Apolinario Mabini

Apolinario Mabini From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the municipality, see Mabini, Batangas. For the school, see The Mabini Academy.

Apolinario Mabini

1st Prime Minister of the Philippines

In office January 23, 1899 – May 7, 1899

President

Emilio Aguinaldo

Deputy

Pedro Paterno

Preceded by

Position established

Succeeded by

Pedro Paterno

Minister of Foreign Affairs

In office January 23, 1899 – December 10, 1899

Preceded by

Position established

Succeeded by

Apolinario Mabini — TITULAR —

Minister of Foreign Affairs — TITULAR —

In office

December 11, 1899 – April 1, 1901

Preceded by

Apolinario Mabini

Succeeded by

Position abolished Post restored in 1946 and later held by Elpidio Quirino

Personal details

Born

Apolinario Mabini y Maranan 22 or 23 July, 1864[3] Talaga, Spanish East Indies

Died

May 13, 1903 (aged 38) Manila, Philippines

Political party

Katipunan

Alma mater

San Juan de Letran College University of Santo Tomas

Profession

Lawyer

Signature

Apolinario Mabini y Maranan (July 22 or 23, 1864[3] — May 13, 1903) was a Filipino revolutionary and lawyer who served as its firstprime minister until May 1899. In Philippine history texts, he is often referred to as "the Sublime Paralytic", and as "the Brains of the Revolution." To his enemies and detractors, he is referred to as the "Dark Chamber of the President." Contents [hide]

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1 Life

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1.1 Early life of Apolinario Mabini

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1.2 The 1896 Revolution

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1.3 Prime Minister of the Philippines

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1.4 Later life and death

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2 Work book

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3 Legacy

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4 Controversy about Mabini's paralysis

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5 Quotes

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5.1 From Mabini

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5.2 About Mabini

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6 References

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7 External links

Life[edit] Early life of Apolinario Mabini[edit] Mabini was born on July 22 or 23, 1864[3] in Barangay Talaga in Tanauan, Batangas.[4] He was the second of eight children of Dionisia Maranan, a vendor in the Tanauan market, and Inocencio Mabini, an unlettered peasant.[5] Mabini began informal studies under the guidance of Maestro Agustin Santiesteban III, who was his Mentor from Davao and his mother . Because he demonstrated uncommon intelligence, he was transferred to a regular school owned by Simplicio Avelino, where he worked as a houseboy, and also took odd jobs from a local tailor - all in exchange for free board and lodging. He later transferred to a school conducted by the Fray Valerio Malabanan, whose fame as an educator merited a mention in José Rizal's novel El Filibusterismo.[4][5] In 1881 Mabini received a scholarship to go to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila. An anecdote about his stay there says that a professor there decided to pick on him because his shabby clothing clearly showed he was poor. Mabini amazed the professor by answering a series of very difficult questions with ease. His studies at Letran were periodically interrupted by a chronic lack of funds, and he earned money for his board and lodging by teaching children.[5] Mabini's mother had wanted him to take up the priesthood, but his desire to defend the poor made him decide to take up Law instead.[4] A year after receiving his Bachilles en Artes with highest honors and the title Professor of Latin from Letran, he moved on to the University of Santo Tomas, where he received his law degree in 1894.[4][5]

The 1896 Revolution[edit] Believing that the Reform Movement still had a chance to achieve success, Mabini did not immediately support the Philippine Revolution. He became part of the La Liga Filipina wherein they would write instead of revolt and chose that they would rather be a colony of Spain rather than having a big revolution for their freedom. When José Rizal, part of the "La Liga Filipina", was executed in December that year, however, he changed his mind and gave the revolution his wholehearted support.[5]

In 1898, while vacationing in Los Baños, Laguna, Emilio Aguinaldo sent for him. It took hundreds of men taking turns carrying his hammock to portage Mabini to Kawit. Aguinaldo, upon seeing Mabini's physical condition, must have entertained second thoughts in calling for his help. Mabini was most active during the Spanish–American War as he assisted General Aguinaldo. When he served as the chief adviser for General Aguinaldo after the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12. He drafted decrees and edited the first ever constitution in Asia (the Malolos Constitution) for the First Philippine Republic, including the framework of the revolutionary government which was implemented in Malolos in 1899.

Prime Minister of the Philippines[edit] Apolinario Mabini was appointed prime minister and was also foreign minister of the newly independent dictatorial government of Aguinaldo on January 2, 1899. Eventually, the government declared the first Philippine republic in appropriate ceremonies on January 23, 1899. Mabini then led the first cabinet of the republic. Mabini found himself in the center of the most critical period in the new country's history, grappling with problems until then unimagined. Most notable of these were his negotiations with Americans, which began on March 6, 1899. The United States and the Philippine Republic were embroiled in extremely contentious and eventually violent confrontations. During the negotiations for peace, Americans proffered Mabini autonomy for Aguinaldo's new government, but the talks failed because Mabini’s conditions included a ceasefire, which was rejected. Mabini negotiated once again, seeking for an armistice instead, but the talks failed yet again. Eventually, feeling that the Americans were not negotiating 'bona fide,' he forswore the Americans and supported war. He resigned from government on May 7, 1899.

Later life and death[edit] He also joined the fraternity of Freemasonry. On December 10, 1899, he was captured by Americans at Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, but was later set free. In 1901, he was exiled to Guam, along with scores of revolutionists Americans referred to as 'insurrectos' and who refused to swear fealty to imperialist America. When Brig. Gen. Arthur C. MacArthur, Jr. was asked to explain by the US Senate why Mabini had to be deported, he cabled:

“

Mabini deported: a most active agitator; persistently and defiantly refusing amnesty, and maintaining correspondence with insurgents in the field while living in Manila, Luzon...[6]

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Mabini returned home to the Philippines in 1903 after agreeing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States on February 26, 1903 before the Collector of Customs. On the day he sailed, he issued this statement to the press:

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After two long years I am returning, so to speak, completely disoriented and, what is worse, almost overcome by disease and sufferings. Nevertheless, I hope, after some time of rest and study, still to be of some use, unless I have returned to the Islands for the sole purpose of dying.[7]

To the chagrin of the American colonial officials, however, Mabini resumed his work of agitating for independence for the Philippines soon after he was back home from exile.[8][not in citation given] On May 13, 1903 Mabini died of cholera in Manila, at the age of 38.

Work book[edit] 

La Revolución Filipina (1931)

Legacy[edit]

The Mabini Shrine, now located in the PUP campus in Santa Mesa, Manila

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Two sites related to Mabini have been chosen to host shrines in his honor:

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The house where Mabini died is now located in the campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Santa Mesa, Manila, having been moved twice. The simple nipa retains the original furniture, and some of the books he wrote, and also contains souvenir items, while hosting the municipal library and reading facilities.[9]

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Mabini was buried in his town of birth - what is now Talaga, Tanauan City, Batangas. A replica of the house Mabini was born in was also constructed on the site, and also contains memorabilia.

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Mabini's face adorns the Philippine Ten peso bill, along with that of Andrés Bonifacio.

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Four Philippine municipalities are named after Mabini:

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Mabini, Batangas,

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Mabini, Bohol,

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Mabini, Compostela Valley, and

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Mabini, Pangasinan

The BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36).

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The Philippine Navy's Jacinto class corvette, BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36), is also named after Mabini.

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The Philippine government presents the annual Apolinario Mabini Awards to outstanding persons with disabilities.[10]

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The Mabini Academy is a school in Lipa City, Batangas named after Mabini. The school logo carries Mabini's Image.

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Southern Tagalog Arterial Road or Apolinario Mabini Superhighway is an expressway that connect the province of Batangas to the SLEX.

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Apolinario Mabini Bridge, formerly known as Nagtahan Bridge in the City of Manila, was renamed in his honor.

Controversy about Mabini's paralysis[edit] Even during his lifetime, there were controversial rumors regarding the cause of Mabini's paralysis. Infighting among members of the Malolos congress led to the spread of rumors saying that Mabini's paralysis had by caused by venereal disease - specifically, syphilis. This was debunked only in 1980, when Mabini's bones were exhumed and the autopsy proved once and for all that the cause of his paralysis was Polio.[11] This information reached National Artist F. Sionil José too late, however. By the time the historian Ambeth Ocampo told him about the autopsy results, he had already publishedPo-on, the first novel of his Rosales Saga. That novel contained plot points based on the premise that Mabini had indeed become a paralytic due to syphilis.[12] In later editions of the book,[13] the novelist corrected the error and issued an apology,which reads in part:

“

I committed a horrible blunder in the first edition of Po-On. No apology to the august memory of Mabini no matter how deeply felt will ever suffice to undo the damage that I did.... According to historian Ambeth Ocampo who told me this too late, this calumny against Mabini was spread by the wealthy mestizos around Aguinaldo who wanted Mabini's ethical and ideological influence cut off. They succeeded. So, what else in our country has changed?

”

In the later editions, Mabini's disease - an important plot point - was changed to an undefined liver ailment. The ailing Mabini takes pride in the fact that his symptoms are definitely not those of syphilis, despite the rumors spread by his detractors in the Philippine Revolutionary government.

Quotes[edit] From Mabini[edit] 

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Describing his cabinet:

...it belongs to no party, nor does it desire to form one; it stands for nothing save the interest of the fatherland.

”

About Mabini[edit] 

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By former Military Governor of the Philippines, Gen. Arthur MacArthur, describing Mabini before the US Senate's Lodge Committee of 1902:

Mabini is a highly educated young man who, unfortunately, is paralyzed. He has a classical education, a very flexible, imaginative mind, and Mabini's views were more comprehensive than any of the Filipinos that I have met. His idea was a dream of a Malay confederacy. Not the Luzon or the Philippine Archipelago, but I mean of that blood. He is a dreamy man, but a very firm character and of very high accomplishments. As said, unfortunately, he is paralyzed. He is a young man, and would undoubtedly be of great use in the future of those islands if it were not for his affliction.[14]

In Search of the Essence of the Filipino Mason: Apolinario Mabini

Nicolas G. Ricafrente

Apolinario Mabiniwas born on July 23, 1864 in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas, the second of eight sons of Inocencio Mabini and Dionisia Maranan. He is best known in history books as the “Brains of the Revolution” and “the Sublime Paralytic”. His paralysis was caused by polio which started in 1895 and gradually incapacitated him until he lost full use of his lower limbs in January 1896. He did not join any patriotic organization until 1893 when along with other Masons, he tried to revive Rizal’s Liga Filipina and later became its secretary. A reformist by conviction, he opted to join the moderate Cuerpo de Compromisarios after the dissolution of the Liga and continued to support the Propaganda movement in Spain. Other Liga members gravitated towards

Inauguration of the Republic on January 23, 1899 Apolinario Mabini’s Masonic name, “Katabay” could very well describe the role he assumed during the Filipino struggle for sovereignty and self government. He was first among equals, yet he was more of the conscientious, vigilant companion, sharing the role of the leader but never playing the leader himself. He was a passionate patriot and Aguinaldo’s chief adviser during the revolution. After the declaration of independence, he laid the foundation for the organization and administration of local governments, and later the creation of a revolutionary congress. His insights were ahead of his time. He had a clear grasp of the bigger picture of the revolution and its implications in a post revolution scenario. As Emilio Jacinto was to the Katipunan, Apolinario Mabini was to the revolutionary government the ideologist and moral voice. He crafted Aguinaldo’s decrees for the administration of justice and protection of human rights. He wrote the "True Decalogue", a ten-point guide to citizenship and moral conduct which accompanied his constitutional program. Due to the exigencies of the times, Mabini wanted a strong President, with congress serving as adviser. But when he submitted his constitutional plan to congress, it set aside his proposals. The representatives later agreed to frame a constitution along the draft of Felipe Calderon which created a strong legislative body instead.

Andres Bonifacio’s separatist Katipunan. Mabini was falsely associated with the Katipunan uprising and arrested in 1896, together with Numeriano Adriano, Moises Salvador and other Liga Filipina members. He was later released but other Liga members were executed and became known in history as the 13 Martyrs of Bagumbayan. This was the turning point in his patriotic life. He joined the revolution and in spite of his infirmity, was made the chief adviser of Emilio Aguinaldo until the reorganization of Aguinaldo’s cabinet in 1899.

Mabini refused to submit to U.S. authority

Calderon’s proposal to make Roman Catholicism as the state religion was however, defeated. Mabini at least found vindication with the support of Mason delegates. The constitution was promulgated on January 21, 1899 after incorporating some of the amendments Mabini strongly urged. The Republic was inaugurated on January 23. In February, the Philippine-American war began. Mabini keenly observed the presence of social cliques fighting for dominance and self-interests. He saw the ramifications of internal politics. In spite of the reversals suffered by the Philippine army against the formidable U.S. forces, he fought against negotiating peace with the Americans if it meant surrendering Philippine sovereignty. But he later chose to quietly relinquish his post as head of Aguinaldo’s cabinet when congress suggested its reorganization in May of 1899. His primary detractors who formed the new cabinet soon showed their inclination towards accepting American rule and were used by the Americans to divide the Filipinos. This would also reflect on the division among the ranks of Filipino Masons later on, when the Americans, claiming exclusive territorial jurisdiction, transplanted their brand of Masonry in the Philippines, causing the displacement and eventual demise of the Grande Oriente Español and other grand jurisdictions in the country. Mabini was captured by American forces on December 10, 1899 and released on September 23, 1900. Even after the capture of Aguinaldo he did not submit to the authority of the United States. He remained steadfast in his convictions and continued to assail American presence through his writings. He questioned the legality of the occupation. His unassailable logic and patriotic influence were too threatening to American interests that in spite of his frail condition and infirmity he was re-arrested in January 1901 and exiled to Guam. While in exile he wrote his memoirs “La Revolución Filipina.” where he expressed, apart from his reasons for fighting colonialism, his sentiments and disappointments over what he perceived as major shortcomings of

Aguinaldo and his government which he claimed, succumbed to the influence of the oligarchy. He was not lacking in American sympathizers such as Senator George Hoar, who urged his release. However, there were stronger voices such as Elihu Root, the Secretary of War and William Howard Taft, the civil Governor of the Philippines (later President of the United States), who vehemently opposed his freedom. Taft expressing his fears that Mabini could cause a civil war in the Philippines described him as "the most prominent irreconcilable among the Filipinos." Eventually, Mabini was repatriated on February 26, 1903 only to die of cholera on May 13 of the same year. He was 39. Philippine-American War: Concentration Camp in Batangas In spite of the reversals suffered by the Philippine army against the formidable U.S. forces, he fought against negotiating peace with the Americans if it meant surrendering Philippine sovereignty.

Mabini was a simple farmer’s son from Tanauan, Batangas possessed with determination, perseverance and ambition. He proved that poverty was not an impediment to acquiring an education nor an excuse to mediocrity by supporting himself through his studies. In 1881 at 17, he enrolled at theColegio de San Juan de Letran, endured ridicule from his classmates for his shabby clothing, but earned the respect of his professors with his brilliant mind. In 1887, he passed a government examination which earned him the degree of Bachelor of Arts and a Teacher’s Certificate with the title,“Profesor de Segunda Enseñanza”. He took up Law at the Universidad de Santo Tomas, earned his degree in 1894, then passed the examination for licentiate in jurisprudence and became a member of the Colegio de Abogados. It was while he was studying Law and working to support himself as a copyist in the Court of First Instance when he worked under Numeriano Adriano in 1890. Adriano was some eighteen years his senior and belonged to a circle of Filipino Masons active in propaganda work. Mabini’s close friendship with Adriano and his association with the propagandists undoubtedly made a profound impact on his social and political outlook but he did not join the patriotic organization La Propaganda (Junta de la Propaganda) which was then the local liaison of the Propaganda Movement in Spain, or the Liga Filipina when it was first organized by Dr Jose Rizal. Then in September, 1892, Mabini joined the six-month old Logia Balagtas No. 149 which was founded by

Numeriano Adriano, and fellow propagandists Moises Salvador and Arcadio del Rosario. Salvador was Mabini’s neighbor in Nagtahan; del Rosario, his private mentor in Civil Law. In Masonry his analytical mind came to be tested during the period referred to by historian T.M. Kalaw as the “Democratization of the Fraternity”. As early as his initiation there was already a developing conflict between Logia Nilad 144, the “Mother Lodge” and other Filipino Lodges, over the question of lodge autonomy and management of Masonic affairs which the lodges believed, were being infringed by Nilad particularly its secretary, Pedro Serrano Laktaw. It was a question of Masonic rights, despotic orders, falsification of documents (of Dalisay lodge), personal attacks on Marcelo del Pilar and usurpation of authority that belonged solely, to the Grande Oriente Español. The lodges decided to break away from their Mother Lodge, but found themselves mired in organizational and legal constraints. Apolinario Mabini left his imprint in the history of true Philippine Masonry when he provided the legal and organizational bases for the eventual formation in 1893, of the Gran Consejo Regional de Filipinas (Regional Grand Council); the first national Masonic organization in the country under the Grande Oriente Español. Mabini thus became an acknowledged intellectual leader, a voice of reforms and a conscience of truth and justice; such attributes he carried as the “Brains of the Revolution”. First published in IGLPI Journal No 3, 2010