Gen. Mariano Trias Surrenders

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MARCH 15, 1901

Lt. Gen. Mariano Trias peacefully surrendered to U.S. forces. 

He led attacks against Spanish troops during the Philippine Revolution and fought the Americans in the Philippine-American War. 

Trias propagated the ideals of Andres Bonifacio's Katipunan. 

He was elected vice president with Emilio Aguinaldo as president in the 1897 Tejeros Convention. 

Trias and Aguinaldo got the same posts when the revolutionary government was reorganized in Biyak-na-bato in November 1897. 

Civil Governor William H. Taft appointed him as the first Governor of Cavite in 1901. 

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

Photo credit: malacanang gov ph

Gen. Frederick Funston Boards US Gunboat Vicksburg

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MARCH 14, 1901

The American gunboat Vicksburg which earlier left Manila Bay on March 6, docked at Casiguran Bay. 

Among its passengers was Major General Frederick Funston who was tasked to capture President Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan. 

Macabebe scouts were disguised as rebels equipped with rifles and garbed in peasant clothes. 

Hilario Tal Placido, Lazaro Segovia and other Filipinos who earlier took their oath of allegiance to the U.S. were to act as officers with four American prisoners. Funston's plan led to Aguinaldo's capture.

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

Gen. Leandro Locsin Fullon

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MARCH 13, 1877

Brigadier General Leandro Locsin Fullon was born in Hamtik, Antique. 

General Emilio Aguinaldo appointed him as the commanding general of the Filipino forces in the Visayas region. 

He led his army to victory on different occasions in 1898 and 1900 against the Spaniards and Americans. 

He was one of the last generals to surrender to the Americans and became governor of Antique.

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

Photo credits: malacanang.gov.ph

Gen. Manuel Tinio Orders More Attacks

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MARCH 12, 1900

Brigadier General Manuel Tinio y Bundoc instructs his commanders to intensify guerrilla attacks against the American forces. 

Known as Magiting of the Magdalo faction and the youngest Filipino general in the Revolutionary Army, his military skills won for the Filipinos several battles against the Spaniards (1896-98) and the Americans (1901).

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

Photo credits: malacanang.gov.ph and philippineamericanwar.webs.com

The Lonoy Massacre

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MARCH 8, 1901

During the Philippine-American War, Filipino guerrillas were killed by U.S. troops in Lonoy, Jagna, Bohol. 

In a narrow path, Capt. Gregorio "Goyo" Caseñas and his men armed with daggers, bolos, spears, machetes and some firearms hid in trenches and foxholes with the plan to ambush the Americans but Francisco Acala, a Boholano led the soldiers to their positions. 

The Lonoy Massacre left 406 Filipinos dead including Caseñas.

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

Photo credit: jagna.gov.ph

Gen. Artemio Ricarte Returns From Guam Exile

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 28, 1903

After his capture in 1900 during the Filipino-American War (1899-1902), Lt. General Artemio Ricarte y Garcia returns from exile in Guam. 

He continued to defy the American occupation of the Philippines by refusing to take allegiance to the United States of America. 

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

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition): 

FEBRUARY 27, 1869

Baldomero Aguinaldo y Baloy (February 27, 1869 - February 4, 1915), a revolutionary general and cousin of President Emilio Aguinaldo, was born in Kawit, Cavite to Cipriano Aguinaldo y Jamir and Silveria Baloy. 

He obtained his law degree at the University of Santo Tomas. 

When the Philippine Revolution broke out, he and his first degree cousin Emilio Aguinaldo, organized the Magdalo chapter of the Katipunan and became its president. 

He fought the Spaniards in many battles and was always at the side of General Emilio Aguinaldo. 

He was appointed to cabinet positions such as Minister of National Defense and Minister of Finance, and was one of the signatories of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato Constitution and the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. 

Heneral Berong, as he was known, was the commanding general of the revolutionary army in Southern Luzon during the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War). 

He led his troops to battle against the American forces. 

General Baldomero Aguinaldo, together with Colonels Pedro Aguinaldo, Sixto Macapagal, Lazaro Macapagal and some officers, surrendered to the Americans on April 29, 1901 in Cavite. 

He was president of the Philippine Veterans Association during the American Occupation. He died on February 4, 1915 due to heart failure at the age of 45.

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

Photo credit: Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo

Apolinario Mabini Pledges U.S. Allegiance

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 26, 1903

Apolinario Mabini, concerned of his failing health and that he might die in a foreign land, took his oath of allegiance to the United States. 

It was a condition for him to be able to return to the Philippines after living as an exile in Guam. 

He boarded the U.S. ship Thomas from Guam on his way back to Manila and took the oath before a customs collector and was offered a high position in government but he turned it down. 

He explained in a manifesto: "I went into this struggle, heeding the voice of the people; I now abandon the struggle for the same cause. I will now return to the obscurity from which, impelled by circumstances, I have come.” 

Apolinario Mabini (July 23, 1864 - May 13, 1903), the first prime minister of the Philippines was known for his powerful intellect and eloquence. 

A political genius, Mabini was called the brains of the revolution. 

During the Philippine-American War, he was captured by American forces under General Arthur MacArthur and was imprisoned in Fort Santiago on Dec. 11, 1899 to Sept. 23, 1900. 

After his release, he wrote for newspapers and continued agitating the Americans. 

His article “El Simil de Alejandro" published in El Liberal led to his rearrest. 

He was deported to Guam, along with other Filipino patriots on January 16, 1901. 

General MacArthur justified his deportation before the United States Senate inquiry through a cable message: “Mabini deported: a most active agitator; persistently and defiantly refusing amnesty, and maintaining correspondence with insurgents in the field while living in Manila, Luzon, under the protection of the United States; also, for offensive statement in regard to recent proclamation enforcing the laws of war. His deportation absolutely essential." 

Apolinario Mabini, known as the “Sublime Paralytic” died on May 13, 1903.

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

Photo credit: Apolinario Mabini FB page

The Second Battle Of Caloocan

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 22, 1899

The Second Battle of Caloocan was fought between President Emilio Aguinaldo’s troops against the American forces during the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War). 

General Antonio Luna, accompanied by General Mariano Llanera led the counter offensive aimed at regaining Manila from the Americans. 

As a result, the attack against the surprised American units led to the burning of Tondo and Binondo upon orders of General Luna. 

American fire brigades rushed to control the flames as the city was in near chaos. 

Filipinos with bolos cut the hoses of the firemen while snipers took shots at the Americans. 

As General Luna’s troops entered Tondo, furious street fighting ensued between the two forces. 

The Filipinos were able to advance until Azcarraga Street (now Claro M. Recto Avenue) but were repulsed by the U.S. troops. 

Two days later, the Filipinos retreated to Malolos after their offensive failed for lack of coordination among the troops and lack of artillery support. 

60 buildings of stone, 150 buildings of wood and 8,000 nipa homes were burned to the ground. 

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

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org and tennyson nelly

American Troops Capture Gen. Vicente Lukban

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 18, 1902

General Vicente Lukban was captured by American forces in Catubig, Samar. 

On Feb. 27, 1902, the New York Times reported: “The officials of  the War Department regard the capture of Lucban as the most important military event since Aguinaldo's capture. 

He was run down on the Island of Samar. The place of his confinement is a tiny island in a bay on the north coast of Samar. Lucban is one of the most energetic and ferocious of rebels. 

He is a half-breed, a mixture of Chinese and Filipino stock,  and has been an irreconcilable from the first. 

He had various fastnesses in the mountains of Samar, from which he would descend upon the coast towns, and his reign of terror was so complete that the entire population of the island paid tribute to him as the price of freedom from attack." 

General Vicente Lukban (February 11, 1860 - November 16, 1916), was born in Labo, Camarines Norte. 

He studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, and took up Bachelor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. 

He was Justice of the Peace and joined Freemasonry in 1884. He became a member of Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan, and contributed funds from his cooperative. 

During the Philippine Revolution, he joined Emilio Aguinaldo and was one of the officers who helped plan strategies and activities. 

On Oct. 29, 1898, Aguinaldo appointed him Comandante Militar of the Bicol region, and was promoted General of Samar and Leyte. 

When the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War) broke out on Feb. 4, 1899, he established his arsenal in the mountains of Catbalogan and carried out guerrilla warfare. 

The Americans accused him as the mastermind of the Balangiga Massacre where American troops were attacked and killed.

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

Photo credit: Vicente Lukban Facebook

Apolinario Mabini's Letter To Galicano Apacible

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 16, 1899

Apolinario Mabini, the prime minister of the new Philippine Republic wrote to Galicano Apacible in Hong Kong and informed him of the outbreak of the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War) on February 4, 1899. 

Mabini wrote “What we wanted to avoid at all cost, came after all. On the evening of the 4th, when we were feeling so carefree because the commissioners of General Otis had just formally assured ours in signed agreements, drawn during the conferences about which I have already informed you in previous letters, that the aggression will not start with them, the Americans unexpectedly attacked all our lines in the neighborhood of Manila. Otis is making it known that the aggression came from us, but even the foreigners themselves do not believe it. All the details point out that the attack had been premeditated and prepared on the part of the Americans... at six o’clock on the afternoon of the same day, the boat Laguna de Bay, which the Americans have covered with armor and mounted with cannon, had fired its boiler, and at eight o’clock that night, the Americans started the attack and said ship bombarded Sta. Ana... Our soldiers, caught by surprise and without a commander to lead them, fought like brave men and they only gave up their posts when their munitions gave out and they were overcome with exhaustion and hunger... We are determined not to accept armistice if the Americans do not acknowledge beforehand the independence and integrity of all the Philippine Islands in the form and conditions that shall be fixed during the period of the armistice.” 

Galicano Apacible was a physician and Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s cousin. He co-founded the La Solidaridad, the Nacionalista Party, and formed the Hong Kong Junta. 

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

Photo credit: Society of History

U.S. Troops Invade Iloilo City

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 11, 1899

A week after the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War) began, American troops numbering 3,322, came to invade Iloilo City in the island of Panay. 

The US First Separate Brigade, composed of elements of the 1st Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, the 18th US Regular Infantry and the 6th US Artillery under the command of Brigadier General Marcus P. Miller, were assisted by the war vessels Baltimore, Petrel and Boston; troop transports Arizona, St, Paul and Newport; and the launches Iloilo and Vicenti, all from Admiral George Dewey’s squadron. 

The shore trenches were heavily bombarded by the gunboat USS Petrel and the cruiser USS Baltimore. 

The Filipino troops under General Martin Delgado retreated. 

Iloilo City was destroyed after the bombardment and Gen. Miller’s forces captured the city with no loss of American lives. 

The United States flag called the Stars and Strips, was hoisted signifying American control over the city. 

General Martin Delgado, the acknowledged leader of the Filipino forces in Panay waged guerrilla offensives against U.S. troops from 1899 to 1901. 

He finally surrendered on February 2, 1901 to American military governor Edmund Rice. 

He was appointed as the first governor of Iloilo province when the civil government was established by the Americans on April 11, 1901. 

When the first local election was held on March 3, 1902, he was elected as governor of the province of Panay.

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

Photo credit: National Historical Commission of the Philippines and filipinoamericanwar.com

Battle Of Caloocan

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 10, 1899

The Battle of Caloocan, one of the earliest battles during the Philippine-American War also known as the Filipino-American War, began at 4:00 in the afternoon when General Arthur MacArthur’s 1st Brigade under General Harrison G. Otis started to attack the forces of General Antonio Luna and overwhelmed them. 

Three hours earlier, the Filipino troops’ position was bombarded by the Utah battery of the 6th Artillery accompanied by naval gunfire from the USS Charleston and the USS Monadnock. 

After the fight at the town’s church, the Filipinos retreated towards Malolos, Bulacan. 

The Americans captured Caloocan and took control of the southern terminus of the Manila to Dagupan railway, along with five engines, fifty passenger coaches, and a hundred freight cars. 

Unarmed Filipino prisoners were shot by Colonel W. S. Metcalfe, an accusation made by his men during a congressional investigation, which Metcalfe vehemently denied. 

General Frederick Funston was also accused of interfering in the investigation. 

General Arthur MacArthur, the father of General Douglas MacArthur, became the military governor-general of the Philippines in 1900.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The Hero Of The Battle Of La Loma

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 5, 1899

Major Jose Torres Bugallon died in the arms of General Antonio Luna in the Battle of La Loma. 

Jose Torres Bugallon y Gonzales (August 28, 1873 – February 5, 1899), was born in Salasa, Pangasinan. 

He finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1889 at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila. 

Bugallon was sent abroad as a government pensionado to the Academia Militar de Toledo after passing the validation exam in 1892. 

He studied military science and warfare, and was given the rank of second lieutenant in the Spanish Army after graduating in 1896. 

He was sent back to the Philippines to join the 70th Regiment. 

On May 30, 1897, he was awarded the Cross of Maria Cristina and the Cruz Roja del Merito Militar (Red Cross for Military Honor) for his exemplary valor at the Battle of Talisay, Batangas during the Philippine Revolution. 

On January 23, 1899, President Emilio Aguinaldo appointed General Antonio Luna as head of the Philippine Army. 

Luna immediately reorganized the revolutionary forces and recruited the officers and soldiers of the former Spanish colonial army. 

Major Bugallon joined and became General Luna’s aide-de-camp. He recruited Spanish war veterans, helped reorganized the Philippine Army, and became a faculty member at the Academia Militar established by Luna. 

When the Philippine-American War broke out on February 4, 1899, he joined Luna in the field. 

The next day, they were at La Loma hill, now the La Loma Cemetery, commanding the Filipino troops. 

American General Arthur MacArthur, Jr.’s men charged and outflanked their positions. 

Bugallon was shot in the thigh and lost excessive blood. Luna searched for him and found him severely wounded in a ditch along the road. 

For his bravery, Luna immediately promoted Bugallon to lieutenant colonel. Bugallon was taken by train to a medical station in Caloocan but it was too late. 

The “Hero of the Battle of La Loma” died on February 5, 1899.

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

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org and pangasinan.gov.ph 

The Start Of The Philippine-American War

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 4, 1899

Private William Walter Grayson of the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry fired on a group of Filipino troops killing Corporal Anastasio Felix while on patrol between Blockhouse 7 and Barrio Santol (now Sociego corner Silencio Strets), Sta. Mesa, Manila. 

Corporal Felix belong to the 4th Company, Morong Battalion under Captain Serapio Narvaez, with Colonel Luciano San Miguel as the battalion commander. 

Grayson’s unit, under Colonel John M. Stotsenburg had been encamped in Sta. Mesa since December 5, 1898. 

This incident was the start of the Battle of Manila, and was also the beginning of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). 

19,000 American soldiers engaged Filipino troops numbering around 15,000 in the two-day battle. 

President Emilio Aguinaldo, who was in Malolos when the fighting began was informed that the Americans started the hostilities. 

To avoid an open conflict with the Americans, Aguinaldo tried to broker a ceasefire by sending an emissary to US General Elwell S. Otis, saying "the firing on our side the night before had been against my order." 

Otis, a veteran in the American Indian Wars rejected the ceasefire. 

Pres. Aguinaldo told his followers: “It is my duty to maintain the integrity of our national honor, and that of the army so unjustly attacked by those, who posing as our friends, attempt to dominate us in place of the Spaniards. Therefore, for the defense of the nation entrusted to me, I hereby order and command: Peace and friendly relations between the Philippine Republic and the American army of occupation are broken—and the latter will be treated as enemies with the limits prescribed by the laws of War.”

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

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.com 

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo Protests U.S. Troops Cruelty

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

JANUARY 17, 1901

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo issued a manifesto protesting the cruelties of American troops in the Philippine-American War. 

Part of his manifesto says: "The heart-breaking sighs of the oppressed and of their families, and the energetic protests of all the Filipino people reach me in my distant camp, because of the unequalled cruelties and the cynical violations of the most elemental laws of war perpetrated by the imperialists, who, on the pretext that the unfortunate victims have killed an American, hang the prisoners of war in a way which is repugnant to humanity.."      

(Design, concept, stamps and reaearch: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.comi

Brig. Gen. Marcus P. Miller Leaves For Iloilo

Today in a Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 25, 1898

Brigadier General Marcus P. Miller, Commander of the Philippine Expedition, left Manila for Iloilo bringing with him around 2,000 troops upon orders of Major General Elwell S. Otis. 

Earlier, on November 17, 1898, Commodore George Dewey reported to US President William McKinley that the entire island of Panay was already in the hands of the revolutionaries of President Emilio Aguinaldo except Iloilo. 

General Miller arrived in the city on December 29, 1898 to effect an armed occupation in the name of the United States of America but the Americans were not allowed to disembark their ship without the consent of President Aguinaldo. 

The Filipino troops led by General Martin Delgado were earlier successful in fighting the Spaniards. 

In Iloilo, during the Cry of Santa Barbara on November 17, 1898, Gen. Delgado was joined by General Quintin Salas, who led successful attacks against the Spanish troops and liberated Jaro, his hometown. 

The Spanish forces surrendered to General Delgado on December 24, 1898. 

During the Philippine-American War, General Delgado fought the Americans and used guerrilla tactics. He finally surrendered in 1901. 

General Salas was the last Ilonggo officer to surrender to the Americans. General Delgado became the first governor of Iloilo when the Americans established the civilian government in 1901.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The Balangiga Bells Are Back At Last

It finally happened after 117 years. The Balangiga Bells were finally returned on December 11, 2018! 

During the Philippine-American War, the bells became spoils of war and were brought to the United States when the Americans retaliated after some troops were killed by Filipinos in what is known in history as the Balangiga Massacre. 

I have written three articles for Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition) Series 1 and 2 that featured the Balangiga Massacre. 

Thanks to former president Rodrigo R. Duterte for making the Americans decide to return the bells! ~ Rich Uy

Photo credit: ABS-CBN News Online, GMA News, Richard Allan Uy’s Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition, Series 1 and 2)

The Battle Of Tirad Pass

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 2, 1899

The Battle of Tirad Pass was fought between General Gregorio del Pilar and 60 soldiers of the Philippine Revolutionary Army against 300 American troops from the US 33rd Volunteer Infantry Regiment commanded by Major Peyton March. 

Del Pilar was ordered by President Emilio Aguinaldo to block the American advances in Tirad Pass, a mountain gap in the Cordillera Mountain in Northern Luzon. 

The Americans were in pursuit to capture Aguinaldo. The well-positioned Filipino troops on top of the mountain could see the battalion of 300 US soldiers advancing. 

Firing erupted between the two forces then suddenly the Americans stopped shooting. 

Unknown to del Pilar and his men, a Filipino led the Americans to a shortcut that led them to the rear side of the Filipinos. The Americans started firing from the back killing a lot of the troops. 

When del Pilar saw his men fall one by one, he took out his diary from his pocket and wrote ”What I am doing now is for my beloved land.” 

He then mounted his horse holding his saber but a shot rang out hitting him in the neck that instantly killed him. The Americans rushed to where he fell and took his diary and his belongings including his boots and spurs. 

US Lt. Dennis P. Quinlan who saw del Pilar’s heroism ordered his men to bury the young general with military honors, and marked his grave with a headstone with the words: “GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR, KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS, DECEMBER 2, 1899, COMMANDING AGUINALDO'S REAR GUARD, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN."

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

Photo credit: Pintas.Iti.Ilocos.Sur.com

The Manila-Dagupan Railway

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 24, 1892

The Manila-Dagupan Railway or the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan was inaugurated and officially began its operations. 

A British company started the construction of the railway line in 1887 with the total length of the line covering 195.4 km long from Manila to Dagupan. 

It operated for four years but was overtaken by revolutionary forces in November 1896 that interrupted rail traffic in different points. 

When the 1899 Philippine-American War broke out, both Filipino revolutionaries and American troops used it as they battle each other in different fronts.

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

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com