Juan Clímaco

Juan Clímaco was born to a wealthy family in Toledo, Cebu, Philippines on December 24, 1859. He was married to Maria Regina Ramas.[1][2] Before the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards, he served as gobernadorcillo of Toledo and was popularly called "Tan Hantoy" ("Tan" as short for kapitan or captain).[2] He wrote the monograph of the municipality of Toledo for the Philippine Exposition that opened in Madrid on April 1, 1887, which was described as subversive and counterproductive to the intentions of the exposition. At that time, all municipalities were asked to answer 81 questions intended to introduce the Philippines as a Spanish colony to Spain and to the entire Europe.[3]

Upon the establishment of the revolutionary council by Luis Flores, Clímaco was chosen as chief of staff with Arcadio M. Maxilom as general. He financed the revolutionary efforts and was assisted by Andres Jayme, who was his deputy and aide. He was later promoted to general by Emilio Aguinaldo.[2]

Flores called for a meeting among Cebu officials of the Philippine Republic on February 10, 1899 to discuss the war against the American forces. Clímaco was designated to the task of war preparations.[4] By February 21, 1899, when the American forces landed in Cebu and demanded surrender, Clímaco threw support on the anti-American revolt led by General Arcadio Maxilom and traveled to Samar to gather arms.[5] Flores, together with Julio Llorente, who would later be appointed as the first governor by the Americans, agreed to surrender the province.[6]

By October 2, 1900, Clímaco later wrote a memorial delivered to the United States Congress advocating for Philippine independence and justifying the cause of the revolt. In addition, he wrote a manifesto on April 1, 1901 urging the revolutionaries to continue the fight for independence should the news of Emilio Aguinaldo's capture would be proven true. Maxilom and Clímaco, together with 40 of their men, 30 rifles, and 4 canons, surrendered to the Americans on October 27, 1901, marking the end of Cebu's organized resistance.[4]

In 1902, upon the installation of Cebu's civilian government, first election for governor was held.[2] Then incumbent governor Julio Llorente, who was appointed by the Americans a year earlier, ran for another term. However, Clímaco won over Llorente on February 5, 1902 and assumed office on March 5, 1902.[4] The Americans were initially not too pleased with his election particularly for his role in Cebu's anti-American revolt. However, he cooperated with the U.S. forces, and called for peace during the speech he made in his inauguration and rehabilitation of infrastructures including schools, postal delivery system, public works, and agriculture.[7]

He ran again for the second term and was reelected on February 4, 1904.[2] During his term as governor, he initiated the construction of the road that connects Tabunok, Talisay to Toledo[2] now known as Manipis Road,[3] as well as the establishment of an electrical system called Visayan Electric Company (VECO). The port of Cebu was expanded, marking it as the country's modern harbor then.[8]

William Howard Taft appointed Clímaco as part of the delegation for the St. Louis Exposition in the United States and then appointed Sergio Osmeña Sr. as acting governor. On Clímaco's arrival in Hong Kong, he got sick and was unable to complete the trip.[2] Osmeña succeeded him as governor on March 6, 1906.[4]

Clímaco at the age of 47 died on July 16, 1907.[1]

• The J. Climaco Street, which stretches from Magallanes Street to Sanciangko Street in Cebu City, was named after him.[1]
• Barangay General Juan Climaco in Toledo, Cebu, formerly known as barangay Magdugo, was also named after him.[2]