Major General Licerio I.

Geronimo |1

LIFE AND HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF MAJOR GENERAL

LICERIO I. GERONIMO: A DOCUMENTARY

ABSTRACT

Researchers: FUERTE, JOHN CRISTOPHER Z.

GONZAGA, ARISTOTLE N.
VICTORIA, ROCKY VINCENT A.

Course: BACHELOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

Major in Social studies

Types of Documents: Undergraduate Thesis

Total number of pages: 128

Name and Add. of School: University of Rizal System-Rodriguez

College of Education
Amityville Subd., San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal

Summary of the Study:

This study is a documentary analysis on the life and historical contributions of

Major General Licerio Geronimo.

This study aimed to clarify the life and historical contributions of Major General

Licerio I. Geronimo, a local hero who fought against the Spaniards and Americans. This

was participated by selected resident from Rodriguez and San Mateo, one descendant

of the late general and an expert who served as respondents. It was conducted during

the School Year 2016 – 2017.

The findings of this study were as follows. According to the respondents, SK

Edgardo Ocampo, Mr. Josefus Aleksis Alunan and from the data gathered, General

Licerio Geronimo had historical contribution.

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 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |2

On the personal background, Licerio Geronimo was born on Monday, 27th day of

August 1855 in Sampaloc, Manila (the place where their parents met). His father’s

name was Graciano Geronimo a native of Montalban, Morong and his mother was

Flaviana Imaya a native of Gapan, Nueva Ecija. He was the eldest of the six children of

their family, Cerio attend his primary grades when he was in Sampaloc, but he stopped

studying at age of nine, to help in his grandfather’s farm in San Miguel, Bulacan. At the

age of fourteen, he went to his father who was living in Montalban to reunite with his

family. He learned how to read and write with the help of a friend who taught him the

alphabet, He devoted his leisure hours to reading the ‘’corridos’’ and the ‘’awit’’ while he

was on the farm. During his adolescent days his contemporary agreed that he was

expert as a sharpshooter. Prophetic indications of what he became later in life

manifested in his participation in the celebrations of the locality. During the Sta. Cruz de

Mayo he used to personify a general or a knight-defender of some unfortunate ladies.

After his father died, Licerio became breadwinner of their family, he served a

famer to their farm, he also pastured carabao and he also hunted wild animals in the

near forest. He felt in love twice; first to Francisca Reyes who bore him with two children

namely as Socorro and Amado, but they ended in divorce. His second wife was

Cayetana Lincaoco of San Mateo, who became his lawful wife who born his first son,

Pacifico, there were four more children came after the war namely; Juanita, Consuelo,

Conception and the youngest was Rosalina. But suddenly two of his daughters died at

the young age, Juanita died at early as two while Consuelo died at three years old. To

support his family, he worked in the farm and as boatman, transporting passengers and

laundresses along the Marikina and Pasig Rivers.

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |3

On the significant highlights of Gen. Geronimo during the Spanish period, he

joined the Katipunan when Bonifacio established a chapter in Montalban, by the help of

his godfather Felix Umali. When revolution broke out in 1896, Geronimo went to

Balintawak on request of Bonifacio. On August 30 of the same year, he was with the

group that attacked San Juan del Monte. After several months in Balara, he was

awarded as Katipunan General. Licerio was also based at Mt. Puray in Montalban for

his military operation. And assembly was held in June 1897 for the purpose of

appointing generals into the various military divisions all throughout the country. The

assembly was presided over by General Emilio Aguinaldo. A Departmental Government

of Central Luzon was created and Geronimo was designated division general of the

revolutionary army in Morong. When, after the assembly at Puray, their stronghold was

attacked by the Spaniards, which resulted in heavy losses on both sides but emerged

triumphantly of General Cerio. During the temporary period of tranquillity brought about

by the Truce of Biak-na-Bato, he was assigned by his former foes as a commandant in

the Spanish Milicia Territorial, however, Cerio chose to desert the Milicia and joined the

company of Gen. Pio del Pilar to assist in the defense of Marikina and helped in the

building of trenches and in the reorganization of troops who were coming in from San

Juan and Mandaluyong.

On the significant highlights of Gen. Geronimo during the American period, he

was appointed by Gen. Antonio Luna as the commanding general of the third military

zone of Manila; On December 19, 1899 a battle in San Mateo ensued, wherein General

Cerio and his guerilla force, Tiradores de la Muerte, inflicted severe blow to the enemies

by killing General Henry W. Lawton and 13 American soldiers.

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |4

After the Battle of San Mateo, the areas in the country were placed under the

control of the Americans and with the successive surrenders or captures of

revolutionary leaders, Geronimo was convinced to give up. Thus, on 29 March 1901,

through the efforts of the Federal Party, Geronimo surrendered his forces to Captain

Henderson of the 42nd Infantry.

On 1 June 1902, he worked with the Philippine Constabulary as a fourth class

inspector. He rose from the rank to third lieutenant and as inspector in December of the

same year. As a Constabulary officer, he run after the ladrones operating in the towns

of San Mateo, Marikina, Malabon, and Novaliches. On May 16, 1904 Geronimo was

dismissed from the service despite his valuable services in the Constabulary on the

grounds of engaging in gambling. After his dismissal, he returned to farming in

Montalban. He died on January 16, 1924.

(note: the full copy of this thesis is located at University of Rizal System-Rodriguez
Campus Library)

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |5

Biography
Major General Licerio Imaya Geronimo
He also known as the Freedom Fighter

Nickname : “Cerio” or “Sergio”

Height : 5’3 (estimated)
Date of Birth : August 27, 1855 (Monday)
Place of Birth : Sampaloc, Manila
Mother : Flaviana Imaya
Mother’s Place : Gapan, Nueva Ecija
Father : Graciano Geronimo
Father’s Place : Montalban (Rodriguez), Morong (Rizal)
No. of Siblings : 5
Occupation : Farmer, Boatman, General and Inspector
Educational Attainment: Undergraduate of Elementary
Partner (s) :
Francisca Reyes No. of children: 2
Cayetana Linco (Lincaoco) No. of children: 5
Names of children : Socorro*, Amado*, Pacifico, Juanita**, Consuelo**,
Conception and Rosalina
Date of death : January 16, 1924 (Wednesday)
Age : 68
Cause of death : Cerebral Haemorrhage
Place of death : Montalban (Rodriguez), Rizal

(*) Children from Francisca Reyes (**) Early died

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 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |6

Time line
Early life

Age
9 - He lived in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan in his Grandfather’s
house.

14 - He transferred in his father’s house in Montalban.

During the Revolution

April 12, 1895 - He became a Katipunan member by the help of his

Godfather Felix Umali.

August 30, 1896 - They attacked the San Juan Del Monte, Bulacan.

October 5, 1896 - He became a General, when he proclaimed by Andres

Bonifacio in Balara.

June 1897 - He base of operations in Mt. Puray, Montalban.

December 15, 1897 - Truce of Biak-na-Bato.

May 4, 1898 - He allowed the Spaniards to assign him as a commandant in

the Milicia Territorial, formed to resist the Americans on land.

May 19, 1898 - Aguinaldo returned from exile in Hongkong and

resumed the war against Spain.

August 13, 1898 - Geronimo left the Milicia and joined General Pio del Pilar.

November 28, 1898 - Aguinaldo appointed him as a division general of San

Mateo, Rizal.

February 4, 1899 - He receive a letter from the congress of first Republic, he

was also appointed by Gen. Antonio Luna as the
commanding general of the third military zone of Manila.

February 22, 1899 - Retaking of Manila

February 23, 1899 - The Filipino army occupies the suburbs of Manila.

February 25, 1899 - He received a telegram from Gen. Antonio Luna to

stop the battle in Marikina.

- He sent a telegram to Gen. Antonio Luna that they continue

the battle.
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 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |7

December 19, 1899 - A Battle in San Mateo ensued, where in General Cerio and
his guerilla force, Tiradores de la Muerte, inflicted severe
blow to the enemies by killing General Henry W. Lawton and
13 American soldiers.

July 12, 1900 - General Trias named him Jefe Superior of the joint forces of
the second and third zones of Manila.

August 1900 - He took command of the district of Morong.

March 29, 1901 - Geronimo surrendered his force to Captain Duncan

Henderson of the 42nd Infantry at Plaza of San Mateo.

June 1, 1902 - He worked with the Philippine Constabulary as a

fourth class inspector.

December 1902 - He rose from the rank to third lieutenant and as inspector.

March 27, 1903 - He was also part of search party that brought down and
killed General Luciano San Miguel.

May 16, 1904 - Geronimo was dismissed from the service in the
Constabulary on the grounds of engaging in gambling and
returned to work his farm in barrio San Rafael in Montalban,
Rizal.

January 16, 1924 - He died at the age of 68

Major References:

Agoncillo, Teodoro (1973) A. E. de los Santos. The Revolutionists: Aguinaldo-

Bonifacio-Jacinto, National Historical Institutes, T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita,
Manila, Philippines.

Hen. Aguinaldo, Emilio (1998) Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan, National Centennial

Commission, Cavite Historical Society A.T.S. & Associates, Virtual Printer,
Manila.

Gen. Alvares, Santiago. The KATIPUNAN and the Revolution, Ateneo de Manila
University.

Constantino, Renato R. (1975) Vol. 1 the Philippines: A Past Revisited, 38 Panay

Avenue, Quezon City.

Isidro, Antonio (1926) General Licerio Geronimo, An Obscure Hero of the Past
Revolution, University of the Philippines.

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |8

Jose, Vivencio R. The Rise and Fall of Gen. Antonio Luna, National Historical
Institutes, T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.

Zaide, Gregorio F. and Sonia M. Zaide. Document Resources of Philippine

History, National Bookstore.

Journal and Newspapers:

Corvera, Alberto K. “Stories from the war: The only Filipino general who killed an
American general,” Philippines Geographic.

Fabella, Gabriel F. “The Battle of San Mateo,” Philippine Free Press. December 18,
1954.

Gwekoh, Sol H. “Geronimo: Hero of Battle of San Mateo,” Manila Times,

August 18, 1967

SK Ocampo, Edgardo Geronimo. Short Biography of Gen. Licerio Geronimo

Marte, Nick. “Lawton’s death”, Mirror Magazine 1969.

NHI pamphlet about Gen. Licerio Geronimo

Suggested Readings:

Alunan, Josefus Aleksis et al. (2007) Heneral Licerio I. Geronimo: Isang Pag- aaral
sa Kanyang Buhay at Pagkilala sa Kanya Naiambag sa Himagsikang Pilipino,
Undergraduate Thesis, Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Bautista, Sunnylyn S. et al. (2007) Historical Accounts and Development of the

Pamitinan Cave, Undergraduate Thesis, University of Rizal System.

Fuerte, Cristopher Z. et al. (2017) Life and Historical Contributions of Major General
Licerio I. Geronimo: A Documentary, Undergraduate Thesis, University of Rizal
System.
(Note: other cultural research can be found at URS-Library)
You Tube available Videos:

Kasaysayan ng Labanan sa San Mateo (December 19, 1899)

Lakbay Kapayapaan: Inaguration of General Licerio Gerónimo Monument
Life and Historical Contributions of Major General Licerio I. Geronimo: A Documentary
Xiao Time: Ang Kwentong buhay ni Licerio Geronimo_Sept.3 ,2014

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 Major General Licerio I. Geronimo |9

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 M a j o r G e n e r a l L i c e r i o I . G e r o n i m o | 10

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 M a j o r G e n e r a l L i c e r i o I . G e r o n i m o | 11

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018

 M a j o r G e n e r a l L i c e r i o I . G e r o n i m o | 12

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER

Sir Rocky Vincent A. Victoria is a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major
in Social Studies from University of Rizal System- Rodriguez Campus, and he was a
recipient of Service Award. He is a former Social Science teacher at Eastern Star
Academy, Inc. and he is also a Licence Professional Teacher in taking March 2018 LET
exam. For now he was taking his graduate studies at Archaeological Studies Program in
UP Diliman.

Field of interest: History, Local Studies, Cultural Heritage Management and Philippine
Archaeology

(Note: for any questions and clarification about the content with regarding in this
topic, just kindly message or consult the researcher to his email account below.
Thank you! )

Rocky Vincent A. Victoria (rocky_victoria@yahoo.com) ©2018