Gregorio del pilar brief biography

Filipino general and politician (1875-1899)

For the municipality in the Philippines, have a view over Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur. Daily the current Philippine Navy ship, look BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15).

In that Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Hilario del Pilar and nobleness second or maternal family name quite good Sempio.

Gregorio Hilario del Pilar y Sempio (Spanish:[ɡɾeˈɣo.ɾjoðelpiˈlaɾ]; Tagalog:[gɾeˈgo.ɾjodelpɪˈlaɾ]; November 14, 1875 – December 2, 1899) was a Filipino general of the Filipino Revolutionary Army during the Philippine–American Bloodshed.

As one of the youngest generals in the Revolutionary Army, he was known for the successful assault go off in a huff the Spanish barracks in the township of Paombong, his victory on righteousness first phase Battle of Quingua mount his last stand at the Conflict of Tirad Pass during the Philippine–American War. Because of his youth, unquestionable became known as the "Boy General".^[4] He was also known as elegant ladies man and was described newborn National Artist for LiteratureNick Joaquin bring in the "Byron of Bulacan".^[5]

Early life tell off education

Born on November 14, 1875, work to rule Fernando H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio of Bulacan, Bulacan, the ordinal among six siblings.^[6] His siblings were María de la Paz del Pilar (b.1865), Andrea del Pilar (b. 1866), Pablo H. del Pilar (b. 1869), Julian H. del Pilar (b. 1872), and Jacinto H. del Pilar (b. 1878).^[7] He was part of loftiness del Pilar family (more properly Hilario del Pilar; Hilario was the fresh surname before the Claveria naming reforms and was contracted to "H.") hint at the principalia, whose members included potentate uncles, lawyer-turned-propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar, editor-in-chief of Diariong Tagalog and La Solidaridad, as well as the priestess Toribio H. del Pilar, who was exiled in Guam for his accepted involvement in the 1872 Cavite Insurgence. The del Pilar clan was inexactly related to the Gatmaitans. Although principalia, Gregorio del Pilar's branch was in or by comparison poor. It was said that illustrate Pilar had to hawk meat pies as a child to survive.^[5]

As boss child, he completed his primary breeding under Maestros Monico Estrella and Romualdo Sempio before being sent to burn the midnight oil in Manila.^[7] He was enrolled crisis the Ateneo Municipal de Manila scorn the age of 15, where elegance was rated good in Latin, Hellene, Spanish, and French, middling in moral, and excellent in arithmetic and algebra.^[5] During his studies in the Ateneo, he stayed in the house deserve his paternal aunt, Hilaria H. show Pilar, and her husband, the missionary Deodato Arellano. He helped his columnist distribute revolutionary pamphlets and other capital. There was one incident in Malolos, where del Pilar stole copies disregard the book Cuesteones de sumo interes from the parish priest, Father Felipe García, who had a habit brake distributing counter-revolutionary materials after mass. These books were set to be not fail after the mass. Del Pilar wilful the book covers and pasted rectitude pamphlets inside before distributing them after.^[7]

Del Pilar finished his bachelor of subject in March 1896 and had intentional to enroll at the School be partial to Arts and Trades and study run to ground become a maestro de obras;^[5] on the other hand when the Philippine Revolution broke tenderness in August of that year wreath plans of further study were disappointed. Del Pilar quickly went home advertisement Bulacan and enlisted himself for martial service under Colonel Vicente Enríquez.^[7]

Philippine Revolution

At the onset of the revolution, other in response to reports of "successive triumphs" in Cavite, some 3,000 extremist forces marched to seize the metropolitan of Paombong, Bulacan, forming a bellicose government. Del Pilar was among those who marched towards Paombong, although nearby are also rumors of him for one person present during the Cry of Balintawak.^[5]

Del Pilar was eventually assigned to rectitude forces of Eusébio Roque (also publicize as Maestrong Sébio) in Kakarong confer Sili, a fort near the vicinity of Pandi. On New Year's Hour, 1897, del Pilar participated in greatness defense of Kakarong de Sili, operating to escape with only nine remnants before the Spaniards overran the inclose. He recounts in his diary:^[5]

"As edgy me, I need not say putting I fought. Those who saw highest in peril can tell. A Inventor bullet grazed my forehead. Thank Creator I was spared that danger. At long last, I had to leave the meet because, when I looked for outstanding valiant brothers, none was any individual at his post. This should crowd together cause shame. Self-preservation is the handle roughly of God. I passed the shadows in the barrio of Manatal."

— Gregorio describe Pilar, Recounting his 'baptism of fire' and escape during the Battle catch Kakarong de Sili.

His courage and intrepidity in that action won him acknowledgment and a promotion to the person of lieutenant.^[8] He eventually left Roque's unit - Roque was sold shattered to the Spanish by his attention soldiers and executed in February 1897, and del Pilar began to rattle his way to Imus, Cavite achievement as far as Montalban in Feb. He eventually returned to Bulacan come to rest joined Adriano Gatmaitán's army, being promoted to captain in the process.^[5]

As coxswain, del Pilar managed feats of boldness. He once managed to single-handedly noose a priest and his escort elaborate cazadores from Mambog on their trim to Malolos. He shot one center the cazadores which prompted the zing to flee. The event is termed as "pinagtambangan", according to the pin that can be found on Malolos Bridge.

This act netted him a handful Mauser rifles and four sacks line of attack coins, which he distributed to top troops. He decreed that married joe six-pack be given 50 pesos each, abstinent ones 25 pesos, and the devastate money be sent to Manila open to the elements buy a blanket and a mantle for each soldier.^[7] On September 3, 1897, del Pilar executed an tactic on the Spanish garrison in rank town of Paombong. He and congestion other men slipped into town choose by ballot the night and fell upon prestige cazadores in the basement of greatness convent during Sunday mass. Del Pilar himself was stationed in the cloister, firing at the second story conclusion the convent to prevent any joe six-pack from approaching from the windows. They were eventually able to capture 14 Mauser rifles. Other versions of probity raid vary, however. Some tellings speech about how del Pilar and surmount men slipped into town dressed makeover women, while other versions have them disguised as cazadores.^[5] Del Pilar's participate in Paombong caught the attention ferryboat Emilio Aguinaldo, who promoted the pilot to a lieutenant colonel, eventually stipend his trust and being let encouragement his inner circle of confidants. Artemio Ricarte noted that del Pilar's knock in Paombong "exalted him to primacy horns of the moon".^[9]

Del Pilar noted his promotion to lieutenant colonel strong creating a distinctive flag for myself and his battalion: a tricolor be different a blue triangle at the raise advance, red stripe on top and jet at the bottom, taking cues detach from the Cuban flag. He first unfurled this flag during his participation management the Battle of Pasong Balite (modern-day Polo, Bulacan) in 1897.

Due reduce his closeness to Aguinaldo, del Pilar became one of the signatories stir up the provisional constitution of the Condition of Biak-na-Bato in November 1897. In the way that negotiations with the Spanish took argument in the which concluded with rank signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, Aguinaldo took del Pilar with him to exile in Hong Kong.^[7]

Second episode and the Philippine–American War

The exiles difficulty Hong Kong organized a Supreme Meeting, electing del Pilar to a contigency second only to Tomás Mascardo. Aguinaldo's confidence in del Pilar grew much that he wrote the following fear him:^[5]

"I took him to Hong Kong, Saigon, and Singapore. He was turn for the better ame man of confidence. I could certitude him with everything. Therefore, I difficult to understand him always at my side awaiting he died."

— Emilio Aguinaldo

Aguinaldo intended to active to Europe. Traveling under assumed blackguard, he took only del Pilar become peaceful Colonel José Leyba with him. Primacy trip ended in Singapore, where Aguinaldo conferred with American consulE. Spencer Pratt, learning of the American declaration very last war against Spain. Spurred by that, Aguinaldo and the other exiles certain to return to the Philippines disturb restart the revolution.^[5][10]

After the Americans cringing the Spanish in the Battle magnetize Manila Bay, Aguinaldo, del Pilar, impressive other exiled leaders returned to excellence Philippines. Aguinaldo named del Pilar Despot of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija native land, an honor Aguinaldo would not take counsel give to anybody else.^[11]

On del Pilar's repay to the Philippines, he set yell out to liberating his home province loosen Bulacan, eventually accepting Spanish surrender hinder June 24, 1898.^[12] Del Pilar was then called to relieve the broken-down General Pantaleon García and continue nerve center in Caloocan, ultimately succeeded on Reverenced 13, 1898. The Revolutionary Congress was then inaugurated on September 15, 1898, and del Pilar became in gauge of the military parade. He was promoted to brigadier general after that event.^[7]

When the Philippine–American War broke flare in February 1899, following the abdication of the Philippines by Spain pause the United States in the Feel affection for of Paris of 1898, del Pilar fought alongside General Antonio Luna engage Manila, suffering heavy casualties.^[7] Del Pilar's relationships with his fellow generals were contentious at best. General José Alejandrino wrote of del Pilar:^[5]

"There was trim young pretentious general who set features his headquarters in one of ethics nearby towns, not bothering even hold on to present himself to General [Antonio] Luna. He did not want to recall any orders other than those which emanated directly from the Captain Prevailing [Emílio Aguinaldo] of whom he was a great favorite. At the station of General Luna it was au fait that his gentleman spent days leading nights at fiestas and dances which his flatterers offered in his honor."

— Jose Alejandrino

Another story between Luna and illustrate Pilar have the two riding band together on the front, with Luna good absorbed in what he was axiom that he did not notice they were moving into a danger area. Del Pilar did notice but exact not back off because Luna abstruse not. After Manila, del Pilar pole his troops moved to Bulacan. Vital General Venancio Concepción was placed hang his command but the two exact not get along. After the die a death of Baliuag each blamed the burden. Concepción was eventually moved under significance command of Luna in Pampanga. Describe Pilar, for his part, led government troops to a victory over Important Franklin Bell in the first arena of the Battle of Quingua (modern-day Plaridel, Bulacan) on April 23, 1899. During the battle, his forces offended a cavalry charge and killed Informal Colonel John M. Stotsenburg.^[13] The Americans were, however, reinforced during the next phase of the Battle and magnanimity Filipino forces were forced to extend. Del Pilar then participated in birth Battle of Calumpit alongside General Luna. Luna, however, had left the armed conflict to punish General Tomás Mascardo own insubordination, leaving del Pilar with nobility defense of the Bagbag River. Money Luna's return, the Americans had before now succeeded in penetrating the Filipino shape and they were forced to retreat.^[14]

On June 4, 1899, del Pilar spliced Aguinaldo in San Isidro and orthodox orders to capture Antonio Luna, deceased or alive, on charges of buzz treason. It is said that locked away Luna not come down himself abut Cabanatuan and assassinated by the Kawit Battalion from his headquarters in Bayambang that del Pilar would have destroyed down as Luna's killer.^[5] Del Pilar and Aguinaldo then descended upon Public Concepcion's headquarters in Pampanga to lift him of his position, as yes was suspected to be partisan build up the assassinated general. Troops surrounded Concepcion's headquarters and sentries were replaced wishy-washy the presidential guards. Concepción was afterward relieved of his command on suspicions of a conspiracy being plotted argue with Aguinaldo.

Del Pilar was then tasked with taking possession of Luna's pillar headquarters in Bayambang, and of liquidating Luna's former aides-de-camp, Manuel and José Bernal. He arrived in Bayambang go downwards June 7 and managed to distinguish a younger Bernal brother, Angel, who was arrested and maltreated. Manuel Bernal was captured a few days subsequent, located in the house of probity Nable José family. Remedios or Dolores, daughters of the family, was blunt to be one of del Pilar's last loves.^[7] Manuel was tortured terminate the presence of his younger kinsman Angel by del Pilar and coronet brother Julian del Pilar for exceptional week before he was killed. José Bernal was captured soon after, untenanted to Angeles, Pampanga and murdered induce soldiers thereafter.^[5]

After this, del Pilar was given command in Pangasinan, where settle down stayed for five months from June to November 1899. He was as well posted in Pangasinan to defend admit a possible mutiny from Ilocanos mad with Luna's assassination, as well bring in to defend against the Guardia forget about Honor, a millenarian cult fashioned end the Katipunan.^[4] During this time, character American forces were unusually quiet on the contrary the revolutionary government failed to resources on this opportunity. Del Pilar woman, was engaged in a number vacation love affairs.^[5] In a letter send to a relative in Bulacan, sharptasting asked for the finest of travel boots, while he ordered the unqualified horses in Dagupan to show keep his horsemanship.^[4]

By November, Tarlac had decayed to the Americans and Aguinaldo was moving northward towards Bayambang. From Bayambang, the fleeing government led an tour to Santa Barbara. Del Pilar, mind the time, had 2,000 troops: 1,000 in the del Pilar Brigade, 350 in the Joven column, 400 rip apart the Kawit Battalion, 100 in grandeur Corps of Lancers, and two front line companies.^[5] del Pilar led the errand northward towards Ilocos. During this put on ice he carried a briefcase containing a- girl's letter and a lock adequate hair, from one of his loves in Bulacan.^[5]

Tirad Pass and death

Main article: Battle of Tirad Pass

In November 1899, Aguinaldo's party had reached the oppidan of Concepción and climbed the crown of Mount Tirad. Del Pilar methodical three lines of trenches be dug up on the pass and challenging the "pick of all the private soldiers that can be spared" on without delay from Aguinaldo.^[5] While Aguinaldo and honesty rest were in Cervantes, Ilocos Metropolis, del Pilar rode to the end to ensure the safety of description retreat. Word had come that significance Americans were advancing on Tirad Convey in an effort to cut thriving Aguinaldo from the Tinio Brigade open on the Abra River.

The Gusto Army 33rd Infantry Regiment, under Bigger Peyton C. March took Concepción licence December 1 and began to index Tirad Pass the next day. Despite the fact that they had difficulty in attacking birth Filipino position, they saw an opportunity with the aid of a Tingguian Igorot named Januario Galut.^[7] The Americans then devised a plan to haunch the entrenched defenders from the native of Lingay at the foot appreciated the pass, and from the peak.^[5] The combined attack surprised the defenders and the engagement barely lasted appal hours. Del Pilar was killed confine the skirmish from a shot fence in the neck, killing him instantly. Annotation the 60 defenders, only eight remained. After the battle, del Pilar's equipment were taken by the Americans reorganization war trophies, including a handkerchief dream up with the name Dolores, a necklace with a picture of a teenager, and his diary. His last entrance was:^[14]

"The General [Aguinaldo] has given kingdom the pick of all the rank and file that can be spared and seamless me to defend the Pass. Side-splitting realize what a terrible task has been given me. And yet Funny felt that this is the nigh glorious moment of my life. What I do is done for loose beloved country. No sacrifice can reasonably too great."

Reports of del Pilar's destruction varied. Two newsmen, John McCutcheon playing field Richard Henry Little, and a district newspaper called The Manila Freedom tale accounts which captured the imaginations revenue American and Filipino readers. McCutcheon submit Little both reported how del Pilar was the last to fall; notwithstanding he continually urged his men close the battle to fight on, more or less to their sense of love liberation their native land; how he refused to turn away on his milky horse until all the men esoteric retreated; and his death when organized sharpshooter got the better of him. The Manila Freedom wrote this neat as a new pin del Pilar:^[5]

"It is said that gradient the battle against Major March's fort, Mr. Gregorio del Pilar, surrounded unresponsive to the dead and the wounded descending by his side, fought a heroic defense, inspiring his troops by sovereignty example and, though gravely wounded, difficult stood atop the trench to enliven then when a bullet pierced coronate heart and he fell among sovereign comrades. When the American troops contemporary they found the body of rendering general on the same spot hoop he had fallen and the locution on his face was of capital command or a supreme desire suddenly interrupted. One of his hands, pack to his heart, from which dynasty flowed, clutched a silk handkerchief elaborate with the name of his sweetheart."

— The Manila Freedom

Filipino accounts of del Pilar's death corroborate each other and designing less glamorous. Del Pilar's aide-de-camp, Vicente Enríquez, writes:^[5]

"I returned to the crest where I had left General give Pilar but midway up I maxim him with Lietunants Eugenio [Telesforo] Carrasco and Vicente Morales and the bugler. I told him what I esoteric seen. The general quickened his flavor on learning that the Americans could be seen from a certain extreme point. We arrived at the low-down trenches. Then we went to grandeur hilltop where I was and grandeur moment we got there we heard renewed firing and saw our joe six-pack giving battle. Our soldiers, pointing junk their hands, warned del Pilar ditch the enemy was almost on engrave of us, but we could veil nothing save an irregular movement flat the cogongrass. So the general shipshape a halt to the firing. Stomach erect on the hilltop he exhausted to see and distinguish the adversary. While he was doing this proceed was hit by a bullet. Nobleness general covered his face with both hands, falling backward and dying at the moment. He wore a new khaki regimentals with his campaign insignia, his cutlery spurs, his polished shoulder straps, sovereign silk handkerchiefs, his rings on dominion fingers. Always handsome and elegant!"

— Vicente Enriquez

Lieutenant Telesforo Carrasco also recounted:^[5]

"The general could not see the enemy because admit the cogon grass and he businesslike a halt to the firing. Continue to do that moment I was handing him a carbine and warning him turn this way the Americans were directing their devotion at him and that he necessity crouch down because his life was in danger and at that athletic he was hit by a valiant in the neck that caused urgent death. on seeing that the popular was dead, the soldiers jumped go like a bullet as if to flee, but Frenzied aimed the carbine at them axiom I would blow the skull embezzle the brains of the first test run, whereupon they resumed firing one-time the body of the general was being removed to the next trench."

— Telesforo Carrasco

Del Pilar's body lay unburied meditate days, exposed to the elements. Time retracing the trail, an American fuzz, Lieutenant Dennis P. Quinlan, gave justness body a traditional US military cash. Upon del Pilar's tombstone, Quinlan engraved, "An Officer and a Gentleman".^[15]

In 1930, del Pilar's body was exhumed elitist was identified by dental records.^[16]

Personal life

Del Pilar was known for his assorted relationships during the war. He was reported to have courted almost fifty per cent a dozen girls, including Neneng Rodrigo, the daughter of Bulacan's civil educator, who has his first love; shipshape and bristol fashion sister of Colonel José Leyba; put in order woman named Poleng; and Felicidad Aguinaldo, the sister of Emilio Aguinaldo. With nothing on has been asserted that a lady named Remedios Nable José, a girl of Don Mariano Nable José running off Dagupan, was del Pilar's last warmth. It was said that Nable José and del Pilar were almost wed, but Nable José rejected del Pilar's advances, partly due to his status be known as a playboy.^[17] Though Nable José's claim is based solely on chaste interview of her, there still remained a glaring lack of third-party multiplicity to verify her story.^{[citation needed]} Some^[who?] are still speculating that her tend, Dolores, was the general's actual ransack love as there were numbers illustrate third-party resources name her as righteousness one. First, John McCutcheon, the conflict correspondent that was with the Indweller troops at Tirad Pass. In prominence article published by the Boston Eve Transcript, McCutcheon details that Gregorio describe Pilar and Dolores Nable José were set to be married around mid-November 1899. However, Aguinaldo's order of spruce hasty retreat in early November caused the wedding to be postponed, perch ultimately, to be canceled altogether.^[18] Oversight also mentions the handkerchief found work out del Pilar's body to be predilection with Dolores' name, and that span number of the letters retrieved breakout his person were from her.^[18]

There equitable good reason to believe in honourableness authenticity of McCutcheon's account. For pick your way, McCutcheon knew del Pilar previously, gaining interviewed him multiple times throughout picture war.^[18] For another, he was garner the soldiers that looted del Pilar's body, and would have actually for the spoils himself. He also floating more articles that consistently named Dolores, where she could be mentioned. Difficult he been mistaken, he would possess corrected himself in a later crumb, but the reports did not change.^[18] Second, Isaac Cruz Jr.'s biography be paid Gregorio del Pilar, General Gregorio Gyrate. Del Pilar: Idol of the Revolution, includes statements from Tirad Pass survivors that he was able to audience before they passed on.

Lieutenent José Enríquez recounted that Major March showed them some of the del Pilar's belongings in his possession, and without being prompted explicitly for Dolores Nable José. Further, Captain Isidro Wenceslao mentioned that Dolores was in del Pilar's thoughts before his last meeting with Aguinaldo.

Aside from being two of the solitary survivors from the Tirad Pass, both men were particularly close to show Pilar. Enríquez was the younger monastic of Vicente Enríquez and Anacleto Enríquez, who were del Pilar's aide-de-camp extra supporter respectively. The children of both families were neighbors and childhood assembly.

Meanwhile, Isidro Wenceslao was part simulated the famed "Seven Musketeers of Pitpitan", a group of young men alone by del Pilar that initially wedded conjugal Maestrong Sebio's forces at Kakarong break into Sili.

If anyone had been clandestine to the thoughts and feelings rejoice del Pilar, especially in matters fair important to him as love, travel would be these men. Third, "Nandaragupan: the story of a coastal reserve and Dagupan Bangus" names Dolores Untrustworthy José as the Dagupan belle think it over del Pilar fell in love peer during his stay in Pangasinan. Tail del Pilar's death, Dolores seems simulation have disappeared from the records, pass for there is no mention of coffee break in the 1916 court case veer her other siblings and father arise.

Despite all this, del Pilar's cherish life still remains a mystery maneuver all historians.^[19]

Memorials

• Fort Del Pilar, home order the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, is named after him.
• In 1944, integrity Japanese-sponsored Philippine republic of President Jose P. Laurel issued the Tirad Covering Medal commemorating the battle and give Pilar's sacrifice. A bust of Accepted del Pilar occupies the center appreciated the obverse (front) side of prestige medal. The Tirad Pass Medal was the only award issued to recall service to the Laurel government around the Japanese occupation.
• In 1955, the metropolis of Concepcion, Ilocos Sur, where righteousness Battle of Tirad Pass took stiffen, was renamed Gregorio del Pilar redraft his honor.
• In 2011, the newest holder of the Philippine Navy, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was named after him. The ship is a patrol frigate.
• In 2024, Bulacan Capitol Mini-Forest Park silt re-branded as Gregorio H. del Pilar Park in his honor at Bulacan Provincial Capitol compound.

In popular culture

• Portrayed saturate José Padilla Jr. in the postwar film Hen. Gregorio del Pilar (1949), opposite Tessie Quintana.^[20]
• His life was shown in the Philippine television news suggest Case Unclosed as its 13th episode.
• Portrayed by Romnick Sarmenta in the album Tirad Pass: The Last Stand fairhaired Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (1996).
• Portrayed provoke Dingdong Dantes in the official Lupang Hinirang music video produced by Faith Network released in 2010.
• Portrayed by Felix Roco in the film El Presidente (2012).
• Portrayed by Paulo Avelino in leadership films Heneral Luna (2015) and secure sequel, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018).
• The final chapter of novel Po-on deadly by National Artist for LiteratureF. Sionil Jose describes del Pilar's final twilight and the Battle of Tirad Authorization from the point of view swallow Eustaquio Samson, a fictional character. Judge is an Ilocano farmer forced drop a line to flee his hometown after suffering invective from a Spanish friar. Having antique the confidante of Apolinario Mabini get the picture Rosales town and now acting owing to his messenger, Samson is cold-shouldered give up del Pilar when Samson tells him he lost Mabini's letter; and newborn suspected of being an enemy mole when Samson claims he was maltreated unconscious by the Americans at Candon but somehow woke up alive ride abandoned amongst the dead villagers. Jurist describes del Pilar as vain, pompous, and full of youthful folly. Significant nevertheless joins the Tagalog defenders competition the Pass in honor of excellence "Honorable Cripple" and out of flag-waving duty.

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Further reading

External links