Edilberto Evangelista
Encyclopedia
Edilberto Evangelista was a Filipino civil engineer
who trained in the University of Ghent, Belgium
. His popularity by the time of the Philippine Revolution
could have made him president rather than Emilio Aguinaldo
, lest he was killed by a bullet in the head.
, on February 24, 1862. Evangelista finished his Bachelor of Arts at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1878. He was awarded a medal of excellence in Mathematics. Poor health made him to drop his idea of studying medicine. After this, he became a teacher, a cattle dealer, a tobacco merchant between Cebu
and Manila, and later a contractor of public works. He soon went to Madrid in 1890. It was during this time that he befriended many Filipino patriots, including Dr. Jose Rizal
, who advised him to study engineering in Belgium
. He therefore enrolled at the University of Ghent, one of the world’s top engineering schools, and finished civil engineering and architecture with highest honors. He then received profitable offers of employment from several institutions in Europe but he declined because of his zeal to serve his country.
in September of 1896, shortly after the start of the Philippine Revolution
. He was arrested and imprisoned, since the Spanish authorities suspected many people of the revolution, but he escaped. He joined General Emilio F. Aguinaldo’s command on October 22, 1896. At the Imus Assembly on December 31, 1896, Evangelista had submitted his draft of a constitution as requested by both Magdalo and Magdiwang factions. He was elected Lieutenant General
in the said meeting, now in the ranks of Artemio Ricarte
. Aguinaldo later utilized General Evangelista’s engineering skills. He planned and built forts and barricades in Bacoor, Binakayan, Cavite Viejo, Munting-ilog, Silang, Dasmariñas, Imus, Salitran, Lumang-bayan, and Noveleta, to serve as protection against Spanish forces. One Spanish general commented that the fortifications were the "fortifications of the future." Aguinaldo himself publicly recommended Evangelista to head the revolutionary government that would be established in lieu of the Katipunan
, for he was "the most educated" in the organization. Aguinaldo also said that Evangelista could "command the respect of the Spaniards". He was part of the Magdalo government, serving as assistant overall captain general
to Aguinaldo. Though in the actual sense, he was neutral in the Magdalo-Magdiwang feud.
Evangelista was calm but fatalistic, a characteristic misinterpreted as bravery. He was drawing trenches on the ground with a stick while the enemy fired cannons at their forces. One time, a shell dropped very near him yet he did not flinch nor run, instead he brushed the dust off his coat and continued to draw. His life soon ended, as well as hopes for him by fellowmen, when he died, along with Captain Mariano San Gabriel and Captain Mariano Ramirez, on February 17, 1897 during the famous Battle of Zapote Bridge
. His post was succeeded by his protege, Miguel Malvar
.
.
There are two major streets named after Evangelista: one in Quiapo
, Manila
; the other in Bangkal, Makati. The streets that bear his name are now famous for its thrift and second-hand shops.
House Bill No. 5659, passed on December 18, 2008 by seven lawmakers, sought to rename the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas to General Edilberto Evangelista Avenue for the latter's fearless exploits during the Philippine Revolution.
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
who trained in the University of Ghent, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. His popularity by the time of the Philippine Revolution
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...
could have made him president rather than Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation...
, lest he was killed by a bullet in the head.
Early Life and Career
He was born in Sta. Cruz, ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, on February 24, 1862. Evangelista finished his Bachelor of Arts at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1878. He was awarded a medal of excellence in Mathematics. Poor health made him to drop his idea of studying medicine. After this, he became a teacher, a cattle dealer, a tobacco merchant between Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
and Manila, and later a contractor of public works. He soon went to Madrid in 1890. It was during this time that he befriended many Filipino patriots, including Dr. Jose Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, who advised him to study engineering in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He therefore enrolled at the University of Ghent, one of the world’s top engineering schools, and finished civil engineering and architecture with highest honors. He then received profitable offers of employment from several institutions in Europe but he declined because of his zeal to serve his country.
Philippine Revolution
He returned to the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in September of 1896, shortly after the start of the Philippine Revolution
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...
. He was arrested and imprisoned, since the Spanish authorities suspected many people of the revolution, but he escaped. He joined General Emilio F. Aguinaldo’s command on October 22, 1896. At the Imus Assembly on December 31, 1896, Evangelista had submitted his draft of a constitution as requested by both Magdalo and Magdiwang factions. He was elected Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
in the said meeting, now in the ranks of Artemio Ricarte
Artemio Ricarte
Artemio Ricarte y Garcia was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. He is considered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the "Father of the Philippine Army"...
. Aguinaldo later utilized General Evangelista’s engineering skills. He planned and built forts and barricades in Bacoor, Binakayan, Cavite Viejo, Munting-ilog, Silang, Dasmariñas, Imus, Salitran, Lumang-bayan, and Noveleta, to serve as protection against Spanish forces. One Spanish general commented that the fortifications were the "fortifications of the future." Aguinaldo himself publicly recommended Evangelista to head the revolutionary government that would be established in lieu of the Katipunan
Katipunan
The Katipunan was a Philippine revolutionary society founded by anti-Spanish Filipinos in Manila in 1892, whose primary aim was to gain independence from Spain through revolution. The society was initiated by Filipino patriots Andrés Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa, and others on the night...
, for he was "the most educated" in the organization. Aguinaldo also said that Evangelista could "command the respect of the Spaniards". He was part of the Magdalo government, serving as assistant overall captain general
Captain General
Captain general is a high military rank and a gubernatorial title.-History:This term Captain General started to appear in the 14th century, with the meaning of commander in chief of an army in the field, probably the first usage of the term General in military settings...
to Aguinaldo. Though in the actual sense, he was neutral in the Magdalo-Magdiwang feud.
Evangelista was calm but fatalistic, a characteristic misinterpreted as bravery. He was drawing trenches on the ground with a stick while the enemy fired cannons at their forces. One time, a shell dropped very near him yet he did not flinch nor run, instead he brushed the dust off his coat and continued to draw. His life soon ended, as well as hopes for him by fellowmen, when he died, along with Captain Mariano San Gabriel and Captain Mariano Ramirez, on February 17, 1897 during the famous Battle of Zapote Bridge
Battle of Zapote Bridge (1897)
The Battle of Zapote Bridge was fought on February 17, 1897, as part of the Philippine Revolution. Filipino revolutionary forces headed by General Emilio Aguinaldo defeated Spanish forces under Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja. In this battle, General Edilberto Evangelista, a Filipino civil...
. His post was succeeded by his protege, Miguel Malvar
Miguel Malvar
Miguel Malvar y Carpio was a Filipino commander who served during the Philippine Revolution and subsequently during the Philippine–American War. He assumed command of the Philippine revolutionary forces during the latter conflict following the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901...
.
Legacy
A military camp in Cagayan de Oro was named after him, Camp Edilberto Evangelista. However, local lawmakers in the area have recently filed House Bill No. 4735, suggesting to change the name into Camp Jose Montalvan. Camp Edilberto Evangelista is the largest military camp in Mindanao with an area of 129 hectares. It houses the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine ArmyPhilippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
.
There are two major streets named after Evangelista: one in Quiapo
Quiapo
Quiapo may refer to:*Quiapo, Chile a location in Arauco Province*Quiapo, Manila in the Philippines...
, Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
; the other in Bangkal, Makati. The streets that bear his name are now famous for its thrift and second-hand shops.
House Bill No. 5659, passed on December 18, 2008 by seven lawmakers, sought to rename the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas to General Edilberto Evangelista Avenue for the latter's fearless exploits during the Philippine Revolution.