Celestino Rodriguez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodriguez and the second or maternal family name is Lasala.

Celestino Rodríguez y Lasala (May 11, 1872 – 1955)^[1] was a Filipino lawyer and politician from Cebu, Philippines. He served as member and deputy in the Philippine Assembly (1907–1912), as senator (1916–1922), member of the 1st National Assembly (1935–1938), and 1st Congress of the Commonwealth in 1945.

The Honorable Celestino Lasala Rodríguez
Official portrait, c. 1917
Senator of the Philippines from the 10th district
In office October 16, 1916 – June 2, 1925
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Pedro Rodríguez
Member of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from Cebu's 1st district
In office June 9, 1945 – May 25, 1946
Preceded by	Tereso Dosdos
Succeeded by	Jovenal Almendras
Member of the National Assembly from Cebu's 1st district
In office September 16, 1935 – December 30, 1938
Preceded by	Tereso Dosdos
Succeeded by	Tereso Dosdos
Member of the Philippine Assembly from Cebu's 1st district
In office 1907–1912
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Gervasio Padilla
Municipal President of Cebu
In office 1905–1907
Vice President	Luciano Bacayo
Preceded by	Florentino Rallos
Succeeded by	Luciano Bacayo
Personal details
Born	(1872-05-11)May 11, 1872 Bogo, Cebu, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	1955(1955-00-00) (aged 82–83)
Political party	Nacionalista
Relations	Buenaventura Rodriguez Jose V. Rodriguez Pedro Rodriguez
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila La Universidad Central de Madrid
Profession	Lawyer

Early life

He was born to parents José Francisco Rodríguez Álvarez, a Spaniard from San Esteban de Molleda, Asturias,Spain and Vicenta Lasala in Bogo, Cebu on May 11, 1872,^[2] coming from a wealthy Bogo family with extensive landholdings in the northern sugar-belt towns of the province.^[3] He married his cousin Ignacia Lasala and had four children. At Ateneo de Manila, he acquired a bachelor's degree in 1892 and a law degree from the Universidad Central de Madrid in 1900.^[2]

Career

Rodriguez depicted in a publication of the Philippine Education, published April 1917

Passing the bar and having been called to the bench in 1902, he practiced law as his main profession.^[2]

In 1904, Rodriguez first became the municipal president of Cebu.^[2] In 1907, he was elected to the Philippine Assembly as member of the 1st Philippine Legislature representing Cebu's 1st district, then was reelected for the 2nd Philippine Legislature in 1910 until 1912,^[4] and would become deputy.^[5][6] The Philippine Assembly was organized to pave the way for independence from the American rule.^[7] He became the first representative of the old first district of Cebu, which included the towns of Bogo, Borbon, Catmon, Danao, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tudela.^[5]

Later, Rodriguez was elected senator and served in the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Legislatures, from 1916 until 1925.^[8] At the time, the country was divided into 12 senatorial districts, with each district voting two senators;^[9] Rodriguez represented Cebu, which was the 10th district.^[8]

Rodriguez was voted as a member of the 1st National Assembly, representing Cebu's first district, from 1935 to 1938.^[2] He then served in the 1st Congress of the Commonwealth after the war in 1945.^[6][4]

Historical commemoration

• Named Waling Waling Street previously and located within the Capitol compound, the Don Celestino Rodriguez Street was named in his honor by virtue of City Ordinance No. 635.^[5]