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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