Important People

REGION I
Ilocos Norte

Enriqueta de Peralta

July 15,1882

was born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte

An Ilocana poet who is a known advocate of womens rights
and issues. Peralta was a social worker and was an active member
of various organizations, which included Dingras Womens Club,
Ilocos Norte Womens Club, and the Provincial Womens Club of
Ilocos Norte. Peralta worked hard for the passage of a legislation
that grants Filipino women the right to vote. She also proposed the
celebration of Mothers Day to the National Convention of Womens
Club.
(1)
http://tracingthewaytoilocanogreatness.blogspot.com
Josefa Llanes Escoda (Pepa)

September 20, 1898

was born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte
She was well-known Filipino advocate of women's right of
suffrage and founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. She was
also acknowledged as a heroine-martyr during the World War II. (1)

Juan Luna

October 23, 1857

from the town of Badoc, Ilocos Norte
He was a Filipino painter, sculptor and a political activist of
the Philippine Revolution during the late 19th century. He became
one of the first recognized Philippine artists. Juan Lunas famous
works include the The Death of Cleopatra, The Battle of
Lepanto, and his greatest masterpiece The Spoliarium (1)
Gregorio Aglipay

Batac, Ilocos Norte

May 5, 1860
Founder of Philippine Independent Church; He was a man
who was a former Catholic priest, a nationalist, a patriot, a
guerilla leader, and the first Supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.;

He was an energetic soldier and an effective guerilla leader

during the Philippine-American war (1)

General Artemio Ricarte ("Vibora" (Viper))

October 20, 1866

Batac, Ilocos Norte
He is regarded as the Father of the Philippine Army; 1st
Filipino Captain General of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, the
Katipunan; 1st Filipino commanding general of the Philippine
Army (1897) (1)

Teofilo Yldefonso

November 5, 1903
Piddig, Ilocos Norte
known as the "Ilocano Shark" because of his aquatic skills, was a
Filipino Olympian considered as the greatest swimmer of the
Philippine; He is the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal and is
the only Filipino Olympic multiple medalist. (1)

Severino Montano

1915
Laoag, Ilocos Norte
Considered as one of the Titans of Philippine Theater. He was a
playwright, director, actor and theater organizer with an
output of one novel, 150 poems and 50 plays in his 65-year
lifetime. Through the foundation of the Arena Theater,
Montano institutionalized legitimate theater in the
Philippines. (1)

Ferdinand E. Marcos

September 11, 1917

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
Ferdinand Edraln Marcos was the tenth president of the
Philippines, serving from 1965 to 1986. Ferdinand Marco's
platform of national governance was anchored on PLEDGES... an
acronym for P- Peace and Order, L- Land Reform, E- Economic
Development, D- Development of moral values, G- Government
Reforms, E- Educational Reforms, and S- Social Services. (1)

La Union

Diego Silang

December 16, 1730 May 28, 1763

born in Aringay, La Union
died in Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Young Diego worked as a messenger for a local Castilian priest in

Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Bright, passionate, and fluent in Spanish, he ferried
correspondence from the Ilocos to Manila; journeys that gave him his
first glimpse of colonial injustice and that planted the seed of rebellion.
One of Ilocandias heroes who played a significant role in the
libertarian epic of the Filipino nation was Diego Silang. He led the
famous Ilocos Rebellion of 1762, liberated his people from Spanish
tyranny, and sacrificed his life for the sake of freedom. His heroic life
and exploits are now part and parcel of Ilocandias history and legend,
reflecting the greatness of the Ilocano people. Truly, as Don Isabelo de
los Reyes felicitously commented, he was one of the most important
figures who illumined the annals of the Filipinos.
(2) http://kimatpower.blogspot.com/

Rafael Carlos Baltazar Buenaventura

August 5, 1938 - November 30, 2006

born in San Fernando, La union

A prominent banker in the Philippines and one-time governor of the

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (from 1999 to 2005); he served under two
Philippine presidents during one of the most tumultuous political
transitions in the countrys history. Known for his fierce independence,
Buenaventura was often targeted for removal from public office
throughout his six-year term. However, his shrewd handling of both
his detractors and supporters allowed him to accomplish key policy
reforms at a time when political upheavals often derailed the
country's economic progress. By the end of his term as central bank
governor, he had managed to steer the financial system closer to
global standards. He died November 30, 2006 at age 68 following a
protracted fight with cancer
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Buenaventura
Lucrecia Roces Kasilag

August 31, 1918 - August 16, 2008

born in San Fernando, La Union

She grew up in Paco, Manila, and studied at the Philippine

Women's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
She also studied music at St. Scholasticas College in Singalong,
Manila.
She founded the Bayanihan Folks Arts Center
for research and theatrical presentations, and
was closely involved with the Bayanihan
Philippine Dance Company. She was also a
former president of the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, head of the Asian Composers League,
Chairperson of the Philippine Society for Music
Education, and was one of the pioneers of the
Bayanihan Dance Company. She is credited for having written more
than 200 musical compositions, ranging from folksongs to opera to
orchestral works, and was composing up to the
year before she died, at age 90.She is particularly
known for incorporating indigenous Filipino
instruments into orchestral productions.
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucrecia_Roces_Kasilag
Jose Nisperos

December 30, 1887- September 1, 1922

born and died in San Fernando, La Union

He is a member of the Philippine Scouts who

received the Medal of Honor during the PhilippineAmerican War. He was the first Asian to be
awarded the medal. On September 24, 1911, at Lapurap, Basilan,
Philippines, Nsperos, a member of the U.S. Army's 34th Company of
the Philippine Scouts, defended his unit's position against natives
armed with spears despite being severely wounded. Nsperos became
the first Filipino and Asian to receive the Medal of Honor; the medal
was presented by Brigadier General Bell in February 1913.
(5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_B._N
%C3%ADsperos
Pangasinan
Victorio C. Edades

December 23, 1895 March 7, 1985

born in Barrio Bolosan, Dagupan, Pangasinan
died in Davao City

The "Father of Modern Philippine Painting". His artistic ability

surfaced during his early years. By seventh grade, his teachers
were so impressed with him that he was dubbed "apprentice
teacher" in his art class. He was also an achiever from the very
beginning, having won awards in school debates and writing
competitions. He is a Filipino painter who was the leader of the
revolutionary Thirteen Moderns who engaged their classical
compatriots in heated debate over the nature and function of
art. He was named a National Artist in 1976.
http://www.geringerart.com/bios/edades.html
Juan Dela Cruz Palaris

January 8, 1733 - February 26, 1765

born in Binalatongan, Pangasinan ( San Carlos)
He was called as Pangasinan Freedom Fighter. De la Cruz
was extraordinarily big, thus earning the sobriquet, the
giants son. He was fond of playing with calves. Also unusually
fast and strong, he ran races with horses and grappled in a
tug-of-war with the carabaos. As a boy, he learned the
rudiments of reading and writing Spanish from the town priest.
Being intelligent, he could easily read many books.
He was a Pangasinan leader in the province of Pangasinan in
the Philippines who led a revolt against the colonial
authoritires during the 18th century. The uprising is known as
the Palaris Revolt.

http://pinoyfolktales.blogspot.com/

Tarlac
Carlos P. Romulo

14 January 1898 15 December 1985

born in Camiling, Tarlac
died in Manila
He is a Filipino diplomat, statesman, soldier, journalist and
author. He was a reporter at 16, a newspaper editor by the age of
20, and a publisher at 32. He was a co-founder of the Boy Scouts
of the Philippines, a general in the US Army and the Philippine
Army, university president, President of the UN General Assembly,
was eventually named one of the Philippines' National Artists in
Literature, and was the recipient of many other honors and
honorary degrees.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_P._Romulo

Reference:
(1)http://tracingthewaytoilocanogreatness.blogspot.com
(2)http://kimatpower.blogspot.com/
(3)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Buenaventura
(4)