VICTORIANO LUCIANO (1863-1896)
LITTLE known by Filipinos is the fact that one of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite was a promising scientist. His name: Victoriano Luciano, 33, a pharmacist. He was one of the 13 residents of Cavite who were rounded up by order of Governor Fernando Pargas, given a summary trial, and shot by a firing squad on September 12, 1896.
Luciano was no ordinary pharmacist. In March 1889, at the age of 26, he was graduated with honors from the University of Sto. Tomas with the degree of Licentiate in Pharmacy. Owner of the Botica Luciano of Real Street in Cavite, he had perfected his formula for rare perfumes and lotions, and was awarded a certificate of merit by the Scientific Society of Brussels in Belgium. In recognition of his pioneering activities in the field of Chemistry Luciano was admitted as a member of the Colegio de Farmaceuticos de Manila, a distinction few pharmacists achieved in his time.
Like many sincere and honest intellectuals in countries reeling under foreign domination, Luciano became sensitive to abuses by alien rulers of the land. He was outspoken in his attitude toward the Spaniards, especially the friars. Consequently, he became one of the cabecillas (little leaders) of the planned uprising in Cavite. A Freemason and a Katipunero , he allowed his drugstore to be the secret meeting place of the local filibusteros. He also maintained secret connections with revolutionists in the Bicol region, especially with leader Domingo Abella, one of the three Abella’s among the Fifteen Martyrs of Bicolandia. Luciano supplied them with medicine and arms.
The son of a well-to-do Caviteño couple, Joaquin Luciano and Faustina Simona, Victoriano was born March 23, 1863 in Cavite. He finished his early studies in his hometown and the segunda ensenanza in Letran College, after which he transferred to the University of Sto. Tomas. Fr. Celedonio Mateo, a kind Recollect friar, among those interred his remains in separate niches.
[Sources: (1) Gregorio F. Zalde, Great Filipinos in history, Manila, 1970; (2) Eminent Filipinos, Manila, National Historical Commission, 1965; (3) Anatolio Litonjua, “The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite”, Sunday Tribune Magazine, September 11, 1932; (4) Jose Nava, The Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite (1940);(5) Leon S. del Rosario, “Cavite’s 13 Martyrs”, This Week, September 11, 1949; and (6) Cavite Independent, September 1, 1956.]