<div class="image-550">
<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/licerio-geronimo.avif" alt="Licerio Gerónimo" loading="lazy" />
<div>
(Licerio Gerónimo)
</div>
</div>

<h2>
Early Life and Background
</h2>

<p>
Licerio Gerónimo y Imaya was born on August 27, 1855, in the bustling district of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3081/sampaloc-manila-from-tamarind-trees-to-university-hub" class="news_link">Sampaloc, Manila</a>, which was then part of the Captaincy General of the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule. He was the eldest of six children born to Graciano Gerónimo, a native of Montalban in the District of Morong (now <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Rodriguez, Rizal</a>), and Flaviana Imaya from Gapan, Nueva Ecija. The family lived in modest circumstances, relying on agriculture and manual labor for sustenance. At the tender age of nine, young Licerio moved to live with his grandfather on a farm in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, where he was immersed in the rigors of rural life. By 14, he rejoined his father in Montalban, taking on various farm chores such as cutting grass, gathering firewood, and herding carabaos.
</p>
<p>
Poverty prevented Gerónimo from receiving a formal education, a common plight for many Filipinos during the era. However, his innate curiosity and determination led him to learn reading and writing informally with the help of friends. He honed these skills by immersing himself in popular Filipino literary forms like <i>Awit</i> (epic poems) and <i>Corridos</i> (ballads), which not only entertained but also sharpened his intellect. This self-taught literacy later enabled him to participate in traditional poetical jousts known as <i>Duplo</i>, a cultural practice that showcased wit and verbal agility.
</p>
<p>
As a young adult, Gerónimo supported himself through farming and as a boatman, ferrying passengers and laundresses along the Marikina and Pasig Rivers. These occupations not only provided for his family but also gave him intimate knowledge of the local terrain-rivers, mountains, and trails-that would prove invaluable in his later military campaigns. Gerónimo married twice in his lifetime. His first wife  passed away early, leaving him to remarry Cayetana Lincaoco (or Linco) of San Mateo. Together, they had five children, grounding Gerónimo in the personal stakes of the revolutionary cause: fighting for a better future for his family and countrymen.
</p>

<h2>
Entry into the Revolution
</h2>
<p>
Gerónimo's path to becoming a revolutionary leader began with his recruitment into the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/906/about-the-katipunan" class="news_link">Katipunan</a>, the secret society founded by <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/786/today-in-philippine-history-november-30-1863-andres-bonifacio-was-born-in-tondo-manila" class="news_link">Andres Bonifacio</a> to overthrow Spanish rule. His godfather, Felix Umali, introduced him to the organization, and Gerónimo quickly embraced its ideals of liberty and equality. When Bonifacio established a Katipunan chapter in Montalban, Gerónimo joined without hesitation, drawn by the promise of ending centuries of colonial exploitation.
</p>
<p>
The Philippine Revolution erupted in August 1896, and Gerónimo was at the forefront. He responded to Bonifacio's call to arms and traveled to Balintawak, a rallying point for revolutionaries. On August 30, 1896, he participated in the daring <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2973/the-battle-of-san-juan-del-monte-the-dawn-of-the-philippine-revolution-took-place-on-august-30-1896" class="news_link">assault on the San Juan del Monte</a> gunpowder magazine, one of the first major engagements against Spanish forces. This battle, though ultimately repelled, ignited widespread uprisings across the archipelago.
</p>
<p>
Back in Montalban, Gerónimo organized a local force comprising men from nearby San Mateo and Marikina. Using Mount Puray as a strategic base, he coordinated with Generals <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1275/today-in-philippine-history-september-17-1871-francisco-makabulos-was-born-in-la-paz-tarlac" class="news_link">Francisco Makabulos</a> and <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2779/today-in-philippine-history-november-9-1855-mariano-llanera-a-revolutionary-general-was-born-in-cabiao-nueva-ecija" class="news_link">Mariano Llanera</a> in operations across Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. His tactical acumen earned him the moniker "General Cerio", and he became known for his fearless defense of positions and ambushes on Spanish supply lines, which bolstered the revolutionaries' ammunition and provisions.
</p>
<h2>
Role in the Philippine Revolution Against Spain
</h2>
<p>
Throughout 1897, Gerónimo fought valiantly in key battles, including the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2903/the-battle-of-mount-puray-turning-point-in-the-philippine-revolution-was-fought-on-june-14-1897" class="news_link">defense of Mount Puray</a>. Following the controversial <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1123/today-in-philippine-history-may-10-1897-andres-bonifacio-was-executed-for-being-guilty-of-treason-and-sedition" class="news_link">execution of Andres Bonifacio</a> and the rise of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1028/today-in-philippine-history-march-22-1869-emilio-aguinaldo-was-born-in-kawit-cavite" class="news_link">Emilio Aguinaldo</a> as the revolution's leader, Gerónimo was appointed Division General in charge of Morong (Rizal). The <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/820/today-in-philippine-history-december-14-1897-the-pact-of-biak-na-bato-was-signed" class="news_link">Pact of Biak-na-Bato</a> in December 1897 brought a temporary truce, allowing Gerónimo to briefly return to farming. However, the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay by American forces in May 1898 reignited the conflict.
</p>
<p>
Upon Aguinaldo's return from exile Gerónimo rejoined the revolutionary army, linking up with General <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2740/today-in-philippine-history-july-11-1860-p-o-del-pilar-a-revolutionary-general-was-born-in-culi-culi-san-pedro-de-macati" class="news_link">Pio del Pilar</a> in August 1898. By November, Aguinaldo promoted him to Division General for San Mateo, Rizal. As the Spanish surrendered Manila to the Americans, tensions escalated, setting the stage for a new war.
</p>

<h2>
The Philippine-American War and the Battle of San Mateo
</h2>
<p>
The <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/913/today-in-philippine-history-february-4-1899-marked-the-start-of-the-filipino-american-war" class="news_link">Philippine-American War broke out</a> on February 4, 1899, as American forces sought to assert control over the islands. Gerónimo, now under General <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1322/today-in-philippine-history-october-29-1866-antonio-luna-was-born-in-binondo-manila" class="news_link">Antonio Luna</a>'s command, was appointed commanding general of the third military zone encompassing Manila and Rizal. He defended key areas like Marikina, supervised trench construction, and reorganized troops in San Juan and Mandaluyong.
</p>

<p>
The pinnacle of Gerónimo's military career was the Battle of San Mateo on December 19, 1899. This engagement  pitted approximately 1,000 Filipino troops under Gerónimo and Pio del Pilar against American forces led by Major General <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ware_Lawton" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Henry Ware Lawton</a>. Lawton, a seasoned veteran of the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War, aimed to neutralize threats to Manila's water supply and secure the Marikina Valley.
</p>
<p>
The battle unfolded amid a heavy monsoon, with swollen rivers and muddy terrain hampering American advances. Lawton's expedition included the 11th Volunteer Cavalry and the 29th Battalion. Gerónimo's men, including the elite Tiradores de la Muerte (Sharpshooters of Death), occupied strong defensive positions along the Marikina River. As American troops attempted to cross, they were met with withering rifle fire.
</p>
<p>
Lawton, conspicuous in his white raincoat and pith helmet, personally rallied his men from the front lines. Despite warnings, he exposed himself to enemy fire. A Filipino sniper, <b class="lt-bold">Private Bonifacio Mariano</b> under Gerónimo's command, fired the fatal shot that struck Lawton in the chest, killing him instantly. This marked the death of the highest-ranking American officer in the war, a blow that reverberated through U.S. military circles and boosted Filipino morale.
</p>
<p>
The battle raged on, with Americans eventually fording the river using a canoe under heavy fire. Filipino forces, exhausted and low on ammunition, retreated after inflicting significant casualties. The outcome was inconclusive strategically, but tactically, it was a Filipino victory: 40 Filipinos killed and 125 wounded, versus 11 Americans killed (including Lawton) and 13 wounded. Gerónimo's leadership and the bravery of his troops demonstrated the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare against a superiorly equipped foe.
</p>

August 27, 1855: Licerio Gerónimo was born in Sampaloc, Manila