Jose Ignacio PauaHis Exploits and Contributions to the Philippine Revolution

For: Dr. Ma. Luisa M. CamagayProfessor

From: Ansam LeeStudent

Jose Ignacio Paua

His Exploits and Contributions to the Philippine Revolution

Introduction

Despite an attitude of indifference by most Chinese towards the lamentable

situation of the country and its people, Jose Paua, not only sympathized with them,

but also joined the revolutionary movement on the first opportunity he had. His

skills as a blacksmith and a gunsmith had proven to be invaluable to the

revolutionary cause. And in the field of battle, he had proven himself to be

courageous and able commander. Not to mention of his attainment in the collection

of revolutionary fund as one of the highest amount.

His Early Years

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Jose Paua also known as Hou A Pao was born in Fujian, China on August 27,

1856.1 But according to some source it was on April 29, 1872.2 During his adolescent

years, his nationalistic awareness about the condition of his homeland through the

imperialistic exploitation of European Powers, had spurred him to join the patriotic

society of Tien Ti Hui (Triad Society).3 His active participation in the activities of the

society and its secret affairs had caught the attention of the enemies, along with

apparently some comrades who were resentful of his popularity. Deeming A Pao to

be an obstacle, they concocted a plot to liquidate him. Fortunately, he saw through

his enemies’ ruse. Rather than confronting the indomitable enemies head one, he

decided to take flight by taking the first available ship bound for Manila.4 It was in

Manila, where Hou A Pao would be known as Jose Ignacio Paua by his acquaintances

and friends, especially to the Filipinos he had aided.5

Arriving in Manila on July 1872, Paua roamed the streets of Intramuros, from

Puente de España to Rosario Sts., and then finally reaching Jaboneros St. in Tondo,

1 Luis Camara Dery, When the World Loved the Filipinos and other Essays on the Philippine History (Manila: UST Publishing House, 2005), 63. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Dery”. Edgar Wickberg, The Chinese in Philippine Life 1850-1898 (New Haven, USA: Yale University Press, 1965), 201. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Wickberg”. Nancy T. Lu, “More Filipino than many Filipinos – A Chinese Comrade-In-Arms”, Sunday Times Magazine (June 15, 1969):42. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Lu”. Gregorio F. Zaide, “Chinese General in the Philippine Revolution”, Fookien Times Philippine Yearbook (1955): 155. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Zaide”.2 Teresita Ang See and Go Bon Juan, The Ethnic Chinese in the Philippine Revolution, (Manila: Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Inc.,1996), 28. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Ang-See”.3 Dery, 63. Wickberg, 201-202.4 Ibid. Ibid.5 Wickberg, 201.

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where he found a job as an apprentice to a Chinese blacksmith.6 Through

perseverance, Paua, who learned to become expert repairman and manufacturer of

lantaka or native cannon, rose to become a master artisan.7 Paua, being sociable in

nature, was well known in Tondo among his Chinese and Filipinos friends and

acquaintances, and through these associations, especially with his Filipino friends

that he came to learn Tagalog.8 It was also through these associations that he later

came into contact with members of the Katipunan.

The Katipunan

Around 1890’s, Paua heard about the Propaganda Movement from his Tondo

friends, and from them he came to learn of the abuses committed by the Spanish

officials, especially the Guardia Civil. Being a man who loved freedom and justice, he

immediately sympathized with them.9 Thereafter Paua was introduced by his

closest friend, Pantaleon Garcia, to some of the notable Katipuneros, such as

Guillermo Masangkay, Jose Turiano Santiago and Procopio Bonifacio.10

6 Gregorio F. Zaide, “A Chinese General in the Philippine Revolution”, Fookien Times Philippine Yearbook (1955): 156. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Zaide”. Ang-See, 29. Dery, 63. Lu , 42.7 Zaide, 156. Dery, 62-63. Edwin Wildman, Aguinaldo, a narrative of Filipino ambitions (Boston, 1901), 105. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Wildman”. Folreño Solmirano, “Gunmaker Honored as Bicol hero”, Philippine Daily Inquirer (May11, 1998): 16. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Solmirano”. Ang-See, 29.8 Lu, 42.9 Zaide, 156.10 Ibid., 156. Dery, 64.

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Together with Pantaleon Garcia, Paua used to attend town fiestas in the

province of Cavite. And from these visits, he came to be familiarized with Emilio

Aguinaldo, Vito Belarmino, Artemio Ricarte, Santiago Alvarez, Daniel Tirona and the

others.11 It was also from one of these visits that he met and married Antonia Jamir,

cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo.12

The Munitions Factory

In the first few days when the revolution broke out, the Katipuneros were

valiant in their effort in resisting the Spanish onslaught. But sheer courage alone

was not enough in winning a war against an enemy that was equipped with modern

weaponry.13 Realizing the futility of an armed struggle with just crude and

outmoded weapons, Paua suggested to Emilio Aguinaldo the establishment of an

arms factory.14 After much deliberation, Emilio Aguinaldo accepted the proposal and

immediately commissioned Paua as Lieutenant of the Revolutionary force and was

11 Ibid., 156. Dery, 64. Solmirano, 16.12 Lu, 42. Zaide, 156. Dery, 64.13 Zaide, 156. Lu, 42.14 Lu,42. Zaide, 156. Ang-See, 29.

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appointed director of the Revolutionary arms factory.15 And by September of 1896,

an arms factory was established at Imus, Cavite.16

Baptism of Fire: The Battle of Binakayan

It was in the Battle of Binakayan on November 1896, that Paua proved his

capability as an effective commander and a courageous leader.17 It began with the

intentions of Governor-General Ramon Blanco to contain the rebellion in Cavite, by

committing his troops to an all out assault on the towns of Noveleta and Binakayan.

The Spanish began their attack on November 9, 1896. Simultaneous attack was

made under naval support. General Rios stormed the town of Novelete, while troops

under Col. Jose Marina assaulted Binakayan.18 After two days of intense fighting, the

Spanish forces, despite their modern armaments, were forced to retreat due to

heavy casualties.19 The gallantry that Paua had shown during the Battle of

Binakayan had earned him the promotion of the rank of Captain. 20

15 Zaide,156. Juan F. Villasanta, “General Aguinaldo Recalls General Paua”, Fookien Times Philippine Yearbook (1956): 145. Hereinafter this source shall be known as “Villasanta”.16 Lu, 42.17 Dery, 66. Zaide, 156. Villasanta, 152. Ang-See, 29.18 Zaide, 156.19 Ibid.,156-157.20 Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152. Dery, 66.

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The Central Luzon Campaign

By February of 1897, Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja, who replaced

Governor-General Ramon Blanco, made plans to make an all out strike at Central

Luzon, particularly Cavite.21 Unfortunately, this time around, it was the

revolutionists that met successive defeats. But on March 7, 1897 Paua had

demonstrated himself to be a capable commander at the Battle of Salitran.22 His

troops were able to repulse the Spanish assault and in the process kill the Spanish

General Zabala.23 However, they were no match for the advancing Spanish troops of

General Lachambre that were better trained and equipped.24 Again, the

revolutionists experienced successive defeats, even the town of Imus was occupied

by the Spanish troops. But before it was taken, Paua made a valiant effort to defend

the town, but to no avail and was forced to retreat. It was from this encounter that

Paua received the promotion of major.25

Around when the internal rift between the Bonifacio and Aguinaldo was

about to reach its peak, the Tejeros Convention was held on March 22, 1897, and

Emilio Aguinaldo was elected the president of the revolutionary government.

Displeased with how the election turned out, Andres Bonifacio left. Soon after, an

21 Dery, 66. Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152.22 Ang-See, 30.23 Lu, 42 Dery, 66.24 Ibid.25 Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152.

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order of arrest was issued against Bonifacio, and Paua was one of the men assigned

for the apprehension.26

Biak-na-Bato Republic

Due to successive defeats being experienced by the revolutionary forces on

all fronts, Aguinaldo’s forces had to fall back several times until they reached Biak-

na-Bato, where they holed up.27 The Spanish forces however were able to surround

the location, and were subjecting it to constant pressure.28 During that desperate

moment, Aguinaldo ordered his troops to conduct guerrilla tactics against Spanish

forces to loosen up the pressure.29 It was through this encounter with the Spanish

forces of General Monet that General Francisco Makabulos and Paua had shown

their exemplary performance as commanders of their army. 30 Be that as it may, they

were still outmatched by the Spanish soldiers led by an equally capable commander.

Nevertheless Paua was promoted to colonel for his bravery.

By November 1, 1897, the Biak-na-Bato Republic was established with Emilio

Aguinaldo as the president.31 After which, the constitution of the Republic was

26 Lu, 42. Dery, 66. Zaide, 157.27 Dery, 66.28 Ibid.29 Ibid.30 Lu, 42. Villasanta, 152.31 Dery, 67. Zaide, 158.

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signed by prominent Revolutionary leaders including Paua, who was the only

Chinese in the history to have signed the Philippine Constitution.32 Regrettably, the

Biak-na-Bato Republic was short lived, due to the compromising truce known as the

Pact of Biak-na-Bato that was signed by Governor-General Primo de Rivera and

Emilio Aguinaldo on December 15, 1897.33 In compliance with the truce, Aguinaldo

with the selected leaders, which included Paua who shall act as interpreter, went to

voluntary exile in Hong Kong.34

Return from Hong Kong

The outbreak of the Spanish-American War and Commodore Dewey’s victory

over the Spanish fleet on May 1, 1898 at Manila Bay, had paved the way for

Aguinaldo to resume the struggle against Spain. 35 From Hong Kong, Aguinaldo

boarded the American vessel, McCulloch, and arrived at Cavite on May 19, 1898.36

Upon arrival, Aguinaldo spared no time in rallying the people to join his cause, while

the Filipino people, suspicious of Spanish sincerity in complying with the conditions

of the truce, immediately joined Aguinaldo’s ranks.37 With the revolutionary 32 Ibid.33 Ibid. Lu, 42. Wickberg, 202.34 Ibid. Santiago V. Alvarez, Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General, trans. Paula Carolina S. Malay (Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1992), 197. 35 Lu, 43. Dery, 67. Zaide, 158.36 Zaide, 158. Dery, 67.37 Dery, 68.

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resistance going ever stronger and more popular, Spain was faced in a dilemma of

dealing with two enemies. Henceforth, the setting of Spanish reign over the

Philippine islands was just a matter of time.38

The Spanish Surrender of Manila

Despite cooperation between American forces and Aguinaldo’s troops,

Spanish authorities made a secret treaty with the Americans. As a result, the

insidious Americans talked Aguinaldo out of joining in the Battle of Manila.39 And on

August 13, 1898, the Spanish forces in Manila surrendered to the Americans.40

The Philippine Republic

On the 12th of June 1898, a proclamation of independence was made at Kawit,

Cavite, with Aguinaldo as the president of the newly established Philippine

Republic.41 This historic event was marked with the playing of the Philippine

National Anthem and the unfurling of the Philippine Flag.42 While Paua went to the

Zaide, 158.38 Dery, 68.39 Ibid.40 William P. Meyers, “US War Against Asia”, III Publishing, retrieve from http://www.iiipublishing.com/politics/asian_war/asian_war_philippines1.html on March 30, 2012 at 11:07 am.

41 Dery, 68. Lu, 43. Zaide, 158. Ang-See, 30.42 Zaide, 158.

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barber and had his queue cut to signify his independence from the bondage of

servitude to the Manchurian masters (Qing government in China).43 But he was

unable to attend the historical event at Kawit, Cavite, due to the orders given to him

by Aguinaldo, that is, collecting monetary contributions for the cause.44

The Fiscal Agent

On September 26, 1898, due to Paua’s excellent performance in the collection

of contributions, Emilio Aguinaldo promoted him to brigadier general, along with

the other leaders who were also promoted for their exemplary performance with

their missions.45 After the promotion, Paua was immediately sent to the Bicol region

on a special mission as a fiscal commissioner. He first went to Sorsogon where he

was able to collect P 15,000 in cash, medicines, clothes and food supplies.46 And

from Sorsogon, he continued his collection of contributions from the other towns of

the Bicol region.47 All contributions Paua acquired was promptly sent to the General

Headquarters of the Military Department of Southern Luzon, located at San

Francisco de Malabon.48 All in all, Paua was able to collect a staggering amount of P

43 Lu, 43. Wickberg, 202. Dery, 69.44 Zaide, 158. Dery, 69.45 Ibid.46 Zaide, 158.47 Dery, 69.48 Dery, 69. Zaide, 158.

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386,00049. This is to include the financial contributions given by the Chinese in the

area.

Because of his exceptional ability in the task of collecting revolutionary

funds, .he was commissioned to the task of procuring contributions. For most part of

the year 1899, Paua was on a mission of soliciting funds for the cause, especially

during the outbreak of Filipino-American War, when they were in dire need of

supplies, munitions and monetary donations.50 And on one occasion, he almost lost

the P 160,000 he collected from the contributions while they were sailing across the

Ragay Gulf towards the Tayabas coast.51 During their voyage, an American gunboat

caught sight of them and gave chase. They were about to be intercepted by the

Americans when Paua directed the ship to maneuver near the shallow shores, then

ordered his men to jettison the bags of silver Mexican coins on shallow waters to

lighten up their load and speed up the sail.52 Since the American gunboat could not

navigate on shallow waters, they stopped giving chase to Paua’s party after they had

reached the shallow waters. Paua and his men came back to the scene and fished out

the bags the following day.53

49 Zaide, 158. Lu, 43. Ang-See, 30. Wildman, 202.50 Dery, 72-73.51 Ang-See, 30. Zaide, 159. Lu, 43.52 Ibid.53 Ibid.

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During one of his fund raising missions, Paua found it difficult to resist the

beautiful ladies of the Bicol region, and it was near the scenic spot of Mt. Mayon that

he met his second wife, Carolina Imperial. Despite the protestations of her parents

and relatives, Carolina was married to Paua on September 3, 1899.54 Paua gave his

explanation for his second marriage to the Aguinaldo family and to a person by the

name of Tomas Mascardo, dated October 28, 1899.55 Apparently it was about the

faithlessness of his first wife Antonina Jamir, and although Paua was the aggrieved

party, he presented himself with much humility that can be seen in his composition.

Guerilla Wars

Realizing the futility of resisting the American forces through a conventional

style of warfare, Aguinaldo met with his generals and made a deliberation on their

plan of action. And it was unanimously decided that guerilla tactics was to be

implemented. 56 On November 13, 1899, the national armies of the Republic were

disbanded and reorganized in favor of using the guerilla warfare. Thereafter, Emilio

Aguinaldo went into hiding.

54 Dery, 71. Lu, 43. Zaide, 159.55 Dery, 71. Jose Ignacio Paua, A letter to Tomas Mascardo regarding his marriage, etc., Atimonan, Tayabas, October 28, 1899, Batch 8 Retrieved on January 26, 1994, Philippines National Library.56 Dery, 73

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On the other hand, Paua was still in the Bicol region when the news of the

guerilla warfare was to be implemented.57 Sensing the problem of continuing his

mission of soliciting monetary contributions, along with the difficulty in contacting

Emilio Aguinaldo, Paua decided to join the forces of General Vito Belarmino in Albay.

Kobbe Expedition and Paua’s Scorched-Earth Policy

The hemp shortages in America and the unyielding resistance of the Filipino

guerilla troops resulted in a decision by the American occupational authorities to

occupy the Bicol region, which consequently produces hemp as part of its industry.58

And on January 15, 1900, General Elwell Otis appointed Brig. General William A.

Kobbe as military governor of the Bicol region, which comprises the provinces of

Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Leyte, Samar, and Camarines.59 After much

preparations, the Kobbe expedition left Manila on January 18, 1900.60 Two days

later, the expeditionary forces reached Sorsogon, but encountered resistance from

forces under Col. Amando Airan. After short exchanges of fire, the forces of Col.

Airan vacated the town and withdrew to Albay.61 That very day, Sorsogon fell to the

hands of the Americans.

57 Ibid.58 Dery, 74. Lu, 43.59 Dery, 74.60 Ibid.61 Dery, 74 Zaide, 159.

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On January 23, 1900, the American forces assaulted the port of Legaspi, but

encountered stiff resistance from the forces of Gen. Paua.62 Under naval support, the

Gen. Kobbe and his troops were able to land ashore and assailed the entrenched

defenders.63 With both forces determined to win the battle, a bloody carnage

ensued. And despite the valiant efforts made by the defenders, they were forced to

retreat. With the town abandoned by the defenders, it was occupied by the

American troops on the very same day.64

After Gen. Paua and his troops withdrew to the town of Albay, the first order

of business was the reorganization of the devastated troops. But the relentless

Americans continued to press on. And by the 25th of January 1900, American forces

from Legaspi made an assault to the town of Albay. Paua and his troops resisted the

American onslaught.65 But when he realized that he could no longer be able to

defend the town, he ordered the evacuation of the town before it was set ablaze;

thereafter he joined Gen. Belarmino at the town of Malabog.

During the following days after Gen. Paua retreated to the town of Malabog,

hundreds of reinforcements came pouring down to join the ranks of Generals

62 Dery, 74. Zaide, 159.63 Dery, 74. Zaide, 159.64 Lu, 43. Zaide, 159. Dery, 74.65 Dery, 74. Lu, 43. Zaide, 159.

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Belarmino and Paua. After taking account of their military situation, both Belarmino

and Paua decided on the use of guerilla tactics against the enemies.66 On the night of

January 29, 1900, Paua along with his troops immediately implemented the attack

on the town of Legaspi. They used unorthodox methods such as incendiary tactics in

setting the buildings on fire as they confront the American defenders before they

withdrew.67 Gen. Paua in performing the nocturnal strikes on the towns of Albay on

January 30, Legaspi on February 1, and Daraga used similar tactic on February 6.68

Retirement and Surrender

Gen. Paua’s utilization of the scorched-earth policy was to deny the enemy

the advantage of using the resources, and at the same time burning the houses of

collaborators to get back at them.69 Because of Paua’s insistence of adopting the

scorched-earth method, a clash between the two generals ensued, and as each day

passed by, the rift between the two worsened.70 And by the end February 1900, the

rift between them had reached an irreparable state. It started while Paua was

making preparations for the defense of Guinobatan, when suddenly a bullet shot

nearly killed him. Suspecting that Belarmino was behind all this, he gave up his post

as Chief of Operations, and resigned from active duty.71

66 Dery, 75. Zaide, 159. Lu, 43.67 Ibid.68 Ibid.69 Zaide, 160.70 Lu, 43. Zaide, 160.71 Zaide, 160.

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Battle weary and having retired as a general, Paua reunited with his family at

Polagui. This time, no amount of Belarmino’s convincing could persuade him to

come back and join the ranks.72 With the absence of a capable commander like Paua,

the Battle of Guinobatan ended with a devastating defeat from Belarmino’s side.

Paua, having realized that resistance against America was now pointless, decided to

surrender to the Americans. Hunching that Paua plans to surrender, Belarmino

dispatched Captain Isidro Salazar to intercept and dissuade Paua into

surrendering.73 Although Capt. Salazar caught up with Paua and his family, Paua via

Felipe Dato, a relative of his wife, outwitted the captain and his men.74 From Manito

Paua and his family traveled safely to Legaspi where he surrendered to Col. Walter

Howe on March 27, 1900.

Epilogue

Lu, 43. Dery, 75.72 Ibid.73 Zaide, 160. Lu, 43.74 Dery, 76. Zaide, 160. Lu, 43.

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On June 21, 1900, Governor-General Arthur MacArthur, under the directive

of the President of the United States, issued an amnesty proclamation to all rebel

forces. Pawa was among the prisoners who were set free by virtue of the

proclamation.75 After his release, Paua and his family settled in the town of Manito,

Albay, where he ran for, and was elected as town mayor.76 On May 27, 1922, Paua

sighed his last breath at the San Juan de Dios Hospital.

Gen. Jose Ignacio Paua rose from an obscure China man to a phenomenal

Chinese general of the Philippine Republic. What really made his mark in Philippine

history was his bravery in the face of insurmountable enemy forces, be they Spanish

or Americans. Along with his other characteristics, such as his practicality in

applying his skills as a blacksmith and a gunsmith, had helped a lot in alleviating the

offensive capability of the Revolutionary Republic, together with his unorthodox

method of the use of incendiary tactics that made him the scourge of the American

armies he encountered. Not to mention his ability as a fiscal agent had made him an

invaluable member of the revolutionary movement and the Republic.

On the other hand, his loyalty to Emilio Aguinaldo had earned him the name

of “henchman”, due to his participation in the cruel way of apprehending Andres

Bonifacio. Be that as it may, his patriotism and nationalistic spirit became the

precedent of the future generations, especially of the local Chinese. A legacy that

75 Ibid.76 Ang-See, 31. Dery, 76. Zaide, 160. Lu, 43.

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was cherished by Filipinos and Chinese alike, especially during the Japanese

invasion and occupation, when they endeavored in a patriotic duty to resist the

enemy’s onslaught and subjugation.

Bibliography

See, Teresita Ang, and Bon Juan Go. The Ethnic Chinese in the Philippine Revolution. Manila: Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Inc., 1996.

Wildman, Edwin. Aguinaldo, a narrative of Filipino ambitions. Boston, 1901.

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Villasanta, Juan F. "General Aguinaldo Recalls General Paua." Fookien Times Yearbook, 1956.

Solmirano, Floreño. "Gunmaker Honored as Bicol Hero." Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 1998.

Dery, Luis Camara. When the World Loved the Filipinos and other Essays on the Philippine History. Manila: UST Publishing House, 2005.

Wickberg, Edgar. The Chinese in Philippine Life 1850-1898. Haven: Yale University Press, 1965.

Lu, Nancy T. "More Filipino than many Filipinos - A Chinese Comrade-In-Arms." Sunday Times Magazine, June 1969.

Zaide, Gregorio F. "Chinese General in the Philippine Revolution." Fookein Times Philippine Yearbook, 1955.

Meyers, William P. III Publishing. http://www.iiipublishing.com/politics /asian_war/asian_war_philippines1.html (accessed March 30, 2012).

Paua, Jose Ignacio. "A letter to Tomas Mascardo regarding his marriage, etc." Atimonan, Tayabas, October 28, 1899, Batch 8, Retrieved on January 26, 1994, Philippines National Library.

Alvarez, Santiago V. Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General. Translated by Paula Carolina S. Malay. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1992.

PhotosScanned Photo : Letter to Tomas Mascardo

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Jose Ignacio Paua Monument Commemorating Gen. Paua

Pact of Biak-na-Bato NegotiatorsEmilio Aguinaldo with his Revolutionary officers and leaders

Seated from left to right: Pedro Paterno and Emilio Aguinaldo

Standing from left to right: Tomas Mascardo, Celis, Jose Ignacio Paua, Antonio Montenegro, and Mariano Llanera

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