Emilio Jacinto

Emilio Jacinto y Dizon (; December 15, 1875 – April 16, 1899) was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution. He was one of the highest-ranking officers in the Philippine Revolution and was one of the highest-ranking officers of the revolutionary society ''Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan'', or simply and more popularly called ''Katipunan'', being a member of its Supreme Council. He was elected Secretary of State for the Haring Bayang Katagalugan, a revolutionary government established during the outbreak of hostilities. He is popularly known in Philippine history textbooks as the ''Brains of the Katipunan'' while some contend he should be rightfully recognized as the "Brains of the Revolution" (Filipino: ''Utak ng Himagsikan,'' a title that is usually given to Apolinario Mabini). Jacinto was present in the so-called Cry of Pugad Lawin (or Cry of Balintawak) with Andrés Bonifacio, the ''Supremo'' (Supreme President) of the Katipunan, and others of its members which signaled the start of the Revolution against the Spanish colonial government in the islands.

Biography

Born in Tondo, Manila, Emilio Jacinto was proficient both in Spanish and Tagalog. He attended San Juan de Letran College, and later transferred to the University of Santo Tomas to study law. Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmeña and Juan Sumulong were his classmates. He did not finish college and, at the age of 19, joined the secret society called Katipunan. He became the advisor on fiscal matters and secretary to Andrés Bonifacio. He was later known as ''Utak ng Katipunan'' (). He and Bonifacio also befriended Apolinario Mabini when they attempted to continue José Rizal's ''La Liga Filipina''.

Jacinto also wrote for the Katipunan newspaper called ''Kalayaan''. He wrote in the newspaper under the pen name "Dimasilaw", and used the alias "Pingkian" in the Katipunan. Jacinto was the author of the ''Kartilya ng Katipunan'' as well.

After Bonifacio's execution, Jacinto pressed on with the Katipunan's struggle. Like general Mariano Álvarez, he refused to join the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Katipunan's Magdalo faction. Jacinto lived in Laguna and also joined the militia fighting the Spaniards. Jacinto contracted malaria and died on April 16, 1899, in Brgy. Alipit, Santa Cruz, Laguna. His remains were initially buried in Brgy. San Juan, Santa Cruz, Laguna, and were transferred to the Manila North Cemetery a few years later and then transferred his remains at Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park in Quezon City.

He was married to Catalina de Jesús, who was pregnant at the time of his death.

Works

*'' Katipunan nang Manga A. N. B.'' (also known as the "Kartilya", c. 1895), a guidebook of the Katipunan
*"¡¡Gising Na Mga Tagalog!!" (1895), an unpublished essay
*''Liwanag at Dilim'' (1896), an essay collection
*"A la patria" (1897), a poem
*"Sa Bayang Tinubuan" (n.d.), an unpublished poem

Tributes

In the 1970s, Jacinto's remains were transferred and enshrined at Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park in Quezon City. At the shrine is a life-size bronze sculpture of a defiant Jacinto riding a horse during his days as a revolutionary. Another statue of Jacinto is located in Mehan Garden. Another monument of Jacinto was unveiled in the town plaza of Magdalena, Laguna on April 17, 2017.

Jacinto's likeness used to be featured on the old 20 peso bill that was circulated from 1949 to 1969, and also on the old 20 centavo coin.

In popular culture

*Portrayed by Smokey Manaloto in 1995 TV series ''Bayani'', in episode "Andres Bonifacio: KKK".
*Portrayed by Cris Villanueva in 1996 TV series ''Bayani'', in 2 episodes.
*Portrayed by Alvin Aragon in official Music Video GMA Lupang Hinirang in 2010
*Portrayed by RJ Agustin in the 2013 TV series ''Katipunan''.
*Portrayed by Joem Bascon in the 2014 film '' Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo''.

References

http://himlayangpilipino.com.ph/?landmark=emilio-jacinto-memorial-shrine

External links

National Heroes: Emilio Jacinto
Accessed 1 September 2006.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacinto, Emilio
1875 births
1899 deaths
Burials at the Manila North Cemetery
Colegio de San Juan de Letran alumni
Deaths from malaria
Filipino nationalists
Infectious disease deaths in the Philippines
Paramilitary Filipinos
People from Tondo, Manila
People of the Philippine–American War
People of the Philippine Revolution
Philippine Army generals
University of Santo Tomas alumni
Tagalog people
Filipino revolutionaries