ILOILO City — Descendants of Ilonggo patriot Graciano Lopez Jaena are renewing their call for the birth anniversary of the hero to be declared a national holiday, arguing that the legacy of the country’s pioneering revolutionary writer deserves recognition beyond Panay and Guimaras islands.
December 18 is currently observed only as a local or regional holiday, but the descendants of Lopez Jaena want it elevated to national status to raise public awareness — especially among the youth — of his role in igniting the Philippine struggle for freedom through the written word.
Francis Cruz, spokesperson of the Lopez Jaena family, said it is troubling that many Filipinos are unfamiliar with the contributions of Iloilo’s first national hero despite his influence on the reform movement against Spanish colonial rule.
“Many of our young generations waay kabalo sang istorya sang aton nga mga heroes, especially local heroes. (For Graciano Lopez Jaena) gina-try namon obrahon sia national holiday so that makita man nila. Subong ara pa lang sa regional level, Panay pa lang,” said Cruz.
He added: “Ang masubo sina, may mga tawo gani nga ulihi, tiempo pa ni (former President) Cory (Aquino) (but may) national sila ‘ya nga holidays. Kita ya (may) national hero nga naghatag sa aton sang freedom from 300 years of Spainish occupation. (Lopez Jaena was) one of the first nga nag-spark sang revolution (against Spain), nag-start freedom for the Philippines yet he is only recognized sa region, diri lang sa Panay kag Guimaras. That is a very sad truth.”
While the declaration of a national holiday remains pending, Cruz said the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation is intensifying efforts to introduce the hero’s life and ideals to a wider audience, particularly the younger generation.
A building has been established along Fajardo Street in Jaro district — Lopez Jaena’s birthplace — to house memorabilia, host conferences and activities, and serve as a center for historical education.
The foundation has also produced a film on Lopez Jaena’s life, which is open for public viewing.
Cruz said the family hopes Ilonggos and Filipinos alike will draw inspiration from Lopez Jaena’s values, especially his commitment to truth and ethical journalism at a time when misinformation is widespread.
“We hope you have the time to know about our local hero, Graciano Lopez Jaena nga daku ang bulig sa gina-enjoy naton nga freedom. We hope for matuod lang nga journalism, matuod nga balita, kag matuod nga istorya. Nagadamo ang fake news nga maka-mislead sa kadamoan,” Cruz added.
A contemporary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, Graciano 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.
Renowned as a brilliant writer, orator, and reformist, Lopez Jaena was a fearless critic of abuses during the Spanish colonial period. His satirical essay “Fray Botod” exposed the excesses of friars and helped awaken Filipinos to systemic injustice.
As founder and first editor of the pro-Filipino newspaper La Solidaridad, Lopez Jaena became a central figure of the Propaganda Movement, advocating peaceful reforms, equal rights, and Filipino representation in the Spanish government — principles that remain relevant in Philippine society today./PN
