Legarda, Gella descendant, supports lecture and exhibit marking 170th birth anniversary of Vicente Rendon Gella

Senator Loren Legarda joined her kasimanwa today in opening an exhibit on the life and legacy of Vicente Rendon Gella, her great grand uncle, the educator, lawyer, judge, and former governor of Antique, whose 170th birth anniversary falls this year.

Held at the Old Session Hall of the Antique Old Capitol, the exhibit traces Gella’s lifelong commitment to education, the roads and communities he built as governor, and his friendship with Dr. Jose Rizal during their student years in Manila. It was organized by Cecille Pefianco, a descendant of Gella, and a cousin of Senator Legarda, together with the Antique Visual Artists Association, with personal funding and support from Senator Legarda.

For Legarda, the commemoration carries a family thread. Vicente Gella was the brother of her maternal great-grandfather, Ariston Rendon Gella, who in 1899 was among the delegates who crafted the Malolos Constitution. Two brothers from Antique, one helping frame a young nation’s founding law and the other building the schools and roads of his home province, shaped the lineage from which Legarda draws her own public service.

“Nang ikinuwento ito ni Ceci sa akin, hindi ako nagdalawang-isip. Agad akong tumugon, naglaan ng personal na pondo at suporta upang maitaguyod ang exhibit na ito at maipalaganap sa ating mga kasimanwa, lalo na sa ating kabataan, ang buhay, karangalan, at pagseserbisyo ni Vicente Gella sa bawat Antiqueño,” Legarda said in her message.

Born in Pandan, Antique in 1856 and known in his youth as “Tikong,” Vicente Gella belonged to a generation that believed knowledge and concern for fellow Filipinos could become the seed of change. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas alongside Rizal, lived with him at Casa Tomasina, and joined El Compañerismo, a secret society formed for a cause larger than themselves. In 1882, when Rizal sailed secretly for Spain, Gella was among the few who saw him off at the pier.

Manila offered Gella a career, recognition, and power. He chose instead to return home and devote his life to his kasimanwa.

“Bukas sa kanya ang Maynila, ang karera, ang karangalan, at ang kapangyarihan. Ngunit pinili niyang umuwi,” Legarda said.

In Antique, Gella founded the Colegio de San Vicente Ferrer in San Jose so that learning once reserved for a few could be accessible to more children of the province. As governor, he built the roads linking Antique, Iloilo, and Capiz, and brought the first organized water system to San Jose. When his work was done, he gave up power on his own terms and left with dignity.

“Nagturo siya upang magmulat, nagpaunlad siya upang mag-angat, at bumitaw siya nang may dangal nang kinakailangan,” Legarda said. “Itinuro niya na ang kapangyarihan ay hindi pag-aari. Ito ay hiram. Dapat itong gamitin nang husto at tama, at ibalik nang may dangal.”
Legarda said this legacy shaped how she weighs every decision in public office.

“Mula sa kanyang buhay at ng aking ninuno na si Ariston, natutuhan kong dalhin sa bawat desisyon ang dalawang tanong: Para kanino ito? At naging mas magaan ba ang buhay ng tao dahil dito?” she said.

The exhibit is open to the public from June 25 to August 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Old Session Hall, Antique Old Capitol, San Jose de Buenavista.

“Eksaktong isandaan at pitumpung taon na ang nakalilipas, isinilang sa Antique ang batang tinawag na ‘Tikong. Ngayon, sa parehong lupa, tayo ay nagtitipon upang ipangako ang hinaharap. Na ang daang sinimulan niya ay ating tatahakin. Na ang Antique na minahal niya ay patuloy nating iibigin at paglilingkuran,” Legarda concluded. (30)