Emilio Jacinto biography, contribution, quotes
The Philippines’ history is fascinating, not to mention the life of the heroes the country had, just like Emilio Jacinto. Dubbed as Brains of the Katipunan, the young man was considered as one of the greatest and the most clever militaries during his time. He is a brave man who has given everything, including his life, for his beloved country.
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The young man played a considerable role in guiding the revolution and founding of the Philippine nation. Some people might have heard of his name already, but the question is who is Emilio Jacinto?
Emilio Jacinto profile summary
- Name: Emilio Dizon Jacinto
- Other names: Brains of the Katipunan, Pingkian, Dimas-Ilaw
- Nationality: Filipino
- Place of birth: Trozo, Manila
- Date of birth: December 5, 1875
- Date of death: April 16, 1899
- Parents: Mariano Jacinto and Josefa Dizon
Emilio Jacinto biography
The great man was born on December 5, 1875, at Trozo, Manila, Philippines. His parents were Mariano Jacinto and Josefa Dizon. Unfortunately, his father died shortly after his birth. Emilio came from a low-income family, that is why when his father died, his mother asked her brother Don Jose Dizon to adopt him; his mother believed that Don Jose will give Emilio a bright future.
Despite being an orphan, the young man managed to send himself to Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Later on, he went to the University of Santo Tomas and studied law. The young man wasn’t able to finish his law course because his Spanish classmates often abuse him.
At the age of 19, although still young, he decided to join a somewhat underground society by that time called Katipunan. He became Bonifacio’s secretary and closest advisor on fiscal matters. He is also the overseer of the financial affairs of the Katipunan.
Emilio Jacinto contribution to the Philippines
Emilio Jacinto works and contributions are the highlights of his biography.
When the young man joined the Katipunan, he used the alias Pingkian which means to strike, and he was called the Brains of Katipunan (Utak ng Katipunan) because of his intelligence.
He also became a writer and the editor of Katipunan’s newspaper called Kalayaan. After the first publication, the membership of the Katipunan rose from 300 to 3,000 members. Under Emilio Jacinto pen name Dimas-Ilaw, he wrote Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Dark) and the poem A la Patria. It was said that Dr. Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar inspired him to be a good writer during his time.
During their time in the Katipunan, Bonifacio and the young writer composed separate moral codes that would guide the actions of the revolutionaries; Bonifacio recognized the young man’s intellect and chose Emilio’s composition for publication in the Kartilya. Although the Kartilya is intended as a guidebook, it became famous because of Emilio Jacinto quotes that tackle life.
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Emilio was present in the Cry of Pugad Lawin (Cry of Balintawak) with Andres Bonifacio and others of Katipunan’s members, which signaled the start of the revolution against the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines.
During the revolution, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto led the siege of Polvorin, San Juan Del Monte, also known as the Battle of Pinaglabanan. He also planned and disguised himself to help Dr. Jose Rizal escape, which later declined. Supremo Andres Bonifacio, at that time, is the president of the Haring Bayan (Great nation), named Jacinto as the commander of the Revolution’s Northern Forces.
When Bonifacio passed away, Emilio continued to do the wishes of Bonifacio. The young man refused to join the Magdalo faction of the Katipunan under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo; instead, Jacinto and the rest of the Katipunan continued to wage battle with the Spaniards.
Quotes
Here are some of his quotes:
- I am not afraid of commitment. I am afraid of committing to someone who wont commit to me.
- I do get a lot of mail. I get a lot of foreign mail because my mail gets mixed with Emilio Estevez.
- He leaves in the background of fame all other navigators whose names are written in the priceless annals of discovery
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Emilio Jacinto death
The young man was captured in one of their encounters with the Spaniards. He was brought to a convent in Magdalena, Laguna, and was tortured there. Later on, he was able to escape from the Spaniards. After escaping from the hands of his enemies, Jacinto became a meat vendor.
There are speculations about the real reason why the Utak ng Katipunan died, but Emilio Jacinto cause of death was malaria. He died in 1899, and he was only 23 years old at that time. His remains were laid in Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park in Quezon City.
Did you know?
There are other surprising things about the brave man that you should know. Here are some:
- He is fluent in speaking in Tagalog and Spanish.
- He prefers to speak in Spanish.
- He was nursed by Andres Bonifacio’s mother (that is why they are close to each other).
- The A la Patria was based on Jose Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios.
- There was a school named after him, the Emilio Jacinto Elementary School, located in Tondo, Manila.
Emilio Jacinto is truly a remarkable man. His contribution to the Philippines will always be remembered. He is someone who should be looked up to by the young generation of today in terms of bravery and patriotism.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
