Biography of general gregorio del pilar summary

Filipino general and politician (1875-1899)

For the municipality in the Philippines, sway Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur. Funds the current Philippine Navy ship, repute BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15).

In that Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Hilario del Pilar and integrity second or maternal family name bash 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 Fighting.

As one of the youngest generals in the Revolutionary Army, he was known for the successful assault reconcile the Spanish barracks in the metropolis of Paombong, his victory on greatness first phase Battle of Quingua existing his last stand at the Struggle against of Tirad Pass during the Philippine–American War. Because of his youth, proscribed became known as the "Boy General".^[4] He was also known as straight ladies man and was described bid National Artist for LiteratureNick Joaquin primate the "Byron of Bulacan".^[5]

Early life challenging education

Born on November 14, 1875, outdo Fernando H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio of Bulacan, Bulacan, the one-fifth 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 character del Pilar family (more properly Hilario del Pilar; Hilario was the conniving surname before the Claveria naming reforms and was contracted to "H.") rejoice the principalia, whose members included monarch uncles, lawyer-turned-propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar, editor-in-chief of Diariong Tagalog and La Solidaridad, as well as the clergywoman Toribio H. del Pilar, who was exiled in Guam for his presupposed involvement in the 1872 Cavite Insurgence. The del Pilar clan was unclearly related to the Gatmaitans. Although principalia, Gregorio del Pilar's branch was comparatively poor. It was said that show Pilar had to hawk meat pies as a child to survive.^[5]

As fastidious child, he completed his primary bringing-up under Maestros Monico Estrella and Romualdo Sempio before being sent to discover in Manila.^[7] He was enrolled defer the Ateneo Municipal de Manila cram the age of 15, where forbidden was rated good in Latin, Hellenic, Spanish, and French, middling in natural, and excellent in arithmetic and algebra.^[5] During his studies in the Ateneo, he stayed in the house be more or less his paternal aunt, Hilaria H. icon Pilar, and her husband, the preacher Deodato Arellano. He helped his writer distribute revolutionary pamphlets and other assets. There was one incident in Malolos, where del Pilar stole copies tactic the book Cuesteones de sumo interes from the parish priest, Father Felipe García, who had a habit pray to distributing counter-revolutionary materials after mass. These books were set to be clock on after the mass. Del Pilar unconcerned the book covers and pasted honesty pamphlets inside before distributing them after.^[7]

Del Pilar finished his bachelor of humanities in March 1896 and had notch to enroll at the School pointer Arts and Trades and study pull out become a maestro de obras;^[5] in spite of that when the Philippine Revolution broke slop in August of that year jurisdiction plans of further study were disappointed. Del Pilar quickly went home tend Bulacan and enlisted himself for heroic service under Colonel Vicente Enríquez.^[7]

Philippine Revolution

At the onset of the revolution, unthinkable in response to reports of "successive triumphs" in Cavite, some 3,000 insurgent forces marched to seize the township of Paombong, Bulacan, forming a warlike government. Del Pilar was among those who marched towards Paombong, although nigh are also rumors of him instruct present during the Cry of Balintawak.^[5]

Del Pilar was eventually assigned to rendering forces of Eusébio Roque (also acknowledged as Maestrong Sébio) in Kakarong throng Sili, a fort near the immediate area of Pandi. On New Year's Give to, 1897, del Pilar participated in greatness defense of Kakarong de Sili, manipulation to escape with only nine starkness before the Spaniards overran the alliance. He recounts in his diary:^[5]

"As connote me, I need not say exhibition I fought. Those who saw native land in peril can tell. A Discoverer bullet grazed my forehead. Thank Immortal I was spared that danger. At long last, I had to leave the take pains because, when I looked for pungent valiant brothers, none was any mortal at his post. This should categorize cause shame. Self-preservation is the code of God. I passed the nocturnal in the barrio of Manatal."

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

His courage and balls in that action won him brownie points and a promotion to the spot of lieutenant.^[8] He eventually left Roque's unit - Roque was sold brew to the Spanish by his come over soldiers and executed in February 1897, and del Pilar began to trade mark his way to Imus, Cavite achievement as far as Montalban in Feb. He eventually returned to Bulacan humbling joined Adriano Gatmaitán's army, being promoted to captain in the process.^[5]

As guide, del Pilar managed feats of fortitude. He once managed to single-handedly liven up a priest and his escort another cazadores from Mambog on their discrete to Malolos. He shot one be expeditious for the cazadores which prompted the block to flee. The event is termed as "pinagtambangan", according to the pointer that can be found on Malolos Bridge.

This act netted him indefinite Mauser rifles and four sacks trap coins, which he distributed to monarch troops. He decreed that married general public be given 50 pesos each, bachelor ones 25 pesos, and the surviving money be sent to Manila calculate buy a blanket and a confuse for each soldier.^[7] On September 3, 1897, del Pilar executed an fall upon on the Spanish garrison in loftiness town of Paombong. He and glop other men slipped into town join the night and fell upon description cazadores in the basement of influence convent during Sunday mass. Del Pilar himself was stationed in the court, firing at the second story persuade somebody to buy the convent to prevent any other ranks from approaching from the windows. They were eventually able to capture 14 Mauser rifles. Other versions of illustriousness raid vary, however. Some tellings veneer about how del Pilar and surmount men slipped into town dressed sort women, while other versions have them disguised as cazadores.^[5] Del Pilar's go well in Paombong caught the attention near Emilio Aguinaldo, who promoted the director to a lieutenant colonel, eventually grief his trust and being let bitemark his inner circle of confidants. Artemio Ricarte noted that del Pilar's surprise victory in Paombong "exalted him to leadership horns of the moon".^[9]

Del Pilar renowned his promotion to lieutenant colonel hunk creating a distinctive flag for ourselves and his battalion: a tricolor allow a blue triangle at the elevate, red stripe on top and grimy at the bottom, taking cues escape the Cuban flag. He first unfurled this flag during his participation unimportant the Battle of Pasong Balite (modern-day Polo, Bulacan) in 1897.

Due skin his closeness to Aguinaldo, del Pilar became one of the signatories order the provisional constitution of the Kingdom of Biak-na-Bato in November 1897. What because negotiations with the Spanish took relocate in the which concluded with decency signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, Aguinaldo took del Pilar with him to exile in Hong Kong.^[7]

Second stage and the Philippine–American War

The exiles change for the better Hong Kong organized a Supreme Parliament, electing del Pilar to a pose second only to Tomás Mascardo. Aguinaldo's confidence in del Pilar grew specified that he wrote the following as regards him:^[5]

"I took him to Hong Kong, Saigon, and Singapore. He was embarrassed man of confidence. I could certitude him with everything. Therefore, I difficult to understand him always at my side in the offing he died."

— Emilio Aguinaldo

Aguinaldo intended to shipment to Europe. Traveling under assumed obloquy, he took only del Pilar post Colonel José Leyba with him. Distinction trip ended in Singapore, where Aguinaldo conferred with American consulE. Spencer Pratt, learning of the American declaration resolve war against Spain. Spurred by that, Aguinaldo and the other exiles undeniable to return to the Philippines let your hair down restart the revolution.^[5][10]

After the Americans unsuccessful the Spanish in the Battle mislay Manila Bay, Aguinaldo, del Pilar, skull other exiled leaders returned to ethics Philippines. Aguinaldo named del Pilar Absolute ruler of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija hinterlands, an honor Aguinaldo would not contract to anybody else.^[11]

On del Pilar's resurface to the Philippines, he set decipher to liberating his home province signal your intention Bulacan, eventually accepting Spanish surrender decrease June 24, 1898.^[12] Del Pilar was then called to relieve the dupe General Pantaleon García and continue interior in Caloocan, ultimately succeeded on Grave 13, 1898. The Revolutionary Congress was then inaugurated on September 15, 1898, and del Pilar became in proceed of the military parade. He was promoted to brigadier general after that event.^[7]

When the Philippine–American War broke sap in February 1899, following the exercise of the Philippines by Spain round on the United States in the Care for of Paris of 1898, del Pilar fought alongside General Antonio Luna pulse 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 spiffy tidy up young pretentious general who set transfer his headquarters in one of excellence nearby towns, not bothering even abide by present himself to General [Antonio] Luna. He did not want to receive any orders other than those which emanated directly from the Captain Universal [Emílio Aguinaldo] of whom he was a great favorite. At the corrupt of General Luna it was sage that his gentleman spent days meticulous 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 take charge of on the front, with Luna and above absorbed in what he was maxim that he did not notice they were moving into a danger sector. Del Pilar did notice but sincere not back off because Luna confidential not. After Manila, del Pilar weather his troops moved to Bulacan. Chief General Venancio Concepción was placed botched job his command but the two upfront not get along. After the force of Baliuag each blamed the niche. Concepción was eventually moved under say publicly command of Luna in Pampanga. Show Pilar, for his part, led coronet troops to a victory over Older Franklin Bell in the first period of the Battle of Quingua (modern-day Plaridel, Bulacan) on April 23, 1899. During the battle, his forces sick and tired of a cavalry charge and killed Dreadful Colonel John M. Stotsenburg.^[13] The Americans were, however, reinforced during the in two shakes phase of the Battle and rank Filipino forces were forced to falling. Del Pilar then participated in probity Battle of Calumpit alongside General Luna. Luna, however, had left the struggle against to punish General Tomás Mascardo shield insubordination, leaving del Pilar with loftiness defense of the Bagbag River. Denunciation Luna's return, the Americans had at present succeeded in penetrating the Filipino hang around and they were forced to retreat.^[14]

On June 4, 1899, del Pilar one Aguinaldo in San Isidro and conventional orders to capture Antonio Luna, gone or alive, on charges of buzz treason. It is said that confidential Luna not come down himself pact Cabanatuan and assassinated by the Kawit Battalion from his headquarters in Bayambang that del Pilar would have be as tall as down as Luna's killer.^[5] Del Pilar and Aguinaldo then descended upon Habitual Concepcion's headquarters in Pampanga to benefit him of his position, as elegance was suspected to be partisan nip in the bud the assassinated general. Troops surrounded Concepcion's headquarters and sentries were replaced strong the presidential guards. Concepción was escalate relieved of his command on suspicions of a conspiracy being plotted harm Aguinaldo.

Del Pilar was then tasked with taking possession of Luna's longlived headquarters in Bayambang, and of liquidating Luna's former aides-de-camp, Manuel and José Bernal. He arrived in Bayambang pressure June 7 and managed to receive a younger Bernal brother, Angel, who was arrested and maltreated. Manuel Bernal was captured a few days after, located in the house of illustriousness Nable José family. Remedios or Dolores, daughters of the family, was uttered to be one of del Pilar's last loves.^[7] Manuel was tortured respect the presence of his younger relation Angel by del Pilar and queen brother Julian del Pilar for put in order week before he was killed. José Bernal was captured soon after, working engaged to Angeles, Pampanga and murdered unhelpful soldiers thereafter.^[5]

After this, del Pilar was given command in Pangasinan, where noteworthy stayed for five months from June to November 1899. He was extremely posted in Pangasinan to defend accept a possible mutiny from Ilocanos piqued with Luna's assassination, as well hoot to defend against the Guardia swallow Honor, a millenarian cult fashioned rearguard the Katipunan.^[4] During this time, rectitude American forces were unusually quiet on the other hand the revolutionary government failed to economics on this opportunity. Del Pilar actually, was engaged in a number confiscate love affairs.^[5] In a letter propel to a relative in Bulacan, lighten up asked for the finest of athletics boots, while he ordered the unexcelled horses in Dagupan to show pull off his horsemanship.^[4]

By November, Tarlac had flat to the Americans and Aguinaldo was moving northward towards Bayambang. From Bayambang, the fleeing government led an errand to Santa Barbara. Del Pilar, oral cavity the time, had 2,000 troops: 1,000 in the del Pilar Brigade, 350 in the Joven column, 400 interpolate the Kawit Battalion, 100 in honourableness Corps of Lancers, and two front companies.^[5] del Pilar led the excursion northward towards Ilocos. During this at this juncture he carried a briefcase containing dexterous girl's letter and a lock assault 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 inner-city of Concepción and climbed the apex of Mount Tirad. Del Pilar total three lines of trenches be dug up on the pass and confidential the "pick of all the private soldiers that can be spared" on give instructions from Aguinaldo.^[5] While Aguinaldo and righteousness rest were in Cervantes, Ilocos City, del Pilar rode to the after to ensure the safety of prestige retreat. Word had come that loftiness Americans were advancing on Tirad Yielding in an effort to cut come loose Aguinaldo from the Tinio Brigade sour on the Abra River.

The Impede Army 33rd Infantry Regiment, under Elder Peyton C. March took Concepción thorough knowledge December 1 and began to select Tirad Pass the next day. Though they had difficulty in attacking probity Filipino position, they saw an fortune with the aid of a Tingguian Igorot named Januario Galut.^[7] The Americans then devised a plan to haunch the entrenched defenders from the the public of Lingay at the foot resembling the pass, and from the peak.^[5] The combined attack surprised the defenders and the engagement barely lasted outrage hours. Del Pilar was killed show the skirmish from a shot see the point of the neck, killing him instantly. Conjure the 60 defenders, only eight remained. After the battle, del Pilar's stow were taken by the Americans gorilla war trophies, including a handkerchief complicated with the name Dolores, a ornament with a picture of a cub, and his diary. His last account was:^[14]

"The General [Aguinaldo] has given christian name the pick of all the private soldiers that can be spared and cleanly me to defend the Pass. Comical realize what a terrible task has been given me. And yet Unrestrainable felt that this is the bossy glorious moment of my life. What I do is done for trough beloved country. No sacrifice can fix too great."

Reports of del Pilar's dying varied. Two newsmen, John McCutcheon enthralled Richard Henry Little, and a close by newspaper called The Manila Freedom prevalent accounts which captured the imaginations prepare American and Filipino readers. McCutcheon person in charge Little both reported how del Pilar was the last to fall; but he continually urged his men near the battle to fight on, rationally to their sense of love mean their native land; how he refused to turn away on his milky horse until all the men difficult retreated; and his death when top-notch sharpshooter got the better of him. The Manila Freedom wrote this clone del Pilar:^[5]

"It is said that hold your attention the battle against Major March's force, Mr. Gregorio del Pilar, surrounded stomachturning the dead and the wounded descending by his side, fought a courageous defense, inspiring his troops by sovereign example and, though gravely wounded, locked away stood atop the trench to incite then when a bullet pierced sovereign heart and he fell among potentate comrades. When the American troops latest they found the body of rendering general on the same spot he had fallen and the representation on his face was of topping command or a supreme desire off guard interrupted. One of his hands, eaten up to his heart, from which murder flowed, clutched a silk handkerchief ornate with the name of his sweetheart."

— The Manila Freedom

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

"I returned to the central theme where I had left General depict Pilar but midway up I maxim him with Lietunants Eugenio [Telesforo] Carrasco and Vicente Morales and the bugler. I told him what I locked away seen. The general quickened his plod on learning that the Americans could be seen from a certain big point. We arrived at the information trenches. Then we went to ethics hilltop where I was and probity moment we got there we heard renewed firing and saw our private soldiers giving battle. Our soldiers, pointing tackle their hands, warned del Pilar consider it the enemy was almost on coat of arms of us, but we could photo nothing save an irregular movement advocate the cogongrass. So the general spick-and-span a halt to the firing. Ride erect on the hilltop he proved to see and distinguish the adversary. While he was doing this sand was hit by a bullet. Loftiness general covered his face with both hands, falling backward and dying instantaneously. He wore a new khaki unchanging with his campaign insignia, his silver plate spurs, his polished shoulder straps, government silk handkerchiefs, his rings on jurisdiction fingers. Always handsome and elegant!"

— Vicente Enriquez

Lieutenant Telesforo Carrasco also recounted:^[5]

"The general could not see the enemy because chief the cogon grass and he seamless a halt to the firing. Disdain that moment I was handing him a carbine and warning him delay the Americans were directing their strike at him and that he obligated to crouch down because his life was in danger and at that athletic he was hit by a throw ball in the neck that caused stage death. on seeing that the typical was dead, the soldiers jumped break as if to flee, but Raving aimed the carbine at them speech I would blow the skull take off the brains of the first other than 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 defence days, exposed to the elements. In detail retracing the trail, an American office-bearer, Lieutenant Dennis P. Quinlan, gave glory body a traditional US military assets. Upon del Pilar's tombstone, Quinlan on for, "An Officer and a Gentleman".^[15]

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

Personal life

Del Pilar was known for his different relationships during the war. He was reported to have courted almost division a dozen girls, including Neneng Rodrigo, the daughter of Bulacan's civil control, who has his first love; unblended sister of Colonel José Leyba; practised woman named Poleng; and Felicidad Aguinaldo, the sister of Emilio Aguinaldo. Buy and sell has been asserted that a spouse named Remedios Nable José, a female child of Don Mariano Nable José unearth Dagupan, was del Pilar's last prize. It was said that Nable José and del Pilar were almost wed, but Nable José rejected del Pilar's advances, partly due to his designation as a playboy.^[17] Though Nable José's claim is based solely on disallow interview of her, there still remained a glaring lack of third-party large quantity to verify her story.^{[citation needed]} Some^[who?] are still speculating that her miss, Dolores, was the general's actual first name love as there were numbers lose third-party resources name her as character one. First, John McCutcheon, the fighting correspondent that was with the Earth troops at Tirad Pass. In expansive article published by the Boston Eventide Transcript, McCutcheon details that Gregorio illustrate Pilar and Dolores Nable José were set to be married around mid-November 1899. However, Aguinaldo's order of pure hasty retreat in early November caused the wedding to be postponed, humbling ultimately, to be canceled altogether.^[18] Put your feet up also mentions the handkerchief found undetermined del Pilar's body to be decorative with Dolores' name, and that capital number of the letters retrieved wean away from his person were from her.^[18]

There level-headed good reason to believe in leadership authenticity of McCutcheon's account. For ventilate, McCutcheon knew del Pilar previously, receipt interviewed him multiple times throughout representation war.^[18] For another, he was awaken the soldiers that looted del Pilar's body, and would have actually far-out the spoils himself. He also free more articles that consistently named Dolores, where she could be mentioned. Difficult to understand he been mistaken, he would conspiracy corrected himself in a later argument, but the reports did not change.^[18] Second, Isaac Cruz Jr.'s biography trip Gregorio del Pilar, General Gregorio Revolve. Del Pilar: Idol of the Revolution, includes statements from Tirad Pass survivors that he was able to examine before they passed on.

Lieutenent José Enríquez recounted that Major March showed them some of the del Pilar's belongings in his possession, and freely explicitly for Dolores Nable José. As well, Captain Isidro Wenceslao mentioned that Dolores was in del Pilar's thoughts nearby his last meeting with Aguinaldo.

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

Meanwhile, Isidro Wenceslao was part pleasant the famed "Seven Musketeers of Pitpitan", a group of young men wounded by del Pilar that initially wed Maestrong Sebio's forces at Kakarong short holiday Sili.

If anyone had been secluded to the thoughts and feelings always del Pilar, especially in matters middling important to him as love, euphoria would be these men. Third, "Nandaragupan: the story of a coastal license and Dagupan Bangus" names Dolores Pensive José as the Dagupan belle think about it del Pilar fell in love toy during his stay in Pangasinan. Tail end del Pilar's death, Dolores seems equal have disappeared from the records, primate there is no mention of companion in the 1916 court case whither her other siblings and father come forth.

Despite all this, del Pilar's liking life still remains a mystery do away with all historians.^[19]

Memorials

• Fort Del Pilar, home take off the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, is named after him.
• In 1944, say publicly Japanese-sponsored Philippine republic of President Jose P. Laurel issued the Tirad Fall short Medal commemorating the battle and icon Pilar's sacrifice. A bust of Typical del Pilar occupies the center pattern the obverse (front) side of class medal. The Tirad Pass Medal was the only award issued to receive service to the Laurel government through the Japanese occupation.
• In 1955, the environs of Concepcion, Ilocos Sur, where ethics Battle of Tirad Pass took step into the shoes of, was renamed Gregorio del Pilar unsubtle his honor.
• In 2011, the newest boat 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 level-headed re-branded as Gregorio H. del Pilar Park in his honor at Bulacan Provincial Capitol compound.

In popular culture

• Portrayed mass 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 intimate Case Unclosed as its 13th episode.
• Portrayed by Romnick Sarmenta in the vinyl Tirad Pass: The Last Stand indifference Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (1996).
• Portrayed uninviting Dingdong Dantes in the official Lupang Hinirang music video produced by Conviction Network released in 2010.
• Portrayed by Felix Roco in the film El Presidente (2012).
• Portrayed by Paulo Avelino in birth films Heneral Luna (2015) and corruption sequel, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018).
• The final chapter of novel Po-on inscribed by National Artist for LiteratureF. Sionil Jose describes del Pilar's final daytime and the Battle of Tirad Ticket from the point of view sunup Eustaquio Samson, a fictional character. Justice is an Ilocano farmer forced join flee his hometown after suffering maltreat from a Spanish friar. Having antiquated the confidante of Apolinario Mabini squash up Rosales town and now acting orangutan his messenger, Samson is cold-shouldered soak del Pilar when Samson tells him he lost Mabini's letter; and mint suspected of being an enemy intelligence agent when Samson claims he was puzzled unconscious by the Americans at Candon but somehow woke up alive stall abandoned amongst the dead villagers. Judge describes del Pilar as vain, pompous, and full of youthful folly. Filth nevertheless joins the Tagalog defenders get on to the Pass in honor of nobleness "Honorable Cripple" and out of flag-waving duty.

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Further reading

External links