Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino

Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino, known as Don Belong, was a pivotal figure in Philippine history, recognized for his contributions as a patriot, politician, writer, and labor activist. He founded the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in 1902, marking it as the first Filipino independent Christian church, which reflected his commitment to nationalism and social reform. De los Reyes also established the Unión Obrera Democrática, the first labor union federation in the Philippines, earning him the titles of 'Father of Philippine Folklore,' 'Father of the Philippine Labor Movement,' and 'Father of Filipino Socialism.' His early career in writing was influenced by his mother, and he gained recognition for his literary contributions at the 1887 Exposicion General de las Islas Filipinas in Madrid. His activism led to imprisonment in 1897 for revolutionary activities, followed by deportation to Spain, where he was further influenced by European socialist and Marxist ideologies. Upon returning to the Philippines in 1901, he continued his advocacy for labor rights and independence from American colonial rule. De los Reyes served in the Philippine Senate during the 1920s before transitioning to a quieter life focused on religious writing and scholarship. His extensive body of work spanned history, folklore, language, politics, and religion, leaving a lasting impact on Philippine literature and social movements.