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BY HERBERT VEGO
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THE OTHER day, I purposely went to Jaro Plaza to verify whether Mayor Jose Espinosa III had complied with his promise to keep it free from the so-called “agro-industrial fair” – euphemism for carnival rides, kiosks and ukay-ukay stalls – that has for years marred its historical reputation during Christmas month. I saw no merchandise except potted plants, occupying limited space outside the plaza fence.
As a journalist, I momentarily stood before the monument of Graciano Lopez Jaena and walked around the concrete footpath, knowing I was literally tracing the hero’s footsteps. In his time, he had spent early morning hours doing just that.
Then I remembered that in two days – specifically tomorrow, Dec. 18 – we would be commemorating the 161st birth anniversary of the only Ilonggo national hero whose pioneering work as founder and editor of the fortnightly La Solidaridad, the cornerstone of the Propaganda Movement, eventually led to the armed revolution against the Spanish government in the Philippines in 1896.
Graciano was born to a poor family in Jaro, Iloilo City on Dec. 18, 1856. His mother worked as a seamstress; his father, as a repairman. Poverty, however, did not deter the couple from sending him to study at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary.
While he would like to be a physician, having actually pursued medical studies, he ran short of earning an MD degree. But he went as far as filling the position of an apprentice at the San Juan de Dios Hospital and later came home to Jaro to practice medicine.
It was not for the money, since most of his patients were poor and unhappy with the subhuman life that they had to endure. Some patients complained of having been beaten and injured by local Spanish officials. Jaena’s immersion with them somehow kindled his desire to speak and write in their behalf.
His first attempt at addressing problems in local society erupted through a story entitled “Fray Botod,” which was printed as a leaflet and surreptitiously circulated. It made reference to the less-than-kind ways of the local priests. Although no one could prove that Jaena wrote the story, the Spanish authorities suspected him as the author.
There was no turning back. The young Graciano had found his niche in oration and journalism. In a triumvirate with Jose Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar, he spoke and wrote to motivate the masses to demand independence from Spain.
Ironically, he had to sail to Spain to evade potential harm in his own country. It was there where the three met and laid the foundation of the Propaganda Movement through the La Solidaridad, which first broke into print on Feb. 12, 1889. Its mission was to galvanize the pliant Filipino masses into fighting for independence from Spain.
Believing that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” he personally conveyed his demand for freedom in a speech before the Spanish officials in Madrid, Spain.
Lesser written of Luna was his love for a woman named Elena, to whom he had promised marriage. Unfortunately for the woman, Lopez Jaena had to indefinitely postpone it “sa tamang panahon.” That opportunity was not to materialize. He got very sick and died at the age of 39 on Jan. 20, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain.
A few descendants of the hero and their rich friends organized the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation in 1983 to perpetuate his memory, and to promote his ideals.
As to whether it has also replicated Graciano’s role of exposing graft and corruption in government, sorry, I don’t know. (hvego31@gmail.com/PN)
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