Emmanuel P.

Baylosis
7-Prosperity
English

A Biography of
Mr.
Manuel Estabilla Arguilla
Written and researched by:

Emmanuel P. Baylosis

This biography is about one of the very brave and patriotic

Filipinos Mr.Manuel Estabilla Arguilla. A Very brave hero a hero who,
both demonstrates both Filipino Patriotism and Nationalism. He
demonstrated the true characteristics of being a patriot both in times
of peace and at war.
Mr.Arguilla, moat commonly known as an author, specifically for
writing the short story "How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife," the
main story in the collection How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife
and Other Short Stories.
Mr.Arguilla did not live in an era of pure Filipino freedom. He
was born on the seventeenth of June, the year 1911.This date of birth
was actually just about about twelve years after the Treaty of Paris,
a treaty that had entitled the foreign country The United States Of
America complete ownership and control of the Philippine islands.
Born during the American era when concepts and principles of
freedom of expression was reintroduced, this very determined Filipino
was one of the early generations of the Filipinos who received
Education from American Educational Institutions the like the
University of the Philippines. His being able to study in such a
prestigious university has something to, do with his skills, such as
writing and in the English language.
Manuel Estabilla Arguilla, was born to a farmer, Crisanto Arguilla
and Margarita Estabillo, a potter, in the province of Ilocos. Living
simply in this era where the Philippines was occupied by foreign
countries would discourage a mediocre kid like Manuel to follow his
dreams. It was typical during that time that the common Filipino
children would follow their parent’s footsteps or join the army.
Most of his childhood was spent learning from a typical
elementary school in his hometown and helping out with his family on
daily tasks. In such a beautiful country like the Philippines, these
chores and tasks in such beautiful surroundings would cause the
inquisitive mind of the farmer’s son would not be able to stop from
remembering these memories, and thinking of them over and over again.
Think of the beauty of the farm, the wide view of the horizon on top
of a hardworking carabao, while feeling the cool dry air of the early
evening breeze. These experiences would most probably inspire Manuel
to make such beautiful stories.
His birthplace Bario Nagrebcan, Bauag, La Union, was the source
of all his wonderful stories. Even if he moved to The city of Manila
to study there, his memories of La Union did not move away from his
mind. Rather, he brought these stories of Ilocos to Manila with him to
be stories and essays on paper.
His B.S. in education (1993) and position as president of the
U.P. Writer's Club gained him many things. One of these things that he
was able to merit was the admiration of Lydia Villanueva, another
talented writer in utilizing English. She eventually married Manuel.
He became a creative writing teacher at the University of Manila
and later worked at the Bureau of Public Welfare as managing editor of
the bureau's publication Welfare Advocate until 1943.
Those days were days when the marching of Japanese foot soldiers
were anticipated, the invasion that was imminent called for the
cooperation of every Filipino. And one of those Filipinos was Manuel
Estabilla Arguilla. With all his knowledge on language and intellect
of a teacher, he was able to organize and operate a guerrilla
intelligence unit against the Japanese when the Philippines was
occupied.
Those days and nights meant days of cramped, hot hideouts and
lots of paperwork during the day, and nights of more work in dark,
damp rooms with more work to do followed by a restless sleep fueled by
a fear of the Japanese military policemen/ Kenpeitai. The day when
these Kenpeitai (who were known to abuse Filipino natives) will
capture our beloved hero, was looming closer while the days of cramped
intelligence work was fading away.
His work gave hope to many Filipino’s both who believed and did
not believe it’s existence.
On August 5, 1944, he was captured and tortured by the Japanese
army at Fort Santiago. In one account, he was later transferred to the
grounds of the Manila Chinese Cemetery. Along with him were guerrilla
leaders, along with more than 10 men. They were then asked to dig
their own graves, after which, they were immediately, one by one,
beheaded with swords. His remains, as well as the others', have never
been recovered, as they were dumped into one unmarked grave.
He then Did depart this world, yet his stories, province and
contributions, which were a part of him, did not. He simply made
stories that showed his observations and love for our culture, yet to
be able to do so in his time was already a feat due to the
circumstances.
A pride in sharing his skills in English to the Philippine
culture was something that is admirable. Considering that very few
Filipinos during that time was very few. This act of selflessness and
concern to the Philippines even reached the point of risking his life
and offering it for us. The simple act of being proud of our culture
through utilizing his skills to organizing a guerilla team against a
powerful enemy is indeed heroic.
Even the most simple example of using your ability to honor your
homeland is a good way of imitating and learning from Mr.Manuel
Estabilla Arguilla, who started simply by living a simple life-a life
that could be,by the will of God, lead others to honor their homeland,
the homeland that we thank God for giving it to us, in which we
appreciate his will for us, that leads us to obeying Him and his
commands, in which we can escape Eternal Damnation.

Emmanuel P. Baylosis
Writer and Researcher of this biography
Sources:

http://my1stblogjd.blogspot.com/2011/10/manuel-arguilla.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Arguilla