Today in Philippine History: La Liga Filipina

JULY 3, 1892

The La Liga Filipina (The Philippine League), a mutual aid, self-help society was founded by Dr. Jose Rizal in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco in Calle Ylaya, Tondo, Manila with Ambrosio  Salvador as President: Deodato Arellano, secretary: Bonifacio Arevalo, treasurer; and Agustin dela Rosa, fiscal. Also in the gathering were Pedro Serrano Laktaw (Panday Pira), Domingo Franco (Felipe Leal), Jose Ramos (Socorro), Moises Salvador (Araw), Faustino Villaruel (Ilaw), Numeriano Adriano (Ipil), Apolinario Mabini (Katabay) and Andres Bonifacio (May Pagasa). 

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/ 

Today in Philippine History: Leonor "Maria Clara" Rivera

APRIL 11, 1867

Leonor Rivera (April 11, 1867 - August 28, 1893) was born in Camiling, Tarlac. She was Jose Rizal’s sweetheart and the model for his Maria Clara character in Noli Me Tangere. Their romantic letters to each other sealed their relationship for eight years. She was the daughter of Antonio Rivera, who was the cousin of Rizal’s father Francisco. Jose and Leonor’s love affair was opposed by the family. On June 17, 1890 Leonor married Henry Kipping, a British Engineer.