October 4, 1869: Francisco Roman was born in Alcala, Cagayan

(Colonel Francisco Roman. Photo credit: Philippine-American War, 1899-1902 by Arnaldo Dumindin )

On October 4, 1869, Francisco Roman, revolutionary leader and military aide to General Antonio Luna, was born to Jose Roman, a Spaniard, and Pelagia Velasquez, a Tagalog, in Alcala, Cagayan.

Roman, a tobacco manufacturer helped the revolutionary government by donating money from his own pocket. He was enlisted as a soldier during the Filipino-American war.

Roman is considered the hero of the Caloocan battle that drove the Americans back to Azcarraga Street in Caloocan City in February 1899.