(1869 - 1956)
Valenzuela was born in Polo, Bulacan on
he was tutored at home, he was brought to
In July 1892, when he was a medical student and the Katipunan was barely a week old, he joined this secret organization. He became a close friend of its founder, Andres Bonifacio, and was godfather to the Supremo’s and Gregoria de Jesus’s first child. After their house burned down, Bonifacio and his family lived with Valenzuela in the latter’s house.
Even before he was conferred the medical degree, he was elected physician of the society in January 1895 and fiscal general in December.
suggested the name Kalayaan for the society’s organ, which Bonifacio and Emilio
Jacinto approved. The latter took charge
of editing it and upon Valenzuela’s suggestion; Marcelo H. del
Pilar’s name was printed as editor with
Because of the lack of many printing types, he and Jacinto had to secure them. For each type that was stolen by the four employees of the printing press of Diaro de Manila, Valenzuela paid a peso. Aguedo del Rosario and Apolonio de la Cruz gave him types free of charge.
A thousand copies of the
first issue of Kalayaan dated
He distributed copies of
this paper in his province, Bulacan. After its distribution to other parts of
He considered the publication of Kalayaan as the most important accomplishment of the Secret Chamber of the Katipunan. This body, composed of only three members, Valenzuela, Bonifacio and Jacinto, was organized in Valenzuela’s Lavezares house in early 1896. In one of its meetings in July 1896, it decided the assassination of the notorious Fray Mariano Gil, parish priest of Tondo who discovered the existence of the Katipunan. Dr. Valenzuela and Bonifacio attempted to execute this plan but failed. Then they distributed at various places letters implicating wealthy Filipinos in the Katipunan movement.
He was a member of the Katipunan committee which met with the Japanese Admiral named Canimura and handed to him a memorial to be delivered to the Emperor of Japan beseeching him for help in the Filipinos’ emancipation struggle. He was a signer of this memorial.
He administered the Katipunan oath of membership to Isidro Torres, Feliciano Jocson and three others who all proved loyal to the organization. He also organized many branches of the Katipunan in various municipalities of Morong and Bulacan. In April 1896, Valenzuela in the company of Bonifacio and his brother Procopio and Jacinto organized the Katipunan branch in Kawit.
He did not neglect his profession. He gave free medicine to the poor.
At the secret general
meeting called by Bonifacio on the night of
Accopanying the blind
Raymundo Mata, who was supposed to consult Rizal, and Rufino Mugos, he left for
Upon his return to
In preparation for the eventuality that the Katipunan was discovered, Bonifacio assigned him to procure at least 2000 bolos.
When the Katipunan was
discovered, he fled to Balintawak on
He was detained, tried and
He returned to the
To suppress in agreesive leadership upon his release, he was made municipal president of Polo. From 1902 to 1919, he served as president of the military division of his district. From 1919 to 1925, he served the people of Bulacan for two terms as provincial executive. As governor, he was uncompromising against graft and corruption in the government.
After he retired from
politics, he wrote his memoirs on the revolutionary days. He also practiced his
medical profession, but only for philanthropic purposes. He was married to Marciano Castry by whom he
had seven children. Early in the morning of