Iloilo is a province rich in history. Iloilo is known for its historical landmarks or heritage sites that are even recognized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or NHCP. With all the landmarks and monuments scattered around the province, let us also get to know some Ilonggos who made a mark in our Philippine history.In no particular order, check our list:

1) Juan Araneta
General Juan Anacleto Araneta, also known as Don Juan, was born on July 13, 1852 in Molo, Iloilo but the Aranetas moved and settled permanently at Negros.

Don Juan was one of the leaders of the Negros Revolution, the event that took place on November 5, 1898 known as “Cinco de Noviembre.”

Don Juan married four times and had a total of 25 children. He died on October 3, 1924 at the age of 72. At Bago City, Negros Occidental, you’ll find a life-size monument of Gen. Juan Araneta on horseback and within the foundation lies his remains.

2) Graciano Lopez Jaena
Graciano Lopez Jaena was born on December 18, 1856 in Iloilo. He was a journalist, great revolutionary hero and orator. He is also known as the founder of the fortnightly newspaper, La Solidaridad.

Graciano is noted by Philippine historians as part of the triumvirate of Filipino propagandists alongside with Marcelo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal. He died in poverty on January 20, 1896 of tuberculosis at an unmarked grave in Barcelona.

The Jaro Plaza where you can also find a statue of him was renamed Graciano Lopez Jaena Park in honor of him. Graciano’s birth anniversary is commemorated with a public holiday in the whole Iloilo province.

3) Aniceto Lacson
Aniceto Ledesma Lacson was born on April 17, 1857 in Molo, Iloilo. He was known as a revolutionary general and businessman.

Aniceto Lacson via en.wikipilipinas.org

Aniceto was one of the leaders of the Negros Revolution alongside with Juan Araneta. The Negros Island Spanish Governor surrendered on November 6, 1898 at Bacolod to them. He was also noted as the President of the short-lived The Cantonal Republic of Negros from November 27, 1898 until March 4, 1899.

Aniceto married twice. He died on February 3, 1931 in Talisay, Negros Occidental at the age of 73 leaving behind a large family with a total of 21 children.

4) Martin Delgado
Martin Teofilo Delgado was born on November 11, 1858 at Santa Barbara, Iloilo. He was a soldier, a military leader during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine-American War, a politician as the first civilian governor of Iloilo province, and a revolutionary hero.

Gen. Martin Delgado, seated at the center, as Governor of Iloilo Province when the photo was taken in 1903 via philippineamericanwar.com

Martin became the General-in-Chief of the Liberating Army when Sta. Barbara turned into the center of revolution in Visayas. Gen. Martin spent his last years in a leprosy sanitarium at Culion Island as a superintendent. He died on November 12, 1918 in Culion, Palawan at the age of 60.

During the Philippine Centennial celebrations in 1998, a statue was erected in his honor in the town square of Santa Barbara, Iloilo.

5) Teresa Magbanua
Teresa Ferraris Magbanua was born on October 13, 1868 in Pototan, Iloilo. Dubbed as the “Visayan Joan of Arc”, Nanay Isa was a school teacher and became a military leader. She’s the first woman in Panay to fight in the Philippine Revolution and earned the distinction of being the only woman to lead combat troops in the Visayas against Spanish and American forces.

At the end of World War II, Nanay Isa moved to Mindanao with her sister. She died a widow on August 1947 at the age of 78 at Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur.

6) Adriano Hernandez
Adriano Dayot Hernandez was born on September 8, 1870 in Dingle, Iloilo. He was a Filipino revolutionary and military strategist during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine-American War.

Adriano Hernandez in 1916 via en.wikipedia.org

Adriano was known as the leader of the first armed uprising for independence in Iloilo province called the “Cry of Lincud.” The event happened on October 28, 1898 at Barrio Lincud in Dingle, Iloilo. He died on February 16, 1925 at the age of 54.

The headquarters of the 301st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army in Dingle, Iloilo, the Camp General Adriano Hernandez, was named in his honor.

7) Quintin Salas
Quintin Salas was born October 31, 1870 in Dumangas, Iloilo. He was a revolutionary leader is among the last Visayan revolutionist to surrender to the Americans.

Colonel Quintin Dicen Salas via cpcabrisbane.org

Gen. Quintin led the battles for independence in Dumangas and the towns of Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Pototan and Passi in Iloilo. He died on January 24, 1917.

 

From www.choosephilippines.com – 7 Distinguished Filipino Heroes from Iloilo | Belle Piccio| 26 Jan 2016