GREGORIO S. DEL PILAR (1875-1899) Hero of Tirad Pass General Gregorio S.

del Pilar is believed to be the youngest general of the Revolution. He was the nephew of Marcelo H. del Pilar who was an active propagandist in Spain and Father Toribio de Pilar who was exiled to Guam after the Cavite mutiny in 1972. The circumstances involving his relatives and the fact that the abuses of the Spanish authorities were widely felt must have strongly influenced del Pilar in joining the revolution at a young age. Gregorio or Goyo to his family was born on November 14, 1875 in San Jose Bulacan, Bulacan to Fernando H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio. His siblings were Maria, Andrea, Julian, and Jacinto. He completed his primary education under the tutelage of Maestros Monico Estrella and Romualdo Sempio before he was sent to study in Manila, first at the school of Pedro Serrano Laktaw and later at the Ateneo Municipal. While in Manila, he lived in the house of Deodato Arellano and his wife, Hilaria H. del Pilar, Gregorios fraternal aunt. He helped his uncle Deodato in secretly distributing propaganda materials. This dangerous work developed in him keenness in eluding detection and arrest by the authorities. Once, he successfully distributed the propaganda materials in the church. He stole the books Cuestiones de sumo interes of Father Jose Rodriguez that Father Felipe Garcia set to distribute after the mass. Gregorio removed the book covers, pasted them on the revolutionary pamphlets, and had them distributed after the mass. Father Garcia, the parish priest for Malolos had the habit of distributing works meant to counter the claims of the propagandists. That time, he became an unwitting instrument of the propagandists. Del Pilar finished his Bachelor of Arts in March 1896. In August that same year, the Revolution broke out and thwarted what his plans for further studies. He presented himself for the military service through Colonel Vicente Enriquez and was assigned to the unit of Mang Sebio (Eusebio Roque). He fought in pitch battles against Spanish soldiers in the later part of December 1898. On January 1, 1897, he escaped death in Kakaron de Sili where after the numerous Spanish soldiers outnumbered and almost routed them. Gregorio fought bravely and managed to escape through the enemy lines. At Mambog, he ambushed a priest with six Spaniards as escort, netting him several rifles and four bags of silver. Generous to his soldiers, he distributed the money 25 pesos for unmarried soldiers and 50 pesos for the married men. The rest of the money was sent to Manila for the purchase of cloaks and blankets of the soldiers. As a leader, Gregorio combined wit and muscles in combat. On September 3, 1897, he disguised himself and ten soldiers as women, entered the town of Paombong unhindered, attacked the Spanish garrison and confiscated 14 mauser rifles. This feat caught the attention of General Aguinaldo who invited del Pilar to join the circle of revolutionary leaders camped at Biak-na-Bato. When negotiations for peace took place, del Pilar, already promoted to Lieutenant General, was one of the signers. He was among the revolutionary leaders who went to exile in Hongkong with General Emilio Aguinaldo. Since the pact failed, the revolutionary leaders returned to the country and resumed the fight for independence. Del Pilar liberated the town of Bulacan from the Spanish forces on June 24, 1898. Soon after, he was promoted brigadier-general, the youngest to have the rank. Del Pilar was called to relieve General Pantaleon Garcia, who was wounded, and continue the operations in Caloocan, until the Spanish troops finally surrendered on August 13, 1898.

On September 15, 1899, the Revolutionary Congress was inaugurated with del Pilar incharge of the grand military parade and provided military cordons and honor guard to the presidential party of General Emilio Aguinaldo. After the momentous event, del Pilar was appointed commanding officer of the army in Bulacan province. On February 4, 1899, the Philippine-American War broke out. Del Pilar continued to fight the new enemy that was fiercer and better armed. He fought alongside the troops of General Antonio Luna. Suffered heavy loses in Manila, he returned to Bulacan where he promised to give the Americans a battle. On April 23, 1899, Del Pilar fought gallantly in Quingua (now Plaridel) and repulsed the advancing Americans. American Colonel John M. Stotsenberg died in the battle. From June to November 1899, Del Pilar was stationed in Dagupan, Pangasinan, were he busied himself building the defense line. He was also tasked to watch over possible retaliation of Filipino soldiers allied with General Antonio Luna who was assassinated by soldiers identified with General Aguinaldo. The life of Gregorio del Pilar was spiced with love affairs, considering his gallant record as military and his handsome physical features. His official letters in Dagupan included some mysterious and perfumed love letters. Among the women linked with del Pilar were Remedios Jose Noble ; Neneng Rodrigo, daughter of the first civil governor of Bulacan; and Felipa Sempio, another Bulakena, and another daughter of a distinguished couple in Dagupan. A medalled officer, Del Pilar did not allow fame to go over his head. He maintained equal treatment and discipline to all his soldiers although some of included his brother, Julian, brotherin-law Socorro and other relatives. Del Pilar was honest and realistic about the war so that he confided to his brother Pablo that their family should consider him dead as he was certain about the military might of America and had committed himself to fight them. In June 1899, Aguinaldo directed the revolutionary army to shift to guerilla warfare and retreated to Northern Luzon. General Gregorio del Pilar faithfully guarded the president on his retreat to the mountains. On December 2, 1899, he fought his last stand at Tirad Pass near Candon, Ilocos Sur where American troops under Major Peyton C. March had difficulty in repulsing them until a Filipino, Januario Galut, revealed a secret approach to the pass. Thus, the Americans renewed their attack that greatly surprised Del Pilar, who tried in vain to defend the retreating president. He was fatally shot along with his soldiers, leaving only eight survivors who were able to escape. Paying the price for being the soldier that he was, the Americans took his belongings as war booty. They took a locket with a picture of a girl, a handkerchief embroidered with the name Dolores, and diary, he wrote the night before saying: I am resigned to the terrible fate which overcomes me and my valiant soldiers but I am happy to die fighting for my beloved country. An American officer of the 11th Cavalry, Lt. Dennis P. Quinlan, arrived and buried the corpse after a few days of being left bare on the trail. The American soldier placed a tombstone: General Gregorio del Pilar Killed at the battle of Tirad Pass December 2, 1899 Commanding Aguinaldos Rear-guard An officer and Gentleman In the 1930s, the Philippine Historical Committee installed a marker at Tirad Pass. The commission also placed a marker in his hometown, the marker reads: Birthplace of General Gregorio H. del Pilar. Site of the town of Bulacan where General Gregorio H. del Pilar was born November 14, 1875. Fifth child of Fernando H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio.

Intrepid, Valiant and youngest Filipino General figured most prominently in the defense of Kakaron, attack of Paombong, Liberation of Bulacan, and in the Battle of Tirad Pass where he died a soldier and a gentleman, December 2, 1899. References: Agoncillo, Teodoro A. Filipinos in History. 8th ed. Quezon City: Garotech, 1990. Kalaw, Teodoro M. An Acceptable Holocaust: Life and Death of a Boy-General. Trans. Marcelino A. Foronda Jr. Manila: National Historical Commission, 1974. Quirino, Carlos. Whos Who in Philippine History. Manila: Tahanan Books, 1995. Zaide, Gregorio F. Great Filipinos in History. Manila: Verde Bookstore, 1970.