Uncovering the Katipunan’s Real Leader

King Cortez speaks in commemoration towards the heroic acts of the late propagandist Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar.

August 29, 2015- The day before marking the 165^th Birthday of Marcelo H. del Pilar, the “Father of Philippine Journalism”, a forum was conducted in the vicinity of Gen Gregorio del Pilar Elementary School Bulakan, Bulacan.

It was a splendid day well spent as King Cortez, a historian and a teacher, speaks in behalf of the late propagandist Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar. Who was known for his great actions towards the publishing of Diariong Tagalog and La Solidaridad during the Spanish Colonization.

The forum was completed as Bulacan State University’s journalism students and journalist practitioners of different publication merge in the event. The event was specially formulated for commemorating Marcelo’s act of heroism which was not clearly and completely written on history books or educational books.

King Cortez, the speaker of the said event, straightforwardly stated that Marcelo, well known from his pen name “Plaridel”, was the person behind the construction of the Katipunan. According to his evidences Plaridel was the one who initiated in building the Katipunan during his settlement in Barcelona, Spain.

“Noong hinawi ng tao yung tabing nasa likod pala ng lahat ay si Plaridel.”  Cortez said as his introductory message before formally conversing the subject of the forum.

King Cortez has been doing this kind of seminar for 3 years now with the help of Isagani Giron, also a historian, and Arturo Sampana a veteran writer. They had already reached different state universities in Manila and enlighten massive amount of students of the acts of the great propagandist and journalist.

When asked why he do this kind of lectures he said “Gusto kong itanim sa mga kabataan ang lahat ng mga nagawa ni Plaridel na hindi naisulat sa mga libro ng kasaysayan. Gusto kong ipamulat sa kanila na isang bayani si Plaridel at isa siya sa mga taong nagtaguyod ng kalayaan, na may kinalaman siya sa katipunan.” He also stated that he’ll continue this kind of acts as long as God entitled him to do so. 

Plaridel who is also acknowledge as the “Father of Philippine Journalism” was also the brain behind the Katipunan. He risked his own life and left his family to stimulate the heart of his fellow countrymen in order to fight the Spaniards who colonized them. He was truly a great hero but was not rightly and completely recognized for his sacrifices and heroic acts.