Today in Philippine History: Cesar Bengzon

MAY 29, 1896

Cesar Bengzon (May 29, 1896 – September 3, 1992) was born in Camiling, Tarlac. He graduated Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws and placed second in the 1919 bar exams. Bengzon was a law clerk, Solicitor General, Undersecretary of Justice under Gov. Gen. Frank Murphy, Court of Appeals Judge, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Secretary of Justice under Pres. Elpidio Quirino and appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Pres. Carlos P. Garcia. He later became the first Filipino to be in the International Court of Justice.

Photo credit: http://prabook.org/ 

Today in Philippine History: Gen. Elwell S. Otis Re-establishes the Audiencia Territorial

MAY 29, 1899

Major General Elwell S. Otis, the military governor of the Philippines re-established the Audiencia Territorial de Manila  (Regional Court of Manila), the highest court in the country next to the Supreme Court of Spain in Madrid prior to the U.S. occupation. This move was made after he consulted with Cayetano Arellano, a pro-American lawyer who held a high position in Emilio Aguinaldo’s cabinet. On August 13, 1898 after the fall of Manila, Gen. Wesley Merritt replaced the Audiencia Territorial with military commissions or court martials or provost courts.

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/ and http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/

Today in Philippine History: The Battle of Alapan

MAY 28, 1898

The Battle of Alapan was the first military victory of General Emilio Aguinaldo after his arrival from exile. The 12,000 newly-armed Philippine Revolutionary Army engaged and defeated Gen. Leopoldo Garcia Pena’s troops in Alapan, Imus, Cavite. The Philippine flag sewn by Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad in Hong Kong was unfurled by Aguinaldo and hoisted for the first time at the Teatro Caviteño in front of Filipino troops, captured Spanish soldiers and American troops of Commodore George Dewey.

Photo credit: http://nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com/

Today in Philippine History: Diego Silang

MAY 28, 1763

Diego Silang (December 16, 1730 – May 28, 1763), the revolutionary leader of Ilocos was assassinated by his friend Miguel Vicos and Pedro Becbec who were paid by the magistrate of the Royal Audencia, Simon de Anda. Silang led a revolt against Spain with the aim to establish an independent Ilocano nation and an end to Spanish rule. He conspired with the British after they invaded Manila and overthrew the Spanish government. The British installed him as governor of Ilocos. After his death, his wife Gabriela continued the Ilocos revolution.

Photo credit: http://www.visitilocandia.com/ and http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Jesus Robredo

MAY 27, 1958

Jesus “Jesse” Robredo (May 27, 1958 – August 18, 2012), was born in Naga, Camarines Sur. A mechanical engineer who became the mayor of Naga City in 1988, he was the youngest mayor in Philippine history and well-loved by his people. In 2010, Pres. Benigno Aquino III appointed him as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government. On August 18, 2012, after leaving Cebu, the plane carrying him crashed off the shore of Masbate. He left behind his wife Maria Leonor Robredo and three children. Jesse was a recipient of the Quezon Service Cross.

Photo credit: http://davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com/

    

Today in Philippine History: Felipe Agoncillo

MAY 26, 1859

Felipe Agoncillo (May 26, 1859 – September 29, 1941), known as the first Filipino diplomat was born in Taal, Batangas and married to Marcela Agoncillo. As auxiliary fiscal in his hometown, he gained the ire of corrupt Spanish authorities and church officials who hated his righteous practice of the law and defense of the poor. During the Philippine Revolution, Gen. Emilio Auinaldo made him Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate treaties with foreign governments. After the end of the Philippine-American War in 1902, he won a seat in the Philippine Assembly.

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

Today in Philippine History: The Girl Scouts of the Philippines

MAY 26, 1940

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 542 with a mission to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, and to the nation, and the world community. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda spearheaded the organization of a scouting movement for girls and asked the help of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. In 1939, Escoda left for the U.S. and Great Britain to be trained and with the help of civic groups, the GSP was born. 

Photo credit: http://girlscouts.org.ph/