BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – During the 167th birthday commemoration of Graciano Lopez Jaena yesterday, the need was stressed for schools to include more about the Ilonggo hero’s contribution to Philippine independence in their curriculum.
Guest speaker Prof. Randy Madrid from the University of the Philippines-Visayas compared Lopez Jaena’s influence to that of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar, another hero.
“Si Graciano Lopez Jaena indi lang sikat sa pagsulat…kundi very eloquent man siya sa paghambal,” he said.
Born in Jaro district on Dec. 18, 1856, Lopez Jaena’s satirical story “Fray Botod” critiqued the misuse of religion by Spanish friars for oppressive purposes in the Philippines.
In Spain where he fled in 1879 after angering the friars, Lopez Jaena edited the “La Solidaridad” newspaper, the mouthpiece for Filipino expatriates that relentlessly pushed for reforms, advocating for equality, freedom of speech, and assembly, and representation for Filipinos in the Spanish Cortes.
He also gave fiery speeches in line with these advocacies.
Madrid particularly urged Social Studies teachers to ensure that younger generations understand and appreciate Lopez Jaena’s impact on Philippine nationalism.
“Siya dapat gid naton ipabugal kay Ilonggo siya. Ginapabugal ta gani si Jose Rizal nga indi man taga-diri sa aton. Mas ipabugal ta gid ya nga mga Ilonggo si Graciano Lopez Jaena kay isa siya sa mga una nga nag-push para sa aton kahilwayan,” Madrid said.
Lopez Jaena died of tuberculosis on Jan. 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain 11 months short of his 40th birthday. The following day, he was buried in a mass grave at the Montjuic Cemetery of Barcelona. His remains have not been brought back to the Philippines.
Yesterday’s birthday commemoration of Lopez Jaena was held at Jaro Plaza that is officially named as the Graciano Lopez Jaena Park. It was a collaboration between the Iloilo City Government and the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, Inc.
Dec. 18 of every year is a special non-working holiday in Iloilo city and province./PN
