Juan Alaminos y Vivar

Juan Alaminos y de Vivar (1813–1899) was a Spanish general who served as the 96th Governor-General of the Philippines.

Juan Alaminos y Vivar
Alaminos in 1873
96th Governor-General of the Philippines
In office 24 January 1873 – 17 March 1874
Preceded by	Manuel MacCrohon (interim)
Succeeded by	Manuel Blanco Valderrama (interim)
Senator of Córdoba
In office 1872–1873
Senator of Burgos
In office 1871–1872
Personal details
Born	27 October 1813 Cuéllar, Spain
Died	1899
Military service
Allegiance	Spain
Branch/service	Spanish Army
Rank	Lieutenant general
Battles/wars	First Carlist War First Moroccan War

Biography

There is not much known about the early career of Alaminos other than that he was from Cuéllar, and that he was born on 27 October 1813. His military career began with his participation in the First Carlist War (1833–1839). He then served under General Juan Prim, 1st Marquis of los Castillejos during the Hispano-Moroccan War (1859–60).[1] In 1871, he was elected as Senator of Burgos, and the following year (1872) as Senator of Córdoba.[2] Before the abdication of King Amadeo I of Spain, Alaminos was sent to assume the position of Governor-General of the Philippines on 24 January 1873. He was the first Governor-General to arrive and depart from the Philippines on a steamship.[3] During his term, Alaminos fought against the Archbishop of Manila, Gregorio Melitón Martinez, keeping the conflict between the colonial government and the church ongoing. It was during the administration of former Governor-General Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada when the conflict was rekindled. In around 1870, the governor-general appointed Luis Alcala Zamora as Bishop of Cebu but it was not approved by Archbishop Melitón Martinez.[4] Alaminos was replaced by an interim governor in 1874, during the administration of President Francisco Serrano, 1st Duke of la Torre. He died in 1899. During his administration in the Philippines, Alaminos, Pangasinan and Alaminos, Laguna were named in his honor.[5][6]

Family

Alaminos hails from a 17th-century noble family from Úbeda. Juan's brother, Francisco Alaminos y Vivar, was a lawyer. He served as mayor of Rute in 1828, and of Cabra in 1834.[7] Meanwhile, Juan's nephew, Francisco Alaminos y Chacon, served as his adjutant, and later as Governor of Luzon.[8]

References

1. Enciclopedia Universal Ilustrada Europeo-Americana (Espasa) (Volume 4 ed.). 1936.
2. "ALAMINOS Y VIVAR, JUAN". Senado de España. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
3. "Kaharian Ng Español Sa Pilipinas Ang Huling Sandaan Taon, 1800 - 1898". Retrieved 24 October 2016.
4. Arcilla, Vestiges Jose. "Archbishop Gregorio Meliton Martinez". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
5. "Alaminos City, Pangasinan". Philippines Cities. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
6. "Alaminos, Laguna". Biyaheng Laguna. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
7. Barea Lopez, Oscar (2014). HERÁLDICA Y GENEALOGÍA EN EL SURESTE DE CÓRDOBA (Ss. XIII-XIX). Bubok. ISBN 9788468660806. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
8. Lopez Guzman, Rafael. "Patrimonio historico: Difusion e imbricacion americana" (PDF). Universidad Internacional de Andalucia. Retrieved 24 October 2016.