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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-17/rafael-echague-y-bermingham.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Rafael de Echague y Bermingham" />
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(Rafael de Echague y Bermingham)
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Echague established a ministry of colonies in 1863, and a normal school on January 23, 1865. He pursued friendlier relations with the French, aiding them in their campaign in Cochinchina (present-day Vietnam) by sending a battalion of about a thousand native men. As a result, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor. He made efforts to prevent tensions between the religious orders.
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He was also known for his admirable response to the great calamities that struck the archipelago during his term. One such calamity was the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1708/today-in-philippine-history-june-3-1863-a-strong-earthquake-rocked-manila" class="news_link">earthquake of June 3, 1863</a>, which destroyed most of Manila and led to the deaths of hundreds of citizens including <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1709/dr-pedro-pablo-pelaez-champion-of-filipino-clergy-the-first-truly-national-leader" class="news_link">Dr. Pedro Pelaez</a>. Echague immediately ordered the repair of the damaged buildings, made efforts to lift the spirits of the inhabitants of the city, and provided comfort and compensation to those whose relatives died during the earthquake. Another calamity was a cholera outbreak.  In response to the outbreak, he reduced his salary to 15,000 pesos. His wife Mercedes died in this outbreak. 
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Overall, the Echague's administration was one of the most effective and positive.
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He resigned from his position in October 1864 and officially ended his term on March 24, 1865 with Joaquin del Solar e Ibañez assuming the position on acting capacity of Governor-General.
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He returned to Spain right after he ended his term. There, he served in various military positions. He also became senator for life during the years 1864 to 1868 and from 1877 to 1887; senator for Puerto Rico in 1872; and senator for San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa in 1876. He became Minister of War between 1913 and 1915. 
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Echague was born in San Sebastian province of Guipuzcoa, Spain on February 13, 1815. He was the son of Joaquín Echague y Barbería and Maria Josefa Bermingham Measher. He entered the military at the age of eighteen, and in October 1833 he became a sub-lieutenant. His first military experience was during the First Carlist War (1833 – 1840), during which he was a field assistant to General Leopoldo O'Donnell. During the war, he participated in numerous campaigns, some of which led to injuries. For his valor, he was promoted numerous times.
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July 9, 1862: Rafael de Echague y Bermingham became Spanish governor-general of the Philippines