Shrine for PHL revolution’s hero-journalist Lopez Jaena eyed as added cultural heritage site in Iloilo

By Emme Rose S. Santiagudo, Correspondent

GRACIANO Lopez Jaena is recognized as the first Filipino propagandist who rallied and sought Philippine independence from Spain alongside national heroes Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar.

In his hometown Iloilo, his Dec. 18 birthday is observed as a special public holiday in the city and the entire province.

This year, the city government has committed to help provide the needed funding to complete the development of the hero’s ancestral home in Jaro district into another cultural heritage destination.

Demy P. Sonza, chairman of the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation and a former member of the Iloilo provincial board, said the completion of the shrine has been pending since 2017.

“Last year, around 40% was finished. The previous administration of Mayor Jose S. Espinosa promised to help finish the project but they failed to do so,” he said during Wednesday’s commemoration event.

Under the current administration of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the foundation has already signed an agreement for the turn over of the government lot where the shrine and Lopez Jaena’s ancestral home is located.

HISTORY LESSON
“The shrine will be a museum library where Lopez Jaena’s memorabilia and literary works will be displayed for the visitors. It will be an added attraction and cultural heritage place to Iloilo,” Mr. Sonza said.

Lopez Jaena founded the fortnightly newspaper La Solidaridad and made notable literary contributions, the most famous of which is Fray Botod, a satirical character sketch of priests during the Spanish colonization.

“We need to know and appreciate what Lopez Jaena did for our country. Knowing the life of a hero can be very encouraging and it can help us be inspired to do what is best for our country,” Mr. Sonza said.

Nereo C. Lujan, the Iloilo provincial government’s resident historian and was the guest speaker at the event, said it is important to keep history alive and fight revisionism.

“There are a lot of ideas, facts, and figures in our history that have been altered into a different representation for the children. We have ignored the small facts in our history… how do we teach children to love the country if they don’t know their roots,” Mr. Lujan said.

“The challenge of this celebration is for us to love history, study history, and teach our children history,” he added.