Today in Philippine History

Graciano Lopez-Jaena

        On December 18, 1856, was born Graciano Lopez Jaena in Jaro (now part of Iloilo City). His parents, Placido Lopez and Maria Jacoba Jaena, were poor and pious folks.

        In 1870, at the age of 14, he entered the newly founded Seminary of San Vicente Ferrer, where he studied theology and philosophy to please his mother who wanted him to be a priest.

With the financial aid of his rich relatives, he went to Manila and sought entrance at the medical college of the University of Sto. Tomas.     

      He proved to be more of a patriot than a physician.  In the course of his medical practice in the rural areas, he saw the miserable condition of the people and the abuses committed by the Spanish friars and civil officials.  To focus the people’s attention on the misdeeds of the friars, he circulated a manuscript entitled “Fray Botod” (Fat Friar).  Immediately, news spread throughout the provinces that the Spanish authorities wanted Graciano, for he was a filibustero.  To evade arrest, he fled to Spain in 1879.  In Madrid, he became a member of Freemasonry.  Rizal, who had come to Spain in 1882, met him in Madrid.  They became good friends and co-workers in the Propaganda Movement.            

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From the Book “Today in Philippine History”

By Andrew G. Navarro