Lope K. Santos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honorable Lope K. Santos
Undated studio photo of Lope K. Santos
Senator of the Philippines from the 12th District
In office July 1, 1920 – November 15, 1921
Appointed by	Francis Burton Harrison
Preceded by	Joaquin Luna
Succeeded by	Hadji Butu
3rd Governor of Nueva Vizcaya
In office 1918–1920
Preceded by	Tomas Maddela Sr.
Succeeded by	Domingo Maddela
4th Governor of Rizal
In office 1910–1913
Preceded by	José Tupaz
Succeeded by	Mariano Melendres
Personal details
Born	Lope Santos y Canseco (1879-09-25)September 25, 1879 Pasig, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	May 1, 1963(1963-05-01) (aged 83) Philippines
Resting place	Manila South Cemetery
Political party	Nacionalista Party
Alma mater	Escuela de Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College Foundation)
Occupation	writer, lawyer, politician
Known for	Banaag at Sikat Ako'y Si Wika Aḡ Paḡgiḡera Ano Ang Babae?
Nickname	"Father of the Filipino Grammar"

Lope K. Santos (born Lope Santos y Canseco, September 25, 1879 – May 1, 1963) was an important Filipino writer and politician. He wrote in the Tagalog language. He was also a former senator in the Philippines.

He is best known for his 1906 novel, Banaag at Sikat. This book shared ideas about socialism, which is a way of organizing society to help everyone. Lope K. Santos also made big contributions to developing the Filipino grammar and how Tagalog words are spelled. People often call him the "Father of the Filipino Grammar."

The Life of Lope K. Santos

Early Life and Education

Lope K. Santos was born in Pasig, which was then part of the Province of Manila. This area is now part of Metro Manila. His full name was Lope Santos y Canseco. He was born on September 25, 1879. His father, Ladislao Santos, was from Pasig. His mother, Victorina Canseco, was from San Mateo. Lope grew up in Pandacan.

During the Philippine Revolution, Lope's father was put in prison. This happened because Spanish officials found copies of José Rizal's books, Noli Me Tangere and Ang Kalayaan, with him.

Lope went to the Escuela Normal Superior de Maestros (Higher Normal School for Teachers). He later finished his studies at Colegio Filipino. When the Philippine Revolution of 1896 began, Santos joined the revolutionaries. After his mother passed away, she asked Lope to marry Simeona Salazar. They got married on February 10, 1900. They had three children named Lakambini, Luwalhati, and Makaaraw.

He later studied law at the Academia de la Jurisprudencia. He then went to Escuela de Derecho de Manila, which is now called Manila Law College Foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912.

A Writer and Advocate for Workers

In late 1900, Lope K. Santos started his own newspaper called Ang Kaliwanagan. Around this time, socialism was becoming a popular idea around the world. In 1903, a labor leader named José Ma. Dominador Goméz was charged with going against the government. After this, Santos took over Goméz's labor group, Union Obrera Democratica Filipina. Santos renamed the group to Union del Trabajo de Filipinas. However, this group was later closed down in 1907.

Lope K. Santos from a 1906 publication of "Banaag at Sikat"

In 1903, Santos began publishing parts of his first novel, Banaag at Sikat (From Early Dawn to Full Light). He published it in his weekly labor magazine, Muling Pagsilang (The Rebirth). The novel was finished in 1906. When it was published as a book, Banaag at Sikat was seen as the first book in the Philippines that focused on socialist ideas. It talked about principles of socialism and asked for better conditions for workers from the government. This book later inspired the creation of the 1932 Socialist Party of the Philippines. It also influenced the 1946 group called Hukbalahap.

Santos was very skilled in dupluhan. This was a type of poetical debate popular at the time. Dupluhan is similar to balagtasan, which became famous about 50 years before Santos' time. He also started Sampaguita, a weekly magazine about lifestyle.

A Leader in Government

In the early 1910s, Lope K. Santos began a campaign to promote a "national language for the Philippines." He organized many talks and lectures. He also led several departments for the national language in major Philippine universities.

In 1910, he was elected as the governor of the province of Rizal. He belonged to the Nacionalista Party. In 1918, he was appointed as the governor of Nueva Vizcaya. He served there until 1920. After that, he was appointed to the 5th Philippine Legislature. He became a senator for the twelfth senatorial district. This district represented provinces with many non-Christian people. He was the main author of Philippine Legislature Act No. 2946. This law made November 30 every year a holiday called Bonifacio Day, honoring Andrés Bonifacio. He resigned from the Senate in 1921.

Developing the Filipino Language

In 1940, Santos published the first grammar book for the "national language." It was called Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa (Grammar of the National Language). This book was requested by the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (SWF), which is the Institute of National Language. The next year, President Manuel L. Quezon appointed him as the director of the SWF. He held this position until 1946.

When the Philippines joined the United Nations, Lope K. Santos was chosen to translate the 1935 Constitution for UNESCO. He also helped translate the speeches of presidents Jose P. Laurel and Manuel A. Roxas.

Later Years

In the early 1960s, Lope K. Santos had liver operations due to health problems. He passed away on May 1, 1963.

Important Works

Lope K. Santos wrote many important works, including:

• Banaag at Sikat (From Early Dawn to Full Light), 1903–06. This was the first novel in Tagalog that included ideas about socialism. It also talked about the work of united labor groups.
• Ag̃ "Pag̃gig̃gera" (Tulag̃ Handog sa Kababaiga'g̃ Tagalog) (The "Paḡgiḡgera" (A Poem for Tagalog Women)), 1912. Paḡgiḡgera was a type of gambling popular in the early 1900s.
• Kundanḡan...!: Nobelang Tagalog Katha (Deference...!: A Tagalog Novel), 1927. This was Santos' second novel.
• Tinḡíng Pahapáw sa Kasaysayan ñg Pámitikang Tagalog (Few Points in the History of Tagalog Literature), 1938.
• Puso't Diwa (Heart and Spirit). This was a three-volume collection of poems Santos wrote during the American period.
• Sino Ka? Ako'y Si... 60 Sagot na mga Tulá (Who Are You? I am... 60 Answering Poems), 1946. This is a collection of poems that explore philosophical ideas.
• Mga Hamak na Dakilà: 60 Tulâ (Mean Magnificent: 60 poems), 1950. This is a humorous collection of poems written during the war.
• "Makábagong" Balarilà?: Mga Puná at Payo sa "Sariling Wikà" ("Modern" Grammar?: Views and Advices for "National Language"), 1951. This book was written with Cirilo H. Panganiban, who was the director of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa.

See also

• Norberto Romualdez