Eduardo Rivera Del Pilar Sr.

Eduardo Rivera Del Pilar Sr. OP GV ( May 8, 1852 - November 21, 1934) was a General in the Philippine Royal Army. Del Pilar was responsible for the production of uniforms for the army from 1871-1890 until he was called upon a permanent leadership position in the Royal Life Guards. He led units during the Philippine Civil War, participating in the Battle of Dagupan. 
== Early Life ==
Eduardo Rivera Del Pilar Sr. was born on May 8, 1852 in Intramuros, the Crown Possesion of Manila to Alfonso Sebastián Del Pilar y Garcia and Alexandra Aguayo, a couple that had 3 children, the second being Eduardo. His father, Sebastián Del Pilar was a well known marine in the Royal Navy, as he was awarded with the Gold Sun for his actions at the Battle of Legazpi Bay. Eduardo grew fond of tailoring in his early years, as his mother demonstrated her expertise in making clothing. He entered the Royal Military Academy in 1867, graduating with the class of 1871. He was commissioned a Himagat and was assigned to Army Group Ilokandia. 
== Philippine Civil War ==
On April 4 1871, Eduardo became in charge of a quartermaster unit stationed in Dagupan. There, he continued his hobby of tailoring. Eduardo was tasked to create a new uniform due to growing concerns with the already outdated 1840 uniforms. Having known foreign military uniforms, he adopted the spanish rayadillo for the new standard issue field uniform of the Royal Army along with a blue double-breasted coat with red cuffs and collar as a ceremonial uniform. He had close ties with Tenyente Heneral Pilar Vicente Climaco, he then endorsed Eduardo to the High Command in Manila for his concepts. The High Command accepted these concepts and they were soon put to use in the Philippine Civil War. 
=== Battle of Dagupan ===
On May 8 1872, Republican rebels led by Alphonse Warwick V. Reigsler led an attack against a military garrison on the coast of Dagupan. The garrison was besieged for 5 days until the subsequent order to retreat was given by the General Staff in Manila. Eduardo had been reassigned to command a rifle section. He was then sent along with other units to attempt to take back the garrison. After a few hours of fighting, the rebels were routed. Eduardo was awarded with the Order of the Orient Pearl for his actions at the battle.
== Aide-de-camp to Pilar Vicente Climaco ==
Following the battle, Eduardo was called to Manila to serve as the aide-de-camp to Tenyente Heneral Pilar Vicente Climaco. Climaco was tasked with the creation of the Royal Life Guard, in response to the ever-growing concern of H.R.H. Valeriano Estilio's security in Manila. He was put in charge of a section along with one of his siblings. During his stay in Manila, he grew close with members of the Royal Family. He was known to always fraternize over drinks, resulting in deeper discussions.
On February 6, 1878, an intruder breached the Royal Palace in Manila and managed to breach the quarters of the Princess Isabella, it just so happened that Del Pilar was delivering a present from the King. Del Pilar drew his sabre and subdued the intruder. He was unfortunately grazed by the head, leaving a scar. 
== Military Liason to the Kingdom of Joseon ==
In 1880, Eduardo was sent to the Kingdom of Joseon as a military liason. There, he befriended several Japanese and American officers. He assisted in training Joseon riflemen along with American officers. He was fond of the Korean language and took lessons during his stay. In Seoul, he met his wife. His wife was a noblewoman, named Hwang Ye-ji. The both shared a mutual interest in each other, they usually went out in the night in order to avoid the local authorities. Both of them decided to leave Joseon in 1887 after Del Pilar was called back to Manila. They were married a few years later in the Manila Cathedral. He and Ye-ji stayed in Manila, visiting his past colleagues that he met in Joseon. 
== 1890-1900 ==
Upon returning to Manila, Eduardo was assigned to the Royal Quartermaster Corps as a Chief Quartermaster, he was in charge of producing new uniforms such as the M90 Field Dress where he incorporated further european features. Del Pilar reached the rank of General de Division and was put in charge of the Royal Life Guard's Brigada Estilio. He was promoted to the rank of Teniente General on April 9, 1893 and was put in command of the Greater Manila Area. He and his wife had 1 son in 1889. His son also attended the Royal Military Academy, graduating in the class of 1909. He served in the First Great War along with Leon Reious. After spending months with French sailors and officers from Paris to Manila, he returned to his parents a changed man. 
Category:Characters