Iloilo City marked the 169^th birth anniversary of Ilonggo journalist, reformist, and national hero Graciano Lopez Jaena.

However, a residents has only come to realize that Jaena is an Ilonggo on the day of the commemoration. 

Aaron Santino Macaspac, a student, admits he only knew that Jaena is an Ilonggo on December 18, 2025, as the city marked the occasion.  

“(Reporter: Alam mong Ilonggo siya?) Hindi. (Reporter: Ngayon pa lang?) Opo. Mas mainam na kikilalanin ko pa siya,” Macaspac said.

Celine Jules, another student, said that though she is familiar with Jaena, she also lacks thorough knowledge about him. “As well as the propaganda movement ni Jose Rizal. We have to go back to our roots at syempre they are our heroes,” Jules said.

Jaena was from Jaro District, Iloilo City. He is best remembered for his resistance to Spanish colonial forces. He was the founder and editor of “La Solidaridad” and the author of Fray Botod.

La Solidaridad is the key newspaper of the Filipino propaganda movement that advocated for reforms in the Philippines, while Fray Botod was a satirical short story that exposed the abuses and hypocrisy of Spanish friars.

Exposés sparked popular uprising years after, based on annals of Philippine history.

A wreath-laying activity was held before his monument at the Jaro Plaza.

The day was declared a special non-working holiday in Iloilo City and the province.

“In the hands of Graciano, literacy is a torch and a weapon against ignorance and colonial oppression. The podium and the press as his venue and platform to advocate for reforms and welfare of Filipino people,” Prof. Joyce Christine Colon, the guest speaker, underscored.

Jaena’s offspring aspire that his life and legacy would continue to inspire modern-day heroism.

“Nakita niya ang atrocities that the Spaniards is making sa Filipinos. He is really passionate despite the situation he was in to free the Filipinos,” according to Francis Cruz, the husband of a direct descendant of Jaena.

Aside from in the Province of Iloilo, there is also a place in the Province of Negros Occidental named after Graciano Lopez Jaena.