UP, NHCP present the historical marker Rafael Palma

THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman) will lead the presentation of the historical marker “Rafael V. Palma (1874-1939)” at the Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City on 24 October 2024.

The presentation of the marker coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of the nationalist writer, lawyer and pedagogue. This is the highlight of a week-long commemoration led by UP Diliman that includes various lectures and programs throughout October 21-25.

In commemoration of his 150th birth anniversary, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the University of the Philippines Diliman will unveil a historical marker for Rafael Palma. Image PROVIDED

Palma was born on October 24, 1874. He attended the Manila University and graduated in law from the University of Santo Tomas. Confessed nationalist, he became a writer for the newspaper “La Independencia” and later became its editor after the death of General Antonio Luna in 1899.

He returned to the legal profession and became a member of the Philippine Bar in 1901. Later, he co-founded the newspaper “El Renacimiento”, which became a critical publication against the American colonial regime .

In 1907, he was elected to the Philippine Assembly before becoming the youngest member of the Second Philippine Commission. In 1925, he was elected as the fourth president of the UP, only the second Filipino to hold the post, which he held until 1933.

He was also an elected member of the 1934 Constitutional Convention which drafted the Commonwealth Constitution of 1935. He died on 24 May 1939.