Juan Clímaco

General Juan Clímaco y Faller (December 24, 1859 – July 16, 1907) was the second governor of Cebu, Philippines, the first governor elected to the position, and a Cebu revolutionary during the Philippine–American War.

Early years Juan Clímaco was born to a wealthy family in Toledo, Cebu, Philippines on December 24, 1859. He was married to Maria Regina Veloso y Ramas who was a mestiza of Iberian and Chinese extraction and a granddaughter of the Portuguese consul to Cebu. Before the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards, he served as gobernadorcillo of Toledo and was popularly called "Tan Hantoy" ("Tan" as short for kapitán or captain).

Philippine-American war Upon the establishment of the revolutionary council by Luis Flores, Clímaco was chosen as chief of staff with Arcadio M. Maxilom as general. He financed the revolutionary efforts and was assisted by Andres Jayme, who was his deputy and aide. He was later promoted to general by Emilio Aguinaldo. By February 21, 1899, when the American forces landed in Cebu and demanded surrender, Clímaco threw support on the anti-American revolt led by General Arcadio Maxilom and traveled to Samar to gather arms. Flores, together with Julio Llorente, who would later be appointed as the first governor by the Americans, agreed to surrender the province.

By October 2, 1900, Clímaco later wrote a memorial delivered to the United States Congress advocating for Philippine independence and justifying the cause of the revolt. In addition, he wrote a manifesto on April 1, 1901, urging the revolutionaries to continue the fight for independence should the news of Emilio Aguinaldo's capture would be proven true. Maxilom and Clímaco, together with 40 of their men, 30 rifles, and 4 canons, surrendered to the Americans on October 27, 1901, marking the end of Cebu's organized resistance.

He ran again for the second term and was reelected on February 4, 1904.

Later years US president William Howard Taft appointed Clímaco to the delegation for the St. Louis Exposition in the United States and then appointed Sergio Osmeña Sr. as acting governor. On Clímaco's arrival in Hong Kong, he got sick and was unable to complete the trip. Osmeña succeeded him as governor on March 6, 1906.

Clímaco died at the age of 47 on July 16, 1907.

Commemoration

Juan Clímaco Street, which stretches from Paseo de Magallanes to Sanciangko Street in Cebu City, was named after him. Barangay General Juan Clímaco in Toledo, Cebu, formerly known as Sitio Magdugó, was also named after him.