The Filipino Mind: A Cyclopedia of Philippine Quotations

About the Author

On August 19, 1923, the teacher and historian Pedro A. Gagelonia was born in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. He wrote books about the history of the country.

Coming from a poor family, he lifted himself up and worked as a student from elementary to high school. During World War II, he joined the United States Army Forces in the Philippines in 1942. As a platoon sergeant in 1944, he and his comrades shot down a Japanese plane in Cabagan, Isabela. He was one of those who helped liberate various towns in the northern part of the country, such as Tuguegarao, Iguig, Solana, and Tuao. He almost lost his life during the elimination of Japanese soldiers in Mayaoyao and Banaue, Mountain Province. Due to his contributions to the country's liberation, he became a scholar of the Philippine Veterans Bank.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Far Eastern University in 1951 and 1953, respectively. He went to Mindanao and taught the youth at Mindanao Academy, where he became the dean in 1953.

Desiring to continue his studies in Manila, he transferred to teach at the Philippine Statesman College in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, in 1954 and then moved to Far Eastern University the following year. This made it easier for him to pursue his doctorate at the University of Santo Tomas from 1958 to 1960.

Aside from teaching, he wrote several articles and books, such as The Wit and Wisdom of Rizal (1962), The Philippine Flag (1963), The Filipinos of Yesteryears (1967), The Philippine National Flag (1967), Makasaysayang Bandila (1969), The Filipino Historian: Controversial Issues in Philippine History (1970), Ebolusyon ng Bandilang Pilipino (1971), The Filipino Mind: A Cyclopedia of Philippine Quotations (1973), Ang Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas (1974), The Marcos Mind: A Vision of Greatness (1975), and Ang Buhay, Gawa’t Sinulat ni Rizal (1978).

As a Knight Commander of the Knights of Rizal in Quezon City, he was a member of the Supreme Council Prefectural Tribunal. He passed away in the late 1970s or early 1980s.