Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
Encyclopedia
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (17 December 1830 – 4 December 1903), also known as Don Bosyong, was a lawyer and author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence document. A distant relative of the Rizal family, Philippine national hero José Rizal
always sought his advice during his school days in Manila
.
Ambrosio was born in Biñan, Laguna
to Gregorio Enriquez and Bautista Silvestra Altamira. He attended preparatory school in Biñan, and studied law at the University of Santo Tomas
(UST), obtaining a degree in 1865. He then practiced law in Manila by offering free legal services to poor clients. One day, Ambrosio was captured by a group of bandits while on his way to Malolos, Bulacan. After learning that he was the Don Bosyong who had saved many of their friends and who was the defender of the poor in court cases against rich Filipinos and the Spaniards, the bandits apologized and set him free.
Bautista solicited funds to finance the campaign for the reforms in the Philippines. He then became a member of the La Liga Filipina
, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. In 1896, the Spaniards arrested and imprisoned him at Fort Santiago
, as he was suspected for being involved in the Philippine Revolution
. He defended himself and was later released from prison. He became the first adviser of President Emilio Aguinaldo
in 1898, and subsequently wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence. On 14 July 1899, Bautista was elected vice-president of Tarlac
's Revolutionary Congress. He was later appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan
.
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
always sought his advice during his school days in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
.
Ambrosio was born in Biñan, Laguna
Biñan, Laguna
The City of Biñan is a first class component city in the Republic of the Philippines. It is located in the Province of Laguna, in the island of Luzon, and also accessible from Metro Manila via the South Luzon Expressway, Biñan City has become both a suburban residential community of Metro Manila...
to Gregorio Enriquez and Bautista Silvestra Altamira. He attended preparatory school in Biñan, and studied law at the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
(UST), obtaining a degree in 1865. He then practiced law in Manila by offering free legal services to poor clients. One day, Ambrosio was captured by a group of bandits while on his way to Malolos, Bulacan. After learning that he was the Don Bosyong who had saved many of their friends and who was the defender of the poor in court cases against rich Filipinos and the Spaniards, the bandits apologized and set him free.
Bautista solicited funds to finance the campaign for the reforms in the Philippines. He then became a member of the La Liga Filipina
La Liga Filipina
La Liga Filipina was a progressive organization created by Dr. José Rizal in the Philippines in a house at Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila in 1892.The organization derived from La Solidaridad and the Propaganda movement...
, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. In 1896, the Spaniards arrested and imprisoned him at Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was imprisoned in the fort before his execution in 1896...
, as he was suspected for being involved in the Philippine Revolution
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...
. He defended himself and was later released from prison. He became the first adviser of President Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation...
in 1898, and subsequently wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence. On 14 July 1899, Bautista was elected vice-president of Tarlac
Tarlac
Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west...
's Revolutionary Congress. He was later appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
.