SALVADOR
ESTRELLA
There is one thing in common among Generals Edilberto Evangelista, Artemio Ricarte, Pio del Pilar, Flaviano Yengko, and several other great revolutionary figures: they were not natives of Cavite but because of their involvement in the revolution in the province of Cavite, they became identified as Caviteños.
Such was the case of General Salvador Estrella, a native of Sta. Isabel Bulacan. As a revolutionist Estrella received his baptism of lire in Barrio Paliparan, Dasmariñas, and later distinguished himself in the battle of Polangui, Naik.
Estrella was serving a unit of the Spanish colonial army stationed in Paliparan when the Philippine broke out in August 1896. A patriot who had seen with his own eyes the abuses of the Spanish military and clergy in the Philippines, Estrella lost no time in joining the revolution on the side of the Caviteños.
For this patriotic act Caviteños claim Estrella as a “red blooded” Caviteño – red standing for bravery. For it was not bravery of the first order fighting the fully – equipped Spanish army with primitive weapons? Because of their matchless love of country the Filipinos won their independence by revolution, using mainly bolos and pointed sticks. They mad history.
The only historical material available, consisting of few pages, identifies Estrella as a general born in Bulacan in 1856 and died in 1932. So little is known about Estrella. However, it is possible that he was related to Minister of Land Reform Conrado Estrella, who came from Atlag in Malolos Bulacan. But no matter. In a revolution deeds, not words count. He fought the Spaniards in many battle, and helped in overthrowing the Spanish regime in the Philippines.
(Source: An eight page printed matter containing small picture and list entitled “Some Celebrated Caviteños” by Esteban A. de Ocampo. The name, date and place of publication of material are unknown.)