AMBROSIO MOJICA (1853-1908)
GENERAL Ambrosio Mojica was a Caviteño who won the love and respect of Leyteños. As military governor of Leyte during the First Philippine Republic, Mojica spent his time undertaking public works projects in the province, and soon the Leyteños began to trust him as if he was a native son of the province. He won the complete cooperation of the people, scoring a point for the Republic at Malolos.
A native of barrio Buna, Indang, Cavite, Mojica was born on May 3, 1853, to a middle class couple, Anselmo Mojica and Isidra Rodrin. He was 43 years old when the Revolution broke out, several years older than the majority of revolutionary generals who were in their early or late twenties. At that age, he easily commanded respect and obedience from the people that he governed.
Like Rizal, Mojica had his mother as first teacher. He learned the alphabet on her knees. Later he went to a private school in the town and then continuous his studies in Manila.
Endowed with inborn leadership qualities, Mojica commanded a large group of volunteers and drove the Spaniards away from the town of Alfonso, Cavite and from Balayan, Batangas. Having seized power from the Spaniards in Indang, he was elected, by popular acclamation, revolutionary capitan municipal and military commander of the town. This was also the case with Candido Tria Tirona and Jose Tagle who become revolutionary capitanes municipal of Kawit and Imus, respectively, by the most direct and corrupt-free election in history.
Like General Wenceslao Viniegra, military governor of Zambales Province and later of Camarines, Mojica was given the rank of brigadier-general upon his appointment as military governor of Leyte. When peace was restored after the end of the Philippine-American War, Mojica was appointed justice of the peace of Indang. He died at the age of 55 in 1908.
[Source: Biodata supplied by Benedicto Q. Mojica, vice mayor of Indang.]