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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-23/rafael-palma.avif" alt="Rafale Palma" />
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(Rafael Palma)
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<h4>
Early Life and Education
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Rafael Palma, born on October 24, 1874, in Tondo, Manila, was the son of Hermogenes Palma, a clerk at the Intendencia Office, and Hilaria Velasquez. His younger brother, <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1160/today-in-philippine-history-june-3-1876-jose-palma-was-born-in-tondo-manila" class="news_link">Jose Palma</a>, was a soldier-poet known for authoring the Spanish poem "Filipinas," which later became the lyrics of the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/631/today-in-philippine-history-september-22-1943-the-philippine-national-anthem-and-the-national-flag-were-declared-official-symbols" class="news_link">Philippine National Anthem</a> through its translations.
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Palma began his education at the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2987/history-of-ateneo-de-manila-university" class="news_link">Ateneo de Manila</a>, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  He later pursued law at the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2891/miguel-de-benavides-credited-as-founder-of-university-of-santo-tomas" class="news_link">University of Santo Tomas</a>, passing the bar examinations in 1901.
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<h4>
Career in Journalism and Politics
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Palma began his journalism career at "<a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1269/today-in-philippine-history-september-3-1898-la-independencia-came-out-with-its-first-issue" class="news_link">La Independencia</a>", a revolutionary newspaper founded by General <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1669/today-in-philippine-history-june-5-1899-general-antonio-luna-was-killed-by-aguinaldos-men-in-cabanatuan" class="news_link">Antonio Luna</a>. Following Luna's death, he took over as editor, furthering the paper's nationalistic goals. In February 1900, Palma co-founded "El Nuevo Dia", the first daily newspaper in Cebu with <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1273/today-in-philippine-history-september-9-1878-sergio-osme-a-sr-was-born-in-cebu-city" class="news_link">Sergio Osmeña</a> and <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1329/today-in-philippine-history-november-4-1873-jaime-de-veyra-was-born-in-tanauan-leyte" class="news_link">Jaime de Veyra</a>. Upon returning to Manila, he co-founded "El Renacimiento".
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In politics, Palma served as a member of the Second Philippine Commission and the Philippine Assembly. He was elected as a Senator from the 4th Senatorial District, serving from 1916 to 1921. His tenure was marked by his dedication to public service and advocacy for Philippine independence.
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October 24, 1874: Rafael Palma was born in Tondo, Manila