Introduction
Captain Jose Joven of the army of the Republic, and Aguinaldo’s English interpreter noted on April 30, 1901:
“in truth he (Aguinaldo) recognized the gifts of the deceased General, but he preferred to kill him because he says there was no other remedy in view of the civil war which the said General was preparing.”
It really annoys me when some people could be so unfair because of political agendas. Last March 22 was Don Emilio Aguinaldo day, but after having read about the tragic death of Gen. Antonio Luna and the connection therein of the former, it is now questionable to consider Aguinaldo’s part in the Philippine history. Well, he had his part, though; dreary and ghastly I should say. Gen. Antonio Luna was the real hero. His occasional and uncanny display of bad temper may had always been his weakness of character, but he remained the icon of bravery, of a selfless patriot and revolutionary democrat at a time when the Revolution has no known limits. He was indeed a figure who could had made a change if only given the chance to, but defeated by a merciless conspiracy leaving that part of the Philippine history still, nothing but a dismal.
Antonio Luna – more than just a fierytempered man
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It has been mentioned that it is distinctive among the Luna clan the characteristic “brutal temper” and the “lack of pakikisama”. Moreover, if he had only learned how to control the aforementioned qualities, he may had been a stronger and a better man. There were moments that he was able to contain the extreme of his emotions, there were just some incidents of unbelievable twist of circumstances and lack of fair judgments that sometimes drives him out of the nutshell. In cases such this he was given the nicknames of “Cafre” or “General Article One”.
As I read his biography, I can’t help but feel pretty much amazed and surprised to have learned that the general and hero of the revolution is more than just a mere general after all. He possessed a variety of talents, quite impressive I would say. Though he may not seem as great as Rizal at that time, his achievements were exemplary. He graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo at the age of 15, and at 19 studied pharmacy at the University of Santo Tomas but finished it in Barcelona, Spain. He got his Doctor of Medicine at Central University of Madrid before he later on studied in France and Belgium. He was also a good guitarist, having known of the Lunas as inclined to arts and music. Aside from the knowledge of Spanish and Tagalog, he was also studying English at that time. He was also an exceptional writer, writing in La Solidaridad under the pen name of “Taga-Ilog” and managing the paper, La Independencia as well. He was the editor of La Independencia of which the first issue was released on September 3, 1898. General Antonio Luna was also a chemist in the Municipal Laboratory of Manila. He won an award for a scientific paper on malaria and had training on pasteurization of water and carabao milk from Pasteur Institute in Paris. It had been stated that if Antonio Luna didn’t join the revolution and continued his practice in chemistry, he could have saved Apolinario Mabini from dying of cholera after drinking an infected “gatas damulag” or carabao’s milk. Of which by the way is the real cause of Mabini’s death and not by affliction of some sort of paralysis as we know today. Filipinos at that time had by no means any knowledge of pasteurization, or even boiling water before drinking it.
He was deported to Spain with his brother Juan (the painter) and was imprisoned in Carcel Modelo de Madrid in 1897, and then he pursued to study military tactics after his release. He became a master mason in Spain and was among those who revived the Lodge Solidaridad 53. He also worked in the Propaganda Movement along with contemporaries such as Rizal, del Pilar, Lopez Jaena and Mariano Ponce. And while he’s in Ghent, Belgium, he was under the tutorship of General Leman, the hero of Belgium, improving his knowledge of guerilla warfare. Of which he later on proposed under the government of Aguinaldo to be used against the enemies.
The mystery behind the moustache
I don’t know why Ambeth Ocampo is making such fuzz on Antonio Luna’s moustache. You could fairly see this on his articles. Well, maybe there really is something extraordinary about Luna’s moustache, is there? Except for the exquisite curl of the hairs over his upper lip, which he also shares with his brother Juan Luna, it is indeed quite peculiar to find someone who conveys such “elegance” in such a period in history when everything is almost in despair. Or it may have as well served as his form of distinction all these years. Jose Rizal has the characteristic one-sided hairdo, Andres Bonifacio with the kamisatsino (well, it may have been his only choice for clothes to wear considering his status quo), and Apolinario Mabini on his hammock (he’s a paralytic that’s why). I remember how I always chuckle mischievously asking some people I know with, “do you know who Antonio Luna is?” and they would give out either of two replies. First was with, “oh, the painter?” and I’ll just correct them saying he’s not the one but it’s his brother who paints. The second with, “hmm, Antonio Luna…the guy with the moustache?” and followed by a demonstration of their hands, fingers arching over their lip to describe, indeed, Antonio Luna’s curly moustache. As much as Ambeth Ocampo’s curiosity on how Luna was able to keep his moustache that way so as my inquisitive mind can’t help but wonder what there really is in his unique moustache. Or is there really something to make fuzz about? I have yet to find out.
A revolutionary democrat – exactly what our country needs
What separates Antonio Luna from the others is – his single obsession for independence and liberty from any invaders, Americans per se. This had been his sole “mission” all along. For what more could an Antonio Luna aspire? He came from a mestizo family of Badoc, Ilocos Norte though he was a Manileño by heart, having been born on October 29, 1868 in Binondo, Manila. He was the youngest of the seven children of Joaquin Luna de San Pedro and Laurena Novicio.
“Some” have been questioning Antonio Luna’s being a hero. They say, he hadn’t done anything quite remarkable except that he had been affiliated with Rizal. As a matter of fact, he was the one Rizal had chosen to mediate between the rich and educated class and the masses. Rizal wanted Luna to join the Katipunan but Luna refused perceiving as what Rizal had first thought of as a revolution would be untimely at the moment. However, this had been the major error he had committed. If he didn’t denounce the Katipunan, its members wouldn’t disagree on him. If he had not squealed, some members of the Katipunan and Rizal even wouldn’t have been killed. On the other hand, his comrade Alejandrino explained that:
“…with the physical and moral tortures he suffered during his imprisonment and on the assurance given him by the Spaniards that he had been squealed on by his friends, who had denounced him as an accomplice in the rebellion, his violent character had made his lose better judgment. And having fallen for the scheme woven by the Spaniards, he had declared that those who denounced him were, more guilty than he.”
The irony of revolution…a strong voice unheard
What so devastating with reading historical documents is that, you see both sides of the story (that is, if the sources are unbiased). Devastating in a way that, you get to picture out the exact scene in your mind, realize what went wrong and just sigh in disappointment uttering a bunch of “if only”. Sometimes it really gets in the nerves that you just can’t help but get frustrated even how our history had been soaked up with a number of “interventions”. You get to recognize the “tricks” and misinformation fed in opposing parties and you’ll find out that it was nobody’s fault that both sides clashed into war against each other instead of dealing with the real enemies of the state. But then only realizing that “gone is gone”. Oh, how much of our historical past have been concealing still behind the closets of our heritage waiting to be revived and be known.
If Aguinaldo’s side didn’t listen to these “sugar-coating” and propaganda tactics of the Americans, and if they only chose to understand more of the side of Luna, we could had long won the war against the Americans without resulting to so much casualties with the ingenious abilities of the latter. The problem is that, there had been so many conspiracies brought about by individual thirst for power. Nobody fully believed in the capabilities of Antonio Luna. Or they could have known and feared his potentials. It was the lack of trust and the cultivation of individual self-interests at that time that proved even more detrimental.
Another thing is that, everyone favored the revolution, but not the science of revolution Luna had been trying to impose. To them, it’s just like, “tara! Sugurin ang kalaban!” they never realized that to really win a battle, they should be well armed and prepared. This what had been the philosophy of Luna that nobody ever paid real attention to. As seen in the following selection, when Luna proposed to Aguinaldo a plan in preparation for the outbreak of war:
“But Luna and Alejandro were not heeded; no trenches were built; the Americans fired, the Republic was caught by surprise. Then Luna was hastily made chief of operations and set to building those trenches of his. But it was too late, too late even to improvise. Caloocan fell in a week.”
Alejandrino also said:
“If instead of 40 or 50 of such volunteers there had been 2, 000 or 3,000, as Luna wanted, the course of events would have changed.”
If he hadn’t been constantly and intentionally being ignored by the Kawit clan in their preservation of their so-called “cavitism” that they tend not to recognize any rule or order other than that of Aguinaldo, the Philippines could had long attained its independence.
On Luna’s Death
I must note Nick Joaquin’s account on Antonio Luna’s death on June 5, 1899 in Cabanatuan was rather “touchy” as he left with so many questions that even I ended up asking them myself. Was Aguinaldo really to blame of Luna’s death or was he just a victim of the circumstances as well?
I felt sorry for Antonio Luna for they had all been unfair to him. If I had been in his place, I would have been ill tempered, bitter and indifferent too – being unheard and deprived of authority. What could prove more heartbreaking than the lack of support and trust from the people who say is fighting for just the same cause? Sometimes, I just want to get mad at Aguinaldo for all these – for losing such a great man. But no one really knows in accurate account what really took place so many decades ago. The conspiracy against Luna was harsh that it seemed as if, in his assassination at Cabanatuan, he died without even knowing it. If he wanted to overthrow Aguinaldo from his position through a coup de etat, he could have just simply taken up arms against Aguinaldo instead of resigning and later on sending him a telegram of a proposal of a new Republic. And if since the start he was aware about this unscrupulous plan Aguinaldo is planning against him, he could have avoided being killed if he just hadn’t appeared in Cabanatuan where the president summoned him. But he wasn’t distrustful nor suspicious that he even left his accompaniment outside the premises leaving him unarmed and vulnerable as he entered Aguinaldo’s camp.
Conclusion
“I touched reality and in touching it, I felt the same pain produced by a cancerous wound on the finger.” – Antonio Luna
I guess what Antonio Luna is trying to say on this is that, it would have been more acceptable if it was the enemies’ bullets that shot and killed him but no, it was rather the hands of his very own fellow Filipinos who inflicted him with 40 wounds. It would even be more worth it if he died of fighting for the country but no, he was a victim of those green-eyed monsters lurking behind the masks of “defenders of the country”.
Antonio Luna was one of the great men of history. The Filipinos could have benefited from his potentials if everyone at that time had been altruistic enough to mind the real freedom of the Philippines instead of leaning behind the murky walls of the cruel invaders for their own welfare.
I would have to agree with Vivencio Jose in declaring Antonio Luna as “an enduring hero who lives from one generation to another, one of the truly great leaders of the Filipino people.”
We need an Antonio Luna today. A different Antonio Luna, maybe. Not someone who would not be listened to but, someone with the same act of bravery. Someone who’s intelligent enough to recognize the true horrors of what is going on in our present state of government and as well as the society, and do something about it.
REFERENCES
Alba, R. (1994). Talambuhay ng mga Bayani at mga Dakilang Pilipino. Caloocan City : Mizrack
Publications.
Ocampo, A. (1990). Looking Back. Pasig: Anvil Publishing Inc.
Ocampo, A. (1990). Luna’s Moustache. Pasig: Anvil Publishing Inc.
Joaquin, N. (1977). A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine
History. Makati: Ayala Museum, Filipinas Foundation.
Jose, V. (1972). The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna. UP Diliman: Philippine Social Sciences and
Humanities Review.
“Antonio Luna,” (2006). Retrieved on March 18,
2006 at http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/06/05/OPED2004060511128.
“Famous Filipino Masons,” (2006). Retrieved on March 18, 2006 at
http://www.glphils.org/famous-masons/faluna.htm.
“General Antonio Luna,” (2006). Retrieved on March 18, 2006 at
http://www.superluwi.com/scroll/heroes.html.
Author:
Comments
yes, luna is the truest, ablest and best of all the generals in the philippine revolution. glad to have a luna supporter. general aguinaldo was too afraid to loose power, which is unfortunately still the trend in our politics. good day and god bless.
yes, luna is the truest, ablest and best of all the generals in the philippine revolution. glad to have a luna supporter. general aguinaldo was too afraid to loose power, which is unfortunately still the trend in our politics. good day and god bless.
yes, luna is the truest, ablest and best of all the generals in the philippine revolution. glad to have a luna supporter. general aguinaldo was too afraid to loose power, which is unfortunately still the trend in our politics. good day and god bless.
thanks for the comment jonjon! glad to know ur a Luna fan as well, =)
I can't really understand why our roads, schools, etc. have names of Aguinaldo since his stature as a hero baffles me. The moment he and his Cavitenos took over the revolution after getting rid of his supposed enemies everything went wrong. I read he also got a substantial amount of money from Biak an Bato pact. Sound familiar to our present day politicians thing about himself rather than the interest of the country.
bravo :) The Filipino people needs more info like this to distinguished heroes from "political" charlatans :(
thanks guys!! i can't believe i'd actually meet other luna fans as i myself ;P
nice comments and analysis. we ilocanos are very clannish and we don't any take abuse against our pañeros lightly, especially when he got murdered. when aguinaldo was running away from the americans in norhthern luzon, the caviteño passed by the town of Balaoan, La Union. it is adjacent to the town of Luna (named after the Luna family, the birthplace of the Antonio Luna's mother) formerly called Namacpacan. when the town mates of Doña Novicio heard that Aguinaldo was nearby, they planned to ambush him in revenge of the Gen. Luna's death. all was set but it was cancelled in the last minute due to the plea of Doña Novicio. Luna was cowardly killed, if I was born at that time and in the right place, it will be truely an honor to kill that Caviteño coward! should it be too vague to connect him to Luna's death, other stains abound like the death of Bonifacio. aguinaldo is a very selfish and insecure man, forgive me for being brutal but what the hell, we're talking about history and sentiments play a vital role in history.
interesting info.. i missed out on that one, thanks for sharing! =)
hi! i just happened to drop by your blog. it's great that there are people in the web who like history.
the book you've mostly cited "a question of heroes" is one of the best works made by nick joaquin.
one question about the book though is the lack of footnotes and other sources but having read joaquin's works, i guess he doesn't want footnotes and other documentary stuff to get in the way of telling a good story.
teodoro agoncillo, however, sees luna differently. i read from his interview with ambeth ocampo that luna betrayed the revolution at first and got some of his friends killed for denouncing it.
anyway, he found his way to atone for this by joining the revolution.
and just like you, i have great admiration for luna.
hi! i just happened to drop by your blog. it's great that there are people in the web who like history.
the book you've mostly cited "a question of heroes" is one of the best works made by nick joaquin.
one question about the book though is the lack of footnotes and other sources but having read joaquin's works, i guess he doesn't want footnotes and other documentary stuff to get in the way of telling a good story.
teodoro agoncillo, however, sees luna differently. i read from his interview with ambeth ocampo that luna betrayed the revolution at first and got some of his friends killed for denouncing it.
anyway, he found his way to atone for this by joining the revolution.
and just like you, i have great admiration for luna.
Seeing what's going on in our country now, and reading about what has happened before, I don't really see much difference. It's all about people not getting along, egos, ambitions and alliances. All our so-called heroes are the equivalents of our politicians today. Aguinaldo had Bonifacio killed because he wasn't smart enough and couldn't win wars? Big deal, the upper middle classes of today overthrew Erap because he wasn't smart enough, + corrupt and dumb enough to get caught and placed him under house arrest, would that be wrong? Who knows how Filipinos will interpret this 50 years from now, seeing how corrupt GMA is? How do we know how it really was during those times? Our history as taught to us is from the point of view of 1 person + American propaganda. They have decided to romanticize the plights of certain people, especially those who die young/ before their time. Our heroes are human, squabbling, disorganized and to some extent, somewhat narcissistic. Same goes for the our leaders today and unfortunately a lot of Filipinos, what has changed? This makes me sad, really. But I think it's all true.
yes, juan luna is the best hero...
luna hes a brave people..
thanks.........
Yes, Gen. Antonio Luna was a true Hero, Aguinaldo and his generals like TIRONA are mga "DUWAG NA HENERAL"... I'm a caviteno but we do hate aguinaldo and his MAGDALO. puro makasarili at ganid sa kapangyarihan ang mga yan!
When aguinaldo was dying, his last words are... Bayan ko patawarin mo ko!
what a joke, antonio Luna a hero?? Are u people freaking kidding me? When he denounced the katipunan and its members to the spaniards, do you know how many patriot were executed? The long list includes rizal, moises Salvador and adriatico. Luna admitted this betrayal to his close friend general alejandrino! When he got a letter of introduction from the hongkong junta so he could leetch on to aguinaldo, he was a plain civilian. Then aguinaldo, who all you ignorant, non researching jerks villifies, accepted him and promoted him to brig general. And despite the fact that he losed all his battle, he losed the critical battle of bagbag becaused he withdrew 800 soldiers to discipline gen mascardo; he whipped the families of fellow officers in a train in front of the President, he slapped Buencamino, a minister in the republic who was his superior in age and rank. He slapped everyone that he dislike. Mabini wrote a letter to aguinaldo reporting how Luna ordered the execution of a civilian without trial! Despite all this, aguinaldo promoted him twice up to general of the army only answerable to the president and to the secretary of war. In short he was the third most powerful man in the military! And this was over the fact that aguinaldo could have promoted anyone from cavite or more seasoned general that was serving under him since the Spanish war. But no, aguinaldo promoted this ilocano despot over them all. AND YOU BASTARD cries regionalism and favoratism! That aguinaldo only favors cavitenos and his friends. For your information, aguinaldo wanted to give up the presidency on Xmas day 1898! Yes, that's right! U f*cos! He was resigning but mabini and the cabinets refused this, because they know only aguinaldo can hold the republic together! Luna was also forming an army to take over the goverment. He was planning a coup! He even published the names of his cabinet when he becomes president! Plain and simple that is treason! Punishable by death even now!!!!
So to all you fuckers that think that the Filipinos could beat the united states in war at that time, you all need to be medicated. America has the most advance weapons of that time, they have Gatling guns,artilaries, krag n Mauser rifles, battleships, and well trained soldiers and officers. The Filipino elites did not support aguinaldo a crap! And you all think because Luna was liquidated and deservingly so, you all think that's why we loses to the Americans! Get real!
To the writer: you are a disgrace to U.P.! How the hell did you managed to get accepted in that prestigiousunivrsity?
and to byf! You dare call yourself a caviteno! Read, research, and study aguinaldo first before you open your mouth! You are a disgrace! Ignorant fool!
wow, what a comment by kabayan rodney. kool ka lang, youre acting like gen. antonio luna himself. may bigote ka rin ba? as the author of this blog said, binabalikan natin ang kasaysayan ng nakaraan para magsilbing aral sa mga tamang nagawa o kamaliang naganap nung mga panahong iyon at magkaroon tayo ng baun-baon na kaalaman galing dito tungo sa paggamit ng mga kaalamang ito sa ating mga pansariling pamumuhay, no need to call people names kahit na taliwas sa paniniwala mo yung sa kanila, it`s one thing to disagree pero yung maghasik ng galit ay hindi mo na dapat ginawa, sana binigay mo na lang yung references mo tungkol sa info mo para maipagtanggol mo si gen. aguinaldo at mga caviteno. but then again you have your own way in looking at history, and that is to preserve the prestige and honor of your hero no matter what rather than to accept that they are human beings too, imperfect, like all of us. sana matanggap mo na si gen. aguinaldo ay hindi perpekto, ganundin si gen. luna, some people consider them heroes, some do not, but then again, they are major personalities in our history, and their stories are told, to us the present generation, as gems given to us for own good use, not to fight against.
what a savvy comment from James...u r right, no one has the right to name names against another person. To the author, ur analysis is brilliant, given the references and all that...that's cool, so thanks for sharing with us ur insights, i truly learned something from them. keep it up girl!
Well, of course as an author of this article, i have to defend myself. First of all, i very well know from the moment that i posted this article that not all people would agree, ok? I am not as ignornat as you think I am, rodney. I don't know from what school you are from, that is not an issue for me, so i don't think why it's such a fuzz for you knowing that i am from UP. Well, for one thing, i am glad that i am from UP because it has taught me two basic things. First: to speak up and voice out one's opinions. Second: be open-minded enough that not all people will have similar opinions as i have ,,and oh, another thing: be brave enough against those people who will try to belittle you in any way.
I have no intention to cause such a turmoil with this post. I don't even have the idea that it would cause such a stir and that a lot of people would react. We are in a democratic country rodney, if you don't agree with me about Luna that's fine with me. Maybe you also wouldn't mind if i don't necessarily have to agree with you given those "facts". I have my opinions. You have yours. No need to make a crap out of this. I believe you have already used a lot of rude words and names against us or me. I still respect you as a person. Having said that, i think you're smart. Although that kind of counter argument wouldn't qualify for a debate.=)
"To the writer: you are a disgrace to U.P.! How the hell did you managed to get accepted in that prestigiousunivrsity?
and to byf! You dare call yourself a caviteno! Read, research, and study aguinaldo first before you open your mouth! You are a disgrace! Ignorant fool!"
*how did i manage?.. Now that i am already an alumnus, well maybe i have what it takes =)
Nice piece. Indeed Antonio Luna's death was a great loss not only to the Philippine Revolution but to the following generations of Filipinos. Aguinaldo is an example of a classic political trapo who will sell his soul and his ideals for personal gain and survival.
Oh, by the way, for those writing against your piece, don't bother with them, they don't know their history. I am what others would term a military buff and guess what? Time and time again, when there are international articles on the Philippine revolution and an analysis of battle tactics, strategies and first hand accounts of operations, Gen. Luna proves that he is a sound and able strategist and tactician. Given how poorly armed and poorly trained the Filipinos were at that time, holding the superiorly armed, trained and veteran American units was no small feat.
The Americans themselves describe the battles following the death of Luna as a walk in the park. By the way, also try to look at this angle, most of the Macabebes who defected to the American side following the death of Luna, brilliantly executed one of the most daring and successful raids in military history through the capture of Aguinaldo. That goes to show, how training, esprit de corps and elan has a great effect on the outcomes of battles. If you want to see the detailed story, I can send it to you.
Keep it up! The country needs you to open up people's eyes. Only after then can we rise up as a nation.
thanks mike, =) i would appreciate it if you could give me a copy of that file., i admit i am not that well-versed when it comes in Philippine history..darn, i didn't get an uno in histo1 back then, hahaha,, perhaps it could really help me a lot. =)
We will agree that Andres Bonifacio & Antonio Luna are heroes of History.We must also basically accept the realities of life that any threat in the new republic should be dealt with.Most often for the good of many We sacrifice the few.,and that what happened and historically happening.
We should realize that right after the fall of the ruling party .They will all be executed by the one who took over.
So Aguilnaldo just tried to cover his batt , and that is very normal precautionary measure , he did...
We will agree that Andres Bonifacio & Antonio Luna are heroes of History.We must also basically accept the realities of life that any threat in the new republic should be dealt with.Most often for the good of many We sacrifice the few.,and that what happened and historically happening.
We should realize that right after the fall of the ruling party .They will all be executed by the one who took over.
So Aguilnaldo just tried to cover his batt , and that is very normal precautionary measure , he did...
I beg to disagree Rudy, in this case the "solution" led to an even bigger problem, one that hastened the collapse of the Philippine Army. All because of listening to intriga and sycophants in Aguinaldo's inner clique. In this case, it was the many that was sacrificed not the few....
Anne, do send me an
to the writer....keep up!its great to study history, i myself have started a research about the untold story behind the revolution in particular,however,ive got lots of questions regarding bonifacio and lunas death.......like names of their killers...the truth why they were murdered...what happened to these people after committing such murder.....hope references about the philippine revolution/history would publish the real score about every event...filipino people should know the truth behind everything...whatever the reasons for such killing,it seem to lead us to the idea that revolutionary leaders under aguinaldo and the later have vested interest in running the government.....its the country's first political turmoil...political rivalry...political killing...corruption....political evil!such names like aguinaldo and his men should not be included in our history as heroes but traitors of our motherland!
hahah, very strong words duane ^_^ continue your interest with history..i believe we are all in our own struggles to discover the truth about history. =) funny coz im a caviteno and yet i write againsta aguinaldo hehehe ;p
Hello, I'm searching google and found your blog nice post. Mabuhay Sikat ang Pinoy!
The tactics of Gen Luna is an indication of the creativeness and superior combat adaptability and conceptualization capability of Gen Luna. With limited resources, was able to utilize them efficiently and effectively beyond the limits of conventional warfare. After the treacherous assasination of Luna by the closest men of the reinferior leader Aguinaldo who had commited one lousy blunder after another, our resistance against the americans weakened substantially. There was a chance that we could have at least inflicted a very high casualty on if not driven away the americans, had the closest men of the inferior leader Aguinaldo, not assasinated the legendary Gen Luna.
Indeed.. there still exist.. even today in our country people like aguinaldo.. who dare not to murder his compatriots because of greediness to power.. Bonifacio and Luna.. were martyrs..the real heroes.. can we think of any other leader who might be different? Aguinaldo was not a hero but rather a very good example of the kind of politicians we had yesterday, existing today and I think will still have until tomorrow.. nothing changed!
good post, i was searching for since a long time.
LOL, if i didn't see one comment dated this year i wouldn't leave one considering this post was made 3 years ago.
I'm into history but i realized i'm missing much of history on our very own country. Except for the life of Rizal i dont know anything much about the lives of other well known filipino heroes. Good thing out of boredom i remember to explore this part of history again and to my pleasant suprise there is much more to understand and learn from all of this.
I googled the names of Aguinaldo, Bonifacio and Luna and read throughly their stories. And to tell you the truth i'm totally dismayed for the betrayals, politicking and stupidity of many of our fellowmen that contribute much hardship on our very own heroes... Particularly of Luna and Bonifacio. I like Aguinaldo. One of the best Generals to rise up confronting Spainish occupation but i'm dissapointed with lots of his decisions that harmed the revolution and eventually put the lives of 2 heroes in disaster. I wont speak much about him. He contributed his own good deeds for the country. Antonio Luna is the latest hero i'm very interested in learning further because of his bravery, brilliant military knowledge and his versatility on other fields. Filipinos, if they can only be history buff will appreciate this man and the life he invested for his country
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There is a very relatively extensive research on Gen Antonio Luna. It can be found in the book, "The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna" by Vivencio José. Last time I heard unfortunately, it is not available in bookstores except in libraries. I hope there will be available here in the Philippines soon.
There is a book "The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna" by Vivencio José. It is an extensive research on our legendary national hero.
selam ben senay, gercekten super bir site, eger facebook veya twitter varsa eklemek isterim...
I wish I could find such informative sites more often. I regularly spend much time on lust looking for some worthy sites when I can find something to read
Thank you for sharing this information. The information was very helpful and saved a lot of my time.
Kudos,excellent and a very well researched article..Ever since my study of our history ,I've never considered aguinaldo a hero.
@ rodney -cool ka lang dude...Remember no one has a monopoly on knowledge. "We can never forget ,who we are and where we came from.. ". Me kasabihan sa tagalog ,Pag nagbenta ka ng away ,maraming bibili nyan "
@anne - Did luna went to study at the Ecole de Guerre in france and is this on record..
thanks hernani for taking time to read my article., about your inquiry, i'm not so sure.. i have yet to research on that.=)
anne_you've made a nice article about one of our "controversial" heroes. You've got a lot of balls and courage.Congratulations! What I can say is this: silang lahat na nakibahagi una sa pag-aaklas laban sa pang-aalipin ng mga kastila at pangalawa laban sa pananakop ng mga amerikano ay nangagsipag-alay ng kanilang mga sariling buhay, kayamanan, at kinabukasan. Ano man ang kanilang mga nagawang kamalian, iyon ay bahagi na lang ng ating kasaysayan at magsisilbing paalala upang hindi na muling matularan.
i think political agenda should come publicly as because those are for the people and by the people.
I love your writing skill..and I think this site is really good for interesting stuff..amazing info.thanks!!
http://www.astermeds.net/silagra
Cool data. I like to read this kinds of blog.
Smith Alan
Ok, i apologized for the harsh language i used on my post. But you still have not said anything about my pOints of disagreements about aguinaldo and luna. In regards to my refernces, i believe some were authored by saulo, and ambeth ocampo, plus alejandrino's...
First off, there were people who commented on your article that villified aguinaldo, using harsh words like duwag, sakim sa power, traitor, and murderer. Im surprised you DID NOT say anything to them.
Secondly, wala akong sinabing perfect si Aguinaldo. Nobody is. But the way you are putting it, para bang kaya natalo ang Pilipinas laban sa America was because of the assasination ni Luna. Ang point ko, kahit 100 na Luna HINDI tatalunin ang mga amerkano dahil napakalakas nila. Modern army, modern Weapons, Battleships, better Officers plus mga professional soldiers. Ano ang laban ng mga pilipino? Na mga magsasaka, mangingisda, civilians na lumaban lang because of patriotism, and without proper weapons and training.
Masyado mong pinapahalagahan ang military knowledge kamo ni Luna, na walang experience but reading military books. Di ba WALANG ipinanalong laban sya? TAMA BA AKO? Answer that please lang. Hindi ba totoo na he withdrew 800 soldiers sa Bagbag plus ilan pieces of artillaries to confront General Mascardo for disobeying his orders? TOTOO ba ang sinasabi ko na kaya nakuha ng mga amerikano ang Malolos na capital ng revolusionary govt ay dahil natalo nga sa battle of BAGBAG? Answer that please.
If an army is preparing for a major battle, and its general knows the enemies were on its way, YOU dont leave the place of battle, just to confront another officer who was insubordinate! Again can we agree on that?
Hindi ba yan ang dahilan kung bakit sinampal ni Luna si Buencamino during dinner in front of Aguinaldo? Dahil namention ni Buencamino yan pagkatalo sa bagbag, but only after Luna accused the son of Buencamino of cowardice. And reference ko dyan were Saulo, and ambeth ocampo. Tama ba ako dyan?
Third, as you point out, Luna BETRAYED the katipunan. Di ba nagturo siya at ang isa sa mga napatay ay si RIZAL. In short CHUCHU, just to save his ass. Maraming mga tunay na bayani ang namatay dahil inilaglag niya like moises salvador at adriatico. But yet, it appears that okey kasi in your point of view BAYANI si Luna.
Fourth, he was preparing for a coup. THAT is a fact. He was building up mestizo and ilocano armies to get the power from Aguinaldo. He even have the balls to print the names of his future cabinet sa La independencia na editor sya. Is that treason and sedition? TAMA BA Ako? Kung ikaw si Aguinaldo, ano ang gagawin mo? Nasa gitna ka ng labanan against the most powerful nation, then alam mo na may threat na civil war sa pinagkakatiwalaan mong heneral, ano ang gagawin mo? Napakadaling maghusga ngayon dahil wala tayo noon nangyayari yan. Pero dapat natin intindihin at pag aralan kung bakit ganun ang actions ng mga leaders natin noon.
Lastly, eto sana eh sagutin mo pLEASE lang. Isinulat mo na si aguinaldo was may paborito, ng CAVITISM, right? THEN BAKIT naPROMOTE ni aguinaldo si luna 3 times. Si LUNA WAS a PLAIN civilian na humarap kay aguinaldo with a letter of recommendation from the hongkong junta. Ginawa agad syang Brig. General ni aguianaldo. TAMA BA AKO? After that napromote pa sya TWICE until general of the army making him the HIGHEST OFFICER ng military just under the president and sec of defense. Kung si Aguinaldo katulad ng sinasabi mo na may CAVITISM, THEN bakit di nya itinaas ang mga heneral na cavitenio like Alvarez, Noriel, Mascardo, Pawa? Or yung mga Heneral na kasama nya from the revolution against Spain? Na kasama nya from the start, like Pio and Goyo del Pilar, Malvar, Geronimo, Tinio, etc... Pakisagot lang ito please? Kasi parang walang sense na ang taong ito ay supposed to be unfair, may nepotism at may kinikilingang mga caviteno, but then dumating ang isang intelehenteng tao, marunong, matapang but walang experience sa labanan, ay gagawing pinakamataas na official. HMMMM... Nakapagtataka hindi ba?
Im sure miss na may contact ka kay Ambeth Ocampo na i believe na head ng NHI. You can forward this mail to him kung tama ba or mali ang mga facts na isinulat ko dito...
Like what Aguinaldo said when asked about the killing of Luna, "Am I stupid enough to have him liquidated inside my headquarters and involving myself? It was so easy to order any soldier to shoot him during a battle thus making it like he died in a fight. No, i did send him the telegram, and I did not order his death."
Oh also, who there inside Aguinaldo's camp when Luna was killed by the soldiers he disarmed at the battle of La Loma? And who was the one who emptied his pockets afterwards? ALAS, it was FELIPE BUENCAMINO SR. The same person he slapped months earlier, and he threatened to arrest for treason.
Walang nakakaalam kung ano talaga ang nangyari sa pagkamatay ni Luna. Pero sa opinion ko para masira si Aguinaldo at si Luna ang magaling, ang tanong ko sino, ano ang nagawa, sino ang traydor, ano ang ipinakita mo nung rebolusyon. LUNA the GREAT GENERAL who DID NOT win a battle. Katawa tawa yata noh?
Maging parehas lang po tayo sa mga opinion. At napansin ko kahit ngayon maraming nagcomment mo ang bias kay Luna na mga ilocanos! Tama ba ang bayaan mo na patuloy na sinisira ang unang presidente ng bansa na ibinoto ng mga mamamayan noon na hindi lang caviteno? Kasi buo na rin ang isip mo na masama si aguinaldo na walang nagawang mabuti sa bansa.
Puro Bonifacio at Luna lang ang napaguusapan. Pagaralan sana mabuti ang bawat isa. Kung bakit nangyari ito at yoon. Then saka maghusga. Ilagay ninyo ang sarili ninyo sa panahon na yun at mga SITWASYON... Then saka tayo gumawa ng conclusion.
Okay, I just saw the latest comment and I know it's pointless to even reply since this article was posted years ago, but for the benefit of everyone, here's my response.
#1 It's not that I didn't react or care when other people called Aguinaldo some names. Everyone is free to react no matter how they see fit. You, yourself, is very emotional as well with your hero and I have nothing against that. But I do mind when you started calling me names, now that was uncalled for. You accuse me of being biased when you are biased too yourself. I believe it's hard for anyone to be totally unbiased. One side would weigh or appeal more than the others and it's just a matter of preference.
I admire Luna, and I sided with him, of course why would I write a paper about him in the first place? Otherwise it would have been a comparative analysis between Luna and Aguinaldo. Maybe you should write that. Then again, I doubt how objective that would turn out.
#2 Given the facts you presented, I do not disagree that Filipinos can never win a war against the Americans. As you pointed out most Filipinos status quo at that time and since Americans were also way par with battleship and warfare. But if you REALLY read my article, I believe I mentioned Luna was never headed for the science of revolution he's been endlessly proposing. All the more we lost and resulted to so much casualties.
#3 Of course Luna betrayed Katipunan. Again, if you REALLY read my article, I quoted and will requote it for you:
--- On the other hand, his comrade Alejandrino explained that:
“…with the physical and moral tortures he suffered during his imprisonment and on the assurance given him by the Spaniards that he had been squealed on by his friends, who had denounced him as an accomplice in the rebellion, his violent character had made his lose better judgment. And having fallen for the scheme woven by the Spaniards, he had declared that those who denounced him were, more guilty than he.” ---
#4 You said, "Nasa gitna ka ng labanan against the most powerful nation, then alam mo na may threat na civil war sa pinagkakatiwalaan mong heneral, ano ang gagawin mo?"
So surely, the best solution is to murder Luna right? And you believe nothing gets resolved by peaceful talks. Which I believe, as I mentioned in my article, Luna's purpose in going to Aguinaldo's camp unarmed.
#5 Do you even know what Cavitism mean? It's not entirely in reference to Aguinaldo, and I believe I never used it to Aguinaldo. Instead I was referring to his men who would not follow any orders but his.
Lastly, nothing is ever concluded in discourses about history. It would always remain open to judgment and criticisms. That's why we study it from gradeschool to college!
Now there's my answers. So if ever you come up with an article about Aguinaldo, let us know. Till then :)
Nais kung makilahok sa pagbibigay ng mga komento ukol sa naisulat tungkol sa buhay ni Gen. Antonio Luna. Napakagaling ng pagkakapaliwanag ng sumulat. Labis ang aking paghanga sa iyong paglalahad ng mga kwento sa buhay ng Heneral. Nakalulungkot lamang isipin na may nagbibigay ng puna na hindi rin naman parehas tulad ng ipinararatang nya sa sumulat nito. Makabubuti sigurong igalang natin ang opinyon ng bawat isa. Ang akin lamang na opinyon ay kung talagang gustong agawin ni Heneral Luna ang liderato kay Heneral Aguinaldo, bakit dalawa lamang ang kanyang kasama sa pagtungo sa Cabanatuan,Nueva Ecija, Sina Col. Francisco Roman at Kap. Rusca. Ang Heneral ay maginoo, lalaking kausap, may tiwala. Ang puntos ko, kung may maitim na balak si Hen. Luna, dapat lagi siyang may pagdududa at hindi magsasama lamang ng dalawa, sa halip, magsasama siya ng ilang daang kawal. Sa huli, masugid akong taga hanga ni Heneral Antonio Luna. Ang mga katulad nya ang kailangan ng ating bayan upang ito ay tuluyang mabago tungo sa isang disiplinadong lipunan. Ang kasunod nito kung magkagayon ay ang kaunlaran ng bansa at kaginhawahan ng mga mamamayan.
Rodney
Oo walang naipanalo si na laban si Luna. Yan ay dahil disorganized ang Philippine army. Walang kagamitan at puro cavitismo ang pinapairal. Pero bago gamiting example ang Bagbag alamin mo muna kung bakit nakuha ng mga Americano ang Intramuros. At bago mo alamin kung paano nila nakuha ang Intramuros alamin mo muna kung paano nakapag land ang US troops sa Cavite-Pasay bayshore.
Sasabihin ko sa iyo. Si Noriel occupado niya ang Cavite Pasay bayshore. Sabi ng mga Kano bibigyan sila ng makabagong artillery kung papayagang silang gumawa ng campo doon. Pumayag si Aguinaldo. At napapaligiran na ng puersa ng Pilipinas ang Intramuros. Hindi umatake si Aguinaldo kasi sabi ng America hintayin sila para sabay nilang lulusubin ang Intramuros. Nauto si Aguinaldo. Kung inatake ng Pilipinas at nabawi ang Intramuros mawawalan ng bisa ang Treaty of Paris. Gets?
Naamoy ni Luna ang binabalak ng mga Kano at bumalik siya ng Pilipinas. Inutos niya na gumawa ng fortifications sa Malabon kasi yun ang unang kukunin ng mga Kano. Nag decide muna si Mabini at Aguinaldo at ang decision nila ay lalaban ang Pilipinas ng walang trenches. Nilusob ng mga Kano ang Malabon at maraming sundalo ang namatay. Natauhan si Mabini at Aguinaldo kaya gjmawa ng fortifications pero too late na.
Diyan niyo rin maiintindihan kung bakit mainit anv ulo ni Luna.
At yung artillery na pinangako ng mga Americano ay hindi nila binigay. Umiyak si Noriel.
At oo matatalk natin ang mga Kano dahil beatable sila noong pnanahong iyun. Mas advanced ang mauser rifles natin kumpara sa springfield. Hint: smokeless ang mauser. Hint ulit: puro gubat pa ang Pilipinas noon 1899. If hindi mo pa rin gets, kung magpaputok ka at ikaw ay nakakubli hindi nila malalaman kung saan galing ang bala.
Matatalo natin not matatalk. Hirap magtype sa smartphone. Sorry sa typo.