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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/roman-ongpin.avif" loading="lazy" alt="Roman Ongpin monument and historical marker" />
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(Roman Ongpin)
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Ongpin, who owned an art supplies store called "El 82" in Binondo, Manila, secretly supported the Katipuneros by providing food and money to buy rifles, ammunition and supplies for the Filipino independence movement.


His store also became a convenient meeting place for Filipinos and a source of propaganda updates and events of the day.


Ongpin's generosity never stopped as he even donated to General Emilio Aguinaldo a big part of the insurance paid when his store was burned down in 1898, and simply opened a new store.


Notably, having established his name in the business community of Binondo, he was chosen to serve a two year term as Teniente Primo de Mestizos from 1883 to 1885.


He was also a supporter of numerous causes, including the La Proteccion de la Infancian, Gota de Leche, and the Casa Asilo de Invalidos Filipinos por la Guerra. He supported the fiery nationalist Isabelo de los Reyes, becoming the first treasurer of Union Obrera de Filipinas.


During the American occupation, Ongpin continued to support the cause of the revolution which led to his imprisonment from December 6, 1900 to March 23, 1901.


Despite attaining freedom from imprisonment, Ongpin remained opposed against the United States' occupation of the Philippines. He expressed this sentiment by refusing to sell his products to Americans and teaching his children to be self-sufficient without help from foreigners.


He died on December 10, 1912 at the age of 65 of heart ailment. His remains was interred at the North Cemetery.


The Calle Sacristia in Manila was renamed as Ongpin Street on September 17, 1915 and a monument of Ongpin was built near the Binondo Church and the Plaza de Binondo (present day Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz).



Source:

<ol class="article-sources">
<li>
Roman Ongpin, Wikipedia
</li>
<li>
Philippine News Agency archives
</li>
</ol>

February 28, 1847: Roman Ongpin was born in Binondo, Manila