Do you have a great, great grandfather or grandmother who fought during the Philippine revolution? This was the question we asked people during the recent HistoryCon on Aug. 10 to 12 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
I have written before that I have embarked on a personal project with the NGO TUKLAS (Tunay na Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, Inc. ) to come up with a list of names of those who were involved in the struggle for our independence as a nation. This initiative was prompted by my own desire to find out if I descend from revolutionists, and the fact that that there is no extant comprehensive roster of revolutionists.
As an ardent student of history, almost always, I only read about familiar names of heroes in books that I have read and still read. In my conversations with friends, I routinely ask them to name 10 heroes from the top of their heads. Often, people find it difficult to complete the 10. This is how much we are unfamiliar with our own history.
The struggle for Philippine independence lasted years even if we only count from the foundation of the Katipunan (whose first Supremo was Deodato Arellano, not Andres Bonifacio as many think for he was the third to have the title), to the capture of General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901. Yet, tens of thousands of those who were involved in the fight for the freedoms we now enjoy remain unknown. They are not accorded the recognition and respect they deserve from us. We have become an ungrateful nation blind to the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for us. Thus, my hunt for names began.
In the beginning I was only interested in names. But as I started poring over books, publications, and pictures, I realized how nice it would be for descendants to know not just names of their ancestors but other information that may help in establishing real connection. So I went beyond names and included in my roster whatever details are available on specific revolutionists.
In the end, besides names, I also included in the list (whenever available) their places of origin; aliases; affiliation (Magdalo or Magdiwang); ranks or positions in government held; battles they fought; whether they were arrested, imprisoned, exiled, killed in battle, or executed; and whether they lived after the revolution.
The plan was to display and use the list during the HistoryCon to know if the present generation is interested in finding out if they have revolutionist ancestors, and how they would feel if they realize that they could have the blood of a revolutionary running through their veins.
We called the list “Roster of Valor: A List of Heroes of the Philippine Revolution.” The first release displayed at the HistoryCon consists of almost 2,500 names of revolutionists with whatever details about them that I could find.
The reception to the list was beyond our expectations. People, young and old were very interested, and excited to find out if they descend from a revolutionist! The table containing the three volumes of the names was almost always crowded. There were even times when there were lines just so people would know if they have ancestors who fought in the revolution.
It was a great experience on my part. I spoke with a good number of those who pored over the lists. Some even called their elders to ask for more last names that they could look for. There were those who knew that their ancestors were revolutionists but were not in the list. I asked them to send me details about their ancestors and I would gladly put them in and cite them, the descendants, as my source. To this day I still receive information about other revolutionaries who are not in history books. Some, complete with pictures of their ancestors in full uniforms of the Philippine Revolutionary Army.
Those who found names they thought were their ancestors were very happy. They said they felt proud that they come from a line of heroes. A few were even on the verge of tears, grateful to know that their great, great grandfathers were fought for our country. I was touched by two young women, they were sisters, who found an ancestor in the list—a woman revolutionary! They carry the revolutionist’s last name (which is not a common surname), and they hail from the same place. They were quite emotional with their discovery. One said that it explains why they, the sisters, are fighters. Being a fighter runs in their veins!
Even those who did not find a revolutionist ancestor received the list very well. I assured them that the list is far from being complete so it really does not mean they do not have relatives who took part in the struggle. After all, I intend to continue this project so the list becomes more exhaustive.
Not a few inquired if the roster will be published because they said that they would want to have a copy. I just responded that for now, it is just a small initiative to pay tribute to our unknown heroes.
We asked people, especially those who found their revolutionist ancestors to write a note to their lolo or lola. We were able to collect almost 100 notes and we will bring this as our offering to the Mausoleum of the Veterans of the Revolution in the North Cemetery. This is another historic landmark that people have forgotten.
Reading the notes filled my heart with joy. It seems that this small project has struck a cord with those who saw the list. The notes were from a grateful people. Grateful and thankful to those who fought so our country is free. The notes beam with pride. Pride because the Filipino is a brave and courageous race.
I will end this by quoting some of the notes (without edits).
“Thank you for sacrificing so much for our country. We shall not forget you.”
“To our dear revolutionaries, Thank you for the new life you have given us, for giving up your life in order for us to live. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
“Brig. General Pantaleon Garcia, Salamat sa sakripisyo nyo at katapangan, mayroon kaming kalayaan! Ang inyong apo sa tuhod.”
“So proud to be a great granddaughter of Claudio Victa who fought for our independence.”
“Mga lolo, Ang inyong pinaghirapan ay hindi matatawaran. Nguni’t karamihan ngayon ay tila nakalimot na. Kaya humihingi ako ng tawad.”
“Para kay Marcelo Duria, Marahil hanggang sa ngayon nananalaytay pa rin sa ating pamilya ang dugong rebolusyonaryo. Ngayon mas naiintindihan ko na. Kaya pala.”
“To all those who fought, known or unknown, Thank you for everything. For risking your lives to save countless others. I may not know you but I am thankful for every drop of blood you spilled for us.”
I feel that there is hope for the country. Let us continue to connect with our revolutionary past so we may not get lost now and in the future.
@bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Fcaebook