Emilio Aguinaldo

Born in Kawit, Cavite, in 1869, Emilio Aguinaldo rose to prominence during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. He became one of the revolution’s best-known leaders and, in 1899, headed the First Philippine Republic as the Philippines’ first president.

Aguinaldo’s career was shaped by years of conflict. After fighting Spanish colonial rule, he also led Filipino forces during the struggle that followed American occupation. His capture in 1901 marked a major turning point in the Philippine-American War, but his place in Philippine history remained central and often debated.

He lived an unusually long life, dying in 1964 at the age of 94. Because he witnessed so much of the country’s turbulent path—from revolution to the 20th century republic—he remains one of the most important and most discussed figures in Philippine history.