Román Ongpin
| Román Ongpin | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 28, 1847 Binondo, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Died | December 10, 1912 (aged 65) Philippine Islands |
| Resting place | Manila North Cemetery |
| Occupation | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Pascuala Domingo |
Román Ongpin was a Filipino-Chinese businessman and philanthropist who aided Filipino revolutionaries against the Spanish and American colonial administration in the Philippine islands.
Ongpin was born in Binondo, Manila in February 28, 1847 to Simon Ongpin and Sinfrosa Tanbensiang. His father Simon Ongpin is among those who migrated from mainland China to do business in the Philippine islands. Ongpin learned about doing business at a young age.
Ongpin established his own business in 1883 he dubbed as "El 82" after the cholera outbreak in the Philippine islands a year ago. The name was chosen as a symbol of rebirth of the archipelago from the health disaster. The business of Ongpin was a success, and his wealth and social standing improved. He pioneered the use of fixed pricing and double-entry accounting system. One of the exclusive products that El 82 sold was art supplies. Ongpin's wife Pascuala Domingo was a descendant of Filipino artist Damián Domingo. Through this, Ongpin got involved with the illustrados.
Ongpin is a financier of the Katipunan, letting the revolutionaries use his store as a secret hideout. Ongpin also provided financial aid and food to the revolutionary movement until the end of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Ongpin once again aided the Filipinos following the Philippine-American War and was imprisoned by the Americans from December 1900 until March 1901.
Despite attaining freedom from imprisonment, Ongpin remained opposed against the United States' occupation of the Philippines. He expressed this sentiment by refusing to sell his products to Americans and teaching his children to be self-sufficient without help from foreigners.
Ongpin also had civic involvements and held posts in organizations. He was the Teniente Primo de Mestizos, president of Casa Asilo de Invalidos Filipinos de Guerra an institution for veterans of Pascual Poblete, and treasurer of Union Obrera de Filipinas of Isabelo de los Reyes. He also had membership at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.
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