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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/dionisio_jakosalem.webp"  alt="Dionisio Jakosalem" />
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Dionisio Jakosalem (credit:  http://dyab-halad.blogspot.com/)
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<p>
After finishing his <i>primera enseñanza</i> at the Dumanjug town school, he went to Cebu where he enrolled in the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2964/the-history-of-the-university-of-san-carlos-of-cebu" class="news_link">College of San Carlos</a> – he was a classmate of <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> – there to complete his <i>segunda enseñanza</i>. He continued his studies at the University of Santo Tomas, where he received his <i>bachiller en artes</i> and <i>licenciado en jurisprudencia</i>.  He was admitted to the Philippine bar in 1907.
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<p>
His public career started in 1900, when he was appointed municipal secretary of his hometown. In 1903, he was appointed justice of the peace of 

Cebu. He resigned this post when he was elected to the municipal council of Cebu in 1904. In 1906, he was elected to the provincial board. When the 

provincial governor, Sergio Osmeña was elected to the Philippine Assembly, he was appointed to the position. Serving the unexpired term. In November 

1907, he himself was elected governor. He ran under the Nacionalista banner. He was reelected as such in November 1909. In the convention of 

provincial governors held in 1910, he was chosen president.
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<p> 
The construction of roads and public buildings marked his administration as governor of Cebu. He is credited with having linked the southern and 

northern parts of the province with roads.
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He rested for a while after the expiration of his term in October 1912. On February 1, 1913, he was appointed acting provincial fiscal, a position 

he filled until the end of the year. 
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In 1917, his achievements as a public servant were given due recognition. On January 18 of that year, he was made a member of the first cabinet under the regime of the Jones Law with his appointment as secretary of commerce and communications by Governor General <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/665/today-in-philippine-history-october-6-1913-harrison-assumed-office-as-american-governor-general-of-the-philippines" class="news_link">Francis Burton Harrison</a>. <i style="color:black;">He was the first Filipino to serve in that capacity</i>. In 1919, he was named member of the first Philippine independence mission to the United States. 
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<div class="image-full-width">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/hon_jakosalem.webp" alt="Dionisio Jakosalem" />
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(The Philippine Cabinet (undated photo).  (L-R) <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1473/june-25-1864-galicano-apacible-was-born-in-balayan-batangas" class="news_link">Galicano Apacible</a>,  <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2882/victorino-mapa-second-chief-justice-of-the-supreme-court-was-born-february-25-1855-in-kalibo-capiz" class="news_link">Victorino Mapa</a>,  Charles Yueter, Francis Burton Harrison, Rafael Palma, Alberto Barreto, and Dionisio Jakosalem (Photo credit:  A guide book on the Philippine question, Teodoro M. Kalaw, 1919))
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<p>
He resigned as secretary on October 3, 1922, although the then Governor-general, Leonard Wood, wanted to retain him in his cabinet.  Later, he was offered another cabinet portfolio by Governor-general Henry L. Stimson, but he declined. He preferred to give others a chance to prove their worth and serve the people. 

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May 8, 1878: Dionisio Jakosalem was born in Dumanjug, Cebu