On October 12, 1868, Gen. Mariano Trias, considered the first de facto vice president of the Philippine Revolutionary Government, was born in Cavite.
One of the bravest generals of the Katipunan, Trias was also among the leading patriots and defenders of Cavite against the oppressive Spanish regime in the Philippines.
Before the revolution broke out in August 1896, Trias was an active propagandist of the revolutionary society in the towns of Silang and Kawit.
He recruited troops and solicited contributions from rich Filipinos in Indang and Alfonso, Cavite to help finance the revolutionary cause.
He was chosen as vice president of General Emilio Aguinaldo in the revolutionary government that was established during the March 22, 1897, Tejeros Convention – an assembly of Philippine revolutionary leaders that elected officials of the revolutionary movement against Spain.
During American rule, Trias also fought in a series of battles against American forces, but he voluntarily surrendered after the capture of Aguinaldo on March 23, 1901.
With the establishment of the civil government by the Americans in the country, Civil Governor William Howard Taft appointed him the first civil governor of Cavite on June 11, 1901, in accordance with Act No. 139.
He sailed to the United States as a member of the honorary board of Filipino commissioners to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904.
He was the founder of the Nacionalista Party chapter in Cavite and was acting governor of the province when he died of an appendectomy at the Philippine General Hospital on February 22, 1914. He was buried in Manila, but his remains were transferred to his hometown in 1923.
The present Cavite town of General Trias, formerly San Francisco de Malabon, was renamed after him by virtue of Act No. 2880.
Source: Philippine News Agency Archives/Kahimyang Project
(Filed by Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)