Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1871, Filipino revolutionary general, poet, & playwright Francisco Macabulos y Soliman was born in La Paz, #Tarlac #PH. He fought in the Philippine Revolution vs. Spain & in the Philippine-American War. (THREAD)

Born to Alejandro Macabulos of Lubao, & Gregoria Soliman of Tondo, Francisco Macabulos was well-versed in classical Spanish literature, & the corrido (#PH metrical romance w/ 8 syllables per line). His plays were staged in Gerona, Camiling, and in many parts of Nueva Ecija.

He joined the #Katipunan via Ladislao Diwa in 1896 just before the outbreak of #PH Revolution, & became a general. While having been picked by Aguinaldo to accompany him in voluntary exile to Hong Kong as per the Pact of Biak-na-Bato in 1897, he chose to stay behind.

He received the 2nd installment of the Spanish payment of 200,000 pesos as per the Pact, & faithfully distributed this to the amnestied revolutionaries. However, the Pact was signed in bad faith, as both the colonial gov & revolutionaries have no intention of honoring it.

With abuses & excesses continuing, Macabulos secretly gathered his forces & continued the revolution in April 1898. Upon Aguinaldo's return in May, his forces joined in an all-out attack on the Spaniards. Col. Federico Ceballos, 🇪🇸 commander in Dagupan surrendered to him.

Macabulos & Gen. Isidro Torres also led a successful offensive vs. 🇪🇸 forces in San Rafael, Bulacan. Since he fell under Antonio Luna's command, he would have been assassinated were it not for the delay of the telegram instructing him to go to Cabanatuan.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1268830035609153537?s=20

While prominent revolutionary generals committed abuses on civilians, Macabulos' command had restraint & refused to loot & get what they want. He quickly stripped away the rank & weapons of anyone under his command reported to have committed abuse.

Upon realizing the futility of the guerrilla warfare vs. the Americans, & the news of the birth of his 4th child, Macabulos & his men decided to surrender. He surrendered on 15 June 1900. Like many of his contemporaries, Macabulos joined politics, but via the Partido Democrata.

Macabulos participated in the municipal elections under the Americans and was elected as municipal president of his hometown of La Paz. He spent his retirement farming & writing his plays until his death in 1922.

*Photo:
- Portrait of Francisco Macabulos, from @NCCAOfficial

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