Dr. Jose P.

Rizal
(1861-1896)

The Philippines' national hero. Born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861.
Published his masterpiece Noli Me Tangere in Berlin(Germany) in 1887 and his second novel El Filibusterismo in Ghent(Belgium) in 1891. His two novels stirred the conscience of his people. He contributed various literary works to La Solidaridad. For his leadership in the reform movement and for his incendiary novels, Rizal was arrested and later killed by musketry in Bagumbayan, Manila, on December 30, 1896. His execution was the last straw for other Filipinos who called for a bloody revolution against Spain.

Andres Bonifacio
(1863-1897)

He founded the secret society, Katipunan, on July 7, 1892, to fight Spain. He

was also president of the Tagalog republic from August 24, 1896 to May 10, 1897. Born in Tondo, Manila, on November 30, 1863. He grew up in the slums and never knew the benefits of a prosperous life. He married Gregoria de Jesus in 1892. He was killed on May 10, 1897, near Mount Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite.

General Gregorio del Pilar

(1875-1899)

Hero of Tirad Pass. Born on November 14, 1875, in Bulacan, Bulacan. Died
on December 2, 1899, in the battle of Tirad Pass, to enable Aguinaldo to escape from the Americans. One of the youngest and bravest generals ever produced by the Philippines.

General Emilio Aguinaldo

(1899-1964)

He officially proclaimed the Philippine independence in Malolos, Bulacan, on

January 23, 1899, with him as the first president. It was the first republic in Asia. Born in Kawit, Cavite, on March 22, 1869. Died at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Quezon City, on February 6, 1964.

Apolinario Mabini
(1864-1903)

Sublime paralytic and the brain of the revolution. Born in Talaga, Tanauan,
Batangas, on June 22, 1864. 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.

Emilio Jacinto
(1875-1899)

Brains of the Katipunan. Born in Trozo, Manila, on December 15, 1875. He

joined the Katipunan in 1894 and became Bonifacio's trusted friend and adviser. 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, whose first issue came out in January 1896. Died on April 16, 1899. He was one of the heroic figures in Philippine history.

General Antonio Luna

(1866-1899)

The greatest general of the revolution. Younger brother of Juan Luna, the
famous painter. Editor of La Independencia, whose first issue came out on September 3, 1898. Born in Binondo, Manila, on October 29, 1866. 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 in Cabanatuan City, on June 5, 1899.

Melchora Aquino
(1812-1919)

B etter known as Tandang Sora. Born in Banlat, Kalookan City, on January

6, 1812. 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 on March 12, 1919.

Graciano Lopez-Jaena
(1856-1896)

Founder and first editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad, which became

the vehicle of expression for Filipino propaganda in Spain. Together wtih Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar, he undertook propaganda campaigns in Spain. Born in Jaro, Iloilo, on December 18, 1856. He died on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain.

Mariano Ponce
(1863-1918)

Researcher, historian, bibliographer, propagandist, diplomat, physician,

folklorist, and an outstanding reformist. Born in Baliwag, Bulacan, on March 23, 1863. While in Spain, he joined the propaganda movement and became one of the initiators of La Solidaridad, later becoming its managing editor. Died in HongKong on May 23, 1918.

Gregoria de Jesus
(1875-1943)

One of the brave and patriotic women who played a heroic role in the
Philippine revolution. Born in Kalookan City, on May 9, 1875. Wife of Andres Bonifacio and Lakambini of the Katipunan. She actually fought alongside her husband during the revolution, aside from being the custodian of the Katipunan documents. She organized the Katipunan's Women Chapter. She died on March 15, 1943.

Fernando Ma. Guerrero

(1873-1890)

Musician, journalist, politician, and lawyer. Considered the greatest lyric poet
in Spanish. Born in Ermita, Manila, on May 30, 1873. When the revolution broke out, General Antonio Luna invited him to join the editorial staff of La Independencia, the organ of the revolution. Thus, he fought for the Filipino cause with his pen. Died in Manila June 12, 1929.

Felipe Agoncillo
(1859-1941)

Outstanding diplomat of the Philippine revolution. Born in Taal, Batangas, on

May 26, 1859. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo appointed him as Minister Plenipotentiary to the peace conference in Washington and Paris. Died on September 29, 1941, at the Manila Doctor's Hospital.

Juan Luna
(1857-1899)

A genius of the brush and a patriot of the highest order. Creator of the worldfamous painting, SPOLARIUM, which was awarded the gold medal in the Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884. It is also known as the greatest painting of all times. Born in Badoc, Ilocos, Norte, on October 23, 1857. He was closely associated with the Reform Movement, together with Rizal, Lopez-Jaena, Ponce, etc. He died in Hongkong on December 7, 1899.

Rafael Palma
(1874-1939)

Orator, statesman, scholar, educator, and writer. Born in Tondo, Manila,

on October 24, 1874. He was involved in the propaganda campaign against the Spaniards. He cofounded with Gen. Antonio Luna the revolutionary newspaper, La Independencia. Later, he also founded El Nuevo Dia, Cebu's first daily. Died in Manila on May 24, 1939.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar

(1850-1896)

Political analyst of the Filipino colony in Spain. Born in Kupang, Bulacan,

Bulacan, on August 30, 1850. In 1882, he founded the nationalistic newspaper, Diariong Tagalog. In December 1889, he became the editor of La Solidaridad and became the moving spirit behind the propaganda movement. Died on July 4, 1896.

Isabelo delos Reyes

(1864-1938)

Last of the propagandists. Gifted son of Leona Florentino, first poetess of the
Philippines. Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on July 7, 1864. He aroused the hostility of the friars and government officials when he openly criticized the evils of the Spanish rule and he advocated reforms. He was the founder of the first Philippine labor union, as well as the first independent Filipino Catholic church. Died on October 9, 1938.

Jose Palma
(1876-1903)

Poet and soldier. Born in Tondo, Manila, on June 3, 1876. Younger brother of
Dr. Rafael Palma. He was a staff member of La Independencia. He wrote Filipinas, a patriotic poem in Spanish, which became the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem. Died in Manila, on February 12, 1903.

Rajah Lakandola
( -1575)

One of the most illustrious ancient Filipinos. Chief of Tondo, when Legazpi
came to Manila in 1571. He became a Christian and took the name of Carlos, after the king of Spain. He made the blood compact with Goiti. He fought alongside the Spaniards against the Chinese pirate, Limahong. Died in 1575.

Rajah Soliman
( -1571)

The last rajah of Manila, noted for his daring and bravery. Nephew of Rajah
Lakandola. Of all of the early rulers of Manila, he was feared most by the Spaniards. He was killed on June 3, 1571, in the Battle of Bangkusay.