General Gregorio Del Pilar: The Last Stand At Tirad Pass

General Gregorio Del Pilar:  The Last Stand At Tirad Pass

           The Task.  The standing military order was to engage the pursuing American troops under Major Peyton March in combat.  The underlying motive was to stall the Americans and provide enough time and space for President Emilio Aguinaldo to flee to the northernmost part of the Philippines.

Major Peyton March commanded the American troops at The Battle of Tirad Pass. (wiki)

          The Task Force.  A revolutionary regiment, consisting of 60 weary soldiers under the command of General Gregorio Del Pilar, was to serve as rear defense force of the fleeing President of the Republic.  General Del Pilar, nicknamed Goyong by his friends, was one of the youngest generals of the revolutionary army.  His meteoric rise in the military heirarchy was due to his reputation as a courageous leader and combatant.  At 24, he registered numerous victories against the invaders. A great part of his force consisted of soldiers who once belonged to General Antonio Luna's army. General Luna was assassinated earlier in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.

General Del Pilar and his men in Central Luzon (wiki)

General Del Pilar was one of the youngest Filipino generals during the Phil-Am War. (google)

          The Battle Site.  General Del Pilar and his men positioned themselves at Tirad Pass, a mountainous area that overlooked the towns of Cervantes and Concepcion in the province of Ilocos Sur.  Tirad Pass is an uphill trail that leads to the Cordillera mountains. Beyond Tirad Pass is Mankayan, Benguet where Lepanto Mining Company is presently located. A little to the north is Abra.

The vast mountains in Ilocos Sur where Tirad Pass is located. (google)

          The Odds.  While the Filipino rebels under General Del Pilar were strategically positioned atop a hilly portion of the town of Concepcion, which is now named Del Pilar, and it would appear, at first glance, that it was unassailable, the odds still tilted in favor of the Americans considering their enormous strength in personnel and weaponry. General Del Pilar had only 60 tired and hungry men while Major March commanded a force consisting of about 300 well-trained soldiers. The Americans had cannons and high powered firearms while the Filipinos had to contend with the standard weapons.

Photo of Tirad Pass in the early 1900's (Phil-Am War photo)

           The Actual Battle.  Due to an advantage in position, the Filipino rebels under General Del Pilar succeeded in holding the Americans at bay for about five hours on December 2, 1899.  With shots being fired from almost all directions, the Americans could not advance. The revolutionaries even unleashed boulders to fend off the Americans. But the turning point of the battle came when a local villager betrayed his countrymen.  Januario Galut, an Igorot all too-familiar with the battle site, pointed to the Americans a secret passage that enabled the Americans to launch an attack from the rear.  With cannons being fired, the battle turned into a rout.  It was a massacre.  Of Del Pilar's 60 men, only eight survived.  Del Pilar was killed in action. The Americans lost only 2 men.  

Statue of General Del Pilar at the battle site  (Photo from Trip to Tirad)

          Post Battle Analysis.  While General Del Pilar and his men showed to the whole world their bravery in making their last stand at the Battle of Tirad Pass, Del Pilar's seemingly courageous defiance, what with the confidence of youth on his side, perhaps did them in.  Courage turned into bravado. When his men started falling one by one, and the American offensive was too much to fend off, he could have raised the white flag. But, no, he decided to make a last stand.  He sacrificed the lives of his own men. And in the course of the battle, those who survived  the fight were saying that General Del Pilar was too reckless. He apparently did not know the meaning of prudence.  Instead of docking, he continued to expose himself to danger.  He died with several gunshot wounds.

Historical marker at the battle site (Manila O.T)

           While Del Pilar and his men lost the Battle of Tirad Pass, President Aguinaldo and his troops made good their escape to the north, taking the dangerous Cordillera mountains en route to Palanan, Isabela.  It would take more than a year before the pursuing Americans would catch up with the elusive Aguinaldo and company.

President Aguinaldo managed to elude the pursuing American troops for more than a year after The Battle of Tirad Pass. (g'gle)

American soldiers with Filipina girls somewhere in the North in the early 1900's (Phil-Am War)

- Konted

_______________________________________________________________

General Antonio Luna: Death in the Afternoon

General Antonio Luna:  Death in the Afternoon

              

              The Prey.  General Antonio Luna was regarded by many as the most brilliant military officer during the Philippine-American War. Educated at the Ateneo de Manila and at a prestigious university in Spain and later trained in military tactics,  he was the commander of the Philippine Revolutionary Army.  Having a reputation as an ambitious general, the camp of then President Emilio Aguinaldo became insecure when unfounded rumors were spreading that General Luna and his men would launch a coup d etat to seize control of the revolutionary government.

General Antonio Luna was the most brilliant Filipino military officer during the Phil-Am War. (Google photo)

              The Bait.  A telegram supposedly from President Aguinaldo was received by General Luna who was at a military post in Bayambang, Pangasinan. He was instructed to attend a conference on June 5,1899 at the revolutionary government headquarters in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Being unofficially groomed as the next Prime Minister and Secretary of War, General Antonio Luna traveled in high spirits with 25 of his trusted men. They arrived at Cabanatuan on the afternoon of June 5.  Most of his men stayed at the outskirts of the town.  Only Colonel Paco Roman and Captain Eduardo Rusca  were with him when he entered the town proper.

President Emilio Aguinaldo allegedly sent a telegram to General Luna, asking him to attend a conference to be held in Cabanatuan on June 5, 1899. (Google photo)

              The Trap.  General Luna entered the convent  while his two military escorts stayed outside.  Upon learning that President Aguinaldo was not in the convent and was actually in another town of Nueva Ecija, the fiery General, in a fit of anger, began shouting and berating some of the soldiers.  He slapped one. He then proceeded to the upper floor and met Felipe Buencamino who was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.  At odds with each other, a shouting match ensued.  Then a shot rang out outside, drawing the General's attention. Unknowingly, he had fallen into the trap.

When General Luna arrived at the convent, President Aguinaldo was not there.  Only Felipe Buencamino, then Foreign Affairs Secretary, was present.  General Luna and Buencamino had a shouting match. (Phil-Am War photo)

               The Hitmen.  Soldiers of the Kawit battalion loyal to President Aguinaldo were reportedly tasked to carry out the secret plan. They were the same soldiers who refused to heed General Luna's order to attack during an offensive in Caloocan. They were explicitly showing acts of insubordination.  And their hatred for General Luna was known by fellow soldiers. Once, they were disarmed by the general.  If they wanted to get even, then that was the appropriate time.

Old photo of a typical battalion of Filipino revolutionary soldiers. (wiki)

            The Actual Execution.  As General Luna was going down the stairs of the convent, Colonel Pedro Janolino, head of the Cavite battalion, drew near him and suddenly began hacking him. Other soldiers drew boloes and knives and stabbed the outnumbered general in different parts of the body. Somebody shot him too.  Colonel Roman and Captain Rusca came to his rescue but the two were also fired upon, with Roman dying on the spot and Rusca seriously injured.  Though critically wounded, General Luna managed to walk several meters to the open plaza.  He was staggering and very weak.  With a drawn gun, he was holding the intestines that protruded out of his abdomen.  Just before he expired, the brave general shouted:  Cowards !!!!

Arrow points to the exact spot where General Luna was attacked by Colonel Pedro Janolino and his men.  At left is photo of  Colonel Roman. (Phil-Am War photo)

Colonel Pedro Janolino (right) who suddenly attacked General Luna with a bolo. (Google photo)

A standard bolo used by Filipino revolutionaries.  General Luna was hacked by Colonel Janolino and his men.  He was also shot.  (wikimapia)

               The Aftermath.  President Aguinaldo denied accusations that he had something to do with the General's death. General Luna was buried the next day.  All his officers and followers were relieved of their official duties to prevent a counter attack.  Most of General Luna's men were demoralized and, as a result, withdrew from the revolutionary army. The Kawit soldiers were not censured or punished and most of the pro-Aguinaldo soldiers  were appeased upon learning of the death of the General.  A threat to Aguinaldo's leadership had been eliminated. After Bonifacio, it was General Luna. The two died in the hands of their compatriots.  

                                                         

Statue of General Antonio Luna at Plaza Lucero in Cabanatuan City.  Plaza Lucero is the exact site where General Luna died. (D.P.S.A.photo)

The San Francisco Call account of General Luna's death. (Phil-Am War photo)

                                                                                                          - Konted

*all pics / specific details from google

Pinagrealan Cave In Norzagaray

 Pinagrealan Cave In Norzagaray

              I am a history buff and I am forever curious of historical events.  I like reading books about the Filipinos' struggles against the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese who, one after the other, occupied our native land.  And from the stories told by my elders many years back and from the accounts of other knowledgeable people in my hometown, I have gained vital details and have started to appreciate the legacy left behind by these freedom fighters.

             My maternal great grandfather was an insurgent.  He was a Colonel in the revolutionary forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo.  His name was Jose Serapio. He was from the town of Sta. Maria and was Captain Municipal or Town Mayor for many years. He was an uncle of Aguinaldo.  He was always in the thick of the battles in and around the towns of Bulacan and the insurgents sometimes came out victorious and sometimes defeated.

             The revolutionaries employed the guerrilla tactic of attacking the enemy by surprise.  The invaders were waylaid on deserted roads and in rugged terrains which were unfamiliar to them.  The road leading to Norzagaray and, ultimately, to the other towns of Bulacan was called "Daang Tulisan" as countless ambushes were carried out by the insurrectos against Spanish soldiers along this dirt road which is now known as Quirino Highway.

             The rebel forces had their strongholds in subterranean caves, notable of which were the Biak na Bato Caves in San Miguel and the Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray.  The caves were their hideouts as they seemed impenetrable and undetectable.  Aguinaldo and his men conducted meetings at Pinagrealan Cave during their fight against the Spaniards.  

             And during the Philippine American War, Aguinaldo again sought refuge at the Pinagrealan Cave on his way to the North as the American Forces under General Henry Lawton and, later on, under General Frederick Funston were relentlessly pursuing the rebels.   Pinagrealan Cave was Aguinaldo's sanctuary. There, he and his men rested, planned their moves and called the shots. Pinagrealan is tucked somewhere in Brgy Bigte.  It is now a national heritage.

             Back to my maternal great grandfather Jose Serapio.  While General Funston was spreading a dragnet and doggedly pursuing the elusive Aguinaldo, Serapio saw it unwise to continue fighting in the face of insurmountable odds and decided to surrender to the Americans.

             Now here is the tale of my elders.  While in captivity, Serapio endeared himself to the Americans.  He was highly educated and could speak English and Spanish.  Not only was he released, he was, after several months, appointed Governor of Bulacan by the powerful Taft Commission. It was a unanimous choice.  Serapio was Bulacan Governor in 1900 and 1901.  Aside from the transfer of the seat of government from Bulakan town to Malolos, his legacy to Bulacan was the establishment of town councils which we now call as Sangguniang Bayan.

             Pinagrealan Cave, General Funston, General Aguinaldo, Colonel Serapio and  the Insurrectos.  All these names were intertwined at one point in our history.

- Konted

Pinagrealan Cave is situated behind this old limestone company in Brgy. Bigte in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Path leading to Pinagrealan Cave

The historic Pinagrealan Cave

Historical marker in front of the cave

About Pinagrealan Cave

Approaching the cave's entrance 

Pinagealan Cave's entrance

Albert Gener simulates a Katipunero's stance.

Closer shot

Pinagrealan Cave is maintained by the Municipal Government of  Norzagaray and the DENR.

Souvenir shot

The cave is made of limestones.

A deep well in front of the cave.  Pinagrealan Cave is located within a  private land owned by the Castro
 clan.

Proud of their history

The development or improvement of Pinagrealan Cave is the centerpiece of Norzagaray's Tourism Program under Mayor Fel Legaspi.  Councilors in support of the program include Kon Junjun Saplala, Kon Jerry Sumbillo, Kon Imee Pascual and Kon Efren Faustino. 

General Frederick Funston captured Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela

General Emilio Aguinaldo was President of the First Philippine Republic.  He sought refuge at Pinagrealan cave but was captured in Palanan, Isabela.

Colonel Jose Serapio was Bulacan Governor in 1900 and 1901.  He was Captain Municipal or Town Mayor of Sta Maria  for many years.  He had vast landholdings in Catmon, Poblacion, Gulod, Pulong Buhangin. all in Sta Maria,  and in other parts of Norzagaray.  A Malolos paper describes him as "a towering disciplinarian, an imposing leader and a romantic adventurer."

New York Times article dated February 28, 1901 on Jose Serapio's appointment

Members of the Revolutionary Government who later joined the Taft administration Name Position under the Aguinaldo Administration Position under the Taft Administration Cayetano Arellano Secretary of State Chief Justice Victorino Mapa Counselor of the Revolutionary Government Associate Justice T.H. Pardo de Tavera Assistant Secretary of State Commissioner Benito Legarda Vice President of the Malalos Congress Commissioner Jose Luzuriaga President of the Reverend Congress of Panay Commissioner Felipe Buencamino Secretary of State Civil Service Board Felix Roxas Member of the Filipino Junta in Paris Governor of Batangas Ignacio Villamor Malolos Congress delegate Judge Gregorio Araneta Secretary of Justice Solicitor General Martin Delgado Commanding General od Panay Governor of Iloilo Ambrosio Flores Assistant Secretary of War Governor of Rizal Mariano Trias Secretary of War Governor of Cavite Jose Serapio Colonel of the Revolutionary Army Governor of Bulacan Gracio Gonzaga Secretary of the Interior Governor of Cagayan Arsenio Cruz Herrera Assistant Secretary of Interior President of the Municipal Board of Manila Jose Alejandrino General of the Revolutionary Army City Engineer of Manila Modesto Reyes Member of the Filipino Junta in Paris City Attorney of Manila Daniel Triona Secretary of War Provincial Secretary of Cavite Mariano Cunanan Major in the Revolutionary Army Principal Secretary of Pampanga Mariano Crisostomo Malolos Congress Delegate Provincial Fiscal of Bulacan

Bulacan Provincial Capitol in Malolos.  Bulacan was one of the 8 provinces to rise in arms against the Spaniards.

The San Francisco Call's account of the capture of  Gen. Aguinaldo by  the troops of Gen Funston.  General Funston and his men made the pretext thay they were captured by the Macabebe Scouts.  After getting near Gen Aguinaldo, the Americans seized the Filipino general.  (Phil Am War photo) 

This photo was taken right after the capture of Aguinaldo.  From left,  Col. Simeon Villa, President  Aguinaldo, Gen. Funston and  Dr. Santiago Barcelona (Phil-Am War photo)

The Macabebe Scouts who helped  Gen. Funston and his men in capturing  General Aguinaldo (Phil Am photo)

Brig. General Frederick Funston is flanked by four other American officers after the capture of Gen Aguinaldo. (Phil-Am photo)

Gen Aguinaldo and other prisoners of war were taken back to Manila on board the USS Vicksburg.  (Phil-Am War photo)

General Aguinaldo as a prisoner of war on board the USS Vicksburg (Phil-Am War photo)