 On February 28, 1899, in a house in Santa Maria, a revolutionary government was organized and General Vicente Alvarez was elected provisional president and commander-in-chief.He then planned to take Fort Pilar which was the last Spanish stronghold in the Philippines.The republic was formally established on May 18, 1899, with the surrender of Fort Pilar to the Revolutionary Government of Zamboanga under the leadership of General Alvarez.