PEDRO Paterno fell almost into oblivion as soon as he passed away in 1910. Some scholars needed to mention him eventually because of his role during the revolution or his exchange of letters with Jose Rizal and his family, but he is not the most palatable individual in Philippine history. His personality did not help much, to be honest. He was a bit flamboyant, far from humble and willing all too often to be surrounded by people of distinction, both in Spain and the Philippines. His desire to be always at the top was at times very explicit and provoked merciless sarcastic comments from Pardo de Tavera. León María Guerrero called him an “incorrigible snob.” Resil Mojares, only recently, presented a more balanced view of this figure in his formidable Brains of the Nation (2006).