Emilio Aguinaldo first studied in San Juan de Letran. He joined the revolution in 1896 as a lieutenant under Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo and rose to the rank of general in a few months.

Conducted campaign against Spain until Pact of Biac-na-Bato was signed in December 1897. Among the provisions of the Pact were:

• Aguinaldo and his men would leave the Philippines
• the Spanish government would give them an indemnity of P800,000.
  Spain sent only P400,000, which was used by the General Committee of Hongkong to finance second revolution.

Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, in his residence in Kawit, Cavite.

When Manila surrendered to the United States on August 13, 1898, Aguinaldo organized his provincial government in Bacoor. He later transferred government to Malolos, where he was later proclaimed President of the first Philippine Republic.

The Treaty of Paris between Spain and the United States was signed on December 10 1898, ceding the Philippines to the United States. Thus, in February 1899, when the Philippine American War broke out, Aguinaldo broke relations with the United States.



Excerpts from Talambuhay ng mga Bayani by Rene Alba