In 1889 he founded "El Ilocano", said to be the first newspaper written solely in a Philippine vernacular. de los Reyes declared that he founded "El Ilocano" to "serve beloved "pueblo" Ilocos by contributing to the enlightenment of her children, defending her interests." "El Iloco" lasted for seven years. By 1893, de los Reyes was able to acquire his own printing press, which he set up in the basement of his house in Binondo and called "Imprenta de Isabelo de los Reyes". Proud of his provincial origins, he boasted that the press parts were fabricated by Vigan artisans and he hired Ilocanos as printshop personnel.