ILOILO City — Government and private offices and schools across Iloilo City and Iloilo Province suspend work and classes today, December 18, to mark the 169th birth anniversary of Ilonggo hero and reformist Graciano Lopez Jaena who played a role in shaping Filipino nationalism and press freedom.
The suspension of work is pursuant to Republic Act No. 6155, which declares December 18 of every year a special public holiday in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province to commemorate the birth of Lopez Jaena. The law was enacted on November 9, 1970.
Both the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and Iloilo City Hall announced a “no office” day, which also covered regional government agencies operating within the city and the province.
As part of the annual observance, the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, in coordination with the Iloilo City Government, will be holding a short commemorative program at Lopez Jaena’s monument in Jaro Plaza, honoring his life, ideals, and contributions to the country’s struggle for reform.
A contemporary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, Lopez Jaena was born in Jaro to Placido Lopez and Maria Jacoba Jaena. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 39 on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain while in exile.
Recognized as a brilliant writer, orator, and reformist, Lopez Jaena was known for his fearless criticism of abuses during the Spanish colonial period. His satirical piece “Fray Botod” exposed the excesses of the friars and helped awaken Filipinos to the realities of injustice at the time.
As the founder and first editor of the pro-Filipino newspaper La Solidaridad, Lopez Jaena emerged as a central figure of the Propaganda Movement, advocating peaceful reforms, equal rights, and Filipino representation in the Spanish government — principles that continue to resonate in contemporary Philippine society./PN
