Marcelo H. del Pilar

Leaders of the reform movement in Spain: Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce.

Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitan (August 30, 1850 – July 4, 1896), was a leading propagandist of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

Marcelo H. del Pilar was born in Cupang (now Barangay San Nicolas), Bulacan, on August 30, 1850, to parents Julián del Pilar and Blasa Gatmaytan. He studied at the Colegio de San José and later at the University of Santo Tomas, where he finished his law course in 1880. In 1882, del Pilar founded the nationalist newspaper Diariong Tagalog (Tagalog Newspaper). He organized various anti-friar demonstrations while in the Philippines. He also wrote anti-friar pamphlets like the Dasalan at Tocsohan, Caiigat Cayo, etc. Del Pilar went to Spain in 1888 to escape persecution by the Spanish authorities. He became the second editor of La Solidaridad (Solidarity) in Madrid.

Publication of the La Solidaridad stopped in 1895 due to lack of money. Del Pilar decided to return to the Philippines to lead a revolution against Spain. However, he cancelled his trip due to his illness. Del Pilar died of tuberculosis in Barcelona on July 4, 1896, a pauper, away from his wife and 2 children.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar Media

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  Marcelo H. del Pilar's baptismal register (Book No. 15, Folio 355)

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  A replica of Marcelo H. del Pilar's ancestral house and birthplace in Bulacán, Bulacan.

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  "Ang Pag-aaklas sa Kabite ng 1872" historical marker for the Cavite Mutiny at Fort San Felipe in Cavite City, 1872.

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  The pre-1863 lithograph photo of Malolos Cathedral before the earthquake that tore down its clock tower in 1863. This was one of the sites of del Pilar's anti-friar activities.

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  Benigno Quiroga, the Director General of Civil Administration in Manila. Photographed in 1894.

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  Pedro Payo y Piñeiro, O.P. (1814–1889) was the 24th Archbishop of Manila who took charge in 1876 until his death in 1889.

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  Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau, the 92nd Governor-General of the Philippines, c. 1890

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  Facsimile of the letter written by Rizal while in London, dated February 22, 1889, and addressed to del Pilar.

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  A fortnightly and a bi-weekly newspaper, La Solidaridad serves as the principal organ of the Reform Movement.

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  Illustration of Miguel Morayta y Sagrario in El País. Issue of March 25, 1903.

References

• Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.
• Villarroel, Fidel, (1997). Marcelo H. del Pilar, his religious conversions. Manila : University of Santo Tomas Pub. House.