jose ignacio paua - his exploits.docx
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all about General Jose Ignacio Paua, the Chinese general in Aguinaldo's Army.TRANSCRIPT
Jose Ignacio PauaHis Exploits and Contributions to the Philippine Revolution
For: Dr. Ma. Luisa M. CamagayProfessor
From: Ansam LeeStudent
Jose Ignacio Paua
His Exploits and Contributions to the Philippine Revolution
Introduction
Despite an attitude of indifference by most Chinese towards the lamentable
situation of the country and its people, Jose Paua, not only sympathized with them,
but also joined the revolutionary movement on the first opportunity he had. His
skills as a blacksmith and a gunsmith had proven to be invaluable to the
revolutionary cause. And in the field of battle, he had proven himself to be
courageous and able commander. Not to mention of his attainment in the collection
of revolutionary fund as one of the highest amount.
His Early Years
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Jose Paua also known as Hou A Pao was born in Fujian, China on August 27,
1856.1 But according to some source it was on April 29, 1872.2 During his adolescent
years, his nationalistic awareness about the condition of his homeland through the
imperialistic exploitation of European Powers, had spurred him to join the patriotic
society of Tien Ti Hui (Triad Society).3 His active participation in the activities of the
society and its secret affairs had caught the attention of the enemies, along with
apparently some comrades who were resentful of his popularity. Deeming A Pao to
be an obstacle, they concocted a plot to liquidate him. Fortunately, he saw through
his enemies’ ruse. Rather than confronting the indomitable enemies head one, he
decided to take flight by taking the first available ship bound for Manila.4 It was in
Manila, where Hou A Pao would be known as Jose Ignacio Paua by his acquaintances
and friends, especially to the Filipinos he had aided.5
Arriving in Manila on July 1872, Paua roamed the streets of Intramuros, from
Puente de España to Rosario Sts., and then finally reaching Jaboneros St. in Tondo,
1 Luis Camara Dery, When the World Loved the Filipinos and other Essays on the Philippine History (Manila: UST Publishing House, 2005), 63. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Dery”. Edgar Wickberg, The Chinese in Philippine Life 1850-1898 (New Haven, USA: Yale University Press, 1965), 201. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Wickberg”. Nancy T. Lu, “More Filipino than many Filipinos – A Chinese Comrade-In-Arms”, Sunday Times Magazine (June 15, 1969):42. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Lu”. Gregorio F. Zaide, “Chinese General in the Philippine Revolution”, Fookien Times Philippine Yearbook (1955): 155. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Zaide”.2 Teresita Ang See and Go Bon Juan, The Ethnic Chinese in the Philippine Revolution, (Manila: Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Inc.,1996), 28. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Ang-See”.3 Dery, 63. Wickberg, 201-202.4 Ibid. Ibid.5 Wickberg, 201.
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where he found a job as an apprentice to a Chinese blacksmith.6 Through
perseverance, Paua, who learned to become expert repairman and manufacturer of
lantaka or native cannon, rose to become a master artisan.7 Paua, being sociable in
nature, was well known in Tondo among his Chinese and Filipinos friends and
acquaintances, and through these associations, especially with his Filipino friends
that he came to learn Tagalog.8 It was also through these associations that he later
came into contact with members of the Katipunan.
The Katipunan
Around 1890’s, Paua heard about the Propaganda Movement from his Tondo
friends, and from them he came to learn of the abuses committed by the Spanish
officials, especially the Guardia Civil. Being a man who loved freedom and justice, he
immediately sympathized with them.9 Thereafter Paua was introduced by his
closest friend, Pantaleon Garcia, to some of the notable Katipuneros, such as
Guillermo Masangkay, Jose Turiano Santiago and Procopio Bonifacio.10
6 Gregorio F. Zaide, “A Chinese General in the Philippine Revolution”, Fookien Times Philippine Yearbook (1955): 156. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Zaide”. Ang-See, 29. Dery, 63. Lu , 42.7 Zaide, 156. Dery, 62-63. Edwin Wildman, Aguinaldo, a narrative of Filipino ambitions (Boston, 1901), 105. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Wildman”. Folreño Solmirano, “Gunmaker Honored as Bicol hero”, Philippine Daily Inquirer (May11, 1998): 16. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Solmirano”. Ang-See, 29.8 Lu, 42.9 Zaide, 156.10 Ibid., 156. Dery, 64.
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Together with Pantaleon Garcia, Paua used to attend town fiestas in the
province of Cavite. And from these visits, he came to be familiarized with Emilio
Aguinaldo, Vito Belarmino, Artemio Ricarte, Santiago Alvarez, Daniel Tirona and the
others.11 It was also from one of these visits that he met and married Antonia Jamir,
cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo.12
The Munitions Factory
In the first few days when the revolution broke out, the Katipuneros were
valiant in their effort in resisting the Spanish onslaught. But sheer courage alone
was not enough in winning a war against an enemy that was equipped with modern
weaponry.13 Realizing the futility of an armed struggle with just crude and
outmoded weapons, Paua suggested to Emilio Aguinaldo the establishment of an
arms factory.14 After much deliberation, Emilio Aguinaldo accepted the proposal and
immediately commissioned Paua as Lieutenant of the Revolutionary force and was
11 Ibid., 156. Dery, 64. Solmirano, 16.12 Lu, 42. Zaide, 156. Dery, 64.13 Zaide, 156. Lu, 42.14 Lu,42. Zaide, 156. Ang-See, 29.
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appointed director of the Revolutionary arms factory.15 And by September of 1896,
an arms factory was established at Imus, Cavite.16
Baptism of Fire: The Battle of Binakayan
It was in the Battle of Binakayan on November 1896, that Paua proved his
capability as an effective commander and a courageous leader.17 It began with the
intentions of Governor-General Ramon Blanco to contain the rebellion in Cavite, by
committing his troops to an all out assault on the towns of Noveleta and Binakayan.
The Spanish began their attack on November 9, 1896. Simultaneous attack was
made under naval support. General Rios stormed the town of Novelete, while troops
under Col. Jose Marina assaulted Binakayan.18 After two days of intense fighting, the
Spanish forces, despite their modern armaments, were forced to retreat due to
heavy casualties.19 The gallantry that Paua had shown during the Battle of
Binakayan had earned him the promotion of the rank of Captain. 20
15 Zaide,156. Juan F. Villasanta, “General Aguinaldo Recalls General Paua”, Fookien Times Philippine Yearbook (1956): 145. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Villasanta”.16 Lu, 42.17 Dery, 66. Zaide, 156. Villasanta, 152. Ang-See, 29.18 Zaide, 156.19 Ibid.,156-157.20 Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152. Dery, 66.
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The Central Luzon Campaign
By February of 1897, Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja, who replaced
Governor-General Ramon Blanco, made plans to make an all out strike at Central
Luzon, particularly Cavite.21 Unfortunately, this time around, it was the
revolutionists that met successive defeats. But on March 7, 1897 Paua had
demonstrated himself to be a capable commander at the Battle of Salitran.22 His
troops were able to repulse the Spanish assault and in the process kill the Spanish
General Zabala.23 However, they were no match for the advancing Spanish troops of
General Lachambre that were better trained and equipped.24 Again, the
revolutionists experienced successive defeats, even the town of Imus was occupied
by the Spanish troops. But before it was taken, Paua made a valiant effort to defend
the town, but to no avail and was forced to retreat. It was from this encounter that
Paua received the promotion of major.25
Around when the internal rift between the Bonifacio and Aguinaldo was
about to reach its peak, the Tejeros Convention was held on March 22, 1897, and
Emilio Aguinaldo was elected the president of the revolutionary government.
Displeased with how the election turned out, Andres Bonifacio left. Soon after, an
21 Dery, 66. Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152.22 Ang-See, 30.23 Lu, 42 Dery, 66.24 Ibid.25 Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152.
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order of arrest was issued against Bonifacio, and Paua was one of the men assigned
for the apprehension.26
Biak-na-Bato Republic
Due to successive defeats being experienced by the revolutionary forces on
all fronts, Aguinaldo’s forces had to fall back several times until they reached Biak-
na-Bato, where they holed up.27 The Spanish forces however were able to surround
the location, and were subjecting it to constant pressure.28 During that desperate
moment, Aguinaldo ordered his troops to conduct guerrilla tactics against Spanish
forces to loosen up the pressure.29 It was through this encounter with the Spanish
forces of General Monet that General Francisco Makabulos and Paua had shown
their exemplary performance as commanders of their army. 30 Be that as it may, they
were still outmatched by the Spanish soldiers led by an equally capable commander.
Nevertheless Paua was promoted to colonel for his bravery.
By November 1, 1897, the Biak-na-Bato Republic was established with Emilio
Aguinaldo as the president.31 After which, the constitution of the Republic was
26 Lu, 42. Dery, 66. Zaide, 157.27 Dery, 66.28 Ibid.29 Ibid.30 Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152.31 Dery, 67. Zaide, 158.
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signed by prominent Revolutionary leaders including Paua, who was the only
Chinese in the history to have signed the Philippine Constitution.32 Regrettably, the
Biak-na-Bato Republic was short lived, due to the compromising truce known as the
Pact of Biak-na-Bato that was signed by Governor-General Primo de Rivera and
Emilio Aguinaldo on December 15, 1897.33 In compliance with the truce, Aguinaldo
with the selected leaders, which included Paua who shall act as interpreter, went to
voluntary exile in Hong Kong.34
Return from Hong Kong
The outbreak of the Spanish-American War and Commodore Dewey’s victory
over the Spanish fleet on May 1, 1898 at Manila Bay, had paved the way for
Aguinaldo to resume the struggle against Spain. 35 From Hong Kong, Aguinaldo
boarded the American vessel, McCulloch, and arrived at Cavite on May 19, 1898.36
Upon arrival, Aguinaldo spared no time in rallying the people to join his cause, while
the Filipino people, suspicious of Spanish sincerity in complying with the conditions
of the truce, immediately joined Aguinaldo’s ranks.37 With the revolutionary 32 Ibid.33 Ibid. Lu, 42. Wickberg, 202.34 Ibid. Santiago V. Alvarez, Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General, trans. Paula Carolina S. Malay (Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1992), 197. 35 Lu, 43. Dery, 67. Zaide, 158.36 Zaide, 158. Dery, 67.37 Dery, 68.
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resistance going ever stronger and more popular, Spain was faced in a dilemma of
dealing with two enemies. Henceforth, the setting of Spanish reign over the
Philippine islands was just a matter of time.38
The Spanish Surrender of Manila
Despite cooperation between American forces and Aguinaldo’s troops,
Spanish authorities made a secret treaty with the Americans. As a result, the
insidious Americans talked Aguinaldo out of joining in the Battle of Manila.39 And on
August 13, 1898, the Spanish forces in Manila surrendered to the Americans.40
The Philippine Republic
On the 12th of June 1898, a proclamation of independence was made at Kawit,
Cavite, with Aguinaldo as the president of the newly established Philippine
Republic.41 This historic event was marked with the playing of the Philippine
National Anthem and the unfurling of the Philippine Flag.42 While Paua went to the
Zaide, 158.38 Dery, 68.39 Ibid.40 William P. Meyers, “US War Against Asia”, III Publishing, retrieve from http://www.iiipublishing.com/politics/asian_war/asian_war_philippines1.html on March 30, 2012 at 11:07 am.
41 Dery, 68. Lu, 43. Zaide, 158. Ang-See, 30.42 Zaide, 158.
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barber and had his queue cut to signify his independence from the bondage of
servitude to the Manchurian masters (Qing government in China).43 But he was
unable to attend the historical event at Kawit, Cavite, due to the orders given to him
by Aguinaldo, that is, collecting monetary contributions for the cause.44
The Fiscal Agent
On September 26, 1898, due to Paua’s excellent performance in the collection
of contributions, Emilio Aguinaldo promoted him to brigadier general, along with
the other leaders who were also promoted for their exemplary performance with
their missions.45 After the promotion, Paua was immediately sent to the Bicol region
on a special mission as a fiscal commissioner. He first went to Sorsogon where he
was able to collect P 15,000 in cash, medicines, clothes and food supplies.46 And
from Sorsogon, he continued his collection of contributions from the other towns of
the Bicol region.47 All contributions Paua acquired was promptly sent to the General
Headquarters of the Military Department of Southern Luzon, located at San
Francisco de Malabon.48 All in all, Paua was able to collect a staggering amount of P
43 Lu, 43. Wickberg, 202. Dery, 69.44 Zaide, 158. Dery, 69.45 Ibid.46 Zaide, 158.47 Dery, 69.48 Dery, 69. Zaide, 158.
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386,00049. This is to include the financial contributions given by the Chinese in the
area.
Because of his exceptional ability in the task of collecting revolutionary
funds, .he was commissioned to the task of procuring contributions. For most part of
the year 1899, Paua was on a mission of soliciting funds for the cause, especially
during the outbreak of Filipino-American War, when they were in dire need of
supplies, munitions and monetary donations.50 And on one occasion, he almost lost
the P 160,000 he collected from the contributions while they were sailing across the
Ragay Gulf towards the Tayabas coast.51 During their voyage, an American gunboat
caught sight of them and gave chase. They were about to be intercepted by the
Americans when Paua directed the ship to maneuver near the shallow shores, then
ordered his men to jettison the bags of silver Mexican coins on shallow waters to
lighten up their load and speed up the sail.52 Since the American gunboat could not
navigate on shallow waters, they stopped giving chase to Paua’s party after they had
reached the shallow waters. Paua and his men came back to the scene and fished out
the bags the following day.53
49 Zaide, 158. Lu, 43. Ang-See, 30. Wildman, 202.50 Dery, 72-73.51 Ang-See, 30. Zaide, 159. Lu, 43.52 Ibid.53 Ibid.
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During one of his fund raising missions, Paua found it difficult to resist the
beautiful ladies of the Bicol region, and it was near the scenic spot of Mt. Mayon that
he met his second wife, Carolina Imperial. Despite the protestations of her parents
and relatives, Carolina was married to Paua on September 3, 1899.54 Paua gave his
explanation for his second marriage to the Aguinaldo family and to a person by the
name of Tomas Mascardo, dated October 28, 1899.55 Apparently it was about the
faithlessness of his first wife Antonina Jamir, and although Paua was the aggrieved
party, he presented himself with much humility that can be seen in his composition.
Guerilla Wars
Realizing the futility of resisting the American forces through a conventional
style of warfare, Aguinaldo met with his generals and made a deliberation on their
plan of action. And it was unanimously decided that guerilla tactics was to be
implemented. 56 On November 13, 1899, the national armies of the Republic were
disbanded and reorganized in favor of using the guerilla warfare. Thereafter, Emilio
Aguinaldo went into hiding.
54 Dery, 71. Lu, 43. Zaide, 159.55 Dery, 71. Jose Ignacio Paua, A letter to Tomas Mascardo regarding his marriage, etc., Atimonan, Tayabas, October 28, 1899, Batch 8 Retrieved on January 26, 1994, Philippines National Library.56 Dery, 73
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On the other hand, Paua was still in the Bicol region when the news of the
guerilla warfare was to be implemented.57 Sensing the problem of continuing his
mission of soliciting monetary contributions, along with the difficulty in contacting
Emilio Aguinaldo, Paua decided to join the forces of General Vito Belarmino in Albay.
Kobbe Expedition and Paua’s Scorched-Earth Policy
The hemp shortages in America and the unyielding resistance of the Filipino
guerilla troops resulted in a decision by the American occupational authorities to
occupy the Bicol region, which consequently produces hemp as part of its industry.58
And on January 15, 1900, General Elwell Otis appointed Brig. General William A.
Kobbe as military governor of the Bicol region, which comprises the provinces of
Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Leyte, Samar, and Camarines.59 After much
preparations, the Kobbe expedition left Manila on January 18, 1900.60 Two days
later, the expeditionary forces reached Sorsogon, but encountered resistance from
forces under Col. Amando Airan. After short exchanges of fire, the forces of Col.
Airan vacated the town and withdrew to Albay.61 That very day, Sorsogon fell to the
hands of the Americans.
57 Ibid.58 Dery, 74. Lu, 43.59 Dery, 74.60 Ibid.61 Dery, 74 Zaide, 159.
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On January 23, 1900, the American forces assaulted the port of Legaspi, but
encountered stiff resistance from the forces of Gen. Paua.62 Under naval support, the
Gen. Kobbe and his troops were able to land ashore and assailed the entrenched
defenders.63 With both forces determined to win the battle, a bloody carnage
ensued. And despite the valiant efforts made by the defenders, they were forced to
retreat. With the town abandoned by the defenders, it was occupied by the
American troops on the very same day.64
After Gen. Paua and his troops withdrew to the town of Albay, the first order
of business was the reorganization of the devastated troops. But the relentless
Americans continued to press on. And by the 25th of January 1900, American forces
from Legaspi made an assault to the town of Albay. Paua and his troops resisted the
American onslaught.65 But when he realized that he could no longer be able to
defend the town, he ordered the evacuation of the town before it was set ablaze;
thereafter he joined Gen. Belarmino at the town of Malabog.
During the following days after Gen. Paua retreated to the town of Malabog,
hundreds of reinforcements came pouring down to join the ranks of Generals
62 Dery, 74. Zaide, 159.63 Dery, 74. Zaide, 159.64 Lu, 43. Zaide, 159. Dery, 74.65 Dery, 74. Lu, 43. Zaide, 159.
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Belarmino and Paua. After taking account of their military situation, both Belarmino
and Paua decided on the use of guerilla tactics against the enemies.66 On the night of
January 29, 1900, Paua along with his troops immediately implemented the attack
on the town of Legaspi. They used unorthodox methods such as incendiary tactics in
setting the buildings on fire as they confront the American defenders before they
withdrew.67 Gen. Paua in performing the nocturnal strikes on the towns of Albay on
January 30, Legaspi on February 1, and Daraga used similar tactic on February 6.68
Retirement and Surrender
Gen. Paua’s utilization of the scorched-earth policy was to deny the enemy
the advantage of using the resources, and at the same time burning the houses of
collaborators to get back at them.69 Because of Paua’s insistence of adopting the
scorched-earth method, a clash between the two generals ensued, and as each day
passed by, the rift between the two worsened.70 And by the end February 1900, the
rift between them had reached an irreparable state. It started while Paua was
making preparations for the defense of Guinobatan, when suddenly a bullet shot
nearly killed him. Suspecting that Belarmino was behind all this, he gave up his post
as Chief of Operations, and resigned from active duty.71
66 Dery, 75. Zaide, 159. Lu, 43.67 Ibid.68 Ibid.69 Zaide, 160.70 Lu, 43. Zaide, 160.71 Zaide, 160.
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Battle weary and having retired as a general, Paua reunited with his family at
Polagui. This time, no amount of Belarmino’s convincing could persuade him to
come back and join the ranks.72 With the absence of a capable commander like Paua,
the Battle of Guinobatan ended with a devastating defeat from Belarmino’s side.
Paua, having realized that resistance against America was now pointless, decided to
surrender to the Americans. Hunching that Paua plans to surrender, Belarmino
dispatched Captain Isidro Salazar to intercept and dissuade Paua into
surrendering.73 Although Capt. Salazar caught up with Paua and his family, Paua via
Felipe Dato, a relative of his wife, outwitted the captain and his men.74 From Manito
Paua and his family traveled safely to Legaspi where he surrendered to Col. Walter
Howe on March 27, 1900.
Epilogue
Lu, 43. Dery, 75.72 Ibid.73 Zaide, 160. Lu, 43.74 Dery, 76. Zaide, 160. Lu, 43.
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On June 21, 1900, Governor-General Arthur MacArthur, under the directive
of the President of the United States, issued an amnesty proclamation to all rebel
forces. Pawa was among the prisoners who were set free by virtue of the
proclamation.75 After his release, Paua and his family settled in the town of Manito,
Albay, where he ran for, and was elected as town mayor.76 On May 27, 1922, Paua
sighed his last breath at the San Juan de Dios Hospital.
Gen. Jose Ignacio Paua rose from an obscure China man to a phenomenal
Chinese general of the Philippine Republic. What really made his mark in Philippine
history was his bravery in the face of insurmountable enemy forces, be they Spanish
or Americans. Along with his other characteristics, such as his practicality in
applying his skills as a blacksmith and a gunsmith, had helped a lot in alleviating the
offensive capability of the Revolutionary Republic, together with his unorthodox
method of the use of incendiary tactics that made him the scourge of the American
armies he encountered. Not to mention his ability as a fiscal agent had made him an
invaluable member of the revolutionary movement and the Republic.
On the other hand, his loyalty to Emilio Aguinaldo had earned him the name
of “henchman”, due to his participation in the cruel way of apprehending Andres
Bonifacio. Be that as it may, his patriotism and nationalistic spirit became the
precedent of the future generations, especially of the local Chinese. A legacy that
75 Ibid.76 Ang-See, 31. Dery, 76. Zaide, 160. Lu, 43.
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was cherished by Filipinos and Chinese alike, especially during the Japanese
invasion and occupation, when they endeavored in a patriotic duty to resist the
enemy’s onslaught and subjugation.
Bibliography
See, Teresita Ang, and Bon Juan Go. The Ethnic Chinese in the Philippine Revolution. Manila: Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Inc., 1996.
Wildman, Edwin. Aguinaldo, a narrative of Filipino ambitions. Boston, 1901.
19
Villasanta, Juan F. "General Aguinaldo Recalls General Paua." Fookien Times Yearbook, 1956.
Solmirano, Floreño. "Gunmaker Honored as Bicol Hero." Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 1998.
Dery, Luis Camara. When the World Loved the Filipinos and other Essays on the Philippine History. Manila: UST Publishing House, 2005.
Wickberg, Edgar. The Chinese in Philippine Life 1850-1898. Haven: Yale University Press, 1965.
Lu, Nancy T. "More Filipino than many Filipinos - A Chinese Comrade-In-Arms." Sunday Times Magazine, June 1969.
Zaide, Gregorio F. "Chinese General in the Philippine Revolution." Fookein Times Philippine Yearbook, 1955.
Meyers, William P. III Publishing. http://www.iiipublishing.com/politics /asian_war/asian_war_philippines1.html (accessed March 30, 2012).
Paua, Jose Ignacio. "A letter to Tomas Mascardo regarding his marriage, etc." Atimonan, Tayabas, October 28, 1899, Batch 8, Retrieved on January 26, 1994, Philippines National Library.
Alvarez, Santiago V. Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General. Translated by Paula Carolina S. Malay. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1992.
PhotosScanned Photo : Letter to Tomas Mascardo
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Jose Ignacio Paua Monument Commemorating Gen. Paua
Pact of Biak-na-Bato NegotiatorsEmilio Aguinaldo with his Revolutionary officers and leaders
Seated from left to right: Pedro Paterno and Emilio Aguinaldo
Standing from left to right: Tomas Mascardo, Celis, Jose Ignacio Paua, Antonio Montenegro, and Mariano Llanera
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