Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera - Deserves a Second Look?

     

Trinidad Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera y Gorricho (1857-1925). Filipino physician and historian. An outstanding Filipinologist who wrote notable scholarly works in various fields of Oriental and Philippine studies; language, anthropology, folklore, etc. His training and qualification as a doctor are immense. T

T. H Pardo de Tavera received his licentiate in medicine at the Faculté de Médecine de Paris and his bachelor in medicine also in the same institution. In the mid-1880s, he enrolled in École nationale des langues orientales vivantes (now Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales) and took courses under Pierre Étienne Lazare Favre. In December 1885, he received his diploma in the Malay language. 

One of Pardo de Tavera's book 'Plantas Medicinales de Filipinas' is an outstanding study on the different medicinal plants of the country. But as a politician, history seems to be unkind to T.H Pardo de Tavera. Perhaps he always went to the wrong side, feeling safe on his stance, he never took chances. He never tried the difficult and bold path like what Rizal did. Always mistrustful of Aguinaldo, he jumped to the American bandwagon when things started to look dim for the revolutionary. He, together with some notable "Balimbings" founded the "Partido Federal" with the aim of total assimilation to the US and making the Philippines a legitimate state in the American Union. Historian Teodoro Agoncillo once wrote: "Pardo de Tavera should have been shot for his betrayal of the Revolution"

 Reading some of TH Pardo de Tavera's works and some of his bibliography makes me want to say: "Cmon he deserves a second look".



Pardo de Tavera's opus on Philippine medicinal plants 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal's Batman

Image
   Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez (1849-1928) Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit, held a special place in Rizal's heart as his favorite teacher at Ateneo, where the priest taught Literature. It was under Fr. Sanchez's guidance that the young Rizal delved into the treasures of Greek and Latin Classics. The priest's encouragement led Rizal to hone his literary talents, engaging in the crafting of essays and poetry. The relationship between mentor and student was characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Father Sanchez even staunchly defended Rizal's work, 'Noli Me Tangere.' However, in a letter to Blumentritt dated May 1890, Rizal shared a nuanced description of the priest: "Father Sanchez is a keen observer, albeit somewhat pessimistic, often inclined to view the darker aspects of life. During our school days, he was often playfully referred to as a 'dark spirit,' and students affectionately nicknamed him 'Paniki,' a
Read more

Jose Rizal's Bomb Plot

Image
Victorian lamp The Plot Even before international terrorists adopted the horrific tactics of suicide bombers and bomb couriers in their campaigns of vengeance, Philippine national hero José Rizal conceived a plot in his novel El Filibusterismo that involved a catastrophic explosion to ignite a revolution. In Chapters 34 and 35, Simoun arrives at the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez bearing a seemingly innocuous gift – a lamp. However, concealed within it is a potent explosive: nitroglycerin. The reception takes place at the former residence of the deceased Captain Tiago, which Simoun has meticulously rigged with explosives beforehand. According to his plan, the lamp will remain lit for only twenty minutes before flickering. If anyone attempts to adjust the wick, a catastrophic explosion will ensue, claiming the lives of all those gathered – a significant portion of Manila's elite, including prominent figures from both civil society and the church hierarch
Read more

Pinagbuhatan Fiesta -- San Sebastián

Image
Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali
Read more