Saturday, October 13, 2018

Remember your hero (Capt. Delfin Velilla)


Best remembered as: The promising medical student and violinist who helped make explosives for the Katipunan.

Early years: Delfin was born on March 1, 1868 in Balangkas, Polo (now Valenzuela) to parents Luis Velilla, a violinist, and “Aling Pepiang,” a store owner.

Just like his father, Delfin also nurtured a passion in playing the violin. He also aspired to be a doctor, and was on his way to earning a medical degree from the UST when the Revolution broke out.

Defining moments: Delfin’s plan to be a doctor was cut short when he joined the Katipunan in Polo under the leadership of Cornelio Lozada. Their ‘balangay’ was composed of 200 men armed with bolos and pointed bamboos–but they’re lacking in ammunition. Soon, Delfin and someone named Tiburcio de Leon were tasked to secretly create explosives and dynamites for the revolutionary group.
After the Revolution broke out in 1896, Lozada and his men faced numerous enemy attacks, prompting them to jump from one place to another to seek refuge. From Pasong Balite, they moved to Novaliches before retreating to San Jose Del Monte and finally, Norzagaray. It was in this final stop where their group was absorbed by the unit headed by another young leader–Col. Gregorio H. del Pilar.

Del Pilar and Velilla soon became the closest of friends, often seen serenading girls in the area with del Pilar on the guitars while Velilla plays his violin.

Things took an ugly turn during the early years of Philippine-American War. After a defeat in Caloocan, del Pilar led his men to Bulacan where they were engaged in yet another bloody battle.

The Battle of Sta. Rita in Guiguinto took many casualties, including the 31-year-old Delfin Velilla who was later buried in the cemetery of Quingua (now Plaridel). A statue of him was later installed in Barangay Arkong Bato in his hometown of Valenzuela.

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