Philippine Heroes

According to Law, No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. However, because of their significant roles in the process of nation building and contributions to history, there were laws enacted and proclamations issued honoring these heroes.

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

(June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896)

Doctor Jose Rizal, also known as Doctor Jose, was a Filipino patriot, physician, and man of letters who inspired the Philippine nationalist movement. He was educated in Manila and Madrid, and committed to reforming Spanish rule in the Philippines. Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892 and founded the Liga Filipina, a nonviolent-reform society. He was arrested and executed for sedition, but his martyrdom convinced Filipinos of independence.

ANDRES BONIFACIO

(November 30, 1863 - May 10, 1897)

Born into poverty in Manila, Bonifacio founded the Katipunan in 1892, aiming for Philippine independence from Spain. The society sparked the Philippine Revolution in 1896, leading to the Philippine-American War after the Spanish-American War ended Spanish rule. In 1897, Bonifacio's attempt to establish a rebel government led to his arrest and execution, exposing Spanish administration's vulnerability in the Philippines.

GREGORIO DEL PILAR SEMPIO

(November 14, 1875 - December 2, 1899)

Gregorio, a young general in the Philippine Revolution and Philippine-American war, was nicknamed "boy General" due to his youthful age. He was the youngest general to die during the wars and was the son of H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio.

EMILIO AGUINALDO

(March 22, 1869 - February 6, 1964)

Filipino leader and politician, Aguinaldo, fought against Spain and the United States for the Philippines' independence. Born of Chinese and Tagalog parents, he attended San Juan de Letrán College and was a leader of the Katipunan. In 1897, he signed the Pact of Biac-na-Bató, agreeing to remain in exile for financial rewards and liberal reforms.

APOLINARIO MABINI

(July 23, 1864 - May 13, 1903)

Filipino theoretician and spokesman of the Philippine Revolution, Mabini, was a key figure in the Philippine Revolution. He wrote the constitution for the short-lived republic of 1898-99 and joined Aguinaldo in the insurrection. Mabini urged cooperation with the United States to gain freedom from Spain during the Spanish-American War. However, he was captured by U.S. troops and exiled to Guam. His work, La revolución filipina, was published in 1931.

GENERAL ANTONIO LUNA

(October 29, 1866 - June 5, 1899)

Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta, a pharmacist and military leader, was a key figure in Philippine history. He co-founded La Independencia and was Commanding General of the Philippine Army. Luna's strict leadership style and clashes with other Filipino leaders led to his assassination in 1899, but remains a revered hero.

GOMBURZA

Filipino priests Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora were executed by Spanish colonizers for alleged involvement in subversion and the Cavite Naval Yard uprising. Their martyrdom fueled anger and sparked the Propaganda Movement, led by educated and wealthy illustrados seeking reforms and exposing colonial abuses to Spain.

EMILIO JACINTO

THE BRAIN OF THE KATIPUNAN

Emilio Jacinto, a hero of the Philippine Revolution, joined the Katipunan secret society at twenty to end Spanish injustice and gain independence from Manila, despite his family's opposition.

TANDANG SORA

(January 6, 1812 - February 19, 1919)

Melchora Aquino, known as Tandang Sora, was a Grand Woman of the Revolution and Mother of Balintawak. She provided refuge, medical aid, and encouragement to revolutionaries, hosted secret Katipunan meetings, and symbolized unwavering civilian support for independence.

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA

(December 18, 1856 - Janurary 20, 1896)

Graciano López y Jaena, known as La pluma terrible, was a Filipino journalist, reformist, and national hero. He was part of the "Propaganda Movement triumvirate" advocating for reforms in the Spanish colony of the Philippines, leading to the Philippine Revolution.

PANDAY PIRA

( 1488 - 1576 (ESTIMATED))

Panday Pira, the first Filipino cannon-maker, was a blacksmith from the Southern Islands of the Philippines. Commissioned by Rajah Sulayman, his cannons played a significant role in the Battle of Bangkusay Channel. Panday Pira's legacy is reflected in a Tondo street in Manila.

GREGORIA DE JESUS

(May 9, 1875 - March 15, 1943)

Gregoria de Jesús y Álvarez, known as Lakambini, played a significant role in the Philippine Revolution, co-founding the women's chapter, serving as the Katipunan's document and seal custodian, and supporting Andres Bonifacio's revolutionary activities. She later married revolutionary general Julio Nakpil.

MARIANO PONCE

(March 22, 1863 - May 23, 1918)

Mariano Ponce y Collantes was a prominent figure in the Propaganda Movement, advocating for social and political changes in the Philippines during Spanish colonial rule. He co-founded La Solidaridad, a newspaper, and wrote extensively on history, politics, sociology, and travel under various pen names.

FERNANDO MA. GUERRERO

(1873 (exact date is unknown) - June 12, 1929)

Fernando María Guerrero was a poet, journalist, and politician who edited revolutionary newspapers, founded popular dailies, and published a notable poetry collection. He championed Philippine independence through writing and served as a Manila representative in the 1907 Philippine Assembly.

FELIPE AGONCILLO

(May 26, 1859 - September 29, 1941)

Don Felipe Agoncillo, the first Filipino diplomat, represented the Philippine Republic in international negotiations during the Philippine Revolution. He led the Central Revolutionary Committee, advocated for Philippine independence, and supported the Treaty of Paris.

RAFAEL PALMA

(October 24, 1874 – May 24, 1939)

Born in Manila, he studied at Ateneo de Manila and worked in the Bureau of Lands. Co-founder of La Independencia, he served as editor and later served as a member of the Philippine Assembly, Commission, senator, Secretary of Interior, and first President of the University of the Philippines. He participated in the 1934 Constitutional Convention.

JUAN LUNA

(October 23, 1857 - December 7, 1899)

Filipino painter Luna, known for his iconic "Spoliarium" painting, is a genius of the brush and a patriot, leaving an indelible mark on Philippine culture and history.

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

(August 30, 1850 - July 4, 1896)

A prominent journalist and proponent of Philippine independence, he founded Diariong Tagalog and later edited La Solidaridad, a newspaper that continues to inspire generations of Filipinos.

LEONA FLORENTIN

(April 19, 1849 - October 4, 1884)

First poetess of the Philippines. Her poems were given international recognition at the Exposicion in Madrid in 1887 and in Paris in 1889

PEDRO PATERNO

(February 27, 185(February 27, 1858 - April 26, 1911)

Known as the peacemaker of the revolution. He was the negotiator/mediator of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. He helped prepare the Malolos constitution His efforts contributed to the eventual establishment of the First Philippine Republic

ISABELO DELOS REYES

(July 7, 1864 - October 9, 1938)

Founder of Philippine socialism. His ideas influenced the labor movement and progressive thought in the Philippines. Last of the propagandists. Gifted son of Leona Florentino, first poetess of the Philippines He aroused the hostility of the friars and government officials when he openly criticized the evils of the Spanish rule and he advocated reforms. He was the founder of the first Philippine labor union, as well as the first independent Filipino Catholic church.

ARTEMIO RICARTE

(October 20, 1866 - July 31, 1945)

Viborra, a prominent Philippine revolutionary, served as a public school teacher and military officer, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the cause of independence.

DONA MARCELA MARINO DE AGONCILLO

Doña Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo, known as "The Mother of the Philippine Flag," was a prominent Filipina who was the principal seamstress of the first and official flag of the Philippines. Born Marcela Coronel Mariño, she was the daughter of Don Francisco Diokno Mariño and Doña Eugenia Coronel Mariño. After her husband's exile in Hong Kong during the Philippine Revolution, she and her family sewed the flag, which later became the official flag of the Philippines.

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