The contribution of significant people that brought
about changes and development in Philippine History
José Rizal
José Rizal, full name José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, was
a Filipino physician, poet and writer who inspired the Philippine nationalist
movement. He was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Philippines, and died
on December 30, 1896, in Manila.
Andres Bonifacio
Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), was the creator and head of the nationalist
Katipunan organization, who led the revolution against the Spanish in August
1896.
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964) was a Filipino leader and politician who
battled for the Philippines’ independence, first from Spain and then from the
United States.
Apolinario Mabini
Apolinario Mabini was a Filipino thinker and speaker of the Philippine
Revolution who prepared the constitution for the short-lived republic of
1898–99.
Marcelo H. del Pilar
Writer, lawyer and journalist Marcelo H. del Pilar was born to a lawyer’s
family. Marcelo was the mayor of Cupang, Bulacán, during the Spanish
administration. After finishing law, he petitioned the Spaniards to create
schools for Filipinos throughout the country, certain that universal
education would benefit his compatriots. Believing him to be an enemy of
the state, the Spanish banished him from the Philippines.
Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
Sultan Kudarat, also known as Muhammad Kudarat, was well-known in
Mindanao for his bravery and leadership. Between 1619 and 1671, the Muslim
Filipinos of Mindanao were not yet under Spanish rule. Sultan Kudarat was
responsible for maintaining unity in Mindanao as Filipino Muslims struggled
against the invaders.
Juan Luna
Juan Luna, full name Juan Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta, was a
Filipino painter, sculptor, and late-nineteenth-century political activist who
participated in the Philippine Revolution. He was one of the first well-known
Filipino artists. He earned a gold medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine
Arts, along with the silver medal of fellow Filipino painter Félix Resurrección
Hidalgo
Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora)
Melchora Aquino, popularly known as Tandang Sora, was known as
“The Mother of the Revolution.” Her nickname comes from the Tagalog word
for “old,” as she was 84 years old when the revolution started. She risked her
life to tend to Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros in 1896, providing
them with food and nursing the wounded. Her bravery became evident after
she was captured by Spanish officials, who subjected her to torture and
interrogation in the hopes of extracting information about the Katipunan
hideout. She refused to submit and was exiled to Guam on the orders of
Governor General Ramon Blanco.
Gabriela Silang
Gabriela Silang was a fierce Ilocano warrior who, after her husband’s
killing in 1763, took over as commander of rebel troops. She recruited
military forces, including native Itnegs, to continue the war against Spain in
Ilocos, launching guerrilla raids against Spanish garrisons.
