General Miguel Malvar: The last Filipino holdout

Last September 27 was the 142nd birthday of Miguel Carpio Malvar, the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans during the revolution. Malvar was born in 1865 in Santo Tomas, Batangas to Maximo Malvar and Tiburcia Carpio. He came from a well-to-do family. His father was an enterprising businessman who slowly built his business from a simple bagging operation to owning rice and sugarcane fields off the slopes of Mount Makiling. This enabled him to send his children to school. Miguel spent three years in secondary school, married and started acquiring land. He was able to replicate his father’s success from the oranges he planted in his lands.

Much like the other proponents of the revolution, Miguel possessed unquestionable conviction and character. When the revolution broke out in 1896, he left his farm and immediately formed his own army in Batangas and engaged the Spaniards in armed combat. He gained fame and distinction by giving the Spaniards the fiercest engagements ever known in that province. Even when peace was declared at Biak-na-Bato in 1897, Miguel still fought the Spaniards. He only laid down his arms when he was prevailed upon by his fellow revolutionists. However, when the Filipino Revolution broke anew, Malvar again was at the forefront and was designated chief of the Filipino forces in Batangas, Laguna and Tayabas by the Malolos Revolutionary Government. In 1899, he was promoted to the rank of Commanding General.

During the course of the Filipino-American conflict, the Filipino forces were badly beaten, but Malvar ably defended his regional position and remained almost impenetrable to the Americans’ attack. When General Mariano Trias was forced to surrender, Malvar assumed complete command of Southern Luzon. Even when General Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, General Malvar still kept on fighting, giving all possible resistance to the Americans. On July 13th, he was declared Supreme Leader of the Revolution.

General Malvar bravely defended his position for several months, preventing the assault of the Americans. Disease, hunger and death didn’t faze him. He kept on fighting, imparting patriotism and fortitude to his soldiers. But when finally, his family was reduced to sickness and suffering and when provisions were exhausted, he surrendered to the American commander and asked for an end to the conflict. Malvar then settled peacefully in Manila where he remained a private citizen for many years. On October 13, 1911, General Miguel C. Malvar, the last Filipino holdout, died of liver ailment.

General Miguel Malvar’s fortitude, steely determination and conviction should serve as an inspiration to our fellow Filipinos, especially to those in government service, to fight for what is right so that justice and democracy will prevail in our country.