Prior to the Philippine Revolution, the Tagles were part of the Principalía, the country's lowland, Hispanic colonized aristocracy. José Tagle was one of the seven children of Benito Tagle and Simona Santarin, both of Imus. He grew up and received his early education in the local school. Among the descendants of Tagle's siblings are Manila archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Purita Tagle Abad-Lopa, who was the wife of tycoon and industrialist Manuel Lopa Sr.. Lopa's children married into the Aranetas, Cojuangcos and Montinolas families. He is the great-grandfather of politician Richard J. Gordon.
Philippine Revolution
José Tagle played a significant role in the opening battle of the Philippine Revolution in Cavite. According to General Emilio Aguinaldo’s account of the battle, José Tagle, then head of Barangay Pilar of Imus, first came to his headquarters at Cavite El Viejo on September 1, 1896 to ask for his aid in raiding Imus. Together, they proceeded to the town accompanied with a brass band. The friars headed by Friar Eduarte and the Gurdia Civil saw them approaching and fled towards the Imus Hacienda where they bottled up and were subsequently subdued. The second time Aguinaldo met Tagle was on September 3, 1896 when the latter went to his headquarters again to ask for reinforcements in view of the impending attack by strong Spanish forces from Manila then massing off Bacoor. The battle that followed resulted in the defeat of the Spaniards by the Spanish General Ernesto de Aguirre, and the capture of his sword or sable del mando crafted in Toledo, Spain. Aguinaldo used the sword as his command throughout the Revolution. In recognition of his leadership that contributed to the victory in Imus, Aguinaldo appointed Tagle as Municipal Captain of the town with authority of choosing his companions in establishing the government and organizing a revolutionary army in Imus.
Personal life
He was married to Isabel Bella and they had three children, namely, Agustina Tagle-Ramirez, Veronica Tagle-Gordon and José Tagle, Jr. Veronica Tagle married John Jacob Gordon, an American who was stationed at Subic Naval Base. They had a child named James L. Gordon, the former mayor of Olongapo City.
Death and legacy
He died quietly, leaving behind no pictures, letters or war mementos.
