PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HEROES

A national hero of the Philippines is a Filipino who has

been recognized as a national hero for his or her role in the
history of the Philippines. Loosely, the term may refer to all
Filipino historical figures recognized as heroes, but the term
more strictly refers to those officially designated as such. In
1995 the Philippine National Heroes Committee officially
recommended several people for the designation, but this was not
acted upon. As of 2007, no one had ever been officially
recognized as a Philippine national hero

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

(1861-1896)
The Philippines' national hero. Born in Calamba, Laguna, on June
19, 1861. Published his masterpiece Noli Me Tangere in
Berlin(Germany) in 1887 and his second novel El Filibusterismo in
Ghent(Belgium) in 1891. His two novels stirred the conscience of
his people. He contributed various literary works to La
Solidaridad. For his leadership in the reform movement and for
his incendiary novels, Rizal was arrested and later killed by
musketry in Bagumbayan, Manila, on December 30, 1896. His
execution was the last straw for other Filipinos who called for a
bloody revolution against Spain.

ANDRES BONIFACIO
(1863-1897)
He founded the secret society, Katipunan, on July 7, 1892, to
fight Spain. He was also president of the Tagalog republic from
August 24, 1896 to May 10, 1897. Born in Tondo, Manila, on
November 30, 1863. He grew up in the slums and never knew the
benefits of a prosperous life. He married Gregoria de Jesus in
1892. He was killed on May 10, 1897, near Mount Buntis,
Maragondon, Cavite.

GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR

(1875-1899)
Hero of Tirad Pass. Born on November 14, 1875, in Bulacan,
Bulacan. Died on December 2, 1899, in the battle of Tirad Pass,
to enable Aguinaldo to escape from the Americans. One of the
youngest and bravest generals ever produced by the Philippines.

GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO

(1899-1964)
He officially proclaimed the Philippine independence in Malolos,
Bulacan, on January 23, 1899, with him as the first president. It
was the first republic in Asia. Born in Kawit, Cavite, on March
22, 1869. Died at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Quezon City, on
February 6, 1964.

APOLINARIO MABINI
(1864-1903)
Sublime paralytic and the brain of the revolution. Born in
Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas, on June 22, 1864. He joined La Liga
Filipina in 1892 and Aguinaldo's revolutionary government from
June 1898 to May 1899. He was captured by the American forces in
December 1899 and deported to Guam in January 1901. He died in
Manila on May 13, 1903.

EMILIO JACINTO
(1875-1899)
Brains of the Katipunan. Born in Trozo, Manila, on December 15,
1875. He joined the Katipunan in 1894 and became Bonifacio's
trusted friend and adviser. He wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan,
the primer of the Katipunan which embodied the teachings of the
organization. He founded and edited the Katipunan newspaper,
Kalayaan, whose first issue came out in January 1896. Died on
April 16, 1899. He was one of the heroic figures in Philippine
history.

GENERAL ANTONIO LUNA

(1866-1899)
The greatest general of the revolution. Younger brother of Juan
Luna, the famous painter. Editor of La Independencia, whose first
issue came out on September 3, 1898. Born in Binondo, Manila, on
October 29, 1866. He was one of the propagandists in Spain who
were working for political reforms in the Philippines. He
contributed articles to La Solidaridad. He was assassinated in
Cabanatuan City, on June 5, 1899.

MELCHORA AQUINO
(1812-1919)
B etter known as Tandang Sora. Born in Banlat, Kalookan City, on
January 6, 1812. She helped the Katipuneros under the leadership
of Andres Bonifacio by providing them food, shelter, and other
material goods. She is recognized as the Grand Woman of the
revolution and the Mother of Balintawak. She died on March 12,
1919.

GRACIANO LOPEZ-JAENA
(1856-1896)
Founder and first editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad, which
became the vehicle of expression for Filipino propaganda in
Spain. Together wtih Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar, he
undertook propaganda campaigns in Spain. Born in Jaro, Iloilo, on
December 18, 1856. He died on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona,
Spain.

PANDAY PIRA
(1483-1576)
First Filipino cannon-maker. He forged the cannons which Rajah
Sulayman used in defending the Muslim Kingdom of Manila against
the Spanish invaders. Born in one of the islands in Southern
Philippines in 1483. He died in 1576.