Nicolás Capistrano y Fernández (January 7, 1864 – unknown) was a Filipino lawyer, statesman and revolutionary general who fought against the Americans from 1899 to 1901 during the Philippine-American War and was later elected as a congressman and senator of the Philippines.

Nicolás Capistrano
Capistrano depicted in a publication of Philippine Education, published April 1917
Senator of the Philippines from the 11th District
In office
October 16, 1916 – June 3, 1919
Serving with Jose Clarin
Preceded bydistrict established
Succeeded byFrancisco Soriano
Member of the House of Representatives from Misamis's 2nd District
In office
1909–1912
Preceded byManuel Corrales
Succeeded byRamon Neri
Personal details
Born(1864-01-07)January 7, 1864
Angat, Bulacan, Captaincy General of the Philippines
DiedCagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
Political partyNacionalista

Early life and education

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Nicolás Capistrano y Fernández was born on January 7, 1864, in Angat, province of Bulacan in Luzon, to Francisco Capistrano, a gobernadorcillo of that town, and Juana Fernandez. He was the third among 11 siblings. After his studies at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas. In 1893, he successfully completed a bachelor's degree in law at the same educational institution. In 1894, Capistrano became a member of the Philippine Bar. From 1890 to 1896, he was principal of a private school in Manila.[1]

Military career

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Capistrano in 1899

Fearing arrest by Spanish colonial authorities for his involvement in revolutionary activities, he moved to Mindanao some time after 1895, becoming the Registrar of Deeds of the province of Misamis. From 1899 until his surrender in April 1901, Capistrano led the revolutionary government and army in Misamis during the Philippine-American War, participating in several battles such as that of Cagayan de Misamis, Agusan Hill and Macahambus Hill.[1][2][3] from his base in Bukidnon.[4]

Political career

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From 1901 to 1906, Capistrano was the prosecutor or fiscal for Misamis. From 1906 to 1907, he was appointed as a member of the board of the said province. In 1909, Capistrano was elected to the House of Representatives as the representative of the Second legislative district of Misamis. He was re-elected to the same position in 1912.[5] Capistrano was elected to the Philippine Senate in 1916 as one of the representatives of the eleventh senatorial district. Because he got fewer votes than Jose Clarin in the said district, he served a three-year term from 1916 to 1919.[6]

Personal life

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Capistrano married Cecilia Trinidad of Santa Cruz, Manila in 1895[1] and had nine children.[3] He resided at a seaside hacienda in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro.[4]

Legacy

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A street in Cagayan de Oro was renamed in his honor.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "General Nicolas Capistrano: Educator, Lawyer, Farmer, Patriot and Statesman (First of 2 parts)". SunStar. April 29, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "The Saga of Gen. Nicolas Capistrano (Part 3)". SunStar. May 23, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Mrs. Elsie Musni Capistrano: Ulirang Ina 2019 (Ina ng Angkan)". Mindanao Daily News. May 23, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Gen. Nicolas Capistrano: Unsung hero". Manila Standard. September 14, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "ROSTER of Philippine Legislators (from 1907 to 2019)" (PDF). House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  6. ^ "List of Previous Senators". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 6 June 2023.