Tomas Mascardo (b. October 09,1871-d. July 7,1932) was a revolutionary general who fought the Spaniards since the beginning of the revolution, was cited several times for gallantry in action and was the governor of Cavite from 1910 to 1912.
Tomas was among the seven children of Valentin Mascardo, who was a landowner and Dolores Echenique, who was a rice dealer. He took up a bachelors degree in education from Philippine Normal School in Manila. After graduating, he went back to Cavite and taught in Barrio Halang in Amadeo, Cavite.
Tomas Mascardo joined the revolutionary movement. General Emilio Aguinaldo of the Magdalo Council, gave Mascardo the order to attack the Spanish garrison in Barrio Bilog-Bilog, Tanauan, Batangas, where he showed his bravery and impressed the general. Together with Gen. Edilberto Evangelista, who was his commander, they fought in the Battle of Zapote on February 17, 1897. Mascardo was wounded and Evangelista was killed by an enemy sniper. Mascardo was assigned to be the chief of the revolutionary intelligence service in Manila, succeeding Miguel Liedo who had been captured by the Spaniards, put to trial and sentenced to death.
He was designated as the commanding general of all the revolutionary forces in Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales. It was in Bagac, Bataan where he had stronghold. On March 23, 1901, Aguinaldo was treacherously captured by the Americans in Palanan, Isabela. Mascardo had to send a young major named Manuel L. Quezon to verify the general's capture. He was made to surrender and find out for himself if the general was really in the hands of the Americans. Quezon was also ordered to talk to Aguinaldo and ask for final orders. Luckily he was brought into a room in the Malacanang Palace where the general is being held, talked to him and told his mission. The general told Quezon that Mascardo was free to decide the matter for himself. The message was delivered to Mascardo, in order to save his men from total annihilation and face certain defeat from the enemies and he saw that he lacks the firepower and ammunition to fight them. On May 15, 1901, he surrendered.
He was released by the Americans, and returned to his family in his hometown. Influenced to enter into politics, he was elected as the governor of Cavite and held office from 1910 to 1912. He then retired from the office and lived a private life together with her wife, Carmen Topavio of Imus, Cavite and his eight children. He died of a heart disease on July 7, 1932.
- Quirino, Carlos. Who's who in Philippine History. Manila: Tahanan Books, 1995.
- "Tomas Mascardo (1871-1932)". http://www.geocities.com/kabitenyo1/kabite5e.htm