Graciano Lopez Jaena: Speeches, Articles and Letters

From the pivotal years of our political and social struggles during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, we have a wealth of historical works which advocated reforms and emancipation from Spanish rule. At the vanguard of the campaign then were two Filipino groups the propagandists and the revolutionists each with a different approach to the attainment of the commonweal.... Of the eminent men of letters was Graciano Lopez Jaena, who with Jose Rizal and Marcelo H del Pilar composed the political triumvirate in Spain. He was the founder and first editor of La Paz Solidaridad. As a fearless writer and fiery orator, his speeches, reflections, articles and letters are sources of invaluable historical materials on Philippine history. Touching on varied subjects discreetly geared towards the enhancement of the Filipino cause, the writings also give us an insight of his character, his intellect, his eloquence, and his style; and most of all, a glimpse of his role as a reformer. In the light of his convictions, we can thus appreciate Lopez Jaena s ideals and aspirations on which he courageously fought till death on January 20, 1896 in Barcelona, without seeing the dawn of liberty for his beloved country..... With the publication of his works, compile and translated, the National Historical Commission has therefore lived up to its prescribed duties and functions of publishing the works of our national heroes and other great and good Filipinos, as well as their translation into English and Filipino, and other languages of the Philippines....Esteban A. de Ocampo, Chairman, National Historical Commisssion