#TodayinHistory in 1863, Rafael del Pan—lawyer, adviser to Apolinario Mabini, journalist, statesman and 1st Filipino criminologist—is born in #Intramuros #PH. He was born to Jose Felipe del Pan (a Spaniard) & Amalia Garcia Fontela, a Filipina. (THREAD)
*His Portrait by Juan Luna
*His Portrait by Juan Luna
Context: He began his formal schooling in Spain at the young age of 7, but went back to Manila to pursue his Bachelor of Arts in 1880. He studied at the Universidad Central de Madrid (now @unicomplutense) in 1884 & gained his Licentiate in Jurisprudence.
His passion with the rule of law was seen in his graduate thesis, "Los efectos jurídicos de la Ignorancia de Derecho" (The legal effects of the ignorance of the law) on which Del Pan was conferred the Doctorate in Jurisprudence.
He became juez de paz for Intramuros for 2 terms and served as substitute fiscal in 1891. He headed La Oceania Española as editor-in-chief, one of the most influential broadsheets in Spanish #PH. He also campaigned for #PH representation in the Spanish Cortes (legislature).
When Spanish Gov. Gen Eulogio Despujol exiled Jose Rizal, his colleague, to Dapitan, Del Pan criticized the move and made his opposition to the friars known. In 1898, he became president of the Junta Revolucionario, a Filipino student-led organization in Madrid.
He was appointed 1st #PH Republic ambassador to the U.S. after Felipe Agoncillo, presenting a petition to the U.S. Senate signed by 2,000 Filipinos, expressing the nation's desire for independence. This influenced the passage of #PH Organic Act in 1902 granting representation.
Among other things: He translated Francisco Balagtas' "Florante at Laura" in Spanish, Jose Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios" in English (sent to U.S. Congressman Henry Allen Cooper who drafted the Cooper Bill a.k.a. Philippine Organic Act of 1902) & opposed #PH statehood under the U.S.
Del Pan opposed the Federalista Party in #PH and was one of the Nacionalista Party's founders. He was also a founding member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in 1903. The Del Pan Bridge in Manila is named after him.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
