Moises Salvador
(1868 - 1897)
Moises Salvador was born on November 25, 1868 in San
Sebastian, Quipo, Manila to a wealthy Spanish
architect Don Ambrosio Salvador and Acosta Fransisco.
Like many of the children of the affluent families of Manila, he was sent to study in Ateneo de Manila. His parents aspired to
make their son a doctor so he was sent to Madrid to study medicine.
As a student in the Spanish capital, he was inspired by the
examples of Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar. Instead of
pursuing a course in medicine, he got deeply involved in the propaganda
movement. He also joined Free masonry.
His parents were naturally apprehensive over the activities
if their son. His father recalled Moises to the Philippines. In April 1891, he arrived in Manila taking along with him the acuerdos of the Madrid Junta to organize lodges. These documents were transmitted
by him to Deodato Arellano, brother-in-law of Marcelo H. del
Pilar, and Andres Bonifacio.
He
was entrusted with the task of sending and receiving confidential information
from Spain. These he carried out
efficiently.
In 1891, he joined the Lodge Nilad, the first Philippine Masonic organization, assuming the
symbolic name Araw. In March 1892, he
was venerable master of the Lodge Balagtas
upon its organization.
On July
3, 1892, the La Liga Filipina was organized, and he
was one of its leading figures. His Father presided at the organization. But
Rizal was deported to Dapitan. The Filipinos reconsidered their options. One
group under Andres Bonifacio believed that only through an armed uprising could
freedom and liberty be wrested from Spain. The other group adhered to the idea
that peaceful moves or non-violent activities pursued by the La Solidaridad was still the best
method to accomplish reforms. This group was called the Cuerpios de Compromisarios. Salvador staked his lot with the Cuerpos.
On November 26, 1892, he married Isidra Narcisco but had no
children by her.
He was a lover of sports. He played chess or rode a bicycle
after the day’s hectic work. He was also fond of picnics, dancing and all other
social activities beffiting his social standing. Neither did he neglect his
business even when he was deeply involved in masonic activities and the
propaganda. His father introduced him to construction. One of his works was the
foundation of the Sta. Cruz Bridge, now the McArthur Bridge over the Pasig River.
When the Katipunan was discovered in August, 1896, many of
its members took to the field immediately to avoid arrest and start the
revolution. Many of the Free masons stayed home. On September
16, 1896, Don
Ambrosio and Don Moises were arrested, jailed and tortured to give out
information. Tried by a military court, they were found guilty of rebellion and
were sentenced to die. This was usual for persons declared enemies of the
state. A considerable number of property interests of the Salvadors was also confiscated.
On January 11, 1897, Moises Salvador, Numeriano Adriano,
Domingo Franco, Francisco L. Roxas, Luis E. Villareal, Faustino Villaruel, Jose
A. Dizon, Lt. Benedicto Nijaga, GeronimoMedina, Antonio Salazar, Ramon Padilla,
Braulio Rivera and Estacio Mañalac, with their hands tied at their backs, were
marched out from Fort Santiago. Salvador walked barefoot calmly smoking a
cigar. In bagumbayan Fields, now Luneta, they were shot dead.
His body was buried in Paco Cemetery. During the military occupation of
General Juan cailles of that district, his remains were exhumed and interred in
Pandacan Church.
The Municipal Board of Manila enacted Ordinance No. 2384, on July
13, 1936,
changing the name of Guipit Elementary
School
in the District of Sampaloc to Moises Salvador Elementary School.
BACK