How the Philippine Revolution’s Gen. Jose Ignacio Paua Shaped His Filipino Identity
Celebrating the Philippines as an independent nation is a testament to the Katipuneros’ bravery in fighting for independence during the Philippine Revolution.
The revolution led by our national heroes built this country where we can live with democracy and have liberty to govern our people. The price of our independence, their sacrifices, is indeed worth remembering, and Chinoys should honor them, especially one who belongs to our community — Gen. Jose Ignacio Paua.
Gen. Paua or Lao Hing-Puah was a Chinese immigrant who shaped his Filipino identity during the Philippine revolution, who showed the true meaning of Chinese by Blood Filipino by Heart by fighting alongside Filipinos for our country’s independence.
Early Life of Gen. Jose Ignacio Paua
Born on April 29, 1872, in Quanzhou City, Fujian province, South China, Paua’s heroic journey started from humble beginnings.
His journey as a Filipino started when he turned 18 and moved to the Philippines where he lived with his uncle in 1890. While Paua traveled to an unknown land, he had faith that he was destined for a better life.
This hope landed him in Calle Jaboneros, Binono, Manila (Benavidez in today’s time), where he became a blacksmith’s apprentice. During his apprenticeship, Paua developed a specialty in forging and repairing weapons.
As he developed exceptional knowledge and skills in weaponry, he set up an arsenal in Imus, Cavite during the 1896 Philippine Revolution. There, he taught Filipinos how to repair weapons, make paltik or makeshift guns, and melt metal from church bells with the support of former president Emilio Aguinaldo.
Fighting Alongside Filipinos
Introduced by his patron and best friend, Gen. Pantaleon Garcia, to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Paua’s blacksmith knowledge and martial arts skills made him an asset to the Philippine Revolutionary Army. As an active combatant, Gen. Paua was known as the “only pure Chinese fighting alongside Filipinos.”
His battlefield prowess made him a ferocious fighter in the Battle of Binakayan in 1896, which promoted him from lieutenant to captain. He also became part of the Magdalo faction, a Katipunan chapter in Cavite, that bravely fought against the Spanish colonizers.
Gen. Paua was also known as the only Chinese signatory in the pack of Biak-na-Bato, solidifying his Filipino cultural identity.
His active participation in the revolution played a pivotal role in igniting nationalism among Filipinos and Chinese alike during the Spanish occupation.
Read More: Shared history: Chinoys and the Path to Philippine Independence
@mightymagulang #April29 #TodayInHistory Jose Ignacio Paua, a general of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, was born in 1872 in China. #kasaysayan #genealogy #LearnItOnTiktok
A video about the history of Gen. Paua, by Mighty Magulang, a well-known history geek on TikTok
Becoming A True Filipino
Being a Filipino is not measured by the blood that runs through our veins but rather by our patriotism for our country.
Beyond contributing to the 1896 Philippine Revolution, Gen. Paua further showed his genuine patriotism during the historic flag-raising ceremony of June 12, 1898, by cutting off his traditional Chinese uni-braid, a symbol of subjugation to the Emperor of China.
Freed from the shackles of his former cultural identity, Gen. Paua continued to fight for the Philippines in the Philippine-American War. On September 26, 1898, he became a full-fledged general, proving himself worthy of a Filipino identity.
Inspired by this, many Chinese heroes during the war helped fund the revolutions and supported war logistics, proving allegiance to their Filipino identity. This devotion also encouraged other Chinese immigrants to support the country’s fight for independence.
You Can Also Read: How Chinoys fought side by side with Filipinos for Philippine Independence
Building A Legacy
The Chinese community in the Philippines has significantly contributed to our country’s culture, history, and traditions. This is evident in the legacy of Gen. Paua, who inspired Chinese immigrants to become proactive in fighting for the land that embraced them as its own.
After the war settled, Gen. Paua married Carolina Imperial and was elected Mayor of Manito, Albay. He died of cancer on May 24, 1926, establishing his legacy through a statue dedicated to him in Silang, Cavite and Legazpi, Albay, a street named after him in Imus, and a historical marker laid in Camp Pantaleon.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), led by its president, Dr. Cecilio Pedro, also paid tribute to Gen. Paua’s contributions last April 29 to commemorate his 152nd birth anniversary.
A Lesson Chinoys Can Learn from Gen. Paua
Chinoys should honor Gen. Paua for his contribution to our country’s freedom. His valor showed how our ancestors courageously survived the war and preserved our Chinoy identity throughout Philippine history.
So, one lesson Chinoys should learn from Gen. Paua is that sincere love for the country forms national identity, and being Chinese-descent will not hinder us from creating our true Filipino identity.
His spirit lives on through modern Chinoys, and one can say Gen Paua truly embodies Chinese by Blood and Filipino by Heart.
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