Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy QSC CCLH[d] (Spanish pronunciation:
[eˈ[Link] a.ɣiˈ[Link]]: March 22,
1869 – February 6, 1964) was a Filipino revolutionary, politician, and military leader who is
officially recognized as the first and the youngest President of the Philippines (1899–1901) and
the first president of a constitutional republic in Asia. He led Philippine forces first against Spain
in the latter part of the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898), then in the Spanish–American War
(1898), and finally against the United States during the Philippine–American War (1899–1901).
In 1935, Aguinaldo ran unsuccessfully for president of the Philippine Commonwealth against
Manuel Quezon. He was also one of the Filipino historical figures to be recommended as a
national hero of the Philippines.
On January 1, 1895, Aguinaldo became a Freemason, joining Pilar Lodge No. 203, Imus, Cavite
by the codename "Colon".
On March 7, 1895, Santiago Alvarez, whose father was a Capitan Municipal (Mayor) of
Noveleta, encouraged Aguinaldo to join the "Katipunan", a secret organization led by Andrés
Bonifacio that was dedicated to the expulsion of the Spanish and the independence of the
Philippines through armed force.[15] Aguinaldo joined the organization and used the nom de
guerre Magdalo in honor of Mary Magdalene. The local chapter of Katipunan in Cavite was
established and named Sangguniang Magdalo, and Aguinaldo's cousin Baldomero Aguinaldo
was appointed leader.[16][17]
The Katipunan-led Philippine Revolution against the Spanish began in the last week of August
1896 in San Juan del Monte (now part of Metro Manila).[18] However, Aguinaldo and other
Cavite rebels initially refused to join in the offensive for lack of arms.[17] Bonifacio and other
rebels were forced to resort to guerrilla warfare, but Aguinaldo and the Cavite rebels won major
victories in carefully planned and well-timed set-piece battles and temporarily drove the Spanish
out of their area.[17] On August 31, 1896, Aguinaldo started the assault by beginning as a skirmish
to the full-blown revolt Kawit Revolt. He marched with his army of bolomen to the town center
of Kawit. Prior to the battle, Aguinaldo strictly ordered his men not to kill anyone in his
hometown. Upon his men's arrival at the town center, the guards, armed with Remingtons and
unaware of the preceding events, were caught completely by surprise and surrendered
immediately. The guns there were captured and armed by the Katipuneros, and the revolt was a
major success for Aguinaldo and his men. Later that afternoon, they raised the Magdalo flag at
the town hall to a large crowd of people from Kawit that had assembled after it heard of the city's
liberation.
The Magdalo faction of the Katipunan, which also operated in Cavite under Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo, used a flag like the Magdiwang faction's and features a white sun with Number the
Ray a red baybayin letter K.
The symbol has recently been revived by a breakaway group of army officers to show the end of
war with Spain after the peace agreement. The flag became the first official banner of the
revolutionary forces and was blessed in a crowd celebrated at Imus. Aguinaldo referred to this
flag in his proclamation of October 31, 1896: "Filipino people!! The hour has arrived to shed
blood for the conquest of our liberty. Assemble and follow the flag of the Revolution – it stands
for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity."[citation needed]
Battle of Imus
Main article: Battle of Imus
In August 1896, as coordinated attacks broke out and sparked the revolution beginning in
Manila. Aguinaldo marched from Kawit with 600 men and launched a series of skirmishes at
Imus that eventually ended in open hostilities against Spanish troops stationed there. On
September 1, with the aid of Captain Jose Tagle of Imus, they laid siege against Imus to draw the
Spanish out. A Spanish relief column commanded by Brigadier-General Ernesto de Aguirre had
been dispatched from Manila to aid the beleaguered Spanish defenders of Imus. Supported only
by 100 troops and by cavalry, Aguirre gave the impression that he had been sent out to suppress
a minor disturbance. Aguinaldo and his men counterattacked but suffered heavy losses that
almost cost his own life. Despite the success, Aguirre did not press the attack, felt the inadequacy
of his troops, and hastened back to Manila to get reinforcements. During the lull in the fighting,
Aguinaldo's troops reorganized and prepared for another Spanish attack. On September 3,
Aguirre came back with a much larger force of 3,000 men. When Spanish troops arrived at the
Isabel II Bridge, they were fired upon by the concealed rebels. The Spanish force was routed,
withdrawing in disorder with substantial casualties. Among the abandoned Spanish weapons was
Aguirre's sword, which was carriewd by Aguinaldo in future battles
