Today in the Past

Today, October 1, 1762, Simon de Anda y Salazar is appointed lieutenant governor and captain-general by Archbishop Rojo.

When the war had been raging for several days without showing appreciable signs in favor of the Spanish forces, the Spanish colonial authorities felt the gravity of their situation and knew the imminent danger of British occupation.

Accordingly, on October 1, Governor Rojo appointed Simon de Anda y Salazar, who was one of the Magistrates of the Royal Audiencia, as Lieutenant General of the Philippines while the Audiencia conferred upon him (Anda) the title of Visitor General of all the provinces.

The purpose of this act was to "preserve the country's loyalty to the king of Spain."

On October 4, Anda left Manila for Bulacan. In this heroic mission, he took with him about forty sheets of officially stamped, government paper as equipment and about five hundred pesos.

The following morning he called to a conference the Alcalde Mayor of Bulacan, the provincial and the ex-provincial of the Agustinian Order which had the charge of the parishes of the province, as well as the Spanish residents and the native authorities.

After showing his proper credentials, he called the attention of the people to the grave danger that beset the country and enjoined them to raise troops to fight the invaders, at all costs.

From Bulacan, he went to Bacolor, the capital of Pampanga, and did the same thing. This, he also did in several other places.

So great was his patriotic activity and zeal that everywhere he went his words were always received with enthusiastic approval. In a very short time, he was able to raise about 10,000 men.