STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA ─ The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) together with the Municipal Government of Sta. Cruz, and Barangay San Juan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna joins the Filipino nation in remembering Emilio Jacinto on the 125 th anniversary of his death on 16 April 2024 in Barangay San Juan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna at 7:00 AM.

The commemoration program will remember the life and death of Emilio Jacinto through messages and wreath offerings from the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Barangay San Juan, Sta. Cruz, Sangguniang Kabataan of San Juan, Sta. Cruz, the NHCP and other civic and private groups.

Jacinto left his law studies at the age of 19 to join the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang, Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan where he quickly became one of the organization’s top leaders. He authored the Kartilya ng Katipunan which earned him the moniker “Brains of the Katipunan.” He also used the alias “Pingkian” and pen-name “Dimasilaw” during his revolutionary work.

Bonifacio’s trial and subsequent execution left Jacinto to continue the struggle outside of the new Aguinaldo-led revolution. He found some peace while working various occupations during the lull that was brought on by the Pact of Biak-na-Bato but later took up arms again after the revolution reignited in 1898. He primarily operated in the Laguna province where he cooperated with leaders
including General Paciano Rizal, older sibling of Dr. Jose Rizal. Jacinto met his end after he contracted malaria in the jungles of Laguna while fighting the Spanish and died on 16 April 1899 in Santa Cruz, Laguna.

The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research, and publications, and to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.