Cecilio Apóstol

Cecilio Apóstol
Born	November 22, 1877 Santa Cruz, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	September 8, 1938 (aged 60) Caloocan, Rizal, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Occupation	poet

Cecilio Apóstol (November 22, 1877 – September 8, 1938) was a Filipino poet. His poems were once used to teach the Spanish language under the Republic Act No. 1881.^[1]

He was born in Santa Cruz, Manila and studied at the Ateneo de Manila where he finished his Bachelor of Arts, before studying law at the University of Santo Tomas. During the early years of American occupation he worked as a journalist for the revolutionary newspapers Independence, The Brotherhood, The Union, Renaissance and Democracy. His pseudonym on his work at the La Independencia, under Antonio Luna, was Catulo.^[2] He later joined the Nacionalista Party which wanted the independence of the Philippines from the United States.^[3] He was a member of the Philippine Academy from 1924 until his death. Apóstol wrote in English and Spanish, and composed poems that demonstrated his mastery of Spanish. He composed the poem Al Heroe Nacional (To the National Hero) which is dedicated to José Rizal.^[4] In the book of poems, Pentélicas, he described landscapes evoking a vivid images. He died in Caloocan, Rizal.

References

1. "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1881". 1957-06-22. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
2. Anselmo Bernad, Miguel (2008). Waiter & Fisherman & Other Essays. Ateneo de Manila University Press. pp. 105–106. ISBN 971-550-541-4. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
3. McCoy, Alfred W.; Ed. C. de Jesus (2001). Philippine social history global trade and local transformations South Asian. Ateneo de Manila University Press. p. 189. ISBN 971-550-279-2. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
4. "111st [sic?] Anniversary of Dr. José P. Rizal’s martyrdom". Manila Bulletin. 2007-12-30. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-06.