Today in Philippine History: Norberto Lopez Romualdez Sr.

JUNE 6, 1875

Norberto Lopez Romualdez Sr. (June 6, 1875 - November 4, 1941), the “Father of the Law on National Language” was born in Burauen, Leyte. A member of the prominent Lopez clan of Leyte, he was the uncle of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos whose father was his brother Vicente Orestes Lopez Romualdez. He was famous for his writings in the Waray-Waray dialect and was fluent in Spanish, English and Cebuano. Romualdez became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and was part of the 1934-35 Constitutional Convention.  

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Today in Philippine History: Death of Gen. Antonio Luna

JUNE 5, 1899

Antonio Luna, the most brilliant and ablest general of the Philippine Revolutionary Army arrived at the Cabanatuan Church, Nueva Ecija to attend a meeting with Emilio Aguinaldo for a new cabinet to be formed. An officer told him Aguinaldo left for San Isidro, Tarlac. As he was about to leave, a rifle shot rang out in the plaza. Luna angrily went down the stairs and was met by Capt. Pedro Janolino who hacked him with a bolo. Other Kawit troops he dismissed for insubordination shot him while others stabbed him. Antonio Luna died in the hands of fellow revolutionists. 

Today in Philippine History: The Treaty of Cebu

JUNE 4, 1565

The first Filipino-Spanish Treaty of Peace or the Treaty of Cebu was an agreement signed by Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi representing King Philip II of Spain and Rajah Tupas, the King of Cebu. Under the treaty, Cebu would recognize the government of Spain and in return, Spain will protect Cebu in any event of war. Tupas, the nephew of Rajah Humabon  was earlier defeated by Legazpi’s forces on April 27, 1565 after which the first Spanish settlement was founded. Rajah Tupas was the last king of Cebu during the pre-Spanish period.   

Today in Philippine History: Jose Palma

JUNE 3, 1876

Jose Palma y Velasquez (June 3, 1876 – February 12. 1903) was born in Tondo, Manila. A poet and a soldier who couldn’t cope with the hardships of war, he usually stayed in the camp and entertained his fellow soldiers with his kundiman. He joined the staff of the revolutionary  newspaper La Independencia and composed the patriotic poem Filipinas that was published in Spanish on September 3, 1899. It fitted perfectly with Julian Felipe’s Marcha Nacional Filipina, an instrumental piece used during the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. 

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Today in Philippine History: Philippines Officially Declares War Against the U.S.

JUNE 2, 1899

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo’s First Philippine Republic officially declared war on the United States that lasted until July 4, 1902. The Philippine-American war saw 20,000 Filipino troops killed in action with almost half a million civilian casualties while American deaths were around 4,165. However, some Filipino forces all over the Philippines continued to fight the U.S. that lasted until 1913. Earlier on February 4 and 5, the 1899 Second Battle of Manila took place and was the first and the largest battle fought between the American troops and the Filipino Revolutionary Army.

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Today in Philippine History: Last Spanish Troops Finally Surrender

JUNE 2, 1899

Four Spanish officers along with fifty-three of their men ended their stake out at the Baler Church in Nueva Ecija that began a year earlier on June 28,1898. The troops held on despite of hunger, diseases, desertion among their ranks and calls for surrender by the Filipino forces. They finally gave up after being convinced that the Spanish-American War was over and the Filipinos were fighting the Americans. Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo decreed that they be treated as friends not enemies and were given safe-conduct passes. They became heroes upon their arrival in Spain.

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Today in Philippine History: Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Resumes Attacks Against Spanish Troops

JUNE 1, 1898

Gen. Gregorio H. del Pilar arrived in Bulacan bringing along rifles recently purchased in Hong Kong and immediately distributed the arms to his troops. As the designated leader of the Philippine Revolutionary Army in the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, he established his headquarters at Matungao and led his troops in attacking Spanish forces. After the Spanish troops surrendered to him, he and his men proceeded to Caloocan and Manila to reinforce other Filipino troops engaged in battle against the Spaniards.

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