DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the City Government of Dapitan, Las Damas de Rizal Philippines – Dapitan Mindanao Chapter, and Balay Hamoy Museum commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Josephine Bracken through a series of activities held on August 10, 2026.
The celebration began with a commemorative program at the Jose Rizal Shrine – Dapitan, where Dapitan City Vice Mayor Gabriel M. Cad delivered the welcome remarks. NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr. and Dapitan City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy also delivered messages during the program.
The message of Zamboanga del Norte Governor Darel Dexter T. Uy was also presented during the ceremony. The program concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Bracken and her place in Philippine history.
The commemoration marked the 150th birth anniversary of Bracken, who was born in Hong Kong on August 9, 1876. She became closely associated with Dr. Jose Rizal after accompanying her adoptive father, George Taufer, to Dapitan in March 1895 to seek treatment for his failing eyesight.
At the time, Rizal was living in exile in Dapitan following his opposition to abuses committed under the Spanish colonial government. Bracken’s meeting with Rizal eventually developed into a relationship, making her his final romantic partner.
Following Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896, Bracken joined revolutionary forces in Cavite. She later returned to Hong Kong after confronting the Spanish Governor-General over the oppression she and her adoptive homeland had experienced.
Bracken eventually found a new love in Vicente Abad and later taught English in Manila and Cebu. She died of tuberculosis in Hong Kong on March 14, 1905.
The celebration continued that evening at Balay Hamoy Museum through a Merienda Tardia, which brought together guests for an evening of food, music and poetry in honor of Bracken.
NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Vice Mayor Gabriel M. Cad, and Balay Hamoy Museum owner Britz Afasa Hamoy delivered messages during the gathering. Their remarks were followed by poetry readings and musical performances while merienda was served.
The evening gathering formed part of the joint celebration organized by the Dapitan City Government, NHCP, Las Damas de Rizal Philippines, and Balay Hamoy Museum to commemorate Bracken’s life and legacy.
Through the two-part celebration, organizers highlighted Bracken’s connection to Rizal and her role in the events surrounding the Philippine Revolution, while giving attention to her own place in Philippine history. The NHCP said that the milestone commemoration honored Bracken’s life and legacy, including her assistance to Filipino revolutionaries during the Philippine Revolution.
