Edilberto Evangelista Edilberto Evangelista ( February 24 , 1862 – February 17 , 1897 ) was a Filipino civil engineer who trained in the University of Ghent , Belgium . His popularity by the time of the Philippine Revolution could have made him president rather than Emilio Aguinaldo , lest he was killed by a bullet in the head . Early Life and Career . He was born in Sta . Cruz , Manila , on February 24 , 1862 . Evangelista finished his Bachelor of Arts at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1878 . He was awarded a medal of excellence in Mathematics . Poor health made him to drop his idea of studying medicine . After this , he became a teacher , a cattle dealer , a tobacco merchant between Cebu and Manila , and later a contractor of public works . He soon went to Madrid in 1890 . It was during this time that he befriended many Filipino patriots , including Dr . Jose Rizal , who advised him to study engineering in Belgium . He therefore enrolled at the University of Ghent , one of the world ’ s top engineering schools , and finished civil engineering and architecture with highest honors . He then received profitable offers of employment from several institutions in Europe but he declined because of his zeal to serve his country . Philippine Revolution . He returned to the Philippines in September 1896 , shortly after the start of the Philippine Revolution . He was arrested and imprisoned , since the Spanish authorities suspected many people of the revolution and he had in his possession Jose Rizal ' s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo , but he escaped . He joined General Emilio F . Aguinaldo ’ s command on October 22 , 1896 . At the Imus Assembly on December 31 , 1896 , Evangelista had submitted his draft of a constitution as requested by both Magdalo and Magdiwang factions . He was elected Lieutenant General in the said meeting , now in the ranks of Artemio Ricarte . Aguinaldo later utilized General Evangelista ’ s engineering skills . He planned and built forts and barricades in Bacoor , Binakayan , Cavite Viejo , Munting - ilog , Silang , Dasmariñas , Imus , Salitran , Lumang - bayan , and Noveleta , to serve as protection against Spanish forces . One Spanish general commented that the fortifications were the " fortifications of the future . " Aguinaldo himself publicly recommended Evangelista to head the revolutionary government that would be established in lieu of the Katipunan , for he was " the most educated " in the organization . Aguinaldo also said that Evangelista could " command the respect of the Spaniards " . He was part of the Magdalo government , serving as assistant overall captain general to Aguinaldo . Though in the actual sense , he was neutral in the Magdalo - Magdiwang feud . Evangelista was calm but fatalistic , a characteristic misinterpreted as bravery . He was drawing trenches on the ground with a stick while the enemy fired cannons at their forces . One time , a shell dropped very near him yet he did not flinch nor run , instead he brushed the dust off his coat and continued to draw . His life soon ended , as well as hopes for him by fellowmen , when he died , along with Captain Mariano San Gabriel and Captain Mariano Ramirez , on February 17 , 1897 during the famous Battle of Zapote Bridge . His post was succeeded by his protégé , Miguel Malvar . Legacy . A military camp in Cagayan de Oro was named after him , Camp Edilberto Evangelista . However , local lawmakers in the area have recently filed House Bill No . 4735 , suggesting to change the name into Camp Jose Montalvan . Camp Edilberto Evangelista is the largest military camp in Mindanao with an area of 129 hectares . It houses the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army . There are two major streets named after Evangelista : one in Quiapo , Manila ; the other in Bangkal , Makati . The streets that bear his name are now famous for its thrift and second - hand shops . House Bill No . 5659 , passed on December 18 , 2008 by seven lawmakers , sought to rename the Alabang - Zapote Road in Las Piñas to General Edilberto Evangelista Avenue for the latter ' s fearless exploits during the Philippine Revolution .