Tomás Echenique Mascardo (born Tomás Mascardo y Echenique; October 9, 1871 – July 7, 1932) was a
Filipino
Filipino may refer to:
* Something from or related to the Philippines
** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines.
** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
general during the
Philippine Revolution and
Philippine–American War
The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
. He joined the fight against the
Spaniards
Spaniards, or Spanish people, are a Romance peoples, Romance ethnic group native to Spain. Within Spain, there are a number of National and regional identity in Spain, national and regional ethnic identities that reflect the country's complex Hist ...
at the beginning of the revolution. He later became the governor of
Cavite
Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite ( tl, Lalawigan ng Kabite; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest ...
for one term from 1910–1912.
Biography
Early years
Tomás Mascardo was born in the town of Cavite del Viejo (now
Kawit
Kawit, officially the Municipality of Kawit ( tgl, Bayan ng Kawit), is a first-class municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population ...
) to Valentín Mascardo and Dolores Echenique. The affluent couple, a landowner and a rice dealer, had a total of seven children. Tomás finished his teacher's diploma from Escuela Normal in
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
and became a teacher at the
barrio
''Barrio'' () is a Spanish language, Spanish word that means "Quarter (urban subdivision), quarter" or "neighborhood". In the modern Spanish language, it is generally defined as each area of a city, usually delimited by functional (e.g. residenti ...
school of Halang in
Amadeo, Cavite
Amadeo, officially the Municipality of Amadeo ( tgl, Bayan ng Amadeo), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 41,901 people.
Etymology
The town got its name afte ...
.
["Tomas Mascardo (1871–1932)"]
Webcitation. Retrieved on 2013-10-21.
Philippine revolution
Mascardo was part of the revolution against the Spaniards from the beginning. He became the chief of the revolutionary intelligence service in Manila, succeeding Miguel Liedo who was earlier captured and executed by the Spaniards. He was ordered by General
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy (: March 22, 1869February 6, 1964) was a Filipino revolutionary, statesman, and military leader who is the youngest president of the Philippines (1899–1901) and is recognized as the first president of the Philippine ...
to attack a Spanish stronghold in
Tanauan,
Batangas
Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and La ...
, which the general later expressed his awe at Mascardo's courage. In time, he was promoted to
brigadier general
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
. Mascardo, together with his commander, General
Edilberto Evangelista
Edilberto Evangelista (February 24, 1862 – February 17, 1897) was a Filipino civil engineer and a revolutionary.
Early life and career
He was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on February 24, 1862. Evangelista finished his Bachelor of Arts at the Col ...
, fought at the
Battle of Zapote Bridge
The Battle of Zapote River ( fil, Labanan sa Ilog ng Zapote, es, Batalla de Rio de Zapote), also known as the Battle of Zapote Bridge, was fought on the 13 June 1899 between 1,200 Americans and between 4,000~5,000 Filipinos.U.S. War Dept (1900), ...
on February 17, 1897, where Spanish forces able to kill Evangelista and wound Mascardo.
[
]
Philippine–American War
During the Philippine–American War
The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
, Mascardo was assigned as commanding general of the revolutionary forces in the provinces of Pampanga
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...
, Bataan
Bataan (), officially the Province of Bataan ( fil, Lalawigan ng Bataan ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga while Mariveles is the largest town in the province. Occupying the entir ...
, and Zambales
Zambales, officially the Province of Zambales ( fil, Lalawigan ng Zambales; ilo, Probinsia ti Zambales; Pangasinan: ''Luyag/Probinsia na Zambales''; xsb, Probinsya nin Zambales), is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon re ...
with barracks based in Bagac, Bataan. During the Battle of Calumpit
The Battle of Calumpit (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Labanan sa Quingua''), alternately known as the Battles of Bagbag and Pampanga Rivers, was fought from April 25–27, 1899, in Calumpit, Bulacan, during the Philippine–American War. Taking ...
Luna ordered General Tomás Mascardo to send troops from Guagua to strengthen the former's defenses. However, Mascardo ignored orders by Luna insisting that he was going to Arayat to undertake an "inspection of troops". Another version of Mascardo's reasoning emerged and it was probably that which reached Luna. Luna, infuriated by Mascardo's actions, had decided to detain him. Following Aguinaldo's capture by the Americans
Americans are the Citizenship of the United States, citizens and United States nationality law, nationals of the United States, United States of America.; ; Although direct citizens and nationals make up the majority of Americans, many Multi ...
, Mascardo ordered his subordinate, then-Major Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina, (; 19 August 1878 – 1 August 1944), also known by his initials MLQ, was a Filipino lawyer, statesman, soldier and politician who served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 until his dea ...
, to surrender so he could verify the president's capture and if so, consult him for final orders. Quezon was able to meet Aguinaldo in the Malacañang Palace
Malacañang Palace ( fil, Palasyo ng Malakanyang, ; es, Palacio de Malacañán), officially known as Malacañan Palace, is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the Philippines. It is located in the Manila distric ...
(where the latter was detained) and relayed Mascardo's message. Aguinaldo then instructed Quezon to inform Mascardo that the decision to surrender was up to the general himself. Mascardo surrendered on May 15, 1901, calculating that his deficiency in weaponry would mean sure defeat from the well-armed Americans.[
]
Political career and death
Mascardo returned to Cavite following his release by the Americans. He was later influenced to enter politics, and won the race for Governor of Cavite, a post he held from 1910–1912. After serving one term, he retired to live a private life. On July 7, 1932, he died from a heart disease.[
]
Personal life
Tomás Mascardo was married to Carmen Topacio of Imus
Imus, officially the City of Imus ( fil, Lungsod ng Imus), is a 3rd class Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and ''de jure'' Capital city, capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Cavite, Philippines ...
, Cavite
Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite ( tl, Lalawigan ng Kabite; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest ...
. The couple had eight children – Modesto, Dominador (who became a general), Petra, Pura, Jaime, Tomás, Salvador (a former collector of customs at the Manila International Airport), and Emiliano.[
]
In popular culture
* Portrayed by Allan Paule
Allan Paule De Guzman (born January 1, 1970 in Cebu City), better known as Allan Paule, is a Filipino actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and television series. He also unsuccessfully ran for councilor of Muntinlupa from the 1st district ...
in the film, '' El Presidente'' (2012).
* Portrayed by Lorenz Martinez in the film, ''Heneral Luna
''Heneral Luna'' () is a 2015 Filipino historical biopic film depicting General Antonio Luna's leadership of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine–American War. Directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Product ...
'' (2015).
References
*Quirino, Carlos. Who's who in Philippine History. Manila: Tahanan Books, 1995.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mascardo, Tomas
1871 births
1932 deaths
Filipino generals
People from Kawit, Cavite
Tagalog people
People of the Philippine–American War
People of the Spanish–American War
People of the Philippine Revolution
Filipino rebels
Governors of Cavite
Members of the Malolos Congress
Governors of Pampanga