written by Rafael Kayanan
Great Great Grandfather of Christopher Castaneda Sayoc
The Manila Times — Wednesday, August 30, 1967
Hall of Fame, By Sol H. Gwekoh
L. Topacio: builder of Zapote Fort
Had not the brave and fearless General Licerio Topacio y Corcuera of Cavite given way to his young and gallant provincemate, General Emilio Aguinaldo, history would have taken a different course? But instead of assuming the presidency of the Revolutionary Government which was originally offered to him, Topacio let Aguinaldo have it by endorsing wholeheartedly his nomination during the momentous Imus convention in 1897.
When Aguinaldo was advised of his election to this exalted position, he was at his camp in Pasong Santol, a barrio of Imus, busy directing the skirmishes with the Spanish enemy. Despite the summon that he take his oath of office and assume the new post, he refused to leave the battlefield. Only after a second summon had been sent to him that he agreed to go and lead his fellow rebels in the common cause.
Aguinaldo who was grateful to the Imus patriot, sought in return, Topacio’s advice whenever he was faced with serious and perplexing matters that needed immediate and sound judgment from whom he held in high regard and absolute confidence.
It was bruited about that Topacio was the lone associate of Aguinaldo who could approach him and cheer him up from the discouragement which he suffered constantly during the revolutionary days, especially when he started encountering military reverses from the Spanish forces who invaded Cavite and the surrounding provinces.
So solicitous was Topacio for Aguinaldo’s welfare that he even looked after his morale by boosting it whenever he found it exceedingly low, and by making Aguinaldo regain his composure and return him to the enthusiasm and interest in pursuing further the war efforts. In this manner he saved Aguinaldo on several occasions, and saw him rise to prominence and fame.
In the setup of the revolutionary government, Topacio was named a member of the cabinet with his appointment as the ministro de fomento. As his duties were similar to those of the military engineers of today, he became Aguinaldo’s project engineer and supervised the field work of the revolutionary army.
Topacio was the first high ranking Filipino rebel official not only to plan out but also to build actually the fortification of the Zapote bridge in Zapote, Cavite, which General Edilberto Evangelista made good use of in the battle of Zapote in February 1897.
For his invaluable services and outstanding achievements to the revolutionary movement as well as for his extraordinary courage and fighting spirit, Topacio was given the rank of general of the revolution.
A native of Imus, Cavite, Topacio was born on August 27, 1839. He was 85 when he died on April 19, 1925.
Topacio joined the Katipunan secret society soon after its introduction in Cavite province. He was among the first Katipunan members to urge Supremo Andres Bonifacio to wage a revolution against Spain in his desire to put an end to the numerous abuses being committed by the Spanish officials of the administration on the Filipino people.
One of the two local heroes of Imus — the other being Colonel Felipe Topacio who was with Colonels Bonso and Pawe in the command of the Aguinaldo troops that captured the Bonifacio brothers, Andres and Procopio, at Limbon, Indang, Cavite — Topacio was recently honored by the municipal council with the renaming of the town plaza to General Licerio Topacio.
Primo,
Nice blog. It was very enlightening. Do keep in touch. My office is at Skyway Twin Towers, H. Javier Street, Ortigas CBD, Pasig City, 5710270 or 5711626.
Mabuhay!
Did you know that there are 12 children that came from Licerio Topacio? Two of those was not mentioned in the Family Tree. Licerio Topacio was married to Severina Montemayor as per existing record at the Imus Cathedral. They had 2 children, Dalmacio Topacio and Silveria Topacio who was stabbed by a japanese soldier during the second world war. Dalmacio Topacio had 4 children. Conrado, Bernardina, Vicente, and Florencio. If you have doubt on this blog, you can ask Atty. Aurora Sayoc Abella.
Its nice to see someone who had keen interests in maintaining the family tree. Very informative and I do hope this blog is maintained for the next little while. Makes me miss Imus even more.
I too, am a descendant of Gen. Licerio Topacio. One of the General’s children, Eugenia Topacio was married to Antonio Javalera. Their oldest son was Col. Lamberto Topacio Javalera (d.1967), whose second child is is my grandmother, Anita Javalera Sta. Ana (d.2004).
All the Best! Please keep in touch as well.
I stood up for Gen. Licerio Topacio much respect to him and to his descendants.
He’s the reason that I found this site. I am concern about the Removal of the statue of Gen. Licerio Topacio in Imus Town Plaza it is very disrespectful in any viewpoint.
“What if the person who stand before them is their ancestor will they make an appeal? and stand up for what is right?”
“WHAT IS RIGHT MUST BE KEPT RIGHT, WHAT IS WRONG MUST BE SET RIGHT-Sen.Panfilo Lacson”
I would like to introduce myself, I am the grandson of Epifanio S.Gabriel who served as the municipal president (mayor) at the time the Imus Town Plaza was constructed.
I remember before, our plaza is one of the most beautiful if not the most in the province. A good breathing space between 2 hispanic architectural edifice, the Municipal Hall and the Cathedral. A nice place to hold the serenata during town fiesta and other occasions. However, on two instances it was renovated, first the demolition of the glorietta and erection of the non-proportional statue of Dr. Jose Rizal and Inang bayan (as compared to the size of the statue of General Licerio Topacio) then the construction of the trellis and pergola that make the town plaza really look like an LRT station. Now, making it a modern park that will not match the two old style structures, the municipal hall and the cathedral.
It was really dishearting what the present municipal administration is doing with the Plaza right now. It was part of the cultural heritage of our beloved town. I move to the restoration of the Imus Town Plaza.
By the way, does the clan has a photo (aerial view)of the old town plaza? Kindly post it here and I would also like to get a copy.
Thank you so much. This had been very informative for me. I am currently a college student and for a paper, I decided to write about the Imus Town Plaza, since I’m practically an Imuseña, though I live in Bacoor. The information here would be so valuable for me and I would mention this in my paper if I can.
And yes, the renovation was made without much consultation from the public. And actually, I couldn’t see the point why they would destroy the place where a lot of things happened in the history of the municipality.
It is very awful to see that our proud history is now getting tossed around. What our ancestors have left for us is now deteriorating, from the Imus CAthedral upt to the main issue, The Town Plaza. I was just wondering, why a “flag”, is it because Imus is the Flag CApital of the Philippines? What they say is yes, but my question is this, where was the battle of Alapan? IN ALAPAN OF COURSE!!! NOT IN POBLACION!!! And it is very awful to step on the flag, although it does not really look like one, but its features are there. God save us all.
And another thing: yes, there was less public consultation. There was almost no transparency, from the actual project up to the cost. What we can rely on is this: rumors. When they started demolishing it, nobody knows what the Government was doing. Then when they erected new galvanized steel, there were no signs stating on what they are going to do, until they have one, eventually. The posters erected by concerned Imusenos who are protesting about the plaza, always get ripped and torn by purpose. And when it was inaugurated, nobody knows the cost. According to rumors, the Municipal government loaned 25 million pesos, but they only spent 18 million. Then the question is: where did the 7 million pesos go?
My father is Zosimo Topacio Monzon, son of Florencio Reyes Monzon and Tiofesta Topacio of Cavite and we are also related to General Licerio Topacio. I am the daughter (Carla) of Zosimo and my brother Zosimo T. Monzon, Jr. visited Imus in 1986.
I am very unhappy to our administration. Yes they honor Gen. Topacio, but are they really honoring him??? Just look, they proposed to remove him from his monument, now they honor him??? Fakes, they are just playing infront of the town’s folk, just to say that he honors the heroes of Imus!!
Does anyone have any current pictures of the site?
We just added a few more pictures to the article. We have several trips to the Philippines scheduled for 2010, it would be nice to meet some relatives. Hope everyone has a GREAT 2010.
He is my great great grand father. I just found that out today. I feel so awesome.
Hi! I just want to rekindle my lost Imus roots. I am a Topacio. I am the grandson of Candido Topacio, Brother of Gen. Manuel, Arturo and Emmanuel, cousins of Tiburcio and Arsenio Topacio. I remember one Aunt from way, way back, Tita Gloria Saque. Please do drop me an email. Who knows, we could share some common interests and could even be related.
Topacio and Sayoc surnames were Chinese mestizo surnames belonging to the list of Gremio de los Mestizos de Sangleyes,and also in the list of Cavite Chinese surnames in the research of Dr. Antonio S. Tan of Kaisa sa Kaunlaran 1994 p.6-7, im proud of my Topacio lineage since 1767 Maria Topacio
I am the author of the Lacsons of Imus Cavite -Descendants of the Yellow Race 2009 and the Lacsons of Imus Cavite- Saga of A Family from Ancient Imperial China to US Phils Era
the second book was done 2010-2011 with more than a hundred Spanish Era Pictures
Hi Jojo, this is the Gen Licerio Cuenca Topacio we know, married to Vina Francisco, had 12 children, when Vina died, the General had a son with Benigna (Vina’s sister) but did not get married. The son’s name was Felix Topacio married to Rufina delos Santos. They had 4 children namely Candido married to Margarita Durano (your grandparents), Genoveva married to Gerardo Cordoba, Jaime married to Barzelisa, Manuel married to Lourdes Pilapil and Arturo married to Angelita Lopez (my parents). As for the other children of Licerio outside the marriage except for Benigna, Felix so far is the only one we know according to the story of Felix Javalera when we last saw him 2 yrs ago in Imus sadly Ti Ele passed away about 2 months ago at the age of 97. This is a great way to discover our heritage. I wish more relatives can contribute to this. As for the monument of the General, cousins & other realtives don’t worry the women of the Topacio’s in Imus will not let anybody touch this.
Thanks Aunt Annie. That was one informative piece of history. I got to know one cousin through FB, Carmela Topacio who is still residing in Imus. I’ll probably see her soon.
A lot of familiar names of Topacio’s..thanks for the additional info Ms. Annie.i am one of the granddaughters of Arsenio “Senyong” Topacio(+1996) son of Candido Topacio to his second wife Benigna Sauquillo(correct me if im wrong). I know Ti Auring Sayoc Abella is a cousin of my grandfather.Tata Bosyong and Bencio half-brothers of my grandfather to Candido.
There she goes. Thanks MC.