Marcelo H. Del Pilar Day in Bulacan Date in the current year: August 30, 2024

Marcelo H. del Pilar, also known by his pen name Pláridel, is widely regarded as the “father of Philippine journalism” for his numerous essays, editorials, and anti-friar pamphlets. He was also a key figure in the Spain-based Philippine Propaganda Movement, also known as the Reform Movement, that advocated for political reform in the Philippines under the Spanish government.

Del Pilar was born on August 30, 1850 in Bulakan, Bulacan. He came from a wealthy principalía family who ensured he received a quality education. Del Pilar earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1871 before pursuing law. By 1881, he completed his legal studies and began working as a defense counsel.

Del Pilar is best remembered as a leading figure in the anti-friar movement in the Philippines, which sought to dismantle the power of the Spanish friars and their control over internal affairs. In 1869, he had a confrontation with a parish priest over exorbitant baptismal fees and was incarcerated for thirty days. In 1871, del Pilar joined a group of intellectuals who were involved with the secularization movement.

In the early 1880s, del Pilar became active in exposing the current state of affairs in the Philippines and destroying the friars’ authority. In 1882, he founded the nationalist newspaper Diariong Tagalog, where he exposed the friars’ abuse of authority and pushed for government reforms. Unfortunately, financial difficulties forced the newspaper to close after just five months. However, del Pilard continued with activism even after the closure of his newspaper, which eventually led to him leaving the country.

In 1888, an arrest warrant was issued for del Pilar, prompting him to flee to Spain. There, he continued his political efforts and soon became the editor of La Solidaridad, a publication that highlighted the social, economic, and cultural issues in the Philippines while advocating for secularization, freedom of assembly and speech, and other reforms.

In 1890, a rivalry developed by del Pilar and José Rizal for the leadership of La Solidaridad and the Reform Movement in general. Even though Rizal was eventually elected as the leader, he declined the position and left for France, leaving del Pilar responsible for the Reform Movement.

La Solidaridad ceased operations in 1895 due to a lack of funds. Disheartened by the failure of reform efforts, del Pilar planned to return to the Philippines to join the revolutionary cause. However, he fell ill with tuberculosis and died on July 4, 1896. His remains were returned to the Philippines in 1920 and transferred to his birthplace in 1984.

To honor del Pilar’s legacy, his birthday was designated as a special non-working holiday in his native province of Bulacan. It is marked by remembrance ceremonies and other special events and activities. Elsewhere in the Philippines, August 30 is celebrated as National Press Freedom Day to highlight del Pilar’s contribution to Philippine journalism.