Pío del Pilar

Pío del Pilar (born Pío Isidro y Castañeda; July 11, 1860 – June 21, 1931) was a Filipino revolutionary general. He was one of the lead figures in the Philippine Revolution, and fought major battles in Manila and Cavite.

To safeguard his family and prevent them from harassment, he changed his surname from Isidro to del Pilar.

del Pilar was born Pío Isidro y Castañeda in Barrio Culi-culi, San Pedro de Macati (present-day Makati) on July 11, 1860, to Isaac del Pilar, a farmer from Pasay, and Antonia Castaňeda, an embroider from San Felipe Neri (present-day Mandaluyong). As a child, his parents had him study for two years in the school of Pascual Rodriguez, and for four months under Ramon Renaldo, until he was forced to stop to work in the family farm. Typical of other Filipinos at the time, del Pilar knew little or no Spanish, but was fluent in Tagalog.

del Pilar married his childhood friend, Juliana Valeriano, at the age of 17. He was barely married for a year before he was drafted in the Spanish Army. He was assigned in Mindanao for a year, however his service was cut short to four months due to the intervention of a family friend.

In 1890, del Pilar was appointed cabeza de barangay and later on, became teniente del barrio in San Pedro de Macati. During this time, he had a chance meeting with Jose Rizal, and was inspired to distribute copies of his novel, Noli Me Tangere.

In May 1896, del Pilar joined the Katipunan and formed a chapter called Matagumpay (Triumphant), taking the symbolic name Pang-una (lit. 'First, Leader'). His chapter also adopted a flag, a white triangle with a K at each corner, at the hoist of a red field, in the center of which was a mountain with a rising sun on it. This flag was known as the Bandila ng Matagumpay (Flag of the Triumphant) and was del Pilar's personal standard during the revolution.

At the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, del Pilar was arrested by Spanish authorities for suspected membership in the Katipunan. Although tortured, he did not reveal any secrets about the group until he was released. Del Pilar participated in his first battle in San Felipe Neri (present-day Mandaluyong) on August 29, 1896. He also led a group of rebels in the Battle of Binakayan on November 9, 1896, capturing the town from Spanish authorities.

On February 16, 1897, bearing the rank of colonel, del Pilar defended Bacoor and Las Piñas. Subsequently, he was promoted to brigadier-general.