#FEATURE | Agueda Kahabagan: A Hero Unsung
by Denise Reyes
Today marks National Heroes Day, an occasion that pays tribute to the Cry of Pugad Lawin and the enduring struggle for the nation’s independence. On this day, we acknowledge both the recognized and the unsung heroes from the Philippines, past and present.
The First Woman General
Among these heroes, Agueda Kahabagan y Iniquinto stands out as the sole officially documented female general from the Philippine Revolution of 1896–1898 and the Philippine-American War of 1899–1902. Veiled in mystery, the only proof of her existence are the accounts of the people who fought beside her.
It is believed that Kahabagan hailed from the heart of Santa Cruz, Laguna, a native daughter who blazed her way into history.
In the days long before her official appointment as Brigadier General, the name “Henerala” was already on the lips of revolutionaries, whispered like a fierce promise in the heart of battle.
Witnesses of the Battle of San Pablo recount the astonishing sight of Kahabagan leaping over wide trenches and towering fences, surpassing even the feats of the men around her.
Santiago Alvarez, the Cavite General, paints a vivid picture of the Henerala: “Astride a horse, she gripped a revolver in her right hand, reins in her left, and a dagger close by.”
In another portrayal, Henerala Agueda, they say, emerged on the battlefront draped in white, a rifle in her grip, and a gleaming bolo wielded like an extension of her will.
What’s universally agreed upon is that her combat prowess, akin to that of a seasoned warrior, rippled into the realm of legend.
Her Role in the Revolution
In 1897, the revolutionaries suffered losses as the Spaniards launched a counter-offensive under a new governor-general, weakening the Katipunan’s hold in Cavite. Because of this, some commanders retreated to Biak-na-Bato or Laguna.
Apparently, by either General Miguel Malvar or General Severino Taiño, Kahabagan was entrusted to lead a detachment of Laguna-based revolutionaries in May 1897.
The first battle in May favored Agueda’s forces as they surrounded and defeated the Spanish in San Pablo even though Filipino reinforcements arrived late.
In a more elaborate battle on October 9 to 11, Agueda’s forces were stationed between Kalawang and San Pablo. Spanish forces attacked first, then retreated to San Pablo, pursued by the Filipinos. The fighting led to the looting of weapons, but the Filipino retreat followed due to fresh enemy troops. The year ended with the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, pausing hostilities.
Throughout 1898, there was no news of Henerala.
At the beginning of the American War, Filipino forces had a small number of rifles and mostly used sandatahanes or bolos. In March 1899, General Malvar was promoted to commanding general, leading with Kahabagan under him. Henerala, along with Artemio Ricarte, defended Laguna against the Americans from 1900 to 1901, but suffered significant losses.
The war’s brutality stemmed from racism and imperial ambition. The US fortified towns instead of battling mountain-based Filipinos, resulting in a stalemate until more troops arrived, defeating the locals. American commander Otis initiated combat independently, causing civilian casualties.
Two different perspectives exist regarding the conclusion of Kahabagan’s military career. The initial account, documented in biographies of Ricarte and Malvar, asserts her demise in 1901 within Laguna. Conversely, an alternate narrative suggests her capture by American forces in 1902.
Legend and Legacy
The moment she decided to charge into the battle with her bolo, Agueda Kahabagan showed her commitment to her Motherland, sacrificing her life for our freedom.
Henerala Kahabagan’s bravery stands as a testament to women’s involvement in combat, highlighting how she emerged triumphant in a male-dominated sphere.
Let us never stray from the memory of her sacrifice for our nation. Let her name grace our lips like an ode to valor and freedom.
References
FilipiKnow. (2022, April 28). 6 Badass Filipina Warriors You’ve Never Heard Of — FilipiKnow. FilipiKnow. https://filipiknow.net/filipina-warriors-in-philippine-history/
National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (n.d.). https://nhcp.gov.ph/
Philippine Journal of Education. (1997). Google Books. https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=ZZScAAAAMAAJ&dq=agueda+kahabagan+iniquinto&pg=PA147&redir_esc=y
Vergara, P. (2020). Agueda Kahabagan was our first woman general. But do you know her? Scout Magazine. https://www.scoutmag.ph/44803/first-woman-general-agueda-kahabagan/
Images from:
File:9300Poblacion Santa Cruz, Laguna 14.jpg. (2019, June 5). Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:9300Poblacion_Santa_Cruz,_Laguna_14.jpg
The Philippine flag (n.d.). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/the-philippine-flag/
Tomacruz, S. (2020, March 24). 7 women who made Philippine history. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/255637-list-women-made-philippine-history/
