José Ozámiz y Fortich (May 5, 1898 – August 30, 1944) was a Spanish Filipino lawyer and politician from Misamis Occidental.
José Ozámiz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman of the Games and Amusements Board | |
| In office 1943–1944 | |
| President | Jose P. Laurel |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| Died before taking office | |
| Member of the National Assembly from Misamis Occidental's at-large district | |
| In office September 16, 1935 – December 30, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | District abolished (Next held by Eugenio Stuart del Rosario and Rufino Abadíez) |
| Member of the House of Representatives from Misamis Occidental's at-large district | |
| In office June 2, 1931 – September 16, 1935 | |
| Preceded by | District established |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Governor of Misamis Occidental | |
| In office 1928–1931 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | José Ozámiz y Fortich May 5, 1898 Jimenez, Misamis, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Died | February 11, 1944 (aged 45) Manila, Commonwealth of the Philippines |
| Political party | Nacionalista |
| Spouse | Lourdes Hyndman |
| Alma mater | Ateneo de Manila (LL.B) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Early life
editOzámiz was born on May 5, 1898, in house near the “old bridge” in Aloran to Jenaro Ozámiz from Basque Country, Spain and Basilisa Fortich, a Filipino mestizo of Spanish and Cebuano ancestry. Jenaro left Spain at age sixteen and came to Aloran, then ended up at the Municipality of Jimenez and engaged in the business of abacá and copra trading which made him very rich, acquiring through the years 3.55 km2 (1.37 sq mi) in tile province and 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) ranch in Bukidnon. José spoke his first languages Spanish, Cebuano, Tagalog and English when Philippines came under American rule.[1]
He was the oldest and the only son among ten children. His sisters are Pacita, Consuelo, Carmen, Pilar, Remedios, Nieves, Mercedes, Paulita, and Lourdes. Three of Jose's sisters Consuelo, Carmen and Nieves remained distinct and never got married. Two entered politics: one was Consuelo, who was a councilor for six terms in Jimenez and Remedios who became a Congresswoman of Bukidnon. Remedios’ son, Carlos Fortich became a politician also by becoming a governor of Bukidnon.
In 1904, the Ozámiz family transferred to a big house in Jimenez, where they engage themselves in the copra business and ship them off to other islands in the Philippines.
Legal career
editOzámiz graduated from Ateneo de Manila and became a lawyer on September 27, 1921. Actively practiced law, he was a counsel of big companies in Manila, like Madrigal Shipping and Dela Rama Steamship, both owned by senators.[2]
Political career
editOzámiz was appointed as Misamis Occidental's first provincial governor and served from 1928 to 1931. He was later elected as representative of the Lone District of Misamis Occidental from 1931 to 1941. He was a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention that resulted in the creation of the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth Government. In 1941, he was elected to the Philippine Senate. However, he did not serve his term as senator due to Imperial Japan invading in the Philippines during World War II and he was executed before he could assume office.
World War II
edit
When the Japanese occupied the country during World War II, Ozámiz was among those who accepted a post in the Japanese government with the blessings of the guerrilla movement who saw that his position would allow him to move discreetly.[3]: 208–209 He became chairperson of the Games and Amusement Board. Then in May 1943, he came to Mindanao to contact Fertig. He came by boat accompanied by Jose Maria and Pelong Campos of Aloran. During his arrival in Mindanao, he met Fertig and Parson, both major leaders of the guerrilla movement.
On his way home, Ozámiz's family was under house arrest. He went back to Manila in February 1944. He was arrested by Japanese Kempetai on February 11 on his wife's birthday. He was condemned to be executed. A Filipino nicknamed "makapili" played a part in his downfall along with twenty-nine other fellow Filipino who also got arrested at the same time. They were the core of the guerilla movement in Manila. On the same day, he was beheaded at the Manila North Cemetery, alongside 29 guerilla members, by the Japanese during their occupation of the Philippines during World War II for his involvement in the Resistance Movement.[2]
Legacy
edit- The city of Ozamiz (which used to be called Misamis) in the province of Misamis Occidental was posthumously named in his honor.
- Then Nailon Primary School of Nailon, Tudela, Misamis Occidental was renamed after him, which is now Ozamiz Elementary School in Camarin, Cabol-anonan, Tudela, Misamis Occidental (Barangay Cabol-anonan was once part of Barangay Nailon).
References
edit- ^ "City of Ozamis (Ozamiz) : Senator Jose Ozamiz - The forgotten Hero". Old website of the City of Ozamiz. Archived from the original on 2 May 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ a b Oaminal, Clarence Paul (October 16, 2014). "Senator Jose Fortich Ozamiz". Philstar.com. The Freeman. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Keats, J., 1963, They Fought Alone, New York: J.B. Lippincott Company