Gregorio Del Pilar Biography
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Known as Boy General, Gregorio del Pilar y Sempio was one of the youngest generals in the history of Philippine Revolutionary Forces during the revolution and Philippine-American War. Gregorio del Pilar was born on November 14, 1875 to Felipa Sempio and Fernando H. del Pilar. He was the nephew of the popular propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar and Toribio H. del Pilar. At the age of 20 in 1896, Del Pilar received his bachelor’s degree from the Ateneo de Manila University.
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The Philippine revolution against Spanish rule broke out in the same year in August under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio. Young Gregorio bravely joined the insurgency and characterized himself as the field commander while fighting the Spanish garrisons.
During the Spanish American war, General Emilio Aguinaldo established the first Philippine republic government and without any hesitance, appointed del Pilar section leader of the revolutionary forces in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Del Pilar was quick on laying a siege on the Spanish forces in the Bulacan province. He fought bravely with the rifles purchased in Hong Kong. The Spaniards surrendered to the brave Gregorio Del Pilar. Later, he brought his men to Caloocan, Manila, to support the other troops battling against the Spanish forces.
On February 1899, The Philippine American War broke out. On April 23, 1899, in the first phase of the battle of Quinga, del Pilar led his troops and won a short battle against Major Franklin Bell. His forces also killed the highly honored Colonel M. Stotsenburg and repelled the cavalry charge.
On December 2, 1889, del Pilar, with his 60 Filipino revolutionaries, fought the battle of Tirad Pass. He was killed in the battle after sustaining a bullet to the neck.
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