebu, including the Tres de Abril Revolt.
For more information about the listed heroes and heroines, and if you want to know more unsung heroes, you can check out the links below!
Sources:
Centennial Resource Book. “Unsung Heroes of the Philippine Revolution”. Retrieved on August 14, 2007 from http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/hero/index.html
