Background
Tomás Mascardo was born in the town of Cavite El Viejo (now Kawit, Cavite province) to Valentín Mascardo and Dolores Echenique.
General chief governor of Cavite
Tomás Mascardo was born in the town of Cavite El Viejo (now Kawit, Cavite province) to Valentín Mascardo and Dolores Echenique.
Tomás finished his teacher"s diploma from Escuela Normal in Manila and became a teacher at the barrio school of Halang in Amadeo, Cavite.
He joined the fight against the Spaniards since the start of the revolution. He later became a one-term governor of Cavite from 1910 to 1912. Early years
The affluent couple, a landowner and a rice dealer, respectively, had a total of seven children.
Philippine revolution
Mascardo joined the revolution against the Spaniards from the beginning.
He became the chief of the revolutionary intelligence service in Manila, succeeding Miguel Liedo who was captured and sentenced to death by the Spaniards. He was ordered by General Emilio Aguinaldo to attack a Spanish stronghold in Tanauan, Batangas, where the general was awed by Mascardo’s courage.
In time, he was promoted to brigadier general. Mascardo, together with his commander, General Edilberto Evangelista, fought at the Battle of Zapote Bridge on February 17, 1897 where Evangelista was killed and Mascardo, wounded.
Philippine-American War
During the Philippine-American War, Mascardo was assigned as commanding general of the revolutionary forces in Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales provinces with barracks in Bagac, Bataan.
Quezon was able to meet Aguinaldo in a room at the Malacañang Palace where he was detained. After relaying Mascardo’s message, Aguinaldo instructed Quezon that the decision to surrender is up to Mascardo himself. On May 15, 1901, he surrendered to the Americans.
He calculated that their deficiency in weaponry would mean sure defeat from the well-armed Americans.
Political career and death
Mascardo returned to Cavite following his release by the Americans. He retired and lived a private life after only one term.
On July 7, 1932, he died from a heart disease. Portrayed by Allan Paule in the 2012 film, El Presidente.
Portrayed by Lorenz Martinez in the 2015 film, Heneral Luna.
