This article is about the general of the Philippine Revolution. For the Cuban filmmaker, see Santiago Álvarez

Santiago Álvarez

Santiago Álvarez Román was a Cuban filmmaker. He wrote and directed many documentaries about Cuban and American culture...

.

Santiago Alvarez (July 25, 1872 – October 30, 1930) was a revolutionary general and a founder and honorary president of the first directorate of the Nacionalista Party

Nacionalista Party

The Nacionalista Party is the oldest political party in the Philippines today and was responsible for leading the country throughout the majority of the 20th century since its founding in 1907...

. Also known as Kidlat ng Apoy because of his inflamed bravery and dedication as commander of Cavite

Cavite

Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...

's famous battles (particularly that in Dalahican), he was celebrated in present-day Cavite City as the Hero of the Battle of Dalahican.

Early life

A native of Imus, Cavite

Imus, Cavite

The Municipality of Imus is a first-class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines, and it is the officially designated capital of Cavite...

, Santiago was the only child of the revolutionary leader Mariano Alvarez

Mariano Álvarez

Mariano Álvarez was a Filipino revolutionary and politician.-Pre-war life:Álvarez was born in Noveleta, Cavite. He received formal schooling at the San José College in Manila, and obtained a teacher's diploma. He returned to Cavite and worked as a schoolteacher in Naic and Maragondon. He was...

 (1818–1924) and Nicolasa del Rosario-Virata. After his birth, his family immediately moved to Noveleta, Cavite where he acquired his early education at age seven under Antonio Dacon. He was later transferred to another private school located in the present Cavite City

Cavite City

The City of Cavite is a fourth class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. The city occupies a hook shaped peninsula jutting out into Manila Bay. Cavite City used to be the capital of the province...

 where he was taught by Don Ignacio Vilocillo. Since his parents wanted him to become a teacher, he was sent to Manila and enrolled at a school situated along Camba street in Tondo, Manila and was headed by Don Macario Hernández. However, his academic endeavors were interrupted by the revolution in 1896. After the revolution, he enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas but later transferred to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts. He then took up law at the Liceo de Manila.

Personal life

Santiago married Pat Granados of Tanza, Cavite with whom he had ten children - Marta, Magdalena, Gabriel, Pacita, Numeriano, Egmidio, Rosendo, Virginia, Amelia, and Fidel.

Philippine Revolution

Prior to the outbreak of the revolution, Santiago was already a delegado general of the provincial council of the Katipunan in Cavite. He became captain general and later, commander-in-chief, of the Magdiwang forces and valiantly fought the Spaniards from 1896 to 1897. With his father, Mariano Alvarez, and cousin, General Pascual Alvarez, they liberated Noveleta from the Spaniards on August 31, 1896. A notable combatant, Santiago displayed heroism and bravery in various battles within Noveleta, specifically in the towns of Naic, Maragondon, Magallanes, Tanza, Alfonso, Silang, Imus, and Francisco de Malabon.

And although marginalized within the ranks of the revolution with the ascendancy of a rival faction, Alvarez continued to support the cause of the revolution - a true testament to the character of this Caviteño.

American occupation

During the establishment of the American civil government in the Philippines in 1901, Alvarez assisted in the organization of the Nacionalista Party, wherein he later became president of its directorate. In 1902, Gov. William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...

 assigned him as presiding officer of the Junta Magna de la Comisión de la Paz (Great Council of the Peace Commission) which was formed to accelerate the rehabilitation of the country from the destruction caused by the war.

Alvarez joined in the founding of the Philippine Independent Church

Philippine Independent Church

The Philippine Independent Church, The Philippine Independent Church, The Philippine Independent Church, (officially the or the IFI, also known as the Philippine Independent Catholic Church or in Ilocano: Siwawayawaya nga Simbaan ti Filipinas (in in Kinaray-a/Hiligaynon: Simbahan Hilway nga...

 where he also served as its leader. He organized the Makabuhay Association in 1912 which aimed for mutual assistance and co-fraternity.

Death

On October 30, 1930, at age 58, he died of paralysis in San Pablo City

San Pablo City

The City of San Pablo , a first class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, is one of the country's oldest cities. The City of San Pablo lies in the southern portion of Laguna province...

 and was buried at the San Pablo municipal cemetery.