Marcelo H. del Pilar was one of the greatest propagandists who sought Philippine freedom through his pen. He was born in Kupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan, on August 30, 1850 to parents Julian H. del Pilar and Blasa Gatmaitan. Marcelo was a gifted child; he can play the piano, violin and flute. He’s also good in fencing and has a wonderful voice.
His first school was the college owned by Mrs. Herminigilda Flores, then he went to San Jose College, and from there he transferred to University of Santo Tomas where he finished Law in 1880. He married and has seven children to his cousin, Marciana del Pilar.
1882, He became the editor of Diariong Tagalog -- a newspaper that strongly criticized the way the Spaniards ran the government and treated the people. He wrote satires against the Spanish friars using the pen name Plaridel. His two notable works are: "Dasalan at Tuksuhan" ("Prayers and Temptations") and "Kaiingat Kayo" ("Be Careful").
When he went to Spain, he took the place of Graciano Lopez Jaena as Editor of the La Solidaridad -- the mouthpiece of the propagandists who were working for reforms for the Filipinos. But illness from tuberculosis kept him from holding the position longer. He died on July 4, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain, away from his family.
