Jose Rizal was born in 1861 to Francisco Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos in the town of Calamba in Laguna province. He had nine sisters and one brother. His parents were leaseholders of a hacienda and an accompanying rice farm by the Dominicans. Both their families had adopted the additional surnames of Rizal and Realonda in 1849, after Governor General Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa decreed the adoption of Spanish surnames among the Filipinos for census purposes (though they already had Spanish names).

Andress Bonifacio

Andres Bonifacio y de Castro (November 30, 1863 – May 10, 1897) was a Filipino revolutionary leader and the president of the Tagalog Republic. He is often called “The Father of the Philippine Revolution“. He was one of the founders and later Supremo (Supreme Leader) of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or more commonly known as “Katipunan“, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution.^[ He is considered a national hero of the Philippines

Emilio Aguinaldo

Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy March 22, 1869 – February 6, 1964) was a Filipino revolutionary, politician, and military leader who is officially recognized as the first and the youngest President of the Philippines (1899–1901) and first president of a constitutional republic in Asia. He led Philippine forces first against Spain in the latter part of the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898), and then in the Spanish–American War (1898), and finally against the United States during the Philippine–American War (1899–1901). He was captured in Palanan, Isabela by American forces on March 23, 1901, which brought an end to his presidency.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar

Marcelo H. del Pilar (born Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitán August 30, 1850 – July 4, 1896), better known by his pen namePlaridel was a Filipino writer, lawyer, journalist, and freemason. Del Pilar, along with José Rizal and Graciano López Jaena, became known as the leaders of the Reform Movement in Spain.

Juan Luna

Juan Luna y Novicio October 24, 1857 – December 7, 1899), better known as Juan Luna was a Filipino painter, sculptor and a political activist of the Philippine Revolutionduring the late 19th century. He became one of the first recognized Philippine artists.

Apolinario Mabini

Apolinario Mabini y Maranan (July 23, 1864 – May 13, 1903) was a Filipinorevolutionary leader, educator, lawyer, and statesman who served first as a legal and constitutional adviser to the Revolutionary Government, and then as the first Prime Minister of the Philippines upon the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. He is regarded as the “utak ng himagsikan” or “brain of the revolution”.

Melchora Aquino

Melchora Aquino de Ramos (6 January 1812 – 2 March 1919) was a Filipina revolutionary who became known as “Tandang Sora” (“Elder Sora”) because of her age during the Philippine Revolution.
She was known as the “Grand Woman of the Revolution” and the “Mother of Balintawak” for her contributions.

General Gregorio del Pilar

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.

Father Jose Burgos  

Three intellectuals who crusaded for
Father Jose Burgos reform. Father Jose Burgos Killed (1837-1872) by garrote in Bagumbayan, Manila on February 17, 1872, for allegedly instigating the Cavite mutiny.

Emilio Jacinto

Brain of the Katipunan. Born in Trozo, Manila, on December 15, 1875. He joined the Katipunan in 1894 and became Bonifacio’s trusted friend and advicer. He wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan, theprimer 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 the Phillipine history.

General Antonio Luna

The greates general of the revolution. Younger brother of juan Luna, the famous painter. Editor o La Independencia, whose first issue came out on September 3, 1898. Born in Binon, Manila, on October 29, 1866. He was one of the propagandists in Spain who were working for piliticalreforms in the Philippines. He contributed articles to La Solidaridad. He assassinated in Cabanatuan City, on June 5, 2899.

Graciano Lopez-Jaena

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

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.

Mariano Ponce

Researcher, historian, bibliographer, propagandist, diplomat, physician, folklorist, and an outstanding reformist. Born in Baliwag, Bulacan, on March 23, 1863. While in Spain, he joined the propaganda movement and became one of the initiators of La Solidaridad, later becoming its managing editor. Died in HongKong on May 23, 1918.

Gregoria de Jesus

One of the brave and patriotic women who played a heroic role in the Philippine revolution. Born in Kalookan City, on May 9, 1875. Wife of Andres Bonifacio and Lakambini of the Katipunan. She actually fought alongside her husband during the revolution, aside from being the custodian of the Katipunan documents. She organized the Katipunan’s Women Chapter. She died on March 15, 1943.

Fernando Ma. Guerrero

Musician, journalist, politician, and lawyer. Considered the greatest lyric poet in Spanish. Born in Ermita, Manila, on May 30, 1873. When the revolution broke out, General Antonio Luna invited him to join the editorial staff of La Independencia, the organ of the revolution. Thus, he fought for the Filipino cause with his pen. Died in Manila June 12, 1929.

Felipe Agoncillo

Outstanding diplomat of the Philippine revolution. Born in Taal, Batangas, on May 26, 1859. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo appointed him as Minister Plenipotentiary to the peace conference in Washington and Paris. Died on September 29, 1941, at the Manila Doctor’s Hospital.

Rafael Palma

Orator, statesman, scholar, educator, and writer. Born in Tondo, Manila, on October 24, 1874. He was involved in the propaganda campaign against the Spaniards. He cofounded with Gen. Antonio Luna the revolutionary newspaper, La Independencia. Later, he also founded El Nuevo Dia, Cebu’s first daily. Died in Manila on May 24, 1939.

Pedro Paterno

Statesman, poet, writer, and peacemaker. Born in Manila on February 27, 1858. He was the negotiator/mediator of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. He helped prepare the Malolos constitution. Died on April 26, 1911.

Leona Florentino

First poetess of the Philippines. Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on April 19, 1849. Her poems were given international recognition at the Exposicion in Madrid in 1887 and in Paris in 1889. Died on October 4, 1884.

Isabelo delos Reyes

Last of the propagandists. Gifted son of Leona Florentino, first poetess of the Philippines. Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on July 7, 1864. He aroused the hostility of the friars and government officials when he openly criticized the evils of the Spanish rule and he advocated reforms. He was the founder of the first Philippine labor union, as well as the first independent Filipino Catholic church. Died on October 9, 1938.

Artemio Ricarte

The unconquerable hero of the revolution. Born in Batac, Ilocos Norte, on October 20, 1866. Known as Viborra, he was a gentle public school teacher who became a dashing revolutionary general. Died in the jungles of Sierra Madre on July 31, 1945.

Jose Palma

Poet and soldier. Born in Tondo, Manila, on June 3, 1876. Younger brother of Dr. Rafael Palma. He was a staff member of La Independencia. He wrote Filipinas, a patriotic poem in Spanish, which became the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem. Died in Manila, on February 12, 1903.

Rajah Lakandola

One of the most illustrious ancient Filipinos. Chief of Tondo, when Legazpi came to Manila in 1571. He became a Christian and took the name of Carlos, after the king of Spain. He made the blood compact with Goiti. He fought alongside the Spaniards against the Chinese pirate, Limahong. Died in 1575.

Rajah Soliman

The last rajah of Manila, noted for his daring and bravery. Nephew of Rajah Lakandola. Of all of the early rulers of Manila, he was feared most by the Spaniards. He was killed on June 3, 1571, in the Battle of Bangkusay.

Leonor Rivera

Cousin and fiancee of Jose Rizal. She was the Maria Clara in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.

Marcela Mariño Agoncillo

Maker of the first Philippine flag. Born in Taal, Batangas, on June 24, 1859. Married to Felipe Agoncillo. She labored to make the Filipino flag in Hong Kong with the help of Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, a niece of Rizal. Died on May 30, 1946 in Taal, Batangas.

Galicano Apacible

One of the founders of La Solidaridad.

Jose Ma. Panganiban

Avenger of Filipino honor. Born in Mambulao, Camarines Norte, on February 1, 1863. A good friend and co-worker of Rizal. He was Bicolandia’s greatest contribution to the historic campaign for reforms, more popularly called the Propaganda Movement. He wrote articles for La Solidaridad, under the pen names Jomapa and J.M.P. Died in Barcelona, Spain, on August 19, 1890.

Diego Silang

He led the revolt of the Ilocanos in opposition to the tribute and abuses of the Spanish officials. Born in Aringay, La Union, on December 16, 1730. The revolt started in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He was killed by Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo who bore grievances against Diego Silang.

Maria Josefa Gabriela Silang

After the death of Diego Silang on May 28, 1763, the fight was carried on by his wife, MARIA JOSEFA GABRIELA SILANG, and his uncle, Nicolas Cariño. She too lost her life for freedom’s sake on September 30, 1763.

Lapu-Lapu

Chief of Mactan who led the first successful Filipino armed resistance against Spanish aggression. He fought and killed Magellan in a battle in Mactan, on April 27, 1521.

Francisco Baltazar

More popularly known as Balagtas, he is considered the prince of Tagalog poets. Born in Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan, on April 2, 1788. He wrote Florante at Laura, a masterpiece of local versification, upholding moral and social values; it served as the basic foundation of the Philippine literature. Died in Orion, Bataan, on February 20, 1862.

Epifanio delos Santos

Lawyer, journalist, historian, philosopher, bibliographer, biographer, painter, poet, musician, literary critic, antique collector, and librarian. Born in Malabon, Rizal, on April 7, 1871. Died on April 28, 1928, in Manila.

Francisco Dagohoy

He led the longest revolt in Bohol against the Spaniards. The immediate cause of the revolt was the refusal of a Jesuit priest to give a Christian burial to Dagohoy’s brother. The Spaniards needed 85 years before they were able to suppress the rebellion. It was only in 1829 that they finally succeeded in bringing to end the revolt started by Dagohoy.

Teresa Magbanua

The first woman in Panay to fight in the Philippine revolution. Known as the Visayan Joan of Arc. Born in Pototan, Iloilo, on November 4, 1871. Died in August 1947.

Trinidad Tecson

Mother of Biak-na-Bato. Born in San Miguel, Bulacan, on November 18, 1848. Even though women-members of the Katipunan were exempted from the pact, she participated in Sanduguan(blood compact). She fought fearlessly in 12 bloody battles of the revolution in Bulacan, including the famous Battle of Biak-na-Bato. Later, she became known as The Mother of the Philippine Red Cross. Died on June 28, 1928.

Agueda Esteban

Katipunan member who later married Artemio Ricarte. She commuted from Cavite to Manila to buy saltpeter, lead, and copper which where used to make ammunitions. She also carried secret messages about the planned offensives against the Spanish posts.

Julian Felipe

Composer of the Philippine National Anthem. Born in Cavite City on January 28, 1861. A dedicated music teacher and composer, he was appointed by Aguinaldo as Director of the National Band of the Philippine Republic. Died in Manila on October 2, 1941.

Marina Dizon

Daughter of a Katipunan leader in Cavite, who was one of the Trece Martirez, executed by the Spanish officials in 1896. Born in Trozo, Manila, on July 18, 1875. She joined the Katipunan in July 1893, one of the first women to have done so. She also kept important documents of the Katipunan. Died on October 25, 1950.

General Francisco Makabulos

Leader of the revolt in Tarlac. Born in La Paz, Tarlac, on September 17, 1871. He was the first patriot in Tarlac, who joined the Katipunan. General Aguinaldo appointed him as one of the brigadier generals of the Central Luzon area. He established the Central Executive Committee, which had a constitution called the Constitution of Makabulos. Died in La Paz, Tarlac, on April 30, 1922.

Made by © Noel Malachico Jr.