From the pages of the history Book
Floridablanca's Carlos "Kando" Ronquillo
"PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES"
Written by: Beyer / De Vera / Reyes

Carlos 'Kando' Ronquillo - Born: Oct. 31, 1877 Birthplace: Floridablanca, Pampanga. Died: unknown - This strong pillar Tagalog language and literature was born in Pampanga, because his parents, who were Cavitenios, were living in Pampanga at that time. He studied in the Escuela Normal Superior under the Jesuit priests in 1895, but stopped to join the Katipunan. He was private secretary to Aguinaldo and chronicler of the Revolution. He was a major during the Filipino-American War and fought bravely against the Americans. In 1901, he was captured and imprisoned for four months. In 1904, he began writing for the newspapers and became famous for his fiery criticisms of the abuses of the Philippine Constabulary. In 1912, he was editor of Taliba a daily newspaper. His bold editorials were read with interest and high regard

STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM -(1898 -1889)

Philippine History books related the struggle for freedom in the country. Our province Pampanga joined the struggle end revolt - one of the0 eight provinces, symbolized in the Philippine Flag by the eight rays of the sun. Heroes end great Filipinos came out of the revolt/struggle, some heroic exploits were recorded in history books. A native-born FLORIDABLANCAN joined in this revolt. His participation a HIDDEN EPISODE - nobody knew or discussed about a - buried in the book of history of the country. As the GREAT JUBILEE celebrating the CENTENNIAL (100 YEARS) INDEPENDENCE draws nearer, and reviewed written history proves the participation, IT IS TIMELY TO BRING TO LIGHT THIS HIDDEN EPISODE.

The history book titled "PICTORIAL H18TORY OF THE PHILIPPIWES" by Otley, Beyer, Jaime de Veyra and Prof. Mercedes Grau-Santa Maria includes in Chapter 16. Page 474 a native FLORIDABLANCA CARLOS "KANDO" RONQUILLO, one the GREAT FILIPINOS, MANILA TIMES, in later years, printed in the column "TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY" of Mr. Armando J. Malay: OCTOBER 18, 1941 - CARLOS "KANDO" RONQUILLO DIES, which item was not stated in the Pictorial History. Full text articles are.

PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES
"Carlos "KANDO" Ronquillo was born in Floridablanca, Pampanga October 31 1877 He was a pillar of (he Tagalog language and literature, born in Pampanga because his parents who were Cavitenos were living in Pampanga at that time. He studied in the Escuela Normal Superior under the Jesuit priests in 1895, but stopped schooling to join the Katipunan. He was private Secretary to Aguinaldo and a chronicler of the Revolution. He was a Major during the Filipino American War, end fought bravely against the Americans. In 1901 he was captured end imprisoned four months. In 1904 he began writing for the newspapers and became famous for his fiery criticisms of the abuses of the Philippine Constabulary. In 1912 he was Editor of the Taliba, a daily national newspaper. His bold editorials were read with interest and high regards."

The clipping of the MANILA TIMES about our Cabmen, FLORIDABLANCAN published in Armando J. Malay column "TODAY 1N PHILIPPINE HISTORY reads:

"OCTOBER 18, 1941 -CARLOS "KANDO" RONQUILLO DIES, One of the pillars of the earliest writers in Tagalog and Editor of the TALIBA passed away October 18, 1941, after seven months of illness. Born October 31, 1877, in Floridablanca, Pampanga Ronquillo was ONE OF TH E SIGNERS OF THE PACT OF BIAK-NA-BATO joining Aguinaldo in exile in Hongkong. He was Editor of the "Muling Pagsilang from 1905 to 1910, and of the TALIBA from its establishment until his death."

TALIBA was one of the three newspapers published for national circulation: and Mr. Armando Malay wrote the column for Manila Times - part of the TVT (TIMES - VANGUARDIA - TALIBA -publications). This is HISTORY FOR A FLORIDABLANCAN. This Pictorial History book includes only five (5) Great Filipinos born in Pampanga: Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos (San Fernando). General Maximino Hizon (Mexico) Poet Joan Crisostomo Soto (Bacolor), Dr. Gregorio Singian (San Fernando) and our Cabalen - Floridablancan: CARLOS "KANDO" RONQUILLO, out of the 156 mentioned. We take pride in calling a CABALEN whose maternal roots were traced here although not born in our own town.

More so perhaps should we take pride that a man born right here in our land - although learning quite late - that we should recognize and bestow due honors to a genuine FLORIDABLANCAN - DON CARLOS "KANDO" RONQUILLO. It is not too late to do so on this in the CENTENIAL (100 YEARS) ANIVERSARY OF OUR INDEPENDENCE - JUNE 12, 1998, A GREAT JUBILEE for our country. This update in the history of our (own is backed by printed records, undisputed unless proven otherwise should anyone choose not to consider them correct. This is left to the judgment of history.