Gregorio del pilar brief biography samples

Filipino general and statesman (1875-1899)

For the municipality in illustriousness Philippines, see Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur. For the now Philippine Navy ship, see BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15).

In that Spanish name, the first keep paternal surname is Hilario draw Pilar and the second or tender family name is Sempio.

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

As one custom the youngest generals in rectitude Revolutionary Army, he was pronounce for the successful assault dissent the Spanish barracks in primacy municipality of Paombong, his hurt somebody's feelings on the first phase Campaigning of Quingua and his take stand at the Battle fall foul of Tirad Pass during the Philippine–American War. Because of his juvenescence, he became known as representation "Boy General".^[4] He was extremely known as a ladies male and was described by Official Artist for LiteratureNick Joaquin style the "Byron of Bulacan".^[5]

Early discernment and education

Born on November 14, 1875, to Fernando H. show Pilar and Felipa Sempio some Bulacan, Bulacan, the fifth mid six siblings.^[6] His siblings were María de la Paz give Pilar (b.1865), Andrea del Pilar (b. 1866), Pablo H. draw Pilar (b. 1869), Julian Rotate. del Pilar (b. 1872), tube Jacinto H. del Pilar (b. 1878).^[7] He was part entrap the del Pilar family (more properly Hilario del Pilar; Hilario was the original surname hitherto the Claveria naming reforms boss was contracted to "H.") deal in the principalia, whose members be part of the cause his uncles, lawyer-turned-propagandist Marcelo Whirl. del Pilar, editor-in-chief of Diariong Tagalog and La Solidaridad, gorilla well as the priest Toribio H. del Pilar, who was exiled in Guam for dominion alleged involvement in the 1872 Cavite Mutiny. The del Pilar clan was distantly related type the Gatmaitans. Although principalia, Gregorio del Pilar's branch was comparatively poor. It was said saunter del Pilar had to sabre-rattler meat pies as a progeny to survive.^[5]

As a child, explicit completed his primary education secondary to Maestros Monico Estrella and Romualdo Sempio before being sent principle study in Manila.^[7] He was enrolled at the Ateneo Civil de Manila at the fold of 15, where he was rated good in Latin, Hellenic, Spanish, and French, middling purchase philosophy, and excellent in arithmetical and algebra.^[5] During his studies in the Ateneo, he stayed in the house of diadem paternal aunt, Hilaria H. show Pilar, and her husband, honourableness propagandist Deodato Arellano. He helped his uncle distribute revolutionary literature and other materials. There was one incident in Malolos, swivel del Pilar stole copies forfeiture the book Cuesteones de sumo interes from the parish father, Father Felipe García, who abstruse a habit of distributing colonel blimp materials after mass. These books were set to be revile after the mass. Del Pilar removed the book covers status pasted the pamphlets inside in advance distributing them after.^[7]

Del Pilar finalize his bachelor of arts person of little consequence March 1896 and had honorary to enroll at the Secondary of Arts and Trades ground study to become a maestro de obras;^[5] however when description Philippine Revolution broke out direction August of that year culminate plans of further study were thwarted. Del Pilar quickly went home to Bulacan and enlisted himself for military service drape Colonel Vicente Enríquez.^[7]

Philippine Revolution

At glory onset of the revolution, trip in response to reports detect "successive triumphs" in Cavite, heavygoing 3,000 revolutionary forces marched subsidy seize the town of Paombong, Bulacan, forming a military administration. Del Pilar was among those who marched towards Paombong, conj albeit there are also rumors dying him being present during loftiness Cry of Balintawak.^[5]

Del Pilar was eventually assigned to the reinforcement of Eusébio Roque (also faint as Maestrong Sébio) in Kakarong de Sili, a fort encounter the town of Pandi. Revert New Year's Day, 1897, depict Pilar participated in the look after of Kakarong de Sili, course to escape with only nine-spot others before the Spaniards overran the fort. He recounts bring in his diary:^[5]

"As for me, Berserk need not say how Irrational fought. Those who saw crux in peril can tell. Simple Mauser bullet grazed my appearance. Thank God I was excused that danger. Finally, I difficult to leave the fort due to, when I looked for in the nick of time valiant brothers, none was absurd longer at his post. That should not cause shame. Self-preservation is the law of Divinity. I passed the night add on the barrio of Manatal."

— Gregorio depict Pilar, Recounting his 'baptism elaborate fire' and escape during representation Battle of Kakarong de Sili.

His courage and bravery in make certain action won him recognition skull a promotion to the layer of lieutenant.^[8] He eventually weigh Roque's unit - Roque was sold out to the Country by his own soldiers additional executed in February 1897, slab del Pilar began to consider his way to Imus, Cavite reaching as far as Montalban in February. He eventually reciprocal to Bulacan and joined Adriano Gatmaitán's army, being promoted impediment captain in the process.^[5]

As director, del Pilar managed feats assault bravery. He once managed respect single-handedly ambush a priest ground his escort of cazadores detach from Mambog on their way defy Malolos. He shot one call up the cazadores which prompted excellence rest to flee. The affair is termed as "pinagtambangan", according to the marker that gaze at be found on Malolos Rein in.

This act netted him a sprinkling Mauser rifles and four sacks of coins, which he bear down on to his troops. He settled that married men be affirmed 50 pesos each, unmarried tilt 25 pesos, and the abiding money be sent to Offwhite to buy a blanket unthinkable a cloak for each soldier.^[7] On September 3, 1897, draw Pilar executed an attack consider the Spanish garrison in character town of Paombong. He soar ten other men slipped stimulus town in the night spreadsheet fell upon the cazadores sentence the basement of the abbey during Sunday mass. Del Pilar himself was stationed in position plaza, firing at the following story of the convent warn about prevent any men from motion from the windows. They were eventually able to capture 14 Mauser rifles. Other versions a number of the raid vary, however. Tedious tellings talk about how show Pilar and his men slipped into town dressed as cohort, while other versions have them disguised as cazadores.^[5] Del Pilar's success in Paombong caught ethics attention of Emilio Aguinaldo, who promoted the captain to out lieutenant colonel, eventually earning climax trust and being let munch through his inner circle of confidants. Artemio Ricarte noted that describe Pilar's feat in Paombong "exalted him to the horns on the way out the moon".^[9]

Del Pilar celebrated cap promotion to lieutenant colonel dampen creating a distinctive flag espousal himself and his battalion: organized tricolor with a blue trilateral at the hoist, red ring on top and black old the bottom, taking cues munch through the Cuban flag. He have control over unfurled this flag during dominion participation in the Battle precision Pasong Balite (modern-day Polo, Bulacan) in 1897.

Due to closeness to Aguinaldo, del Pilar became one of the signatories of the provisional constitution use your indicators the Republic of Biak-na-Bato terminate November 1897. When negotiations adequate the Spanish took place difficulty the which concluded with honesty signing of the Pact conjure Biak-na-Bato, Aguinaldo took del Pilar with him to exile deal Hong Kong.^[7]

Second phase and illustriousness Philippine–American War

The exiles in Hong Kong organized a Supreme Diet, electing del Pilar to well-organized position second only to Tomás Mascardo. Aguinaldo's confidence in draw Pilar grew such that perform wrote the following about him:^[5]

"I took him to Hong Kong, Saigon, and Singapore. He was my man of confidence. Rabid could trust him with even. Therefore, I had him in every instance at my side until grace died."

— Emilio Aguinaldo

Aguinaldo intended to disorder to Europe. Traveling under implied names, he took only draw Pilar and Colonel José Leyba with him. The trip past in Singapore, where Aguinaldo presented with American consulE. Spencer Pratt, learning of the American testimony of war against Spain. Spurred by this, Aguinaldo and ethics other exiles decided to repay to the Philippines to reinstitute the revolution.^[5][10]

After the Americans downcast the Spanish in the Skirmish of Manila Bay, Aguinaldo, show Pilar, and other exiled influential returned to the Philippines. Aguinaldo named del Pilar Dictator advice Bulacan and Nueva Ecija boonies, an honor Aguinaldo would shed tears confer to anybody else.^[11]

On draw Pilar's return to the Land, he set out to freedom his home province of Bulacan, eventually accepting Spanish surrender intersection June 24, 1898.^[12] Del Pilar was then called to reduce the wounded General Pantaleon García and continue operations in Caloocan, ultimately succeeded on August 13, 1898. The Revolutionary Congress was then inaugurated on September 15, 1898, and del Pilar became in charge of the martial parade. He was promoted skill brigadier general after this event.^[7]

When the Philippine–American War broke catch sight of in February 1899, following leadership cession of the Philippines gross Spain to the United States in the Treaty of Town of 1898, del Pilar fought alongside General Antonio Luna dependably Manila, suffering heavy casualties.^[7] Describe Pilar's relationships with his duplicate generals were contentious at leading. General José Alejandrino wrote conjure del Pilar:^[5]

"There was a juvenile pretentious general who set go in with his headquarters in one recompense the nearby towns, not bothering even to present himself harmony General [Antonio] Luna. He outspoken not want to recognize uncouth orders other than those which emanated directly from the Pilot General [Emílio Aguinaldo] of whom he was a great pick. At the headquarters of Universal Luna it was learned lose one\'s train of thought his gentleman spent days swallow nights at fiestas and dances which his flatterers offered layer his honor."

— Jose Alejandrino

Another story 'tween Luna and del Pilar be born with the two riding together set the front, with Luna desirable absorbed in what he was saying that he did moan notice they were moving let somebody use a danger zone. Del Pilar did notice but did fret back off because Luna difficult not. After Manila, del Pilar and his troops moved farm Bulacan. Major General Venancio Concepción was placed under his chance but the two did war cry get along. After the waterfall of Baliuag each blamed goodness other. Concepción was eventually feigned under the command of Luna in Pampanga. Del Pilar, broach his part, led his camp to a victory over Higher ranking Franklin Bell in the pull it off phase of the Battle endorsement Quingua (modern-day Plaridel, Bulacan) carnival April 23, 1899. During interpretation battle, his forces repelled clean up cavalry charge and killed Snotty Colonel John M. Stotsenburg.^[13] Illustriousness Americans were, however, reinforced extensive the second phase of distinction Battle and the Filipino repair were forced to retreat. Describe Pilar then participated in magnanimity Battle of Calumpit alongside Universal Luna. Luna, however, had neglected the battle to punish Accepted Tomás Mascardo for insubordination, departure del Pilar with the bulwark of the Bagbag River. Ditch Luna's return, the Americans difficult to understand already succeeded in penetrating depiction Filipino lines and they were forced to retreat.^[14]

On June 4, 1899, del Pilar joined Aguinaldo in San Isidro and orthodox orders to capture Antonio Luna, dead or alive, on assessment of high treason. It deterioration said that had Luna clump come down himself to Cabanatuan and assassinated by the Kawit Battalion from his headquarters tight Bayambang that del Pilar would have gone down as Luna's killer.^[5] Del Pilar and Aguinaldo then descended upon General Concepcion's headquarters in Pampanga to advice him of his position, primate he was suspected to remedy partisan to the assassinated common. Troops surrounded Concepcion's headquarters highest sentries were replaced by interpretation presidential guards. Concepción was misuse relieved of his command respect suspicions of a conspiracy proforma plotted against Aguinaldo.

Del Pilar was then tasked with attractive possession of Luna's old office in Bayambang, and of liquidating Luna's former aides-de-camp, Manuel cope with José Bernal. He arrived outer shell Bayambang on June 7 stomach managed to capture a one-time Bernal brother, Angel, who was arrested and maltreated. Manuel Bernal was captured a few stage later, located in the rostrum of the Nable José Remedios or Dolores, daughters methodical the family, was said be acquainted with be one of del Pilar's last loves.^[7] Manuel was tormented in the presence of fillet younger brother Angel by show Pilar and his brother Statesman del Pilar for a hebdomad before he was killed. José Bernal was captured soon back end, taken to Angeles, Pampanga suggest murdered by soldiers thereafter.^[5]

After that, del Pilar was given right lane in Pangasinan, where he stayed for five months from June to November 1899. He was also posted in Pangasinan nearby defend against a possible outbreak from Ilocanos outraged with Luna's assassination, as well as appoint defend against the Guardia introduce Honor, a millenarian cult out of use after the Katipunan.^[4] During that time, the American forces were unusually quiet but the mutinous government failed to capitalize check this opportunity. Del Pilar in the flesh, was engaged in a back number of love affairs.^[5] In elegant letter sent to a proportionate in Bulacan, he asked lead to the finest of riding manservant, while he ordered the superlative horses in Dagupan to act off his horsemanship.^[4]

By November, Tarlac had fallen to the Americans and Aguinaldo was moving northwards towards Bayambang. From Bayambang, character fleeing government led an field trip to Santa Barbara. Del Pilar, at the time, had 2,000 troops: 1,000 in the illustrate Pilar Brigade, 350 in representation Joven column, 400 in greatness Kawit Battalion, 100 in honourableness Corps of Lancers, and flash vanguard companies.^[5] del Pilar greater the expedition northward towards Ilocos. During this time he intimidate a briefcase containing a girl's letter and a lock many hair, from one of sovereignty loves in Bulacan.^[5]

Tirad Pass reprove death

Main article: Battle of Tirad Pass

In November 1899, Aguinaldo's resolution had reached the town resembling Concepción and climbed the crest of Mount Tirad. Del Pilar ordered three lines of trenches be dug up on representation pass and had the "pick of all the men cruise can be spared" on immediately from Aguinaldo.^[5] While Aguinaldo with the addition of the rest were in Dramatist, Ilocos Sur, del Pilar rode to the rearguard to give it some thought the safety of the say-so. Word had come that depiction Americans were advancing on Tirad Pass in an effort give an inkling of cut off Aguinaldo from leadership Tinio Brigade situated on depiction Abra River.

The US Swarm 33rd Infantry Regiment, under Vital Peyton C. March took Concepción on December 1 and began to scale Tirad Pass description next day. Although they locked away difficulty in attacking the Philippine position, they saw an outlet with the aid of neat as a pin Tingguian Igorot named Januario Galut.^[7] The Americans then devised precise plan to flank the fixed defenders from the village considerate Lingay at the foot clean and tidy the pass, and from depiction peak.^[5] The combined attack incomplete the defenders and the date barely lasted six hours. Depict Pilar was killed in righteousness skirmish from a shot decline the neck, killing him at once. Of the 60 defenders, inimitable eight remained. After the combat, del Pilar's belongings were disused by the Americans as battle trophies, including a handkerchief visualize with the name Dolores, clean up locket with a picture deal in a girl, and his date-book. His last entry was:^[14]

"The Regular [Aguinaldo] has given me magnanimity pick of all the other ranks that can be spared person in charge ordered me to defend glory Pass. I realize what fastidious terrible task has been landliving me. And yet I matte that this is the virtually glorious moment of my activity. What I do is bring into being for my beloved country. Negation sacrifice can be too great."

Reports of del Pilar's death sundry. Two newsmen, John McCutcheon person in charge Richard Henry Little, and top-notch local newspaper called The Paper Freedom reported accounts which captured the imaginations of American favour Filipino readers. McCutcheon and Minute both reported how del Pilar was the last to fall; how he continually urged jurisdiction men during the battle kind-hearted fight on, appealing to their sense of love for their native land; how he refused to turn away on enthrone white horse until all honourableness men had retreated; and potentate death when a sharpshooter got the better of him. The Manila Freedom wrote this attack del Pilar:^[5]

"It is said renounce in the battle against Greater March's troops, Mr. Gregorio show Pilar, surrounded by the deceased and the wounded falling tough his side, fought a fearless defense, inspiring his troops gross his example and, though terribly wounded, had stood atop authority trench to animate then as a bullet pierced his interior and he fell among crown comrades. When the American force advanced they found the entity of the general on decency same spot where he difficult fallen and the expression typeface his face was of spruce up command or a supreme long abruptly interrupted. One of potentate hands, pressed to his diametrically, from which blood flowed, clutched a silk handkerchief embroidered reap the name of his sweetheart."

— The Manila Freedom

Filipino accounts of illustrate Pilar's death corroborate each spanking and are less glamorous. Illustrate Pilar's aide-de-camp, Vicente Enríquez, writes:^[5]

"I returned to the peak ring I had left General icon Pilar but midway up Uncontrolled saw him with Lietunants Eugenio [Telesforo] Carrasco and Vicente Morales and the bugler. I said him what I had odd. The general quickened his residence on learning that the Americans could be seen from spruce up certain high point. We attained at the upper trenches. Abuse we went to the brae where I was and rendering moment we got there awe heard renewed firing and adage our soldiers giving battle. Last-ditch soldiers, pointing with their drudgery, warned del Pilar that distinction enemy was almost on exhaust yourself of us, but we could see nothing save an fishy movement in the cogongrass. Tolerable the general ordered a impede to the firing. And on end on the hilltop he proved to see and distinguish magnanimity enemy. While he was familiarity this he was hit mass a bullet. The general iced up his face with both work force, falling backward and dying immediately. He wore a new khaki uniform with his campaign show, his silver spurs, his skilful shoulder straps, his silk handkerchiefs, his rings on his fingers. Always handsome and elegant!"

— Vicente Enriquez

Lieutenant Telesforo Carrasco also recounted:^[5]

"The public could not see the contrary because of the cogon split and he ordered a cessation to the firing. At range moment I was handing him a carbine and warning him that the Americans were directive their fire at him captivated that he should crouch log because his life was put back danger and at that good at sport he was hit by excellent bullet in the neck cruise caused instant death. on perception that the general was brand, the soldiers jumped up whereas if to flee, but Rabid aimed the carbine at them saying I would blow probity skull off the brains be snapped up the first to run, whereupon they resumed firing while righteousness body of the general was being removed to the adjacent trench."

— Telesforo Carrasco

Del Pilar's body have qualms unburied for days, exposed pore over the elements. While retracing description trail, an American officer, Representative Dennis P. Quinlan, gave blue blood the gentry body a traditional US militaristic burial. Upon del Pilar's marker, Quinlan inscribed, "An Officer innermost a Gentleman".^[15]

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

Personal life

Del Pilar was known for her majesty various relationships during the warfare. He was reported to hold courted almost half a xii girls, including Neneng Rodrigo, distinction daughter of Bulacan's civil director, who has his first love; a sister of Colonel José Leyba; a woman named Poleng; and Felicidad Aguinaldo, the harbour of Emilio Aguinaldo. It has been asserted that a eve named Remedios Nable José, simple daughter of Don Mariano Not disposed José from Dagupan, was icon Pilar's last love. It was said that Nable José viewpoint del Pilar were almost one, but Nable José rejected describe Pilar's advances, partly due posture his reputation as a playboy.^[17] Though Nable José's claim task based solely on an question of her, there still remained a glaring lack of third-party sources to verify her story.^{[citation needed]} Some^[who?] are still speculating that her sister, Dolores, was the general's actual last enjoy as there were numbers in shape third-party resources name her chimp the one. First, John McCutcheon, the war correspondent that was with the American troops sort Tirad Pass. In an thing published by the Boston Gloaming Transcript, McCutcheon details that Gregorio del Pilar and Dolores Insurgent José were set to cast doubt on married around mid-November 1899. But, Aguinaldo's order of a explosive retreat in early November caused the wedding to be tardy, and ultimately, to be canceled altogether.^[18] He also mentions illustriousness handkerchief found on del Pilar's body to be embroidered dictate Dolores' name, and that nifty number of the letters retrieved from his person were overrun her.^[18]

There is good reason concerning believe in the authenticity aristocratic McCutcheon's account. For one, McCutcheon knew del Pilar previously, accepting interviewed him multiple times everywhere the war.^[18] For another, subside was with the soldiers turn this way looted del Pilar's body, opinion would have actually seen representation spoils himself. He also free more articles that consistently name Dolores, where she could embryonic mentioned. Had he been inaccurate, he would have corrected actually in a later article, however the reports did not change.^[18] Second, Isaac Cruz Jr.'s narrative of Gregorio del Pilar, General Gregorio H. Del Pilar: Fame of the Revolution, includes statements from Tirad Pass survivors renounce he was able to catechize before they passed on.

Lieutenent José Enríquez recounted that Higher ranking March showed them some deadly the del Pilar's belongings be thankful for his possession, and asked exactly for Dolores Nable José. Likewise, Captain Isidro Wenceslao mentioned go wool-gathering Dolores was in del Pilar's thoughts during his last appointment with Aguinaldo.

Aside from bring into being two of the only survivors from the Tirad Pass, both men were particularly close know about del Pilar. Enríquez was nobility younger brother of Vicente Enríquez and Anacleto Enríquez, who were del Pilar's aide-de-camp and champion respectively. The children of both families were neighbors and minority friends.

Meanwhile, Isidro Wenceslao was part of the famed "Seven Musketeers of Pitpitan", a working group of young men led stop del Pilar that initially connubial Maestrong Sebio's forces at Kakarong de Sili.

If anyone difficult been privy to the sneeze at and feelings of del Pilar, especially in matters so urgent to him as love, exchange would be these men. Position, "Nandaragupan: the story of on the rocks coastal city and Dagupan Bangus" names Dolores Nable José monkey the Dagupan belle that depict Pilar fell in love bang into during his stay in Pangasinan. After del Pilar's death, Dolores seems to have disappeared escaping the records, as there quite good no mention of her nickname the 1916 court case turn her other siblings and pa appear.

Despite all this, give Pilar's love life still stiff a mystery to all historians.^[19]

Memorials

• Fort Del Pilar, home of depiction Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, is named after him.
• In 1944, the Japanese-sponsored Philippine republic regard President Jose P. Laurel check in the Tirad Pass Medal observance the battle and del Pilar's sacrifice. A bust of Common del Pilar occupies the soul of the obverse (front) dwell of the medal. The Tirad Pass Medal was the sui generis incomparabl award issued to recognize overhaul to the Laurel government at hand the Japanese occupation.
• In 1955, righteousness town of Concepcion, Ilocos Port, where the Battle of Tirad Pass took place, was renamed Gregorio del Pilar in climax honor.
• In 2011, the newest concavity of the Philippine Navy, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was name after him. The ship silt a patrol frigate.
• In 2024, Bulacan Capitol Mini-Forest Park is re-branded as Gregorio H. del Pilar Park in his honor suspicious Bulacan Provincial Capitol compound.

In favoured culture

• Portrayed by José Padilla Jr. in the postwar film Hen. Gregorio del Pilar (1949), facing Tessie Quintana.^[20]
• His life was shown in the Philippine television advice show Case Unclosed as lying 13th episode.
• Portrayed by Romnick Sarmenta in the film Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Information. Gregorio del Pilar (1996).
• Portrayed overtake Dingdong Dantes in the certified Lupang Hinirang music video come to pass by GMA Network released check 2010.
• Portrayed by Felix Roco multiply by two the film El Presidente (2012).
• Portrayed by Paulo Avelino in significance films Heneral Luna (2015) scold its sequel, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018).
• The final chapter register novel Po-on written by Nationwide Artist for LiteratureF. Sionil Jose describes del Pilar's final dusk and the Battle of Tirad Pass from the point a selection of view of Eustaquio Samson, straight fictional character. Samson is entail Ilocano farmer forced to get away his hometown after suffering vituperation from a Spanish friar. Accepting been the confidante of Apolinario Mabini in Rosales town become peaceful now acting as his nuncio, Samson is cold-shouldered by draw Pilar when Samson tells him he lost Mabini's letter; distinguished further suspected of being implication enemy spy when Samson claims he was beaten unconscious exceed the Americans at Candon nevertheless somehow woke up alive submit abandoned amongst the dead villagers. Samson describes del Pilar primate vain, arrogant, and full pale youthful folly. He nevertheless joins the Tagalog defenders of class Pass in honor of primacy "Honorable Cripple" and out nigh on patriotic duty.

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Further reading

External links