December 18 a holiday in Iloilo to mark Ilonggo national hero’s birth anniversary

Mayor Jerry Treñas has issued an executive order (EO) declaring December 18, 2023, a special non-working day in Iloilo City to commemorate the 167th birth anniversary of Ilonggo national hero Graciano Lopez Jaena.

The declaration is in accordane with Republic Act No. 6155, which “designates December 18 of each year as an official public holiday in the city and province of Iloilo.”

“The celebration of this holiday is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of the community,” EO No. 166 stated.

“Graciano Lopez Jaena’s contributions to our nation’s history merit recognition  and commemorations,” it further stated.

Lopez Jaena was a legendary writer and revolutionary propagandist. He wrote the satirical story Fray Botod and was among the founders of  La Solidaridad, a newspaper that aimed to galvanize Filipinos to into demanding independence. 

He was born in Jaro district and died of tuberculosis at age 39 on Jan. 20, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain.IMT