Tomas Mascardo y Echenique

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 9, 1871

Tomas Mascardo y Echenique (October 9, 1871 – July 7, 1932) was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and the Filipino–American War. He was born on October 9, 1871 in Cavite del Viejo (now Kawit) to affluent parents Valentin Mascardo and Dolores Echenique. 

He graduated as a teacher at the Escuela Normal in Manila and taught at the barrio school of Halang in Amadeo, Cavite. 

Mascardo fought the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution. He became the chief of the revolutionary intelligence service in Manila, after Miguel Liedo was captured and killed by the Spaniards. 

General Emilio Aguinaldo was impressed by his courage after he was ordered to attack the Spaniards in Tanauan, Batangas. On February 17, 1897 at the Battle of Zapote Bridge, he fought with General Edilberto Evangelista. He was wounded while Evangelista was killed in battle. 

Mascardo became a commanding general during the Filipino-American War. His base was in Bagac, Bataan where he commanded the revolutionary forces in Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales.

During the Battle of Calumpit, General Antonio Luna ordered him to send troops from Guagua to strengthen Luna's defenses but Mascardo ignored the order as he was going to Arayat to undertake an "inspection of troops." An angry Luna detained him. 

After President Emilio Aguinaldo's capture by the Americans, Gen. Mascardo surrendered on May 15, 1901. 

He went back to Cavite after his release and ran as governor of Cavite and held office from 1910 to 1912. 

On July 7, 1932, he died from a heart attack. General Tomas Mascardo married Carmen Topacio and they had eight children.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org