Today in Philippine History: Julio Nakpil

MAY 22, 1867

Julio Nakpil (22 May 1867 – 2 November 1960) was born in Quiapo, Manila. A composer and a general during the Philippine Revolution, he commanded the revolutionary forces in the north under Andres Bonifacio. Nakpil composed songs that were inspired by the revolution and one of his compositions became a candidate to become the Philippine National Anthem but was rejected by Emilio Aguinaldo in favor of Julian Felipe’s Lupang Hinirang. After Bonifacio’s death, he married the Supremo’s wife Gregoria de Jesus. Famous architect Juan Nakpil was their son.

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/ and http://jesusabernardo.blogspot.com/

Today in Philippine History: Gregoria de Jesus

MAY 9, 1875

Gregoria “Oriang” de Jesus  (May 9, 1875 – March 15, 1943) was born in Caloocan. At 18, she married the Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio at the Binondo Church in 1893. A week later, they were were married again in a Katipunan ceremony and that same night, the Women’s Chapter of the Katipunan was created with her as vice president and custodian of all Katipunan documents. She used the Katipunan name “Lakambini” and together with Benita Javier sewed the red Katipunan flag. After the death of Bonifacio in 1897, Oriang married Julio Nakpil.