Historians, Family Seek Greater Efforts to Honor Jaena’s Legacy

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Historians and descendants of Ilonggo national hero Graciano Lopez Jaena are advocating for year-round activities to honor his works and contributions, instead of limiting commemorations to his birth and death anniversaries.

Tanya Lopez, a fourth-generation descendant of Jaena, expressed concern that her forefather’s legacy, as a pivotal figure in the Propaganda Movement, is gradually fading from public consciousness.

She urged the government to consider ways to preserve and promote the memory of Jaena, emphasizing his significance in Philippine history.

“We can do more activities. Aside from celebrating only the birth anniversary, maybe we can organize year-round initiatives, such as oration contests, writing workshops, or events reflecting what he did during his lifetime,” Lopez said during Jaena’s 168th birth anniversary celebration on December 18.

Lopez noted that community organizations and educational institutions have shown interest in revitalizing Jaena’s legacy by republishing his works and speeches.

Frances Anthea Redison, director of the Center for Western Visayan Studies and guest speaker at the event, underscored the need for sustained efforts to honor Lopez Jaena.

Redison echoed Canadian-based historian Francisco Villanueva’s call to update and republish Demi Sonsa’s Mightier Than the Sword alongside Jaena’s speeches and articles, which were last published in 1974.

She also proposed producing a documentary film on Jaena’s life to serve as an educational resource for primary and secondary schools.

Additionally, Redison suggested hosting annual oratorical contests in Jaena’s honor to cultivate public speaking skills and historical awareness among students.

“These initiatives could be a collective effort involving the Iloilo City government, the Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, the academe, and the people of Iloilo and Western Visayas,” she said.

Redison urged Filipinos to emulate Jaena’s values and push for reforms to improve the country.

“Let us go beyond simply honoring this monument but truly live out what Graciano Lopez Jaena symbolizes, so that one day we may fulfill his dream of a just, prosperous, and noble city of Iloilo,” she said.

Graciano Lopez Jaena, born on December 18, 1856, in Jaro, Iloilo, was a prominent Filipino journalist, orator, and reformist. He was a key figure in the Propaganda Movement during Spanish colonial rule and founded La Solidaridad, the movement’s official publication.

His notable works include Fray Botod, a satirical piece criticizing friar abuses, and other writings advocating social justice and national consciousness among Filipinos.

Jaena died of tuberculosis on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain, at the age of 39, just months before the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.