Del Pilar-The Filipino Leonidas

Abstract

A Romantic figure in Philippine history is the 24-years old general who magnificently took part in the Battle of Tirad Pass on December 2, 1899, when 60 ill-equipped Filipinos engaged 300 better-armed American sharpshooters in a six-hours bitter fight to the finish . That officer, the youngest general in local annals, was Gregorio del Pilar, the Leonidas of the Philippines.

Everything about the Battle of Tirad Pass, sometimes referred to as the Battle of the Clouds because it took place on a 4, 500-foot peak whose clouds nestled, served to make it the moot memorable and most heroic stand in the Philippine-American War. When the Americans finally scaled the peak, they found the youthful Del Pilar and 52 if his men already dead. Found on the body of the Filipino Leonidas was a hastily scrawled note:

"I bow to the terrible destiny that defeats me and my brave men, but I am glad to die fighting for my country."

If Gregoria del Pilar had accomplished nothing else in his life except lead a handful of men against overwhelming odds, his niche in history would nevertheless have been assured. But the youthful officer distinguished himself throughout the Philippine Revolution.