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) in1891. 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.
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Andres Bonifacio
(1861-1896)
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.

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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.

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Juan Luna
(1857-1899)
A genius of the brush and a patriot of the highest order. Creator of the world-famous
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.

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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.
 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.

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Melchora Aquino
(1812-1919)
Better 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.

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Gabriela Silang
(1731-1763)
After the death of Diego Silang on May 28, 1763, the fight was carried on by his wife,
MARIA JOSEFA GABRIELA SILANG, and his uncle, Nicolas Cariño. She too lost her life for
freedom's sake on September 30, 1763.

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Lapu – Lapu
(c. 16th Century)
Chief of Mactan who led the first successful Filipino armed resistance against
Spanish aggression. He fought and killed Magellan in a battle in Mactan, on April 27,
1521.

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Emilio Jacinto
(1875-1899)
Brain of the Katipunan. Born in Trozo, Manila, on December 15, 1875. He joined the
Katipunan in 1894 and became Bonifacio's trusted friend and advicer. He wrote the
Kartilya ng Katipunan, theprimer 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 the Phillipine history.
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Father Mariano Gomez (GOMBURZA)
(1799-1872)
One of three intellectuals who crusaded for reform. The first to be executed who was
born in Santa Cruz, Manila on August 2, 1799. He studied at the University of Santo
Tomas, and served as parish priest in Bacoor, Cavite, where he was well – loved by
parishioners. The oldest of the three martyrs, he was calm and resigned to his fate. It is
said that he walked to the scaffold his eyeglasses fell, and his famous last words are often
quoted: “Let us go where the leaves never move without the will of God."

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Father Jose Burgos (GOMBURZA)
(1837-1872)
One of three intellectuals who crusaded for reform. Father Jose Burgos Killed
by garrote in Bagumbayan, Manila on February 17, 1872, for allegedly instigating the
Cavite mutiny. He had just turned 35 when he died, having been born on February 9,
1837 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He was distinguished among the three, having earned two
doctorates one in theology and another in canon law.

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Father Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA)
(1835-1872)
One of three intellectuals who crusaded for reform. He was born in Pandacan on
August 14, 1835. At the time of his death he was working for a doctorate in canon law at
the University of Santo Tomas. In 1860, he headed a small student protest which resulted
in his being confined to his quarters for two months. However, that bit of juvenile
subversion did not affect his serving in parishes in Marikina, Pasig, and Lipa. He was later
connected with the Manila Cathedral, where he served as an examiner for new priests.

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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.
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Jose Abad Santos

He was born on the 19th day of February, 1886 in San Fernando, Pampanga,
Philippines. He was the seventh child of ten children of Vicente Abad Santos and the
former Toribia Basco. His eldest brother, Assemblyman Pedro Abad Santos was the
founder of the Socialist Party of the Philippines and a well-known defender of the "poor
and the oppressed".