Jose Ma. Basa

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 19, 1839

Jose Ma. Basa (December 19, 1839 - July 10, 1907), a merchant and reformist, was born in Binondo, Manila to Matias Basa and Joaquina San Agustin. 

He finished his Bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas and at 21, he already operated a thriving business. 

He was part of the Comite de Reformadores, which pushed for Philippine autonomy. 

The Comite’s voice “El Eco Filipino” was published in Spain by Basa’s brother-in-law Frederico Lerena and smuggled into the country by Basa. 

He was accused and arrested by the Spanish authorities for instigating the 1872 Cavite Mutiny. 

Also arrested were his brother Pio, Pardo de Tavera and the Gomburza priests Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora. The priests were executed while he and the rest were sent to the Marianas on board the ship Flores de Maria. 

He lived there as an exile for two years before moving to Hong Kong. Basa and the others were pardoned by the Spanish authorities with the condition that they will not return to the Philippines. 

His house became the temporary shelter for exiled Filipinos. He was responsible for smuggling Jose Rizal’s books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to the Philippines. 

When Emilio Aguinaldo was exiled in Hong Kong in 1898, he created a junta and appointed Basa as Director of Justice. 

Jose Ma. Basa died in Hong Kong on July 10, 1907.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: National Historical Commission of the Philippines