Nicolas Capistrano

Nicolas Fernandez Capistrano (January 7, 1864 – unknown) was a Filipino lawyer, statesman and revolutionary general who fought against the Americans from 1899 to 1901 during the Philippine-American War and was later elected as a congressman and senator of the Philippines.

Early life and education
Nicolas Fernandez Capistrano was born on January 7, 1864, in Angat, province of Bulacan in Luzon, to Francisco Capistrano, a gobernadorcillo of that town, and Juana Fernandez. He was the third among 11 siblings. After his studies at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas. In 1893, he successfully completed a bachelor's degree in law at the same educational institution. In 1894, Capistrano became a member of the Philippine Bar. From 1890 to 1896, he was principal of a private school in Manila.

Military record
Fearing arrest by Spanish colonial authorities for his involvement in revolutionary activities, he moved to Mindanao some time after 1895, becoming the Registrar of Deeds of the province of Misamis. From 1899 until his surrender in April 1901, Capistrano led the revolutionary government and army in Misamis during the Philippine-American War, participating in several battles such as that of Cagayan de Misamis, Agusan Hill and Macahambus Hill. from his base in Bukidnon.

Politics
From 1901 to 1906, Capistrano was the prosecutor or fiscal for Misamis. From 1906 to 1907, he was appointed as a member of the board of the said province. In 1909, Capistrano was elected to the House of Representatives as the representative of the Second legislative district of Misamis. He was re-elected to the same position in 1912. Capistrano was elected to the Philippine Senate in 1916 as one of the representatives of the eleventh senatorial district. Because he got fewer votes than Jose Clarin in the said district, he served a three-year term from 1916 to 1919.

Personal life
Capistrano married Cecilia Trinidad of Santa Cruz, Manila in 1895 and had nine children. He resided at a seaside hacienda in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro.

Legacy
A street in Cagayan de Oro was renamed in his honor.