THIS WEEK’S MILESTONES

July 3 to July 9

July 4, 1902

Under the American regime, Batangas town’s civil government was inaugurated. A municipal hall was subsequently inaugurated in the same year. Gen. Miguel Malvar’s surrender to Gen. Franklin Bell on April 16, 1902, led to the institution of the civil government by the Philippine Commission in Batangas. Malvar was one of the last Filipino generals to surrender to the Americans and in recognition of his patriotism, he was neither imprisoned nor exiled but he declined the offer to be governor of Batangas and went back to farming.

July 5, 1983

A historical marker was installed in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, for writer, poet and politician Marcelino “Mena” Crisologo by the National Historical Institute. Crisologo served as the first governor of Ilocos Sur in 1901. Among the achievements of his term was taking part in the 1903 Census of the Philippines that was led by provincial governors. He served as governor until 1904 and devoted his time to Ilocano and Filipino art and culture. In 1904, he earned an honorable mention in photography and a gold medal for a piece of wood furniture. Aside from novels, Crisologo also wrote comedic plays and zarzuelas and helped found Gimong Dagiti Umiiloko, the precursor of Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano Filipinas, or Ilocano Writers Association of the Philippines, one of the country’s largest regional writers groups. He died on July 5, 1927.