Inspirational
Revolutionary hero Dr. Pio Valenzuela's relatives donate land to Valenzuela government
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Sep 17, 2008 - 2:58:41 PM

MANILA, Sept. 18 (PNA)--Relatives of the late Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a contemporary of Pugad Lawin hero Andres Bonifacio and one of the country’s leading proponents from the yoke of Spanish oppression, formally donated to the Valenzuela City government a 272 square meter lot belonging to the deceased patriot early this week.

Valenzuela City mayor Sherwin Gatchalian formally accepted the donation from Amado C. Valenzuela and Concordia T. Valenzuela, surviving relatives of the revolutionary hero.

Mayor Gatchalian was able to accept the donation for the city with the authority provided by Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 147 Series of 2008.

The lot located in Brgy. Pariancillo Villa will be transformed into a historical landmark, according to Valenzuela city cultural affairs and tourism office head, Barcelito De Sotto.

"The city government is allotting P2 million to build a shrine where the remains of Dr.Valenzuela will be transferred," Sotto added.

Dr. Valenzuela is one of the proponents of armed revolt against Spanish rule during the latter part of the 19th century alongside with Bonifacio.

Valenzuela was born in Polo, Bulacan to Francisco Valenzuela and Lorenza Alejandrino on July 11, 1869.

He studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and at the University of Santo Tomas where he finished his licentiate in medicine in 1895.

He was still a medical student when he joined the Katipunan secret society that was founded by Bonifacio on July 7, 1892.

Valenzuela became a close friend of the “Great Plebian” and would eventually become the godfather of Bonifacio's child by Gregoria De Jesus.

Dr. Valenzuela is best remembered for visiting and trying to convince National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Dapitan in the latter part of 1896 that only a revolution against Spanish oppression could bring independence to the Philippines.