MANILA — On this day in Philippine history, December 22, 1874, Flaviano Yengko, a heroic figure from the Battle of Salitran and one of the youngest generals of the Philippine Revolution, was born in the bustling district of Tondo, Manila.

Flaviano Yengko, the third child among seven offspring of Basilio Yengko and Maria Abad, began his educational journey at the tender age of five when he enrolled at the Escuela Normal.

Demonstrating academic prowess, he completed the course for primary teachers with the distinguished qualification of “maestro de ascenso.”

His pursuit of knowledge led him to Latinidad studies under the tutelage of Enrique Mendiola and later Benedicto Luna. Subsequently, Yengko pursued higher education at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts.

Although initially a law student at the University of Santo Tomas, his academic pursuits were interrupted by the outbreak of war.

Known for his generosity, Yengko once came to the aid of a financially strapped classmate, proposing a creative solution involving pawned possessions.

Beyond academics, he showcased his versatility as an eloquent orator, witty debater, and accomplished athlete.

His artistic talents extended to painting, with one of his works, “A Landscape,” earning recognition at the Regional Exposition of the Philippines in 1895.

Furthermore, Yengko’s musical abilities, inherited from his mother, made him a skilled pianist and a gifted singer, endearing him to the young women of Manila and Imus.

In the town of Imus, Yengko found love with a beautiful Caviteña. However, her father questioned his suitability, disapproving of Yengko’s fashionable attire.

The advent of the Philippine Revolution in August 1896 provided Yengko the opportunity to prove his mettle and win the favor of his beloved father.

Responding to Andres Bonifacio’s call to arms, Yengko abandoned his law studies and left a poignant note to his mother, expressing his dedication to the fatherland. Joining General Emilio Aguinaldo’s forces in Imus, Yengko’s valor quickly earned him promotions, culminating in his Christmas 1896 donning of the uniform of a Colonel.

By February 1897, as Spanish General Cornelio de Polavieja launched an offensive in Cavite, Yengko distinguished himself in battles, earning promotion to brigadier general. Amidst fierce engagements, Yengko’s unit played a crucial role in the defense of Salitran against the advancing Spanish forces.

In the early morning of March 1897, as the Spanish army assaulted Salitran, Yengko fought valiantly but was ultimately forced to retreat. Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his abdomen, he maintained his indomitable spirit, urging his men with a final battlecry: “To arms! To arms!” As he was carried off the battlefield, he whispered a heartfelt remembrance of his mother.

At the military hospital in Imus, Yengko found solace in the presence of his sweetheart, content with reciprocated love and the honor of having fought for his country. Tragically, Flaviano Yengko passed away on March 3, 1897, leaving behind a legacy as one of the unsung heroes of the Philippine Revolution.

Source: “Filipinos in History,” National Historical Institute, TM Kalaw, Manila

(JR AMIGO/IAmigo/MNM)