Gregorio del pilar biography summary page

But a chivalric American officer, by way of redeeming his countrymen's vandalism, gave the late hero an honorable burial and called him "An Officer and a Gentleman" in an inscription on his tombstone. General Info. Basic Information you need to know about Bulacan. Gregorio was also known as Goyo and he joined the insurgency when war broke out between the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish rule under Andres Bonifacio.

Gregorio del pilar biography summary page: One of the most romantic figures

He enrolled at the Ateneo de Manila and lived with his uncle, Deodato Arellano. At the age of 20 years, he graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in where he received his Bachelors degree but the Revolution broke out thus he stopped studying. He and other young Bulakenos presented themselves for military service. For his daring attacks in various encounters, he was steadily promoted in the military.

Aguinaldo took notice of the young man. Gregorio was one of the signers of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato and he later joined Aguinaldo in exile in Hongkong. He became Aguinaldo's protege and confidential man. By November, Tarlac had fallen to the Americans and Aguinaldo was moving northward towards Bayambang. From Bayambang, the fleeing government led an expedition to Santa Barbara.

Del Pilar, at the time, had 2, troops: 1, in the del Pilar Brigade, in the Joven column, in the Kawit Battalion, in the Corps of Lancers, and two vanguard companies. During this time he carried a briefcase containing a girl's letter and a lock of hair, from one of his loves in Bulacan. Del Pilar ordered three lines of trenches be dug up on the pass and had the "pick of all the men that can be spared" on orders from Aguinaldo.

Although they had difficulty in attacking the Filipino position, they saw an opening with the aid of a Tingguian Igorot named Januario Galut. Del Pilar was killed in the skirmish from a shot in the neck, killing him instantly. Of the 60 defenders, only eight remained. After the battle, del Pilar's belongings were taken by the Americans as war trophies, including a handkerchief embroidered with the name Dolores, a locket with a picture of a girl, and his diary.

His last entry was: [ 14 ]. I realize what a terrible task has been given me. And yet I felt that this is the most glorious moment of my life. What I do is done for my beloved country. No sacrifice can be too great. Reports of del Pilar's death varied. McCutcheon and Little both reported how del Pilar was the last to fall; how he continually urged his men during the battle to fight on, appealing to their sense of love for their native land; how he refused to turn away on his white horse until all the men had retreated; and his death when a sharpshooter got the better of him.

The Manila Freedom wrote this of del Pilar: [ 5 ]. Gregorio del Pilar, surrounded by the dead and the wounded falling by his side, fought a valiant defense, inspiring his troops by his example and, though gravely wounded, had stood atop the trench to animate then when a bullet pierced his heart and he fell among his comrades. When the American troops advanced they found the body of the general on the same spot where he had fallen and the expression on his face was of a command or a supreme desire abruptly interrupted.

One of his hands, pressed to his heart, from which blood flowed, clutched a silk handkerchief embroidered with the name of his sweetheart. Filipino accounts of del Pilar's death corroborate each other and are less glamorous. I told him what I had seen. The general quickened his pace on learning that the Americans could be seen from a certain high point.

Gregorio del pilar biography summary page: Born November 14, in

We arrived at the upper trenches. Then we went to the hilltop where I was and the moment we got there we heard renewed firing and saw our soldiers giving battle. Our soldiers, pointing with their hands, warned del Pilar that the enemy was almost on top of us, but we could see nothing save an irregular movement in the cogongrass. So the general ordered a halt to the firing.

And erect on the hilltop he tried to see and distinguish the enemy. While he was doing this he was hit by a bullet. The general covered his face with both hands, falling backward and dying instantly. He wore a new khaki uniform with his campaign insignia, his silver spurs, his polished shoulder straps, his silk handkerchiefs, his rings on his fingers.

Always handsome and elegant! Lieutenant Telesforo Carrasco also recounted: [ 5 ]. At that moment I was handing him a carbine and warning him that the Americans were directing their fire at him and that he should crouch down because his life was in danger and at that moment he was hit by a bullet in the neck that caused instant death. Del Pilar's body lay unburied for days, exposed to the elements.

While retracing the trail, an American officer, Lieutenant Dennis P. Quinlan, gave the body a traditional US military burial.

Gregorio del pilar biography summary page: On November 14, , Gregorio

Indel Pilar's body was exhumed and was identified by dental records. Del Pilar was known for his various relationships during the war. However, Aguinaldo's order of a hasty retreat in early November caused the wedding to be postponed, and ultimately, to be canceled altogether. There is good reason to believe in the authenticity of McCutcheon's account.

For one, McCutcheon knew del Pilar previously, having interviewed him multiple times throughout the war. He also released more articles that consistently named Dolores, where she could be mentioned. Had he been mistaken, he would have corrected himself in a later article, but the reports did not change. Del Pilar: Idol of the Revolutionincludes statements from Tirad Pass survivors that he was able to interview before they passed on.

Additionally, Captain Isidro Wenceslao mentioned that Dolores was in del Pilar's thoughts during his last meeting with Aguinaldo. Aside from being two of the only survivors from the Tirad Pass, both men were particularly close to del Pilar.

Gregorio del pilar biography summary page: Gregorio Hilario del Pilar

The children of both families were neighbors and childhood friends. Meanwhile, Isidro Wenceslao was part of the famed "Seven Musketeers of Pitpitan", a group of young men led by del Pilar that initially joined Maestrong Sebio's forces at Kakarong de Sili. If anyone had been privy to the thoughts and feelings of del Pilar, especially in matters so important to him as love, it would be these men.

Del Pilar was born in Bulacan, Bulacan, on November 14, He went to Manila to pursue his studies. His uncles Deodato Arellano and Marcelo H. Del Pilar thought him lessons of patriotism and courage.