Arsenio Cruz Herrera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arsenio Cruz Herrera
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| 1st Mayor of Manila | |
| In office August 7, 1901 – September 18, 1905 |
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| Vice Mayor | Ramón J. Fernández (1901-1904) |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Félix Roxas |
| Member of the Philippine Assembly from Rizal's 1st district | |
| In office October 16, 1912 – February 24, 1916 |
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| Preceded by | Jose Lino Luna |
| Succeeded by | Arcadio Santos |
| Assistant Secretary of Interior of the First Philippine Republic | |
| In office 1899–1901 |
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| President | Emilio Aguinaldo |
| Member of the Malolos Congress from Manila | |
| In office September 15, 1898 – November 13, 1899 Serving with Félix Ferrer Pascual, Teodoro Gonzales Leaño and Mariano Limjap
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| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14, 1863 Tondo, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Died | April 8, 1917 (aged 53) |
| Political party | Progresista Party (1907-1914) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democrata Party (1914-1916) |
| Spouses |
Julita Alejandrino
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(m. 1888; died 1912) Bernarda Sastre (m. 1912)
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| Children | 8 |
| Alma mater | Colegio de San Juan de Letran (AB, 1880) University of Santo Tomas (1889, 1892) |
| Profession | Lawyer, revolutionary |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  First Philippine Republic |
| Battles/wars | Philippine Revolution |
Arsenio Cruz Herrera (born December 14, 1863 – died April 8, 1917) was an important Filipino leader. Many people consider him the very first Filipino Mayor of Manila. He also led a political group called the Progresista Party for several years.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arsenio Cruz Herrera was born on December 14, 1863, in Tondo, Manila. His parents were Tomás Cruz and Ambrosia Herrera. He went to school first under Fortunato Jacinto. Later, he attended Colegio de San Juan de Letran. There, he earned a degree in arts in 1880.
He then studied at the University of Santo Tomas. He earned degrees in canon law (church law) in 1889 and jurisprudence (law) in 1892. While studying, he also worked at the university library. After graduating, he opened his own law office. Famous lawyers like Juan Sumulong and Rafael Palma worked there when they were young. His law practice was very successful.
A Leader in Philippine History
Role in the Philippine Revolution
Not much is known about what Arsenio Cruz Herrera did during the Philippine Revolution. This was a time when Filipinos fought for independence. Some say he advised General Maximo Hizon on how to capture Angeles, Pampanga. After Emilio Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines, Cruz Herrera worked with other important figures like Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista and Felipe Buencamino.
Helping the First Philippine Republic
Arsenio Cruz Herrera was offered a big job as War Director for the new revolutionary government. However, he chose not to take it. Instead, he decided to manage the government's official newspaper, El Heraldo de la Revolución.
Thanks to his efforts, the revolutionary government created the Universidad Cientifico-Literaria de Filipinas in 1899. He taught law at this university. He was also chosen as one of the four members from Manila for the Malolos Congress. This group helped create the Malolos Constitution, which became law in 1899. Later, he believed that fighting for independence with weapons was not the best way forward. So, he decided to work with the Americans.
Working with the Americans
Arsenio Cruz Herrera believed in the peace plans of the Schurman Commission. He joined a group that supported American rule in the Philippines. During the time of the Taft Commission, he was appointed as the President of the Municipal Board of Manila. This was like being the head of the city council. However, he felt he didn't have much power in making city laws. Because of this, he resigned on September 18, 1905.
He later led the Progresista Party. He ran for a seat in the Philippine Assembly in 1907 and 1909 but did not win. However, he won the seat for Rizal's 1st District in the 1912 elections. His party, the Progresistas, never gained more power than the Nacionalista Party during these years. In 1914, he switched to another political group called the Democrata Party.
Personal Life
Arsenio Cruz Herrera first married Julita Alejandrino on September 9, 1888. Julita was the sister of a revolutionary general, José Alejandrino. They had eight children together: José, Rosario, Miguel, Concepción, Augustín, Natividad, Augusto, and Emmanuela. Julita passed away on March 4, 1912. Later, he married Bernarda Sastre. They did not have any children.
Death
Arsenio Cruz Herrera died on April 8, 1917. He was 53 years old.
