Marcelo H. del Pilar was a Filipino writer and propagandist whose satirical works in Tagalog terrified the Spanish colonizers, making him one of the most feared Filipinos of his time.
Early Life and Background ⏱ 0:31
•Born on August 30, 1850, in Cupang San Nicolás, Bulacan.•Came from a wealthy and powerful family; his father Julian Hilario del Pilar served as gobernadorcillo of Bulacan and later as clerk for the provincial governor.•His mother Blasa Gatmaitan was a descendant of Tagalog nobility.•The del Pilar family owned large lands planted with rice and sugarcane.•Studied at San Jose College and Santo Tomas, earning a law degree in 1881.•In 1882 became editor of Diyaryong Tagalog, a newspaper that criticized Spanish rule and treatment of Filipinos.Propaganda and Writings ⏱ 1:45
•Along with Graciano López Jaena and José Rizal, del Pilar was one of three illustrados who led the propaganda movement against the Spanish, especially the friars.•He was skilled in parodies and wrote in Tagalog (unlike Rizal who wrote in Spanish), making his works popular among Filipinos.•Under the pen name Plaridel, he published works like Dasalan at Toksohan and Kaigat Kayo.•He used pamphlet format and distributed his writings across the Philippines.•His writings had a major impact on Filipinos and alarmed the Spanish.Alleged Role in Katipunan and Later Life ⏱ 2:54
•Some historians believe del Pilar was the true mastermind of the Katipunan.•Evidence includes Bonifacio submitting the Katipunan's bylaws to del Pilar for approval.•The official organ of the Katipunan, Kalayaan, recognized del Pilar as its official editor.•Using his influential family connections, he had high-ranking Spanish officer friends; he once had a friar arrested through the provincial governor of Bulacan.•In 1888, after writing about the Governor General and the Queen Regent, he fled to Spain to escape persecution.•In Spain, he befriended Spanish politicians and campaigned for official recognition of the Philippines as part of Spain.•In 1889 he succeeded López Jaena as editor of La Solidaridad.•He ran the newspaper with support from the propaganda movement; when donations ran out, he used his own money.•After six months as editor, his money ran out and he became impoverished; suffered from tuberculosis and could not eat three times a day.•Forced to return to the Philippines, he died a few months later from his illness.Key Takeaways
•Del Pilar's satirical writings in Tagalog made the Spanish fear him more than other propagandists.•He is believed by some historians to have been the true mastermind of the Katipunan.•He used his family's influence to have a friar arrested, showing his power against the clergy.•He sacrificed his own wealth to keep La Solidaridad running and died in poverty from tuberculosis.Conclusion
Marcelo H. del Pilar's fearless writings and political influence made him the Filipino most feared by the Spanish, and his contributions were vital to the Philippines' fight for freedom.
