Jorge Bocobo

Jorge Cleofas Bocobo (October 19, 1886 – July 23, 1965) was a Filipino author and jurist. He was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction by President Manuel L. Quezon and Justice of the Supreme Court from 1942 to 1944 under President Jose P. Laurel. Bocobo was the principal author of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

Early life and education Bocobo was born in October 19, 1886, in Gerona, Tarlac, to Tranquilino Bocobo y Duenas and Rita Teodora Tabago y Cleofas. He studied his early education in his hometown until at the age of 17, he went to Manila and attended a private school there. He was chosen as one of the 100 Philippine students for the Pensionado program, which sent exceptional Filipino students to attend a U.S. college. This enabled Bacobo to attend Indiana University School of Law. In June 1907, he received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).

In 1927 and 1928, he was acting president of the university. He served president of the university in 1934 until 1939. He also translated Rizal's preface of Ferdinand Blumentritt's book, Filipinas, into English.

Filipinism (filipinismo) movement Filipino intellectuals, like Bocobo, expressed worries about losing the Philippines' cultural identity due to American influence. Bocobo emphasized the importance of preserving the "Filipino Soul" or "filipinismo" and distinct national character. He warned that: "The violent winds of custom that flow from across the Pacific are beginning to rock the edifice of Filipino virtues. The sound and stout qualities of the Filipino race are in danger."

As an educator, Bocobo promoted the revival of Filipino folk dances. He also pushed for more Filipino-centric materials. He, as president of the university, initiated research on music and dances across various ethnic communities and assigned university faculty, including Francisca Reyes, to survey Philippine folk dances in 1934.

Government service Bocobo was appointed as Secretary of Public Instruction in 1939 by President Manuel L. Quezon. He served until 1941. It was approved by the Philippine Congress in 1949. He served chairman of the commission from 1947 until 1962. In a debate between Bocobo and president of The National Rice Planters Association (NPRA), Manuel N. Gallego, Gallego asked the Code Commissioner whether it is actually the inequality of land causing the peasant farmer rebellion in Central Luzon. Gallego further belittled the rebellion deeming that the farmers were inspired by communist propaganda.

Awards and recognition Honorary doctorate degree from the University of Southern California (1931) Presidential Award of Merit (1949) given by President Elpidio Quirino Honorary doctorate degree from the Indiana University (1951) Honorary doctorate degree from the University of the Philippines (1953)

Selected publications