Emilio Jacinto was born on December 15, 1875 in Trozo, Manila. His parents were Mariano Jacinto and Josefa Dizon. His father died early, a situation that forced her mother to work harder as a midwife in order to support his studies. Hard life made it impossible for him and his mother to stay together, which was why he was forced to live with his uncle, Don Jose Dizon. He was enrolled at the San Juan de Letran College; then he transferred to the University of Santo Tomas where he took up Law.
At the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896, Emilio gave up his studies and joined the Katipunan. This decision was against the will of his mother and uncle; but the bad experiences he had with his Spanish classmates, his readings about the Spanish injustices, and the sufferings of the Filipino people made a mark in his heart, leading him to go against the will of his loved ones.
His intelligence was of great use to the Katipunan. He was referred to as the "Brain of the Katipunan". He wrote the Kartilla-the primer of the Katipunan where rules and regulations are contained. He edited Ang Kalayaan-Katipunan's newspaper where people are informed about the aims and activities of the association. A poet, Emilio's greatest poem was A La Patria, inspired by Rizal's Ultimo Adios. It was signed "Dimas-Ilaw", his pen name.
At the tender age of 19, he became one of the ablest leaders of Katipunan. He served as an adviser, secretary, and fiscal to Bonifacio. He also supervised the manufacture of gunpowder.
Emilio Jacinto was wounded critically during one of the battles in Majayjay, Laguna. This led to his death on April 16, 1899 at the young age of 24.
