El Presidente - A Timeline

In your own opinion, which people should Rizal pick for his cabinet? Post your suggestions. I may consider adding them. :D
 
What will be the reaction of the ilustrado class at first if they found out that Jose Rizal is already a revolutionary leader?

Most likely, we will see Evangelista plus the immediate Katipunero leaders of OTL in leadership positions. Things will change once the ilustrados start swarming in once Spain's defeat is imminent. However, how about the Visayans and Moros? The Philippine Republic has to have some REAL jurisdiction over the South, which was not achieved until the time Americans are invading our country and the government already retreating to Northern Luzon.
 
Things will change once the ilustrados start swarming in once Spain's defeat is imminent.

It could provide an advantage to the new government come 1898. :D

However, how about the Visayans and Moros? The Philippine Republic has to have some REAL jurisdiction over the South, which was not achieved until the time Americans are invading our country and the government already retreating to Northern Luzon.

It was one of Rizal's suggestions. And of course I'm working on it right now.

Some hint: The Sulu Sultanate is going to have a pivotal role to the Republic's survival.
 
It could provide an advantage to the new government come 1898. :D

Will the Americans still come? Though they may turn us to an extended part of "Latin America" and of course covered by the Monroe Doctrine? God, Just an economic protectorate, that will be awful.

Nevertheless, our independence movement will surely be inspiring for our neighbors. Maybe we can even see Sun Yat Sen meeting President Rizal in the near future.


It was one of Rizal's suggestions. And of course I'm working on it right now.

Some hint: The Sulu Sultanate is going to have a pivotal role to the Republic's survival.

That sounded awesome. So it seems that the Sultanate will be independent on its own?
 
Is it possible that the capital be Cebu under Pepe and Supremo's government? You (@Libertad) did say Visayans. It is more fitting, since it's in the middle of the Archipelago... :D
 
Will the Americans still come? Though they may turn us to an extended part of "Latin America" and of course covered by the Monroe Doctrine? God, Just an economic protectorate, that will be awful.

Yes, they will come.
And Monroe Doctrine only applies to the Americas. Teddy is not yet President so the Corollary won't exist yet. Not to mention the anti-imperialist league.

Some future hint: Two words - Subic Bay :D

So it seems that the Sultanate will be independent on its own?

Nope. But it may get some autonomy. The Republic is going to need Sulu for some business with the bloody Brits (hint: Sabah :)).
 
Yes, they will come.
And Monroe Doctrine only applies to the Americas. Teddy is not yet President so the Corollary won't exist yet. Not to mention the anti-imperialist league.

Some future hint: Two words - Subic Bay :D



Nope. But it may get some autonomy. The Republic is going to need Sulu for some business with the bloody Brits (hint: Sabah :)).
And soon, Clark. ;)

Rizal's dream of a 'New Calamba' shall come to pass, maybe??? :D
 
Chapter Eight: Perez Dasmariñas

Despite the victory at Zapote Bridge, Spanish forces continued their offensive in Cavite, capturing towns one after another. By the end of February, they finally capture Silang, sending the revolutionaries into disarray, and inching closer to their main objective - Imus.

In the beginning of March, Spanish troops began to advance into Perez Dasmariñas, the last obstacle before Imus. At the moment, General Edilberto Evangelista is the one in charge of defending the town. But he isn't planning on a last stand, but a delaying action that will bleed the advancing forces. He planned a series of defense lines from the town proper up to Pasong Santol, the gateway to Imus. For this operation, Evangelista divided the defending forces into three: the 1st Brigade personally commanded by himself, the 2nd Brigade led by a relatively new general named Flaviano Yengko, and the 3rd Brigade headed by Crispulo Aguinaldo (the elder brother of the late Emilio Aguinaldo). The 1st Brigade is tasked of manning the first defense line located on the southern outskirts of Perez Dasmariñas. It is fortified with trenches and palisades, and supported by improvised artillery. The 2nd Brigade is assigned to defend the approaches to the town center, and also as a backup to Evangelista's forces. The 3rd Brigade is assigned at Pasong Santol the last line of defense.

...

The battle started around morning of the 1st of March, as the Spanish forces attacked the first defense line. The Katipuneros fought tenaciously, inflicting large casualties upon the colonial army. But the Spaniards, led by General Jose de Lachambre, decides to bring in their own cannons to bear, destroying the defenses and forcing Evangelista to retire to the next line.

oie_1153228V0WMHuaB_zpsbbe2e520.jpg


Spanish battery on the outskirts of Perez Dasmariñas.

But the Spanish commander correctly predicted Evangelista's strategy and instructed his subordinate, General Antonio Zabala, to launch an attack on Salitran, a small village north of Perez Dasmariñas, to flank the defenders and, possibly, attack Evangelista's forces from the rear.

Minutes later, General Yengko received reports from his scouts about a small force of Spanish infantry heading to Salitran. He immediately gather some of his men and hastily go to the village to meet the attacking party. It was still unclear whether Yengko somehow figured out the possible danger of the flanking attack, or he's just itching to fight. It was close to noon when the two forces converge at Salitran.


oie_1153555bK7eZP8v_zps64966f18.jpg


Filipino infantrymen prepares to fire at the approaching Spanish troops on Salitran.

A fierce shootout ensued, even Yengko personally exchanged pistol shots with Zabala himself. Using hit and run tactics (he was personally instructed by Evangelista to never engage Spanish troops directly), Yengko's troops offset the Spaniard's main advantage: superior firepower. After inflicting significant casualties to the attackers, and in the face of possible reinforcements, Yengko acknowledged that his position is now untenable, and ordered a fighting withdrawal to their lines. They're only few meters away from Salitran when Yengko's left arm was hit by a stray bullet, and another one hitting his right leg, forcing his men to carry him along the way.

...

Evangelista continued his fighting retreat inside Perez Dasmariñas. It was then that he received reports about the fighting in Salitran and Yengko's current condition. He ordered that the wounded general be transferred to Pasong Santol, then back to Imus to treat his wounds. After some hours of brutal gunfights and hand-to-hand combat, Lachambre finally captured Perez Dasmariñas, but his forces suffered serious casualties which stopped him from pursuing the rebels. Evangelista on the other hand successfully fell back to Pasong Santol. They only have a couple of weeks to prepare before a larger Spanish force arrives and attempt to forece their way into Cavite's capital.

...

Meanwhile, on the 2nd of March, the men carrying the injured General Yengko arrives at Imus. They immediately brought him to a nearby hospital. The following accounts are taken from Yengko's memoirs (translated in English):
I was lying on the bed when I see Maria[1] entered the room. She's with his father. When the two of them saw my current state, Maria suddenly cried in front of me. My heart suddenly ached just seeing her like that. It was more painful than those gunshot wounds I received. One of my subordinates then explained why I am in that position right now. Maria and her father then conversed with each other for a few minutes. I can't clearly understand what they are talking about. It was then that Maria's father approached me and said "I never thought that you have the guts to fight out there, young man. I'm impressed. You've proven me wrong about you." he smiled at me afterwards, and left the room, but not before telling Maria that he's allowing her to personally treat my wounds. Speaking of Maria, she's still crestfallen about my condition. I consoled her and told her again how much I love her, to which she reciprocated. I was more delighted when she told me her father finally approved of our love for each other. For me, it was the happiest day of my life.

...

[1] fictional name.
 
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Interesting update.

So, I think I know what's going to happen. ;) I've thought of Subic Bay too in my own fantasy plans of an independent Philippine Republic with Rizal as head.

Well, you are doing it right now. ;)

RFH, I also thought of New Calamba's plan of Rizal for Sabah colonization, but this is supposedly to let Filipinos disgusted with Spanish rule to have a place to immigrate and escape from.

I want to ask about Rizal's secret society called RDLM if you are aware of it. What will make of it? I guess, just nothing anymore, since we already have a bloody war of independence going-on. But the RDLM can be used for some Pan-Malayanism. Sort of a benevolent Black Dragon Society kind of thing. Hahaha. :D

Will the Thomasites arrive here too as sort of "assistance" in improving our educational system? Which of course will lead to a spill-over in Filipinos learning English more than Spanish, since I thought of Rizal, seeing the Americans and the British around and ruling much of the world and with English as an international language; will like to see Filipinos learn it? Remember, it's the language that he taught to his sister that lead to the smuggling of the Mi Ultimo Adios out of Fort Santiago.

I wonder how O-Sei-San and his other ladies will make out of the rise of President Rizal. Hahaha. :D
 
@Libertad

The Thomasites will arrive, I assure you. Although I think it's better if we have 3 official languages, right? :D

I think Rizal is willing to sacrifice anything for the motherland. So, he may have to say goodbye to New Calamba. Wait, am I spoiling too much?

About his girlfriends, well... I'm imagining them storming Malacañang Palace. :D

...and I had plans for O-Sei-San :) (hint: it involves some diplomatic business with Japan). Although I'm not sure if I'll push it through.
 
@Libertad

The Thomasites will arrive, I assure you. Although I think it's better if we have 3 official languages, right? :D

I think Rizal is willing to sacrifice anything for the motherland. So, he may have to say goodbye to New Calamba. Wait, am I spoiling too much?

About his girlfriends, well... I'm imagining them storming Malacañang Palace. :D

...and I had plans for O-Sei-San :) (hint: it involves some diplomatic business with Japan). Although I'm not sure if I'll push it through.
Just PUSH, my friend! :cool:

This TL is what the Archipelago should have been in the OTL since in all our dreams. :)
 
To all my subscribers, and those who read this TL, which people should Rizal pick for his cabinet? I wanted to hear your suggestions.
 
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