Last of two parts
ASIDE from the document that establishes the “Hukuman ng Silangan” (Eastern Area) which gives us an idea of Emilio Jacinto’s continued revolutionary activities in Laguna even after the death of Andres Bonifacio, the other paper found was a set of rules establishing a People’s Association for Commerce in Santa Cruz, Laguna, where they could put forward agricultural, industrial and commercial interests that could sustain the needs of the people.
Although we do not have any other documentation or information if this organization ever operated, it can be a documentary proof of a family story of the other life that the "Brains of the Katipunan" led. The historian Augusto de Viana wrote about a Sunday Manila Times article where the cousin of Jacinto, Exequiel Dizon, was quoted to have said that Miling was actually married to Catalina de la Cruz who once asked her husband what his plans were. He answered: “First, I want to have a child from you, so we shall spend more time together. Second, I want to engage in business. I am going to consult Gen. Pio del Pilar, a businessman prior to his entry in the service of the country. He would know which line of business I could enter with my scant savings.”
So, it was said that he met with Gen. Pio del Pilar in his headquarters in Makati, who advised him to engage in cow meat business for it could be profitable. He observed, while fighting with Gen. Miguel Malvar in the countryside of Batangas that the cows were bigger and heavier than those raised elsewhere. Del Pilar told Miling: “In Batangas, I can pinpoint the places where you can go for the best cows. With my recommendation, my good friends will deal with you and you can drive home the best bargain with them.” Pio del Pilar was one of those who advised Emilio Aguinaldo to continue with the execution of his friend, Andres Bonifacio, although this should not be construed as a betrayal of what they started, but an indication of pragmatism to move on to be able to continue struggling for the people.
At one point, according to del Pilar’s letter to Jacinto from Makati, dated April 30, 1898, the latter would have been appointed governor of Laguna: “Kapatid na Emilio: Sa malaking pagnanasa ko na tayoi magkaulayaw... ay kun mangyayare sana ay kayoi dumating dine sa madaling panahon sa akin tahanan, sapagkat kinakailangan na sa prov[inci]a ng Laguna ay magkaroon ng isang gobernador,...caya parine kayo at inyong kuninang mga titulo at tatanggap kayo ng atas.”
Del Pilar needed a steady, fresh and reasonably priced meat supply for his troops and also got Miling more customers from Makati, but in all fairness to him, he did not get any commissions. According to Dizon, his cousin’s meat business flourished that he was able to buy a medium-sized home in Magdalena. The wife was reportedly happy that from being a rebel’s wife, moving from one place to another, she was now experiencing a more peaceful existence. One day, “Taling” as Miling called his wife, gave him the news of the coming of a son. At first, he reportedly couldn’t believe it and jumped from his chair in happiness saying, “Are you serious?”
“Have you known me to lie to you?”
Jacinto said, “If (it is) a daughter, she shall be named after you but if the infant is a boy, he shall be called Emilio, Jr.”
When the baby boy was born, Jacinto doubled his efforts in his cattle trading business to increase income, but continuing to write poems as a hobby.
The evidence of this success may be surmised from an Oct. 29, 1898 letter to him from Gregoria de Jesus, Bonifacio’s widow, who wrote:
“My dear brother,
“I'll be truly grateful if you are well and trouble-free when you receive this letter.
“O brother! Much as I would like to keep to myself the great misfortune I have suffered, I am unable to do so. I sincerely feel that it is only you who know and can understand the sorry plight I find myself in. I will appreciate it very much if you can find it in your heart to extend some assistance to my brother and parents who are without any visible means of support here. O brother! My mother is forced to work in the 'istangke' (community water reservoir), earning daily no more than 'sikapat' (equivalent to a few centavos), making sacrifices day and night, which makes me so unhappy. But I can do nothing. You are probably aware that this would not have happened had not my father been laid off. So, I leave it to you to inform your wife about this.
"This is all, and best regards. I do hope you will not fail to extend the help needed by your sister who is none other than
"(Sgd.) Gregoria de Jesus”
Bonifacio’s widow was asking his friend to help her, but also respectfully, as a woman, tells him to seek permission from his wife. How great to see this bayanihan from our heroes, but also the thought that in his final years Emilio Jacinto may have found happiness after leading a life of fighting for his country.
