The Hard-Hitting Journalist

Marcelo H. del Pilar could have made a name for himself as a lawyer had he stuck to is law career. Instead, he abandoned it for something he loved more- writing. He didn't had any cause for regret despite the many sacrifices he has to undergo. It has its rewards after all. He rose to become a greatest propaganda writer of his time.


Del Pilar was born on August 30, 1850 in Kupang, Bulacan, Bulacan, to a middle class family. He studied first in his hometown and later at the Collegio de San Jose and then the University of Sto. Tomas. At the age of 30, he qualified as a lawyer. He happened to marry his cousin, Marciana, by whom he bore four sons and two daugthers.


The hero has always been fond in writing and reading European and classic even as a young man. He decided to write instead of building a career in law. As a writer, Del Pilar became famous not only because of his beautiful style but because of his prospective views as well. He criticized the Spanish authorities for the backward condition of his country and people. He wrote under the pen name of Dolores Manapat, Piping Dilat, L. O. Crame, Carmelo, and Plaridel.


He practiced law in Bulacan where he defended the poor and the weak from the cruelty of the Spaniards. Because of these, the Spanish official waned him in prison.


On October 22, 1889, he left hurriedly for Spain. Once in Barcelona, he quickly joined a group of Filipinos who were them publishing La Solidaridad under the direction of Graciano Lopez-Jaena. Fortunately, he was able to own the paper on November 15, 1889 or nine months after its maiden appearance. From then on, La Solidaridad came out regularly.


La Solidaridad became the news paper of the propagandist, who, for reason of security, had to use pen names. Jose Rizal wrote as Laong-Laan and Dimasalang; Mariano Ponce as Narning, Tikbalng, and Kalipulado; Antonio Luna as Tagalog; Jose Maria Panganiban as Jomapa; Dominador Franco as Ramiro Franco; and Clemente J. Zulueta as Juan Tatto; Del Pilar freckquently signed Plaridel or else Kupang.


In the hands of Del Pilar, La Solidaridad not only served as a revolutionary paper but also as a means for education and reform. The paper which came out once every two weeks fought for the following;


1. Reforms in the government and in the judiciary;

2. Representation in the Spanish Cortes;

3. Removal of the friars in the Philippines;

4. Secularization of Parishes;

5. Freedom of speech, pres association, and meetings; and

6. Greater individual and social freedom.


For six years, Del Pilar devoted his time and energy to the publication of La Solidaridad. Financial stress and hunger failed to stop him. Since the publication lacked money and men, the editor had to do most of the writing, copy reading, and asking for contributions himself. It was his first and last love. Del Pilar was able to write about one hundred fifty essays and sixty-s-six editorials. His outstanding essays were: La Soberia Monacal en Filipinas, (1888); El Dios Omnipotente, Essays on Rules of English Syntax, Outlines on International Code, and Cuestiones de Sermo.


His well-known editorials were: LaFilipinas Se Pierden, Asimilacion de Filipinas, Regimen Parliamentaria para Filipinas La Redencion de Filipinas and Autocracia Brutal.


The Spanish periodical, La Politica de Espana, paid tribute to Marcelo H. del Pilar when it wrote that he, as propagandist was doubtless the greatest produced by the Filipino people.


The hero died alone and poor in Barcelona on July 4, 1898. Oftentimes, he would sit in the park shivering in the cold without a single peseta to pay for his meals. He also felt the pangs of homesickness. It is said that his dying words to his countrymen were: "Go ahead with the work. Seek the liberty and happiness of our beloved Philippines".