Philippine Fathers

About Philippine Fathers

2011-09-14T00:02:00.000+08:00

Philippine Fathers
A Directory of Founders and Originators of Philippine Institutions

The title "Father" symbolically describes a person as a founder of an institution or an author of a body of knowledge. Any filipino pioneer or respectable foreign trailblazer in the Philippines can be named "ama" (father) by their followers.

Philippine Fathers blog lists the names of men who are recognized by Filipinos worldwide as founders and creators of Philippine Institutions.

Eddie Hontiveros

2008-12-20T00:03:00.000+08:00

"Father of Filipino Liturgical Music"
"Father of Philippine Jesuit Music"

Eddie Hontiveros
AKA Eduardo Pardo Hontiveros

ALIAS
"Fr. Honti"

DATE OF BIRTH
December 20, 1923

BIRTHPLACE
Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

FATHER: Jose Hontiveros
MOTHER: Vicenta Pardo

YEAR OF DEATH
January 15, 2008

USEFUL LINKS

Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros (20 Dec 1923 – 15 Jan 2008)
President Arroyo pays tribute to Fr. Hontiveros
Wikipedia Article on Eduardo Hontiveros

Gen. Artemio Ricarte

2008-10-20T00:30:00.002+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Army"

Gen. Artemio Ricarte

1st Filipino Captain General of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, the Katipunan
1st Filipino commanding general of the Philippine Army (1897)

QUOTE
"I cannot take refuge in Japan at this critical moment when my people are in direct distress. I will stay in my motherland to the last."

ALIAS
"Vibora" (Viper)

DATE OF BIRTH
October 20, 1866

BIRTHPLACE
Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

FATHER: Faustino Ricarte
MOTHER: Bonifacia Garcia

YEAR OF DEATH
July 31, 1945

USEFUL LINKS

Lineage of the Philippine Army Commanding Generals
About the Army: The Battle of Mactan
Philippine Army 109th Anniversary
General Ricarte Park

Aurelio Tolentino

2008-10-13T00:00:00.001+08:00

"Father of the Tagalog Drama"

Aurelio Tolentino

Founder of El Parnaso Filipino, a school promoting Tagalog literature
Founder of the Katimawan cooperative

DATE OF BIRTH
October 13, 1867

BIRTHPLACE
Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines

FATHER: Leonardo Tolentino
MOTHER: Patrona Valenzuela

WIFE: Natividad Hilario
CHILDREN: Cesar, Corazon, Rafael and Leonor

YEAR OF DEATH
July 5, 1915

USEFUL LINKS

Aurelio Tolentino, A Katipunero
Wikipilipinas Article on Aurelio Tolentino
Aurelio Tolentino (1865 - 1915)
Dakilang Asal by Aurelio Tolentino
CCP Little Theater (Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino)
NCCA - Seditious and Subversive: Theater of War

Lope K. Santos

2008-09-25T00:22:00.004+08:00

"Father of Pilipino Grammar"

Lope K. Santos

1st Filipino editor of Muling Pagsilang, the Tagalog version of the nationalistic newspaper El Renacimiento (1903)
Founder and publisher of the first Filipino national weekly, Sampagita
1st Filipino Worshipful Master of Magat Lodge No. 68 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Director of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa
Author of the law creating Bonifacio Day
Governor of Rizal (1910-1913)
Governor of Nueva Ecija (1918-1920)
Senator of the Philippines (1921 -1922)

QUOTE
"My last hours on earth have come, but I regret that I will breathe my last without knowing what will happen to the Tagalog language…Whether indeed it will become the national language."

ALIAS
"Pillar of Philippine Literature"
"Mang Openg"

DATE OF BIRTH
September 25, 1879

BIRTHPLACE
Pasig, Rizal, Philippines

FATHER: Ladislao Santos
MOTHER: Victoria Canseco

WIFE: Simeona Salazar (Mona)
Lope and Simeona have five children.

YEAR OF DEATH
May 1, 1963

USEFUL LINKS

Lope K. Santos - Father of the Filipino Grammar: Fighting for National
Identity
126th Birth Anniversary of Lope K. Santos: Father of our national language
List of Previous Senators - Senate of the Philippines
Famous Filipino Masons - Lope K. Santos

Jose V. de Los Santos, Sr.

2008-08-07T00:52:00.005+08:00

"Father of Philippine Orthopedics"

Dr. Jose V. de Los Santos, Sr.

1st Filipino President of the Philippine Orthopaedic Association, Inc. (POA, 1949)
Founder of the De Los Santos Medical Center (1949)

WIFE: Pacita Villanueva
CHILDREN: Jose Jr. and Efren

USEFUL LINKS

Official Website of De Los Santos Medical Center
History of the Philippine Orthopaedic Association, Inc.

Alejandro Roces

2008-07-13T01:09:00.002+08:00

"Father of the Maria Clara Awards"

Alejandro R. Roces
AKA Alejandro Reyes Roces

1st Filipino to lead the campaign to change the Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 (1960s)
Best Filipino Author of Comic Short Stories
Philippine National Artist in Literature (2003)

QUOTE
"You cannot be a great writer; first, you have to be a good person"

ALIAS
"Anding"

DATE OF BIRTH
July 13, 1924

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Rafael Roces
MOTHER: Inocencia Reyes

WIFE: Irene Yorston Viola
DAUGHTER: Elizabeth

USEFUL LINKS

The National Artist for Literature: Alejandro R. Roces
Culture Profile: Alejandro R. Roces
National Artist: Alejandro R. Roces
Contemporary Roces Progenies| Alejandro R. Roces
The Maria Clara Awards

Maximo Kalaw

2008-05-06T01:38:00.002+08:00

"Father of Political Science in the Philippines"

Maximo M. Kalaw
AKA Maximo Maguiat Kalaw

1st Filipino Chief of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Philippines (1920-34)
1st Filipino to teach in an American university (University of Michigan)

DATE OF BIRTH
May 6, 1891

BIRTHPLACE
Lipa, Batangas, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
March 23, 1955

USEFUL LINKS

Author Maximo M. Kalaw
UP Political Science Department - History
Author Maximo M. Kalaw
On Maximo M. Kalaw Case For Filipinos

Vicente Sotto

2008-04-18T00:42:00.002+08:00

"Father of Cebuano Language and Letters"
"Father of Modern Cebuano Literature"
"Father of Cebuano Letters"

Vicente Sotto
AKA Vicente Yap Sotto

Author of the 1st ever published Cebuano short story Maming
Writer, director, and producer of the 1st Cebuano play Elena

ALIAS
"Great Dissenter"
"Nyor Inting"

DATE OF BIRTH
April 18, 1877

BIRTHPLACE
Cebu, Philippines

FATHER: Marcelino Sotto
MOTHER: Pascuala Yap

YEAR OF DEATH
1950

USEFUL LINKS

Senator Profile - Vicente Y. Sotto
Wikipilipinas Article on Vicente Sotto
Vicente Yap Sotto - Author of the The "Sotto Law" (RA 53)
Wikipedia Article on Vicente Sotto

Alejandro G. Abadilla

2008-03-10T01:41:00.001+08:00

"Father of Modern Tagalog Poetry"
"Father of Modern Tagalog Prose"

Alejandro G. Abadilla

ALIAS
"AGA"

DATE OF BIRTH
March 10, 1906

BIRTHPLACE
Rosario, Cavite, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
August 26, 1969

USEFUL LINKS

Philippine Literature during the American Period
Author Alejandro G. Abadilla
NCCA - Textanaga: The Dawning of the Age of Literary Technology
The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature

Pedro Bukaneg

2008-03-05T00:48:00.002+08:00

"Father of Ilokano Poetry and Literature"
"Father of Iloko Literature"
"Father of Ilocano Poetry"

Pedro Bukaneg

ALIAS
"Apostle of the Ilokanos"

DATE OF BIRTH
March 1592

FATHER: Unknown
MOTHER: Unknown

YEAR OF DEATH
1630

USEFUL LINKS

Pedro Bukaneg: Father of the Iloko Literature
Wikipedia Article on Pedro Bucaneg

Cecilio F. Lopez

2008-02-01T07:32:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Linguistics"

Dr. Cecilio F. Lopez

1st Filipino Scientific Linguist
1st Filipino Academician in the field of Linguistics at the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST, 1978)
Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and Oriental Studies at the University of the Philippines (UP, 1963)
Outstanding Alumnus of the University of the Philippines (1970)
Fellow of John Simon Guggenheim in Linguistics at Yale University in Michigan (1946)

DATE OF BIRTH
February 1, 1898

BIRTHPLACE
Marikina, Rizal, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
September 5, 1979

USEFUL LINKS

DOST-NAST: Lopez, Cecilio F.
Cecilio Lopez - Famous Filipino
Public Anthropology Cecilio Lopez (1898-1979)
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation 1946 Fellows Page
Linguist Network

Juan Crisostomo Soto

2008-01-27T01:01:00.001+08:00

"Father of Pampango Literature"

Juan Crisostomo Soto
AKA Juan Crisot

ALIAS
"Crissot"

DATE OF BIRTH
January 27, 1867

BIRTHPLACE
Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines

FATHER: Santiago Soto
MOTHER: Marciana Caballa

YEAR OF DEATH
July 12, 1918

USEFUL LINKS

Wikipilipinas Article on Juan Crisostomo Soto
Birth of Juan Crisostomo Soto
Hero: Juan Crisostomo Soto
Crissot

Roilo Golez

2008-01-09T01:41:00.002+08:00

"Father of Parañaque Cityhood"

Roilo Golez

1st Filipino and 1st athlete to become a Brigade Boxing Champion for four straight years at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis

QUOTE
"What we need now is to again dream bigger dreams and conquer our own doubts and skepticism."

ALIAS
"Landslide King of Paranaque"

DATE OF BIRTH
January 9, 1947

BIRTHPLACE
Looc, Romblon, Philippines

WIFE: Natalia "Natty" Toledo
CHILDREN: Rico and Guada

USEFUL LINKS

Resume of Roilo Golez
House of Representatives - House Member Roilo Golez
Speech: Return to Optimism: Proud to be Pinoy
Wikipedia Article on Roilo Golez
Rep. Golez partners with Mayor Bernabe’s ‘Team Parañaque’
Golez, Roilo | Personal Information
Paranaque City Website: City Government

Henry Sy Sr.

2007-12-25T17:42:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Retailing"

Henry Sy, Sr.

1st Chinese-Filipino recipient of the PCE Big Brother of Filipino Entrepreneurs award (2006)
1st Chinese-Filipino recipient of the PRA President's Award (2005)
Founder of SM Department Store (Shoe Mart, 1958)
Owner of SM Investments Corp.

QUOTE
"I think the Philippines could be good for 40 malls."

ALIAS
"Retail King"

DATE OF BIRTH
December 25, 1924

BIRTHPLACE
Xiamen, China

WIFE: Felicidad
Henry and Felicidad have 6 children.

USEFUL LINKS

SM Prime Holdings.com
SM Shoemart.com
SM Department Store.com
Henry Sy & family, The World's Richest People - Forbes.com
Wikipedia Article on Henry Sy
Mr. Henry Sy, Sr.: Recipient of "The Big Brother of Filipino Entrepreneurs Award"
Henry Sy's Climb Up To His Personal Mt. Everest
Henry Sy, Sr. named "Father of Philippine Retailing" in 2005 OFR Awards
SM Mall of Asia opens
Will World's Largest Mall Be Built In Philippines?

Francisco M. Fronda

2007-12-23T10:57:00.001+08:00

"Father of Poultry Science in the Philippines"

Dr. Francisco M. Fronda

National Scientist (1983)

DATE OF BIRTH
December 22, 1894

YEAR OF DEATH
February 17, 1986

USEFUL LINKS

DOST - National Academy of Science and Technology Profile

Remy Presas

2007-12-20T11:13:00.000+08:00

"Father of Modern Arnis"

Remy Presas
AKA Remy Amador Presas

Founder of International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF)

QUOTE
"Arnis makes many martial artists discover new things about their own style. They recognize the beauty of arnis because it blends naturally the best movements from many arts. Most of my students continue to study their own styles - they just use arnis to supplement their understanding."

ALIAS
"Grandmaster Presas"

DATE OF BIRTH
December 19, 1936

BIRTHPLACE
Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines

FATHER: Jose Presas
MOTHER: Lucia Amador

2nd WIFE: Yvette
Remy and Yvette had two children.

1st WIFE: Rosemary Pascual
Remy and Rosemary had three children.

YEAR OF DEATH
August 28, 2001

USEFUL LINKS

International Modern Arnis Federation
IMAF Tribute to Professor Remy Amador Presas
Wikipedia Article on Remy Presas
Who is Remy Presas?

Vinson B. Pineda

2007-12-14T02:57:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Dermatology"

Dr. Vinson B. Pineda

President and Founder of Philippine Academy of Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology (PACCD, 2004)

QUOTE
"dermatologists are the most qualified to diagnose and treat diseases of the skin, hair, and nail"

USEFUL LINKS

About VBP
Celebrating 36 years of skin care excellence
Cosmetic Dermatology Goes Global

Manuel Rodriguez, Sr.

2007-12-12T18:34:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Graphic Arts"
"Father of Philippine Printmaking"

Manuel Rodriguez, Sr.

Founder of the Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP, 1968)

USEFUL LINKS

Arts and Culture: Manuel Rodriguez, Sr.
The American and Contemporary Traditions in Philippine Visual Arts
Stories about Philippine Art: The Fine Art of Printmaking
The Filipino Americans: Yesterday and Today
Me and my sensei

Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.

2007-12-11T01:17:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Local Autonomy"
"Father of the Local Government Code and the Cooperative Code"

Aquilino Pimentel
AKA Aquilino Quilinging Pimentel, Jr.

Founder and President of the PDP-Laban party

QUOTE
"If the leaders are clean, pressure is exerted on their followers by their example to be clean in their dealings also.
If the followers see that their leaders are corrupt, they are encouraged to follow the bad example of the lives of the latter."

ALIAS
"Nene"

DATE OF BIRTH
December 11, 1933

BIRTHPLACE
Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

FATHER: Aquilino E. Pimentel
MOTHER: Petra Quilinging

WIFE: Lourdes de la Llana
CHILDREN: Gwendolyn Petrecia, Ma. Petrina, Aquilino Martin, Aquilino Justinian, Teresa Lourdes, and Lorraine Marie

USEFUL LINKS

Official Website of Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr.
Biography of Senate President Pimentel
Political Will Needed To Combat Corruption
Pimentel, Aquilino | Personal Information

Ramon K. Ilusorio

2007-12-10T01:19:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Money Market"

Ramon K. Ilusorio

1st Filipino to reach the North Pole on board the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker Yamal (1996)
1st Filipino, 1st man ever to make the Arctic Ocean crossing via the North Pole and the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility from Europe to North America (1996)

QUOTE
"When an enterprise is clean (no conflict of interests), and corruption free, it should produce more business because clients would have more assurance that their own officers are also clean. Corruption is often a two way street."

USEFUL LINKS

Curriculum Vitae: Ramon K. Ilusorio
Speech: The Isolation of Personal Risks
TOYM List of Awardees 1959-2002

Guillermo Tolentino

2007-12-09T16:18:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Arts"

Guillermo E. Tolentino
AKA Guillermo Estrella Tolentino

Philippine National Artist in Sculpture (1973)
Sculptor of the University of the Philippines Oblation and the National Heroes Monument (Bonifacio Monument)
School Director of the UP College of Fine Arts (1952)

DATE OF BIRTH
1890

YEAR OF DEATH
1976

USEFUL LINKS

NCCA Culture Profile: Guillermo Estrella Tolentino
Cultural Heritage: National Artist Guillermo Estrella Tolentino
"Tolentino, Guillermo - Encyclopedia Entry"
Guillermo E. Tolentino Bio
The UP College of Fine Arts through the Years
Filipino Heroes & Artists
Philippines Arts and Culture - Sculpture

Florentino Timbreza

2007-12-06T19:50:00.000+08:00

"Father of Filipino Philosophy"

Dr. Florentino T. Timbreza

1st Filipino to author the 1st book on Filipino Philosophy (Pilosopiyang Filipino)
Co-author of the 1st and only Encyclopedia of Philosophy in the Philippines (Ensayklopidiya ng Pilosopiya)
1st Filipino to present and defend a dissertation paper in Filipino for a doctorate degree in Philosophy
1st Filipino author to translate the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu in Filipino language (Ang Tao Te Ching ni Lao Tzu sa Filipino)

QUOTE
"I look forward to the day when Filipino Philosophy shall be taught in many classrooms all over the country."

USEFUL LINKS

DLSU-Manila: Faculty Information of Timbreza, Florentino T.
The Many Faces of the Teacher (Profile of Honorees)
DLSU-M Fellow receives Gawad Guro 2002
Timbreza releases Filipino Philosophy book
Bringing to fore the passions in teaching

Damian Domingo

2007-12-04T15:39:00.000+08:00

"Father of Filipino Painting"

Damian Domingo
AKA Damian Gabor Domingo

1st Filipino to paint his face, the first self-portrait in the Philippines
Founder of the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura, the first school of drawing in the Philippines (1821)

ALIAS
"The First Great Filipino Painter"

DATE OF BIRTH
1796

BIRTHPLACE
Tondo, Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Domingo Macario?
MOTHER: Erminigildia Gabriela?

WIFE: Lucia Casas
CHILDREN: Celedonia, Severo, Anastacio, Feliciana, Agapita, Mariano, Jose, and Nicolasa

YEAR OF DEATH
1834

USEFUL LINKS

The Spanish Colonial Tradition in Philippine Visual Arts
Damian Domingo (1796-1834)
Ayala Museum Exhibition - Damian Domingo: The First Great Filipino Painter
Painting

Dionisio Calvo

2007-11-20T00:21:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Basketball"

Dionisio Calvo

1st Filipino enshrined as a contributor in the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Hall of Fame (FIBA, 2007)
1st Filipino Secretary-General of the Asian Basketball Confederation (1963-67)
Founder of the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA, 1938)
Co-Founder of the Asian Basketball Confederation (1960)

ALIAS
"Chito"

DATE OF BIRTH
November 20, 1903

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
December 9, 1977

USEFUL LINKS

FIBA Hall of Fame Inductee: Dionisio Calvo
Fiba enshrines Calvo into Hall of Fame
Wikipedia Article on Dionisio Calvo
NCAA diamond jubilee on Oct. 27

Pepe Smith

2007-11-19T12:45:00.000+08:00

"Father of Pinoy Rock"

Pepe Smith
AKA Joey "Pepe" Smith

QUOTE
"I am meat. Without the S. I am Pepe Meat..."

ALIAS
"Pepe"
"Hepe"
"Clifton Stans"

DATE OF BIRTH
1946

USEFUL LINKS

Pepe Smith: National artist?
Titik Pilipino: Joey Pepe Smith Album Idiosyncrasies
Pepe Smith releases new album
Pinoy rock pioneers reunited!

Elpidio Quirino

2007-11-16T16:37:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Industry"

Pres. Elpidio Quirino

1st Filipino to appear on Philippine television
6th President of the Philippines

QUOTE
"Every epoch has its own heroes and every hero has his own epoch."

ALIAS
"EQ"

DATE OF BIRTH
November 16, 1890

BIRTHPLACE
Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

FATHER: Mariano Quirino
MOTHER: Gregoria Rivera

WIFE: Alicia Syquia
CHILDREN: Tomas, Armando, Norma, Victoria, and Fe Angela

YEAR OF DEATH
February 29, 1956

USEFUL LINKS

The Philippine Presidency Project: Elpidio Quirino
Cultural Heritage: Elpidio Quirino

Carlos P. Garcia

2007-11-05T14:00:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Filipino First Policy"

Pres. Carlos P. Garcia
AKA Carlos Polistico Garcia

8th President of the Philippines (1957-1961)
5th Vice President of the Philippines (1953-1957)

QUOTE
"most fundament, essential and indispensable function of government in democracy is the holding of pure, free, clean, peaceful and honest elections"

ALIAS
"Prince of Visayan Poets"
"Bard from Bohol"

DATE OF BIRTH
November 4, 1896

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Policronio Garcia
MOTHER: Ambrosia Polistico

WIFE: Leonila Dimataga
DAUGHTER: Linda

YEAR OF DEATH
June 14, 1971

USEFUL LINKS

The Philippine Presidency Project: Carlos P. Garcia
Cultural Heritage - Philippine President
Wikipedia Article on Carlos P. Garcia
And now, some words from Carlos P. Garcia
Senator Profile of Carlos P. Garcia
Local Government Unit: Municipality Of Pres. Carlo P. Garcia

Carlos Bulosan

2007-11-02T15:38:00.000+08:00

"Father of Filipino American Literature"

Carlos Bulosan
AKA Carlos Sampayan Bulosan

1st Filipino-American writer and literary voice of Filipino immigrants in the United States (1930s)

QUOTE
"The time had come, I felt, for me to utilize my experiences in written form. I had something to live for now, and to fight the world with; and I was no longer afraid of the past."

DATE OF BIRTH
November 2, 1911

BIRTHPLACE
Pangasinan, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
September 11, 1956

USEFUL LINKS

Late Pangasinense writer remembered
Hounded to Death: the FBI File of Filipino Author Carlos Bulosan
Carlos Bulosan: How relevant today?

Gregorio T. Singian

2007-10-30T10:32:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Surgery"

Dr. Gregorio T. Singian

Founder and 1st Filipino President of the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS)

USEFUL LINKS

History and Milestones of Philippine College of Surgeons
100 Years of Surgery, PGH-Style
The Town of Santo Tomas, Pampanga

Raul Roco

2007-10-26T00:01:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Bangko Sentral (Central Bank)"

Raul Roco
AKA Raul Sagarbarria Roco

1st Filipino senator to have a .com web site: www.raulroco.com (1998)
Founder of Aksyon Demokratiko (1997)

QUOTE
"People are our wealth. They are more important than institutions."

ALIAS
"Outstanding Senator"
"Honorary Woman" (out of thanks to his services for women)

DATE OF BIRTH
October 26, 1941

BIRTHPLACE
Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines

FATHER: Sulpicio Azuela Roco
MOTHER: Rosario Orlanda Sagarbarria

WIFE: Sonia Cubillo Malasarte
CHILDREN: Robbie Pierre, Raul Jr., Sophia, Sareena, Rex and Synar

YEAR OF DEATH
August 5, 2005

USEFUL LINKS

www.raulroco.com
The Honorable Raul S. Roco
Personal Information: Roco, Raul Sagarbarria
Raul Roco's Website
Raul Roco: The Candidate as Mr. Clean
Raul Roco on wikipedia.org

Geminiano T. de Ocampo

2007-10-11T02:05:00.000+08:00

"Father of Modern Philippine Ophthalmology"

Dr. Geminiano T. de Ocampo

1st Filipino to establish the 1st eye hospital in the Philippines, De Ocampo Eye Hospital (1952)
1st Filipino President of the Philippine Opthalmological Society (1958)
1st Filipino to design a corneal dissector (manufactured in the US)
1st Filipino recipient of the Jose Rizal Medal in Ophthalmology from the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
National Scientist (1982)

USEFUL LINKS

DOST-NAST De Ocampo, Geminiano T.
Geminiano T. De Ocampo on Wikipedia
The Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Awards

Roberto Verzola

2007-10-04T10:37:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Email"

Roberto Verzola

1st Filipino to set up the first email service for NGOs in the Philippines (1992)

QUOTE
"In a free society, keeping secrets (i.e. information) is an act of freedom, and sharing it with others is another act of freedom - as long as neither is done under compulsion."

USEFUL LINKS

Center for Science, Technology & Society -STS Conference Speakers
Verzola, Roberto Article on Internet Cafes
Software and seeds: lessons in community sharing – Roberto Verzola
Globalization: The Third Wave by Roberto Verzola
Information Monopolies and the WTO

Diosdado Macapagal

2007-09-29T13:18:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Career Foreign Service Corps"

Pres. Diosdado Macapagal
AKA Diosdado Pangan Macapagal

Founder and 1st Filipino President of the Philippine Lawyers Association (1946)
9th President of the Philippines (1961-1965)

QUOTE
“I preferred education to riches because it is not enough to want to help the poor, but it is essential to know how to help them. It is, therefore, essential to have the education and learning to know what to do in order to really save the poor from poverty and misery.”

ALIAS
"The Incorruptible"
"DM"

DATE OF BIRTH
September 28, 1910

BIRTHPLACE
Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines

FATHER: Urbano Macapagal
MOTHER: Romana Pangan

WIFE: Evangelina Macaraeg
CHILDREN: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Diosdado, Jr.

1st WIFE: Purita dela Rosa
CHILDREN: Cielo and Arturo

YEAR OF DEATH
April 21, 1997

USEFUL LINKS

Diosdado P. Macapagal.com
Malacañang Museum: Diosdado Macapagal
The Philippine Presidency Project
Wikipedia Article on Diosdado Macapagal
Cultural Heritage
Pres. Diosdado Macapagal – In Retrospect

Arturo Tolentino

2007-09-19T15:30:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Archipelagic Doctrine"

Arturo M. Tolentino
AKA Arturo Modesto Tolentino

ALIAS
"Ka Turing"

DATE OF BIRTH
September 19, 1910

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Salvador Tolentino
MOTHER:

WIFE: Constancia Conde
Arturo and Constancia had seven children.

YEAR OF DEATH
August 2, 2004

USEFUL LINKS

Arturo Tolentino.com
Biography of Senate President Tolentino
Wikipedia Article on Arturo Tolentino
Arturo Tolentino Dies at 94; GMA, Former Colleagues Pay Tribute
Farewell to a great statesman: Former Senate President Arturo M. Tolentino
Eulogy of the Secretary Albert for Ka Turing

Gerardo de Leon

2007-09-13T10:21:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Cinema"

Gerardo de Leon
AKA Gerardo de Leon Ilagan

1st Filipino National Artist for Cinema (1982)

ALIAS
"Manong Gerry"

DATE OF BIRTH
September 12, 1913

BIRTHPLACE
Bulacan, Philippines

WIFE: Felly Vallejo

YEAR OF DEATH
July 25, 1981

USEFUL LINKS

NCCA Culture Profile: Gerardo "Gerry" de Leon
Senses of Cinema: Gerardo de Leon
General Info: National Artist Gerardo de Leon
Wikipedia Article on Gerardo de Leon
Tribute to best-ever Filipino film directors
Filipino Film Festival at UCLA a Big Success

Marcelo H. del Pilar

2007-08-30T16:34:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Journalism"
"Father of Philippine Masonry"

Marcelo H. del Pilar

Founder of the newspaper Diariong Tagalog (1882)

ALIAS
"Plaridel"

DATE OF BIRTH
August 30, 1850

BIRTHPLACE
Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan, Philippines

FATHER: Julian del Pilar
MOTHER: Blasa Gatmaytan

WIFE: Marciana
Marcelo and Marciana had seven children.

YEAR OF DEATH
July 4, 1896

USEFUL LINKS

Hero of the Philippine Revolution: Marcelo H. del Pilar
Wikipedia Article on Marcelo H. del Pilar
Marcelo H. Del Pilar ('Plaridel', Hero Of RP Journalism) Honored
Cultural Heritage: Marcelo H. del Pilar
General Info: Marcelo H. del Pilar
Pluma at dila

Augusto D. Litonjua

2007-08-26T11:51:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Endocrinology"

Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua

Founder and 1st Filipino president of Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO, 1994)

QUOTE
"When you're diagnosed with diabetes, it doesn't mean that you're condemned to be blind or amputated. You can fight that."

DATE OF BIRTH
August 1930

USEFUL LINKS

Asian Hospital and Medical Center – Doctor Profile
UPCM Special Recognition
Medical Observer, In Focus
Myths on Weight Loss

Manuel L. Quezon

2007-08-19T15:04:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Republic"
"Father of Philippine Independence"
"Father of the Philippine National Language"

Pres. Manuel L. Quezon
AKA Manuel Luis Molina Quezon

1st Filipino President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-44)
1st Filipino to win the first National Presidential Election (1935)
1st Filipino resident of the Malacañan Palace
1st Filipino President of the National Olympic Committee in Philippines (1935)
1st Filipino Chairman of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (1913)
2nd President of the Philippines

QUOTE
"I prefer a country run like hell by Filipinos to a country run like heaven by Americans. Because, however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it."

ALIAS
"MLQ"

DATE OF BIRTH
August 19, 1878 (official; actually born August 19, 1877)

BIRTHPLACE
Baler, Tayabas (now Aurora), Philippines

FATHER: Lucio Quezon
MOTHER: Maria Dolores Molina

WIFE: Aurora Antonia Aragon
CHILDREN: María Aurora (Baby), María Zeneida (Nini), Luisa Corazón Paz (Nenita), and Manuel Jr. (Nonong)

YEAR OF DEATH
August 1, 1944

USEFUL LINKS

Manuel L. Quezon
The Philippine Presidency Project: Manuel L. Quezon
POC Presidents
Wikipedia Article on Manuel L. Quezon

Jose D. Avelino

2007-08-06T11:58:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Workmen's Compensation Law"

Jose Avelino
AKA Jose Dera Avelino

QUOTE
"Graft and corruption are inherent in human nature."

ALIAS
"Peping"

DATE OF BIRTH
August 5, 1890

BIRTHPLACE
Calbayog, Samar, Philippines

FATHER: Alfonsa Dera
MOTHER: Baltazar Avelino

WIFE: Enriqueta Casal

YEAR OF DEATH
July 21, 1986

USEFUL LINKS

Biography of Senate President Avelino
Senator Profile of Jose Avelino
Remembering Jose Avelino: A Heartbeat Away From The Presidency
Wikipedia Article on Jose Avelino
An Interpretation of the Philippine Election of 1953

Manuel Rojas

2007-08-05T23:46:00.000+08:00

"Father of Cavite City"

Manuel S. Rojas

ALIAS
"Aling"

DATE OF BIRTH
August 5, 1908

BIRTHPLACE
Cavite City, Philippines

FATHER: Honorio Rojas
MOTHER: Maria Sipriaso

WIFE: Placida Villanueva
CHILDREN: Ma.Theresa, Honorio and Manuelita

YEAR OF DEATH
February 25, 1972

USEFUL LINKS

Manuel Rojas - Gentleman from Cavite

Pedro B. Escuro

2007-08-02T15:08:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Rice Breeding Program"

Dr. Pedro B. Escuro

Philippine National Scientist (1994)

DATE OF BIRTH
August 2, 1923

USEFUL LINKS

DOST - National Academy of Science and Technology Profile
Short profiles of Filipino inventors
Filipino Scientist Pedro Escuro
Quo Vadis, Philippines Science And Technology Journalism?

William Torres

2007-07-22T16:36:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Internet"

Dr. William T. Torres

1st Filipino to obtain a Ph.D. in computer science (1971)

QUOTE
"The Internet will be the main information and communication system for the world and for our country."

ALIAS
"Bill"

USEFUL LINKS

Mozcom Corporate Profile
DOST - National Academy of Science and Technology Profile
TechnoNegosyo 2006: The 'world-wide' revolutionaries
RP ISPs face uphill fight for survival
The Internet's 10 Most Influential Filipinos -- William Torres
Edsa 20/20 — William Torres

Anacleto del Rosario

2007-07-14T05:34:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Science and Laboratory"

Anacleto del Rosario
AKA Anacleto Sales del Rosario

1st Filipino Chemist

DATE OF BIRTH
July 13, 1860

BIRTHPLACE
Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Eugenio del Rosario
MOTHER: Casimira Sales

YEAR OF DEATH
May 2, 1895

USEFUL LINKS

Philippines Unsung Heroes
First in the Philippines
Retrato Photo Archive of the Filipinas Heritage Library
Saleses in the Philippines

Isabelo de los Reyes

2007-07-08T11:19:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Labor Union Movement"
"Father of Philippine Trade Unionism"
"Father of the Philippine Socialism"
"Father of Ilocano Journalism"

Isabelo de los Reyes

1st Filipino labor union leader (1902)
Founder and President of the 1st Philippine labor union, Union Obrera Democratica Filipina (Philippine Democratic labor Union, 1902)
Founder of the 1st Filipino independent Catholic Church (Philippine Independent Church, 1902)
Founder and 1st Filipino Editor of the 1st vernacular newspaper in the Philippines, El llocano (1889)
Founder and 1st Filipino Editor of the 1st labor newspaper in the Philippines, La Redencion del Obrero (The Redemption of the laborer)

QUOTE
“Lack of social justice causes social unrest.”

ALIAS
"Don Belong"

DATE OF BIRTH
July 7, 1864

BIRTHPLACE
Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

FATHER: Elias de los Reyes
MOTHER: Leona Florentino

3rd WIFE: Maria Um

2nd WIFE: Maria Angeles Lopez Montero

1st WIFE: Josefa Sevilla
Isabelo de los Reyes had 27 children by his three marriages.

YEAR OF DEATH
October 10, 1938

USEFUL LINKS

Isabelo De Los Reyes
Isabelo De Los Reyes: Father of the Philippine Socialism
Vigan folk honor father of unionism
Will There Be Martial Law?

Jovito Salonga

2007-06-22T17:05:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Liberalism"

Jovito R. Salonga

QUOTE
"I believe our greater responsibility, in a crucial time like this, is to seek and know the truth, for ourselves as well as for others, because in the language of the Gospel, only the truth will set us free. The good thing about truth is that no superpower here on earth can bomb the truth or shoot it down."

ALIAS
"Jovy"

DATE OF BIRTH
June 22, 1920

BIRTHPLACE
Pasig City, Philippines

WIFE: Lydia Busuego

USEFUL LINKS

Senator Profile of Jovito Salonga
Wikipedia Article on Jovito Salonga
Jovito Salonga speaks
Salonga launches newspaper
Salonga-Ople Letter Exchanges

Jose Y. Campos

2007-06-17T12:20:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry"

Jose Y. Campos

USEFUL LINKS

Unilab founder honored "Father of Philippine pharmaceutical industry"
Unilab founder photo

Philip Vera Cruz

2007-06-11T09:28:00.000+08:00

"Father of Filipino America"

Philip Vera Cruz

Co-founder of the United Farm Workers

QUOTE
“I think that whatever nationality you are, you should be treated equally, otherwise you don't have equality.”

DATE OF BIRTH
1904

YEAR OF DEATH
June 10, 1994

USEFUL LINKS

AAMovement.net - Philip Vera Cruz
Homage to Philip Vera Cruz: Revolutionary Worker and Filipino Labor Organizer
turoturo.com Profiles - Philip Vera Cruz

Vicente Rama

2007-06-06T04:15:00.000+08:00

"Father of Cebu City Charter"

Vicente Rama

DATE OF BIRTH
June 6, 1889

BIRTHPLACE
Cebu City, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
December 24, 1956

USEFUL LINKS

Don Vicente Rama: Father of Cebu City
Senator Profile of Vicente Rama
Vicente Rama: The Father of Cebu City

Ildefonso Santos

2007-06-04T10:50:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Landscape"
"Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture"

Ildefonso Santos
AKA Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr.

Philippine National Artist in Architecture (2006)

USEFUL LINKS

Proclamation No. 1068: Declaring Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. As National Artist For 2006
FPJ leads 6 new national artists
No withdrawal of National Artist names, Cecile says
Art Sentral Manila: New National Artists proclaimed

Victor A. Reyes

2007-05-22T14:20:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Neurosurgery"

Dr. Victor A. Reyes

1st Filipino Surgeon to perform the 1st transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumor in the Philippines (1971)
1st Filipino and 1st Asian to be certified by the American Board of Neurosurgeons (1951)
1st Filipino to become a formally trained neurosurgeon of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH)

ALIAS
"Neurosurgeon Emeritus"
"Vic"

YEAR OF DEATH
2006

USEFUL LINKS

Victor A. Reyes, M.D.
Final Tribute to a 'Neurosurgeon Emeritus'
Neurosurgery at the Philippine General Hospital Through Decades of Change

Samie Lim

2007-05-19T11:06:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Franchising"

Samson "Samie" Lim

Founding president and chairman of Philippine Franchise Association (PFA)

QUOTE
“My philosophy in life is – I want to do the greatest number of good for the greatest number of people. I had wanted to become a priest when I was young, but I have maintained my love for God and my commitment to be of service to others.”

DATE OF BIRTH
1949

FATHER: Benito Lim

USEFUL LINKS

Philippine Franchise Association
The Franchising guru: Samie Lim
Franchise King Samie Lim On Truths & Tips On Franchising
Philippine brands set foot on foreign shores
Franchising stirs rise of SMEs through brands, opportunities
Learning from three success stories

Lito Molina

2007-05-04T15:44:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Jazz"

Lito Molina
AKA Ezequiel Molina

Founder of the Jazz Friends

QUOTE
"A crusade for sane music in this country is often a labor of love."

DATE OF BIRTH
1930

FATHER: Antonio Molina

WIFE: Josefina Tuazon

YEAR OF DEATH
1998

USEFUL LINKS

Lito Molina recalls good old days of jazz
Press Reaction to Pinoy Jazz Traditions
"I am sax starved" Lito Molina - Jazz Band Leader

Joseph Estrada

2007-04-19T16:33:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Masses"

Pres. Joseph Estrada
AKA Jose Marcelo Ejercito

1st Filipino Best Actor inducted in the Filipino Academy for Movie Art and Science Hall of Fame (FAMAS, 1981)
13th President of the Philippines (1998-2001)

QUOTE
"My belief is that as long as there are permanent foreign bases in a country, there is no real independent nation."

ALIAS
"Erap"

DATE OF BIRTH
April 19, 1937

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Emilio Ejercito, Sr.
MOTHER: Maria Marcelo

WIFE: Luisa "Loi" Pimentel
CHILDREN: Jinggoy, Jackie, and Julie

USEFUL LINKS

Official Website of Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Profile: Joseph Estrada
Asian Affairs Interview with Joseph Estrada
Wikipedia Article on Joseph Estrada

Rodolfo Biazon

2007-04-15T14:50:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Housing"

Rodolfo Biazon
AKA Rodolfo Gaspar Biazon

QUOTE
"Opportunities are to be created."

ALIAS
"Pong"

DATE OF BIRTH
April 14, 1935

BIRTHPLACE
Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

FATHER: Rufino Biazon
MOTHER: Juliana Gaspar

WIFE: Monserrat Narag Bunoan
CHILDREN: Rita Rosanna, Rino Rudiyardo and Rozzano Rufino

USEFUL LINKS

Biography of Senator Biazon
Biazon, Rodolfo | Personal Information
Sen. Biazon's Profile Page
Wikipedia Article on Rodolfo Biazon
JPE, Flavier, Biazon most diligent in committee work
Speech of Senator Rodolfo Biazon PIDS-BAR Forum on Agri-biotechnology

Quintin Gomez

2007-04-13T13:54:00.000+08:00

"Father of Anesthesia in the Philippines"

Quintin Gomez
AKA Quintin Juan Gomez

1st Filipino to hold a high office in the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA, 1968)
1st Filipino Anesthesiologist (1949)

ALIAS
"QJG"

DATE OF BIRTH
April 12, 1919

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
2003

USEFUL LINKS

A Hundred Years of the Philippine General Hospital
PGH Firsts and Other Achievements
World Anesthesia news
Overview of Anesthesiology - Mary Johnston Hospital
History of Pain Society of the Philippines
The 2003 PSA Annual Convention

Francisco Balagtas

2007-04-02T17:42:00.001+08:00

"Father of the Tagalog Poem"
"Father of Tagalog Dialect"

Francisco Balagtas
AKA Francisco Baltazar

1st Filipino Poet

ALIAS
"Prince of Tagalog Poets"
"Baltazar"
"Kikong Balagtas"

DATE OF BIRTH
April 2, 1788

BIRTHPLACE
Bulacan, Philippines

FATHER: Juan Balagtas and
MOTHER: Juana Cruz

WIFE: Juana Tiambeng
Francisco and Juana had seven children.

YEAR OF DEATH
February 20, 1862

USEFUL LINKS

General Info: Francisco "Baltazar" Balagtas
Cultural Heritage: Francisco Balagtas
Florante by Francisco Balagtas
Philippine 'Balagtasan' (Verbal Joust)

Chavit Singson

2007-04-02T12:52:00.000+08:00

"Father of Edsa Dos"
"Father of R.A. 7171" (Tobacco Excise Tax Law)

Chavit Singson
AKA Luis Chavit C. Singson

QUOTE
"I value true friendship."

ALIAS
"Chavit"
"Hero of EDSA II"

DATE OF BIRTH
1942

USEFUL LINKS

Profile of Luis Chavit C. Singson
The Governor Magazine (Online Edition)
Heritage City of Vigan - Gov. Chavit Singson's Baluarte
Statement of Governor Luis Singson
BBC News: A tale of betrayal and revenge
Luis Singson: Ilocos Sur governor
Name A Business, He's Into It
Singson directly links Estrada to illegal gambling
Democracy Philippines-style

Arturo P. Alcaraz

2007-03-21T23:23:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Geothermal Development"

Arturo Alcaraz
AKA Arturo Pineda Alcaraz

QUOTE
"I have been cited for a role in the development of geothermal energy in the Philippines and in guiding national awareness to the use of one of the most valuable natural resources of the country. I feel deeply humbled for this signal honor accorded me, especially since it was more of a national effort rather than an individual one that brought the Philippines to its present position as one of the leading countries of the world in the use of geothermal energy."

DATE OF BIRTH
March 21, 1916

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Conrado Alcaraz
MOTHER: Paz Pineda

WIFE: Lilia Salas
CHILDREN: Marilyn, Cynthia, and Lillian

YEAR OF DEATH
2001

USEFUL LINKS

1982 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service - Arturo Pineda Alcaraz
Response Of Arturo Pineda Alcaraz
Arturo Alcaraz - Filipino Scientist
Scientific Career System

Fidel V. Ramos

2007-03-19T13:55:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Democracy"
"Father of the Philippine Army Special Forces"

Pres. Fidel V. Ramos
AKA Fidel Valdez Ramos

1st Filipino Protestant President (1992-98)
1st Filipino Christian Democrat to become President (1992-98)
1st Filipino President to visit Australia (1995)
12th President of the Philippines

QUOTE
"...the Philippines claims credit for the first peaceful non-violent people power revolution that toppled a dictatorship in our part of the world. This act of the sovereign people, supported by a democratically-oriented military, showed the peace-loving character of Filipinos to the world in February 1986."

ALIAS
"FVR"
"Eddie" (Steady Eddie)

DATE OF BIRTH
March 18, 1928

BIRTHPLACE
Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines

FATHER: Narciso Ramos
MOTHER: Angela Valdez

WIFE: Amelita "Ming" Martinez
CHILDREN: Angelina Jones, Josephine Samartino, Carolina Sembrano, Cristina Jalasco and Gloria Ramos

USEFUL LINKS

Fidel V. Ramos
1997 - Address by Mr. Fidel V. Ramos
Cultural Heritage – Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos
Wikipedia Article on Fidel V. Ramos

Gabriel A. Bernardo

2007-03-14T21:49:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Librarianship"

Gabriel A. Bernardo

"Dean of Filipino Librarians"
"Doyen of Filipino Librarians"

DATE OF BIRTH
March 14, 1891

YEAR OF DEATH
December 5, 1962

USEFUL LINKS

Filipino Librarian: Who is Gabriel A. Bernardo?
Philippine Bibliographies
Preserving Gabriel Bernardo's Memory: The Doyen of Philippine Librarianship
Trends in Philippine Library History
The 28th Gabriel A. Bernardo Memorial Lecture Series

Macario Adriatico

2007-03-11T13:49:00.000+08:00

"Father of Manila City Charter"

Macario G. Adriatico
AKA Macario Gonzales Adriatico

DATE OF BIRTH
March 10, 1869

BIRTHPLACE
Calapan, Mindoro, Philippines

FATHER: Luciano Adriatico
MOTHER: Natalia Gonzales

YEAR OF DEATH
April 14, 1919

USEFUL LINKS

Hero Macario G. Adriatico
Philippines Unsung Heroes – Macario G. Adriatico
The Filipino Heroes (Online) - Photo Gallery

Leon Ma. Guerrero

2007-03-02T17:32:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Pharmacy"

Dr. Leon Ma. Guerrero

1st Filipino industrial scientist (1800s)
1st Filipino forensic chemist (1800s)

DATE OF BIRTH
1853

BIRTHPLACE
Manila, Philippines

YEAR OF DEATH
1935

USEFUL LINKS

Guerrero, Leon Ma.
Philippine Chemistry
A Hundred Years of Pinoy S & T

Jose Nepumuceno

2007-02-11T13:35:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Movies"

Jose Nepumuceno

1st Filipino Film Director (1919)
Director of the 1st Filipino movie Dalagang Bukid (Country Maiden, 1919)

DATE OF BIRTH
1893

YEAR OF DEATH
1959

USEFUL LINKS

Philippine Cinema Beginnings
Filipino Heroes & Artists
First in the Philippines
Wikipedia Article on Jose Nepumuceno

Julian Manansala

2007-02-09T16:24:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Nationalistic Film"

Julian Manansala

1st Filipino to establish the 1st Filipino movie studio, Malayan Movies (1919)

USEFUL LINKS

Philippine Cinema Beginnings
History of Philippine Cinema
List of Philippines movie studios

Claro M. Recto

2007-02-08T17:02:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Constitution "

Claro M. Recto
AKA Claro Mayo Recto

QUOTE
“Filipinism, nationalism: this is my unconquerable faith and my burning hope.”

ALIAS
"Great Academician"
"Abogado Milagroso" (lawyer of miracles)

DATE OF BIRTH
February 8, 1890

BIRTHPLACE
Tiaong, Tayabas (now Quezon), Philippines

FATHER: Claro Recto, Sr.
MOTHER: Micaela Mayo

WIFE: Aurora Reyes
Claro and Aurora had five children.

YEAR OF DEATH
October 2, 1960

USEFUL LINKS

Senator Profile of Claro M. Recto
Remembering Claro M. Recto
Claro M. Recto, a true constitutionalist
Claro M. Recto (1890-1960)
Wikipedia Article on Claro M. Recto

Nicanor Abelardo

2007-02-07T17:52:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Sonata"

Nicanor Abelardo

DATE OF BIRTH
February 7, 1893

BIRTHPLACE
San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines

FATHER: Valentin Abelardo
MOTHER: Placida Santa Ana

WIFE: Sixta Naguiat
CHILDREN: Nicanor Jr., Nilda, Arturo, Aurora, Criscenso, and Cecilia

YEAR OF DEATH
March 20, 1934

USEFUL LINKS

General Info: Nicanor Abelardo
Nicanor Abelardo, Sr.

Blas Ople

2007-02-04T13:10:00.000+08:00

"Father of Overseas Employment"

Blas F. Ople
AKA Blas Fajardo Ople

1st and only Filipino elected president of the 60th general assembly of the International Labor Organization in Geneva, Switzerland (ILO, 1975)
Author of the Labor Code
Author of 1987 Philippine Constitution

QUOTE
"Globalization has provided more opportunities and greater choices for people to travel the world in search of livelihood."

ALIAS
"Ka Blas"

DATE OF BIRTH
February 3, 1927

BIRTHPLACE
Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines

FATHER: Felix Antonio Ople
MOTHER: Segundina Fajardo

WIFE: Susana Vasquez
Blas and Susana have 7 children.

YEAR OF DEATH
December 14, 2003

USEFUL LINKS

Blas F. Ople
Personal Information: Ople, Blas Fajardo
Philippines – Death of Foreign Secretary Blas Ople
Senators Pay Last Respects To Ople at Emotional Necrological Rites
Ople officially named 'father of overseas employment'
Renewed Faith In Our United Nations

Julian Felipe

2007-01-29T01:16:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine National Anthem"

Julian Felipe
AKA Julian Reyes Felipe

DATE OF BIRTH
January 28, 1861

BIRTHPLACE
Cavite (now Cavite City), Philippines

FATHER: Justo Felipe
MOTHER: Victoria Reyes

YEAR OF DEATH
October 2, 1944

USEFUL LINKS

The Philippine National Anthem: Marcha Nacional Filipina
Filipinas Heritage Library – The Philippine National Anthem
Julian Felipe Monument
Julian Felipe Hall – DLSU Dasmariñas

Napoleon Abueva

2007-01-27T15:44:00.000+08:00

"Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture"

Napoleon Abueva
AKA Napoleon Veloso Abueva

Philippine National Artist for Sculpture (1976)

QUOTE
"There is money in 'lapok' (clay)."

ALIAS
"Billy"

DATE OF BIRTH
January 26, 1930

BIRTHPLACE
Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines

FATHER: Teodoro Abueva
MOTHER: Purification Veloso

USEFUL LINKS

Napoleon Isabelo Veloso-Abueva: The First And Only Boholano National Artist
Wikipedia Article on Napoleon Abueva
Cultural Heritage: Napoleon V. Abueva
Outstanding Awards by Filipinos
Abueva's works find a home at Malagos Gardens
National artist sees need to revitalize clay industry

Crisanto Evangelista

2007-01-25T17:10:00.000+08:00

"Father of the Philippine Trade Union Movement"

Crisanto Evangelista

1st Filipino leader and founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP, 1930)
Established the Workers’ Party (Partido Obrero, 1922)

QUOTE
"My heart bleeds"

YEAR OF DEATH
January 25, 1942

USEFUL LINKS

Crisanto Evangelista on Wikipedia
The People of the Philippine Islands vs. Crisanto Evangelista
100 significant events in Philippine history
Important Events in Philippine History
Philippine Labor Movement Marks Ka Bert Olalia's 100th Birthday
Struggle for National Democracy

Eduardo Masferre

2007-01-23T17:30:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Photography"

Eduardo Masferre

DATE OF BIRTH
1909

BIRTHPLACE
Cordillera, Philippines

WIFE: Nena Ogues
CHILDREN: Roland, Jaime, Nena, Pancho, Leonor, Elvira

YEAR OF DEATH
June 24, 1995

USEFUL LINKS

Homegrown: Profile of Eduardo Masferre
Beyond The Mountains: Eduardo Masferre Bio
Sagada's Masferre remembered

Andres Bonifacio

2007-01-06T23:09:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Revolution"
"Father of the Katipunan"

Andres Bonifacio
AKA Andres Bonifacio y de Castro

Filipino leader of the 1st Revolution in Asia against European colonial rule (1892)

QUOTE
"In the fury of your struggle, some of you might die in the midst of battle, but this is an honor that will be a legacy to our race and our progeny."

ALIAS
"El Supremo"
"The Great Plebeian"

DATE OF BIRTH
November 30, 1863

BIRTHPLACE
Tondo, Manila, Philippines

FATHER: Santiago Bonifacio
MOTHER: Catalina de Castro

2nd WIFE: Gregoria de Jesus

1st WIFE: Monica

YEAR OF DEATH
May 10, 1897

USEFUL LINKS

Andres Bonifacio
Hope of the Philippine Revolution: Andres Bonifacio
Wikipedia Article on Andres Bonifacio

Jose Rizal

2007-01-05T17:27:00.000+08:00

"Father of Philippine Nationalism"
"Father of Modern Tagalog Orthography"
"Father of Philippine Children's Literature"

Dr. José Rizal
AKA José Protacio Mercado Rizal Alonso y Realonda

1st Filipino physician to practice in Germany
Asia's first modern peaceful proponent of political reforms
National Hero of the Philippines

QUOTE
"While a people preserves its language, it preserves the marks of liberty."

ALIAS
"The First Filipino"
"Pride of the Malayan Race"
"The Great Malayan"
"The Messiah of the Revolution"
"The Messiah of the Redemption"
"The Universal Hero"
"Greatest Man of the Brown Race"

DATE OF BIRTH
June 19, 1861

BIRTHPLACE
Calamba, Laguna, Philippines

FATHER: Francisco Mercado
MOTHER: Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos

BELOVED PARTNER: Josephine Bracken

YEAR OF DEATH
December 30, 1896

USEFUL LINKS

Jose Rizal.ph
Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch
The Foremost Atenean
Wikipedia Article on Jose Rizal

PHILIPPINE FATHERS

2007-01-03T01:48:00.000+08:00

Philippine Fathers
A Directory of Founders and Originators of Philippine Institutions