ABOUT THE WORK

General Manuel Tinio, “Lion of the North” would be the undefeated scourge of the Yankees during the Philippine-American War. Tinio would initially have as his base Vigan, Ilocos Sur in 1899, using the Palace of the Archbishop on Plaza Salcedo as his headquarters. Ordered by Aguinaldo to abandon his position and move to Pangasinan and La Union to provide critical cover in the President’s light to Cagayan and thence, to Palanan. Tinio would effectively harass the US forces in the north. On 4 December 1899, two days after Gen. Gregorio del Pilar would perish at Tirad Pass, Tinio would lead his guerrilla ‘Brigada Tinio’ back into Vigan to engage the 133rd Regiment “in sever street fighting” for several hours before dawn. It was this kind of attack that would make General Tinio and his Brigade the most fearsome of the Philippine-American War. Tinio’s Army would be the largest standing Filipino force and would remain unvanquished until the general would voluntarily surrender following the call of General Emilio Aguinaldo. This exquisite dagger features finely worked bone and silver. The blade with the words “Filipinas” features the Filipino flag as well as two crossed sabers at its base. — Lisa Guerrero Nakpil