Museum dedicated to Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena opens in Jaro
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
THE works of Ilonggo hero Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena were material in liberating the Philippines from the Spanish rule. His legacy undeniably deserves a place back home.
This is why the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, Inc. really pushed through with the establishment of a museum dedicated to the late hero. The “Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Learning Resource Center and Museum” now stands complete on Fajardo Street, Jaro, Iloilo City, the birthplace of Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena.
The museum’s construction began years ago but it was halted due to lack of funding. This is where the Iloilo City Government came in; it helped the Foundation raise the money needed to continue with the construction.
“Through the museum, we are hoping that Ilonggos will be inspired to follow Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena’s legacy, especially his bravery,” said Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
Lopez Jaena is considered the “first Filipino propagandist” during the age of Philippine colonization. He, Dr. Jose Rizal, and Marcelo H. del Pilar compose the triumvirate of key propagandists that challenged the Spanish colonizers in the country.
Lopez Jaena was behind the satirical story “Fray Botod,” which depicted a fat and lecherous priest who “always had the Virgin and God on his lips no matter how unjust and underhanded his acts are.” Lopez Jaena’s satirical genius reaped fury from the friars, prompting him to leave Jaro for Spain in 1879.
In Spain, where he met Rizal and del Pila, Lopez Jaena founded and edited “La Solidaridad,” a newspaper that aimed to galvanize Filipinos to into demanding independence from the Spanish conquistadors.
Lopez Jaena also gave fiery, nationalistic speeches, which inspired Filipinos to join the revolution. On April 27, 1883, Lopez Jaena personally conveyed his demand for freedom in a speech before Spanish officials in Madrid, Spain.
On January 20, 1896, the 39-year-old propagandist, who believed that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” died of tuberculosis in Barcelona, Spain. His remains were buried by the Sisters of Charity in an unmarked grave at the Cementerio Sud-Oeste.
While he did not live long enough to see the fruition of his works, Lopez Jaena will forever be remembered by Filipinos, especially Ilonggos who may now visit the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Learning Resource Center and Museum.
Aside from Lopez Jaena’s body of work, the museum also houses the Iloilo City Public Library, whose staff is tasked to oversee the management and maintenance of the facility.
The museum also houses the city library 
The Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, Inc., through their Board Chairman Demy P. Sonza and President Mia Fe Lopez-Cruz expressed their gratitude to the Iloilo City Government for making the dream project a reality. The Foundation, which owns the exact place where Lopez Jeana was born, turned over the property to the city government by way of usufruct for 50 years./PN
