MANILA — On this day in Filipino history, December 26, 1849, marked the conclusion of Narciso Claveria y Zaldua’s tenure as Governor-General of the Philippines. Claveria, hailing from Gerona with Biscayan roots, assumed office on July 16, 1844.

His impactful term saw a series of reforms and noteworthy achievements:

In 1844, he rectified the Philippine calendar.

On February 15, 1846, he established a military library.

The Philippines welcomed its first steam war vessels from London in 1848.

Under his leadership, the influential Manila papers, La Esperanza (December 1, 1846), and Diario de Manila (1848), were printed.

Claveria also founded the Sociedad de Recreo casino on October 31, 1844.

On November 11, 1849, regular clergy were prohibited from alienating property.

Perhaps most significantly, on November 21, 1849 (some accounts state November 11, 1849), surnames were officially assigned to native Filipinos during his term.

Following his retirement, Claveria returned to Spain, and the temporary successor to the Governor-General position was Antonio Maria Blanco.

Source: The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803, Volume 1, number 17, Blair, Emma Helen, ed. d.1911.

(Jr Amigo/IA/MNM)

MANILA — Today, December 25, 1898, General Marcus P. Miller embarked on a pivotal journey from Manila to Iloilo, following orders to secure the city for the United States.

His mission took an unexpected turn when, upon arriving on December 29, he faced resistance from the native government that had peacefully succeeded Spanish rule.

Despite five days of deliberation, the Filipino government refused to surrender the city without a fight. General Miller, initially instructed to await orders if a peaceful occupation proved impossible, received a directive from General Otis on January 3, 1899, to forcefully seize the city if necessary. This order came just as he received a plea from foreign residents, advocating for restraint and highlighting the stability under the Filipino government.

Earlier on December 23, 1898, Spanish Governor-General Diego de los Rios formally surrendered the city to Filipino authorities. De los Rios, along with his staff and naval commanders, evacuated Panay Island for Zamboanga the following day.

However, two days after General Miller received the forceful seizure order, General Otis, having heard from Washington, advised against the attack. This turn of events added a layer of complexity to the unfolding historical narrative.

References: The anti-imperialist, Volume 1, Number 1 and 2″ by Edward Atkinson, May 1899, from the accounts of General Miller; The Philippines” by John Foreman, Filipiniana Book Guild, Manila, 1980.

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM

MANILA — On December 17, 1978, a significant chapter in Filipino history unfolded as Pinoy boxing great Manny Pacquiao was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, marking a day that would later be celebrated as a milestone in sports.

Manny Pacquiao, renowned as “Pacman,” “the Destroyer,” and “Pambansang Kamao,” made boxing history by becoming the first athlete ever to secure 10 world titles across eight distinct weight divisions. Despite hailing from a humble background, Pacquiao embarked on his professional boxing journey at the age of 16, weighing just 106 pounds in the light-flyweight category. His inaugural victory against Edmund Enting Ignacio set the stage for an extraordinary career.

Motivated by the loss of his close friend Mark Penaflorida in 1994, Pacquiao’s determination led him to Manila, where, under the management of Polding Correa and business manager Rod Nazario, he climbed the ranks of the boxing world. His breakthrough came in 2001 when he defeated Lehlohonolo Ledwaba to claim the IBF World Super bantamweight title.

Pacquiao’s journey continued with triumphs and setbacks, from winning titles in various weight classes to facing defeats against opponents like Erik Morales. His resilience and unwavering focus propelled him to venture to the United States in 2001, seeking greater opportunities in the boxing arena.

Throughout his illustrious career, Pacquiao’s accomplishments include victories over Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto. His historic win against Antonio Margarito in 2010 allowed him to secure a world title in his eighth weight class.

Beyond the boxing ring, Pacquiao diversified his pursuits, engaging in acting, music recording, and politics. In May 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the province of Sarangani, making him the only active boxer to become a congressman in the Philippines. Additionally, he served as a senator from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022, and holds the rank of Sergeant Major as a military reservist in the Philippine Army’s 15th Ready Reserve Division.

Pacquiao’s legacy extends beyond sports, leaving an indelible mark on Filipino history and inspiring generations with his remarkable achievements both inside and outside the ring. Source: Philippine News Agency archives

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

On December 3, 1574, Limahong and his bandits departed from Manila to Pangasinan, where they founded a kingdom near the mouth of the Agno River.

Limahong, a notorious Chinese pirate and warlord, invaded the northern Philippine Islands in 1574. He declared to the people that he had conquered the Spaniards and intended to rule over them as their king.

Approximately four miles from the sea, near the mouth of the Agno River, Limahong constructed a fort with an outer palisade of palm logs and an inner enclosure of palm planks, housing his palace. He also erected pagodas and dwelling places in preparation for a permanent settlement.

Choosing to establish himself there, Limahong aimed to become the master of the region, amassing wealth and remaining beyond the reach of both the Spaniards and the Chinese emperor. The neighboring villages were filled with terror as they all, without exception, acknowledged Limahong as their king, obeying him and paying him tributes.

In response to Limahong’s presence, the Spanish colonizers couldn’t tolerate it. On March 23, 1575, they dispatched an expedition to Lingayen, driving out the bandit who escaped into the China Sea towards his former lair.

Reference: Philippine News Agency archives

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

On November 5, 1881, George Malcolm, an American justice and Philippine law expert founded the University of the Philippines (U.P.) College of Law in 1911, was born in Concord, Michigan, USA.

As a lawyer in his early 30s, Malcolm was assigned to the Philippines, which was then a colony of the United States, and rose quickly in rank from several minor positions starting from clerk in the Bureau of Health and subsequently in the Bureau of Justice to acting attorney-general for the Philippines.

He pushed for the establishment of a college of law in U.P. but his proposal was initially turned down by the Board of Regents, prompting him to arrange for the Manila Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) to offer law courses, which commenced in 1910.

Within a year, the Board of Regents reconsidered his appeal and authorized the establishment of the College of Law on January 12, 1911.

Malcolm served for six years after being appointed permanently to the dean’s post of the College of Law on October 11, 1911. He also taught courses in constitutional law and legal ethics.

Three students who graduated during his deanship eventually became president of the Philippines – Jose P. Laurel, Manuel Roxas, and Elpidio Quirino – while several of his other students later served in the Supreme Court, including Laurel himself.

Later on, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Malcolm to sit as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines at age 35, serving for 19 years.

He served in the Court until 1936 when he was forced to retire upon the promulgation of the 1935 Constitution, which limited Supreme Court membership to Filipinos.

Notably, Malcolm had written 3,340 opinions for the Court, some of which remain influential to date.

He later settled back in the United States and accepted other key positions, though he would make occasional visits to the Philippines and to the law school housed in the building named “Malcolm Hall” in his honor.

He died at age 79 in Los Angeles on May 16, 1961.

Source: Philippine News Agency archives
Photo: Wikipedia

(JR AMIGO/ai/mnm)