Here stands the Honorio Lopez Plaque. It commemorates a man of many talents and unwavering dedication to his country. Honorio Lopez was born in Manila on December 30 1875.
He grew up in Tondo. He later became a writer a patriot and a revolutionary. The Honorio Lopez Plaque serves as a reminder of his contributions. Lopez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colegio de San Juan de Letran. His passion for his homeland led him to join the Philippine Revolution.
He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He headed the Raxa Matanda Infantry Regiment Vibora under General Artemio Recarte. Honorio Lopez continued to fight against the Americans in 1899.
Beyond the battlefield Lopez was a man of words. He authored the Dimasalang Kalendariong Tagalog. It was the first Tagalog almanac published by a Filipino in 1922. Lopez also co-founded La Juventud Filipina with Juan Abad. This group promoted patriotic plays. He even wrote his own play called Lakandula.
In 1912 Honorio Lopez took on a unique role. He portrayed Jose Rizal in the film La Vida de Rizal. It was the first film ever made in the Philippines. The film premiered at Teatro Zorilla in Manila.
Honorio Lopez’s service extended to public office. He served as a Manila councilor from 1916 to 1919. He was later appointed to the Veterans Pension Board in 1954. He also served as a technical assistant to Presidents Ramon Magsaysay and Carlos P Garcia.
Honorio Lopez passed away on July 3 1958. His legacy lived on. In 1967 North Bay Boulevard in Tondo was renamed Honorio Lopez Boulevard. This was to honor his contributions to Manila.
The Honorio Lopez Plaque before you marks a spot of remembrance. It is for a true Filipino hero. He was a soldier a writer and a public servant. He was deeply committed to his nation. His spirit continues to inspire us today.