Teodoro Andal Agoncillo 

(November 9,
1912 – January 14, 1985) was a prominent
Teodoro Andal Agoncillo 20th-century Filipino historian. He and his
contemporary Renato Constantino were
among the first Filipino historians renowned
for promoting a distinctly nationalist point
of view of Filipino history (nationalist
historiography). He was also an essayist and
a poet.
Agoncillo is related to Don Felipe
Agoncillo, the Filipino diplomat who
represented the Philippines in the
negotiations that led to the Treaty of Paris
(1898), and Doña Marcela Agoncillo, one of
the principal seamstress of the Philippine
flag.
Born in Lemery, Batangas to Pedro
Agoncillo and Feliza Andal, both from
landed families in Batangas, Agoncillo
obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy
from the University of the
Philippines in Manila, in 1934, and a
Born Teodoro Andal Agoncillo master's degree in the arts from the same
university the following year. He earned his
living as a linguistic assistant at the Institute
of National Language and as an instructor at
November 9, 1912 the Far Eastern University and the Manuel
L. Quezon University. In 1956, he published
Tangos, Navotas, Philippine Islands
his seminal work, Revolt of the Masses: The
Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan, a
Died January 14, 1985 (aged 72) history of the 1896 Katipunan-led revolt
against Spanish rule and its leader, Andres
Bonifacio. He garnered acclaim for this
Nationality Filipino book, as well as criticisms from more
conservative historians discomfited by the
work's nationalist bent.
Alma mater University of the Philippines Manila
In 1958, Agoncillo was invited to join the
faculty of the Department of History of
Occupation Historian his alma mater, the University of the
Philippines. He remained with the university
until his retirement in 1977, chairing the
Awards National Scientist of the Philippines Department of History from 1963 to 1969.
After retiring from UP, Agoncillo taught
Filipino history as a visiting professor at
the International Christian University in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan, for one year from 1977 to 1978.
Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal named Agoncillo as a member of the National Historical
Institute in 1963. He served in this capacity until his death in 1985. Agoncillo was chair of the History
Department in the University of the Philippines at the same time period that his cousin, General Abelardo
Andal, served as Commander (Chair) of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the same university.
He was named National Scientist of the Philippines in 1985 for his distinguished contributions in the field
of history. Agoncillo was also among the few academics who held the rank of University Professor, an
academic rank given to outstanding faculty members with specialization in more than one of the
traditional academic domains (Science & Technology; Social Sciences; and Arts & Humanities), at the
University of the Philippines Diliman.
Horacio de la Costa (May 9, 1916 – March
The Reverend 20, 1977) was the first Filipino Provincial
Superior of the Society of Jesus in
the Philippines, and a recognized authority
in Philippine and Asian culture and history.
Horacio de la Costa A brilliant writer, scholar, and historian,
Horacio de la Costa was born
in Maúban, Quezon on May 9, 1916 to
Judge Sixto de la Costa and Emiliana
S.J. Villamayor. Ordained a Jesuit priest at the
age of 30, he became, at age 55, the first
Filipino provincial superior of this religious
order, the Society of Jesus.
De la Costa first attended the public
elementary school in Batangas before
moving on to the Ateneo de Manila, where
he distinguished himself for academic
excellence and student leadership,
particularly as a writer and, later, as editor
of the Guidon, the campus newspaper. After
earning there his Bachelor of Arts
Horacio de la Costa portrait, Loyola School degree, summa cum laude, in 1935, he
entered the Society of Jesus at the Sacred
of Theology, LHS, Loyola Schools.
Heart Novitiate in Novaliches, where he
later completed his Master's degree.
Personal details Afterward, he went back to the Ateneo to
teach philosophy and history for two years.
During this time, he also worked as a writer
Birth name Horacio V. de la Costa and radio talent for the Chesteron Evidence
Guild, more specifically, the "Common
Born May 9, 1916 Weal Hour", for which he created the
character of Teban, the calesa driver, at the
Mauban, Tayabas, Philippine
height of the controversy over the 1940
Islands divorce bill. The program evolved into
"Kuwentong Kutsero", consisting of satirical
Died March 20, 1977 (aged 60) tales dealing mostly with life in Manila.
Quezon City, Philippines De la Costa was the author of a number of
books, particularly on Philippine culture and
history, which revealed his nationalistic
Occupation Writer and historian bent, among which are:
 The Jesuits in the Philippines, 1581–1768
 The Trial of Dr. Rizal, an edited translation of W.E. Retana’s transcription of the official
Spanish documents
 Recent Oriental History
 Readings in Philippines History
 The Background of Nationalism, and Other Essays
 Asia and the Philippines
He also contributed numerous articles on these subjects to various local and foreign scholarly
publications, such as Philippine Social Sciences and Humanities Review, Bulletin of the Philippine
Historical Association, Hispanic American Historical Review, Comment, Science Review, Theological
Studies, and Philippine Studies. The Catholic Encyclopedia carries his article on the Philippines.
In 1965, he was presented the Republic Heritage Award by the then Philippine President Diosdado
Macapagal for his historical writings. In 1971 he became General Assistant to the Superior General of the
Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe, in Rome.
Fr. de le Costa was one of the founding members of the Philippine Academy of Science and Humanities,
as well as the International Association of Historians of Asia. He was also a member of the National
Research Council of the Philippines, Philippine Bibliographical Society, Philippine Historical
Association and the National Historical Society of the National Historical Commission.
De la Costa was the author of a number of books, particularly on Philippine culture and history, which
revealed his nationalistic bent, among which are:

 The Jesuits in the Philippines, 1581–1768

 The Trial of Dr. Rizal, an edited translation of W.E. Retana’s transcription of the official
Spanish documents
 Recent Oriental History
 Readings in Philippines History
 The Background of Nationalism, and Other Essays
 Asia and the Philippines
He also contributed numerous articles on these subjects to various local and foreign scholarly
publications, such as Philippine Social Sciences and Humanities Review, Bulletin of the Philippine
Historical Association, Hispanic American Historical Review, Comment, Science Review, Theological
Studies, and Philippine Studies. The Catholic Encyclopedia carries his article on the Philippines.
In 1965, he was presented the Republic Heritage Award by the then Philippine President Diosdado
Macapagal for his historical writings. In 1971 he became General Assistant to the Superior General of the
Society of Jesus, Pedro Arrupe, in Rome.
Fr. de le Costa was one of the founding members of the Philippine Academy of Science and Humanities,
as well as the International Association of Historians of Asia. He was also a member of the National
Research Council of the Philippines, Philippine Bibliographical Society, Philippine Historical
Association and the National Historical Society of the National Historical Commission.
The Honourable

Gabriel F. Fabella
Photo of Fabella from his autobiography
The Man from Romblon

Gabriel Fabrero Fabella (March 18, 1898

– January 29, 1982) was a prominent
Filipino historian during the 20th century.
He is primarily known as
the historian behind Philippine
President Diosdado Macapagal's decision to
issue Proclamation No. 28 on May 12, 1962,
which changed the date of Philippine
independence from July 4, 1946 to June 12,
Member of the Philippine National 1898 — the date when Philippine
Assembly from the Romblon's Lone President Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the
District country's independence
from Spain in Kawit, Cavite. For this
achievement, Fabella became known as the
Personal details "Father of June 12 Independence Day."
Fabella was also the founder and first
Born Gabriel Fabrero Fabella president of the Philippine Historical
Association, the pioneer professional
association of historians in the Philippines.
March 18, 1898 Fabella was born in the island municipality
Banton, Romblon, Captaincy of Banton, Romblon on March 18, 1898 to
Maximo Fabella, a coconut and tobacco
General of the Philippines merchant, and Rafaela Fabrero, a housewife.
He is 10th among the couple's 13 children.
At the time, Banton was an isolated
municipality halfway
Died January 29, 1982 (aged 83) between Marinduque and the main island
Manila, Philippines of Romblon. As such, he and his family
grew up in abject poverty. He received
elementary education at Banton Primary
Alma University of the Philippines School and Romblon Intermediate School.
mater Manila
University of Manila

Occupatio Historian, Assemblyman, and

n lawyer
To augment his monthly stipend of ₱3 to ₱4 from Banton, Fabella worked as a store helper for a
local Filipino-Chinese merchant.
For his secondary education, Fabella studied at Manila High School in Intramuros, Manila with the
support of his brothers Apolonio and Jorge who already lived there and are working as calesa drivers. To
help his brothers in sending him to school, he sold newspapers every Friday and Saturday and polished
shoes at Puerta del Parian. He also helped his sister-in-law in selling food to calesa drivers in the Port
Area. He finished high school in 1916. Among his high school batchmates include Julio
Nalundasan and Carlos P. Romulo.

Augusto M.R. Gonzalez III

Augusto Marcelino Reyes Gonzalez

III (born 2 January 1967) more popularly
known as Toto Gonzalez is a Filipino
social historian, antiquarian, and writer.
He is best known for chronicling the
social history of the Philippines
through Remembrance of Things Awry, a
personal blog that details the histories and
gossips of notable Philippine clans dating
as far as the early 19th century.
He finished his primary and secondary
Gonzalez in 2017 education at the La Salle
Greenhills in Manila and later took
courses at the De La Salle University
Manila and the University of the
Born Augusto Marcelino Reyes Philippines Diliman. Gonzalez has had a
Gonzalez III keen on his interest in art and antiquities,
due to his upbringing within the
prominent Gonzalez family of Pampanga.
2 January 1967 (age 54) His uncle, Brother Andrew
Gonzalez previously served as
the Secretary of Education from 1998 to
Alma ma De La Salle University 2001.
ter Manila He is best known as a social
historian through Remembrance of
University of the Things Awry, a personal blog that
Philippines Diliman published in 2006 that details the family

Occupati Social Historian

on Author
Antiquarian
traditions and histories of prominent Filipino families including political dynasties dating from
the early 19th century including detailed histories of the Zóbel de Ayalas, the Cojuangco,
the Lópezes among others. In 2016, Gonzalez contributed a new section dedicated to the
prominent families of Manila in the new edition of Carlos Quirino's Old Manila that was
republished by the Vibal Foundation.
Presently, he serves as a historical consultant for the León Gallery Fine Art and Antiques, one of
the leading auction houses in the Philippines and has written numerous essays on Philippine
colonial art and furniture for their auction catalogs.

 Carlos Quirino's Old

Ambeth R. Ocampo Manila: Second
Edition (2016) (Carlos
Ocampo on December Quirino and edited by Ma.
2013 Eloisa P. de Castro)
 León at Ten: 2010-
2020 (2020) (co-author
with Ramon N. Villegas and
Lisa Guerrero Nakpil)

Ambeth R. Ocampo (born 1961) is a

Filipino public historian, academic, cultural
administrator, journalist, author and curator.
He is best known for his definitive writings
about Philippines' national hero José
Rizal and on topics on Philippine history
and Philippine art through Looking Back, his
Personal details bi-weekly editorial page column in
the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
He served as the Chairman of the National
Born 1961 Historical Commission of the
Manila, Philippines Philippines from 2002 until 2011 and
concurrently chairman of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts from
Nationality Filipino 2005 to 2007.
He received his primary and secondary
Education Ateneo de Manila education at the Ateneo de Manila
University. He subsequently obtained his
University undergraduate and masteral degrees in
Philippine Studies from the De La Salle
Alma Ateneo de Manila University in 1989 and 1991. His
undergraduate thesis titled Food in
mater University Pampango Culture centered
De La Salle University on Kapampangan cuisine, while his master
thesis centered on his rediscovery of the
unfinished novel of José
Occupation Public Historian Rizal, Makamisa during his term as a
Cultural administrator
Journalist
Author
Curator
consultant to the National Library of the Philippines that was subsequently published as Makamisa: The
Search for Rizal's Third Novel in 1992.
He took graduate courses in the University of the Philippines Diliman and later read for a doctorate in
Southeast Asian History at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
He abandoned his London postgraduate studies in 1993, when he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Our
Lady of Montserrat, Manila taking the monastic name Dom. Ignacio Maria, OSB. He subsequently left
the monastery in 1997.
From 1987 until 1992, Ocampo served as a consultant to the National Library of the Philippines (NLP)
with a concurrent capacity as member of the National Committee on Libraries and Information Services
(NCLIS) and the National Committee on Monuments and Sites (NCMS) under the Presidential
Commission on Culture and the Arts (the present-day National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA)). During his term at the National Library, he recovered the unpublished manuscripts of
Rizal's unfinished novel Makamisa in 1987 and later worked on the bibliographic catalog of papers,
writings and documents related to Rizal held in the vault of the National Library.
In 1999, Ocampo was appointed board member of the National Historical Institute by then-
President Joseph Estrada, and in 2002, he was appointed chairman by then-President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo. As NHI Chair, Ocampo served as a board member in the National Commission for Culture and
the Arts (NCCA) and was elected as its chairman serving from 2005 to 2007. During that time, he signed,
for the Republic of the Philippines, Cultural Agreements and Executive Programs on Culture and
Heritage with France, Mexico, Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea.
During his term as chairman of the National Historical Institute, Ocampo weathered criticism over
attempts to enforce provisions of the existing Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines by reminding
artists singing the Philippine national anthem during international boxing matches of the proper way to
sing the anthem, and his controversial decision to paint the Rizal clan house green – to remind Filipinos
that the word "Rizal" came from "ricial" meaning a green field ready for harvest.
Member of the Numismatic Committee
From 2002 to 2011, Ocampo was on the Numismatic Committee of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that
deliberated on the redesign of banknotes and coins of the Philippines. Ocampo and other members of the
Numismatic Committee deliberated on the designs of the New Generation Currency Series including the
redesign of the five hundred-peso banknotes which featured the portraits of Philippine opposition
leader Benigno Aquino Jr. and his wife, President Corazon Aquino following national clamor after
the death and funeral of the late President in 2009.
Ocampo has written extensively on the history of the Philippine peso in a series of articles, particularly on
the controversies surrounding currency design and its political context. In 2020, the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas published Ocampo's Yaman - The History and Heritage in Philippine Money: The Numismatic
Collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas , a coffee table book on the numismatic collection of the
Philippine central bank.
Ocampo has won three National Book Awards in these categories: Essay, Literary History, and
Bibliography. He was awarded the Premio Manuel Bernabe from the Centro Cultural de la Embajada de
Espana en Filipinas and a Premio Quijano de Manila from the Instituto Cervantes Manila. He was elected
National Fellow for Essay by the University of the Philippines Creative Writing Center (1995–1996).
He has been conferred the rank of Knight Grand Officier (K.G.O.R.) of the Order of the Knights of
Rizal in December 2018, and Order of Civil Merit with the rank of Encomienda (Commander) conferred
by the Kingdom of Spain in December 2007.
In June 2008, he was conferred the rank of Officier in the Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the Republic of
France for his contributions to the arts and letters as: writer, academic, cultural administrator, and for his
support of cultural exchanges between the Philippines and France.
In recognition of his work in cultural administration and his contributions to Philippine history,
the Polytechnic University of the Philippines conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Public
Administration, honoris causa, in December 2008.
In 2010, he was conferred one of the highest civilian awards of the Philippines,[24] the Order of
Lakandula with the rank of Bayani for his contributions in cultural administration, the popularization of
Philippine history, and for having served as chairman of the National Historical Institute (present-day, the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines) from 2002 to 2010, and concurrently chairman of the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) from 2005 until 2007 without compensation.
In December 2013, during the state visit of President Benigno Aquino III to Tokyo, Ocampo received
the Presidential Medal of Merit whose citation reads, "for his achievements as scholar, teacher, and in
recognition of his writings through which he polarized Philippine history, art and culture thus bringing
these aspects of our national identity closer to the people."
In September 2016, Ocampo was awarded the prestigious Fukuoka Prize (Academic) for his contributions
to Philippine history and culture being the fifth Filipino to be so honored with the recognition.