Pío Valenzuela y Alejandrino (July 11, 1869 – April 6, 1956) was a
Filipino physician
A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the Medical education, study, Med ...
and revolutionary leader. At the age of 22, he joined the society of
Katipunan
The Katipunan (), officially known as the (; ) and abbreviated as the KKK, was a revolutionary organization founded in 1892 by a group of Filipino nationalists Deodato Arellano, Andrés Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, José Dizon, an ...
, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from
Spanish colonial rule and started the
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...
. Together with
Andrés Bonifacio
Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (, ; November 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino people, Filipino revolutionary leader. He is often called "The Father of the Philippines, Philippine Philippine Revolution, Revolution", and considered a nationa ...
and
Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto y Dizon (; December 15, 1875 – April 16, 1899) was a Filipinos, 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 office ...
, they formed the secret chamber of the society called ''Camara Reina or Kamara Negra''. He took charge of the publication of ''
Ang Kalayaan'', Katipunan's first and only official publication.
He was the one who tried to convince the exiled
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
to join the revolutionary movement.
When the Katipunan was discovered, he fled to Balintawak (now part of
Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read and pronounced in Filipino language, Filipino as Kyusi), is the richest and List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 c ...
) on August 20, 1896, but he later availed of an amnesty that the Spanish colonial government offered, and he surrendered on September 1, 1896. He was deported to
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
where he was tried and imprisoned in
Madrid
Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...
. He was later transferred to
Málaga
Málaga (; ) is a Municipalities in Spain, municipality of Spain, capital of the Province of Málaga, in the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia. With a population of 591,637 in 2024, it is the second-most populo ...
, and then to a Spanish outpost in
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
. He was incarcerated for about two years.
He returned to the Philippines in April 1899 and resumed his medical practice.
He was immediately arrested by the Americans in fear of inciting insurrection. While still in prison, Valenzuela was elected the municipal president in his hometown Polo which forced the Americans to release him. From 1919 to 1925, he served as the governor of the province of
Bulacan
Bulacan, officially the Province of Bulacan (; ; ; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Regions of the Philippines, region. Its capital is the city of Malolos. Bulacan was established on ...
.
Early years

Pío Valenzuela was born in
Polo
Polo is a stick and ball game that is played on horseback as a traditional field sport. It is one of the world's oldest known team sports, having been adopted in the Western world from the game of Chovgan (), which originated in ancient ...
,
Bulacan
Bulacan, officially the Province of Bulacan (; ; ; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Regions of the Philippines, region. Its capital is the city of Malolos. Bulacan was established on ...
(present-day city of Valenzuela,
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila ( ), commonly shortened to Metro Manila and formally the National Capital Region (NCR; ), is the capital region and largest List of metropolitan areas in the Philippines, metropolitan area of the Philippines. Located ...
), to Francisco Valenzuela and Lorenza Alejandrino, who both came from wealthy families. Pío was the third eldest sibling of the Valenzuela family: Agustina (born in 1861), Severo (born in 1865) and Tomás (born in 1871). His father came from a prominent family of
gobernadorcillo
The (, literally "little governor") was a municipal judge or governor in the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Philippines during the History of the Philippines (1565–1898), Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined ...
s of Polo.
After he was tutored at home, he was brought to
Manila
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
to study at
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran (), also referred to by its acronym CSJL, is a private Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution owned and run by the friars of the Order of Preachers in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. I ...
. In 1888, he enrolled at the
University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas (UST; ), officially the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines or colloquially as ''Ustê'' (), is a Private university, private Catholic school, Catholic researc ...
and finished his ''Licenciado en Medicina'' in 1895. He practiced his profession in Manila and Bulacan.
In July 1892, when he was a medical student and the Katipunan was barely a week old, he joined this secret organization. He became a close friend of its founder,
Andrés Bonifacio
Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (, ; November 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino people, Filipino revolutionary leader. He is often called "The Father of the Philippines, Philippine Philippine Revolution, Revolution", and considered a nationa ...
, and was godfather to the first child of Bonifacio and
Gregoria de Jesús
Gregoria de Jesús y Álvarez (May 9, 1875 – March 15, 1943), also known by her nickname Oriang, acted as secretary of the women's section and also the custodian of the documents and seal of the Katipunan. She married Andrés Bonifacio, ...
. After their house burned down, Bonifacio and his family lived with Valenzuela.
The revolutionary life
Valenzuela was elected fiscal of the secret society in December 1895. He was inducted together with the other elected officials at Bonifacio's home on New Year's Day in 1896. He used the ''nom de guerre'' ''"Dimas Ayaran"'' (untouchable) in the movement.
Shortly after his induction, Valenzuela moved to
San Nicolas district in
Manila
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
so he could supervise the publication of the secret society's official organ, where he also wrote articles using the ''nom de plume'' "Madlang-Away" (bellicose). Valenzuela claimed in his memoirs that he was supposed to be the editor of the publication but
Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto y Dizon (; December 15, 1875 – April 16, 1899) was a Filipinos, 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 office ...
would eventually be the one to supervise its printing.

Valenzuela said he was the one who suggested the name ''Kalayaan'' (Freedom) for the publication. To mislead the Spanish authorities, he also suggested that they place the name of
Marcelo H. del Pilar
Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitán (; ; August 30, 1850July 4, 1896), commonly known as Marcelo H. del Pilar and also known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' Pláridel,.''Filipinos in History: Volume II'', National Historical Commission o ...
as editor and
Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan as the place of publication.
Kalayaan's first number, dated January 18, 1896, came out in March 1896 and consisted of a thousand copies, which were distributed to Katipunan members all over the country. However, the publication only came out with one more issue because the Katipunan had already been uncovered by the Spanish authorities. He considered the publication of Kalayaan as the most important accomplishment of the ''secret chamber'' of the Katipunan, which he claimed consisted of himself, Bonifacio and Jacinto, and he leaves.
In a meeting of the secret chamber in July 1896, they decided to assassinate the Spanish
Augustinian friar who uncovered the Katipunan to the authorities, but they failed to accomplish the mission. Valenzuela also claimed that after the discovery of the Katipunan, he and Bonifacio distributed letters implicating wealthy Filipinos, who refused to extend financial assistance to the Katipunan.
He was a member of the committee that was tasked to smuggle arms for the Katipunan from Japan. He was also with Bonifacio, Jacinto and
Procopio Bonifacio when they organized the Katipunan council in Cavite.
At the secret general meeting called by Bonifacio on the night of May 1, 1896, at Barrio Ugong in
Pasig
Pasig, officially the City of Pasig (), is a highly-urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 803,159 people.
It is located along the eastern border of Metro Mani ...
,
Manila province, Valenzuela presented to the body a proposal to solicit contributions to buy arms and munitions from Japan. The proposal was approved on condition that it first be approved by
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
, who was in exile in
Dapitan
Dapitan, officially the City of Dapitan (; Subanon: ''Gembagel G'benwa Dapitan/Bagbenwa Dapitan''; ), is a component city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,202 people. ...
in
Mindanao
Mindanao ( ) is the List of islands of the Philippines, second-largest island in the Philippines, after Luzon, and List of islands by population, seventh-most populous island in the world. Located in the southern region of the archipelago, the ...
.
200px, Pio Valenzuela's visit to
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
in
Dapitan
Dapitan, officially the City of Dapitan (; Subanon: ''Gembagel G'benwa Dapitan/Bagbenwa Dapitan''; ), is a component city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,202 people. ...
on June 15, 1896
Valenzuela was tasked to discuss the matter with Rizal, and he left for Dapitan on June 15, 1896. However, Rizal told him that the revolution should not be started until sufficient arms had been secured and the support of the wealthy Filipinos had been won over.
When the Katipunan was discovered, he fled to Balintawak on August 20, 1896, but he later availed of an amnesty that the Spanish colonial government offered, and he surrendered on September 1, 1896.
He was deported to Spain where he was tried and imprisoned in
Madrid
Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...
. He was later transferred to
Málaga
Málaga (; ) is a Municipalities in Spain, municipality of Spain, capital of the Province of Málaga, in the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia. With a population of 591,637 in 2024, it is the second-most populo ...
,
Barcelona
Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
and then to a Spanish outpost in Africa. He was incarcerated for about two years.
Under the Americans
He returned to the Philippines in April 1899. In Manila, he was denounced to the American Military authorities as a radical propagandist and once more imprisoned up to September of the same year.
To suppress aggressive leadership upon his release, he was made municipal president of Polo. From 1902 to 1919, he served as president of the military division of his district. In 1917, he became a District Health Officer. From 1919 to 1925, he served the people of Bulacan for two terms as provincial executive. As governor, he was uncompromising against graft and corruption in the government.
After he retired from politics, he wrote his memoirs on the revolutionary days. He also practiced his medical profession, but only for philanthropic purposes. He was married to Marciana Castro by whom he had seven children. Early in the morning of April 6, 1956, he died in his hometown, and was buried at the local cemetery.
In popular culture
Valenzuela was portrayed in various films which featured or centered on the Revolution. He was portrayed by the following actors in these films:
* 1997 –
Nonie Buencamino
Anthony Buencamino, known professionally as Nonie Buencamino, is a Filipino character actor known for his television and theater work. He is strongly associated with Philippine New Wave Cinema, playing roles such as Mayor Bartolome in Jun La ...
in ''
Rizal sa Dapitan
''Rizal sa Dapitan'' () is a 1997 Philippine biographical film directed by Tikoy Aguiluz about the four-year exile of Filipino propagandist and patriot José Rizal in Dapitan, starring Albert Martinez as Rizal and Amanda Page as Josephine Bra ...
''.
* 1998 –
Marco Sison
Raul Marco Sison (; born July10, 1957) is a Filipino singer, actor, and politician.
Singing career
Sison started his singing career after his triumph on a singing contest on GMA Network's noontime variety show ''Student Canteen'' in the late 197 ...
in the
biopic
A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or group of people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudrama films and histo ...
''
Jose Rizal
Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph.
Given name Mishnaic and Talmudic periods
* Jose ben Abin
* Jose ben Akabya
*Jose the Galilean
* Jose ben Halaft ...
.''
* 2012 – Sonny Alcantara in ''
El Presidente''.
* 2013 – Yuwin Cruz in the TV series, ''
Katipunan
The Katipunan (), officially known as the (; ) and abbreviated as the KKK, was a revolutionary organization founded in 1892 by a group of Filipino nationalists Deodato Arellano, Andrés Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, José Dizon, an ...
''.
* 2013 – Zieg Tercias in the Musical 1863
He was also portrayed by the following actors in the theater production
Nom de Plume: Madlang Away' of the Valenzuela City Center for the Performing Arts:
* 2006 �
Arnold Reyesn
Joel Molina held at the
Valenzuela City Convention Center
* 2013 – Marxs Escondo and Dariel Bagual, held at the
Valenzuela City Convention Center.
* 2015 �
Joel Molinand Dariel Bagual, held at the
Valenzuela People's Park.
Directed by Andre Tiangco, Music by Arnel de Pano and Jose Jeffrey Camañag, wit
Roeder Camañagas the Artistic Director.
Legacy
Valenzuela's old hometown of Polo was renamed to
Valenzuela
Valenzuela may refer to:
Places
* Valenzuela, Paraguay
* Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines
* Valenzuela, Spain
* Valenzuela de Calatrava, Spain
* Valenzuela, Louisiana
Other uses
* Valenzuela (surname), including a list of people with the ...
in 1960. Other places named after Pío Valenzuela, aside from places named after the city ''Valenzuela'' are:
* Pio Valenzuela Elementary School (Polo, Valenzuela)
* Pio Valenzuela Street (in
University of the Philippines Diliman
The University of the Philippines Diliman (also called UPD; ), also referred to as UP Diliman, is a State university and college (Philippines), public, coeducational, Research university, research university located in Diliman, Quezon City, Ph ...
,
Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read and pronounced in Filipino language, Filipino as Kyusi), is the richest and List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 c ...
)
* Pio Valenzuela Street and Pio Valenzuela Street Extension (Marulas, Valenzuela)
* Dr. Pio Valenzuela Street (Pariancillo Villa, Valenzuela)
* Valenzuela Street (Santa Mesa, Manila).
The Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholarship Program was enacted by the municipal government of Valenzuela in 1995 to grant educational assistance its deserving citizens.
Images
File:MuseoValenzuelajf 4336 05.JPG, Bust in the Museo
File:MuseoValenzuelajf 4336 01.JPG, Legacy in Museo Valenzuela
File:MuseoValenzuelajf4368 11.JPG, Another bust of Pío Valenzuela
Philippine_One_Hundred_Thousand_Peso_Bills_07.jpg, Jonathan Manalo - Interior of Museo ni Dr. Pio Valenzuela
File:09849jfMuseo_ng_Katipunan_Pinaglabanan_Shrine_San_Juan_City_Hallfvf_06.jpg, Bust at Museo ng Katipunan
References
External links
Heroes day Museo Valenzuela
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valenzuela, Pio
Valenzuela, Pio
Valenzuela, Pio
Governors of Bulacan
Valenzuela, Pio
Valenzuela, Pio
People of the Philippine Revolution
Katipunan members
People from Valenzuela, Metro Manila
Mayors of Valenzuela, Metro Manila
People from San Nicolas, Manila
Filipino Methodists
Filipino nationalists
20th-century Filipino medical doctors
19th-century Filipino medical doctors
Filipino Protestants
People from the Spanish East Indies