Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino

Born in Vigan in 1864, Isabelo de los Reyes became one of the most energetic public voices in the Philippines during the late Spanish and early American periods. He wrote as a journalist, historian, and collector of folklore, helping record stories, customs, and beliefs from across the archipelago at a time when much of that material was rarely treated as worthy of serious study.

His public career was just as wide-ranging. He was involved in reform politics, spent time imprisoned, and later became a major figure in the labor movement, often described as a pioneer of organized unionism in the Philippines. He also played an important part in the creation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, reflecting his strong belief that national identity and public life should not be controlled from outside the country.

Remembered as a restless, original thinker, he moved easily between scholarship and activism. That mix of curiosity and courage makes him stand out not just as an author, but as someone who tried to reshape the society around him.