— 3 ONE PAST BUT MANY HISTORIES: CONTROVERSIES AND CONFLICTING VIEWS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY OVERVIEW ‘The history of the Philippines has numerous splendid topics to discuss. Many issues have only been briefly explicated and sometimes this brings confusion in understanding our past as one nation. In fact, every Filipino student must learn the different issues in our history so that he/she may know his/her beginnings and understand as to what chances we, as a people, may have in the upeoming days. It is imperative as well that students get their view of history about different topics from primary materials. Itis for the reason that events in the past presented in these materials may influence them to formulate arguments and develop their analytical skill in making their stand on an issue. ‘This chapter is entitled “One past but many histories: controversies and conflicting views in Philippine history.” It presents three topics which include: Site of the first Mass, Cavite Mutiny and Cry of Balintawak or Pugad Lawin. Each topic is presented with the issue, the readings, guide questions and the suggested activities that would help the students identify pertinent information for their better understanding about the subject. READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HisTORY 5sLESSON 1 SITE OF, THE FIRST MASS _ | ITHAS been said th t the first Catholicmass in the Philippines was hed on March31 1521. no.weve., thers. iss: as te .h. ¢ it was celebrated. The st..to Christianity in the Phi... ,ines 1s.a cont.o ..sy because some historians are actually pushing for the recognition of Masau in Butuan city as the real site, Yet, some had a conclusion that the First Holy «lass was celebrated in Limasawa (Southern Leyte). Lelow isa cre.ible primary source that explains the issue as to where the .irst hristian mass really happened. It is a portion of Pigafetta’s accounts found in pages 23 32 of his book entitled, Fr.oe ovage Around .he Word which was a material provided by LHED-RIPH team curses Pigefetg, Antonia (L988) int Voyage. und the Wor, wiania: Flyinians aoa ile “at dawn on Saturday, March sixteen, 1571. we came pon a high land at adistance of three hundred lea;ues from the islands of Ladironi The following day, the captain-general desired to land on another island which was _ninhabited and lay to the right of the above-mentioned island, in order to be more secure, and to get water and have some rest. He had two tents set up on the shore for the sick and had a sow killed for them. On Monday afternoon, March 18, we saw a boat coming toward us with nine men in it. . herefore, the captain general ordered that no one should move or say 2 word without his permission. When those men reached the shore, their chief went immediately to the captain-general givin,, signs of oy because of our arrival. rive of the most ornately adorned of them remained with us, while the rest ‘went to get some others who were fishing. and so they all came The captain-general, seeing that they were reasonable men, ordered food to be set before them, and gave them red caps, mirrors, combs, bells, ivary, bocasine, and other things. When they saw the captain's courtesy they presented fish, a jar of palm wine which they call uraca jarracky, figs more than one palm long bananas], and others which were smaller and more delicate, and two coconuts. They had nothing else then but made signs with their hands that they would bring umay or rice, and coconuts and many other articles of food within four days. an island named (Samar; Coconuts are the fruit of the palm tree. Just as we have bread, wine, oil and vinegar, so those people get everything, from that tree. They get wine in the following manner. They bore a hole into the heart of the said palm at the top called palmito. from which distils a li_uor which resembles white mist. That li uor is sweet but somewhat tart, and jis gathered] in canes of bamboo] as thick as theleg.and thicker. They fasten the bamboo to the tree at the evening for the morning. and in mornin, for the evening. That palm 56 READINGS: PHILIPPINE HisTORYbearsa fruit, namely the coconut, which is as large as the head or thereabouts. Its outside husk is green and thicker than two fingers. Certain filaments are found in that husk, whence is made cord for binding together their boats. Under that husk there is a hard shell, much thicker than the shell of the walnut, which they burn and make therefrom a powder that is useful to them. Under that shell there is a white marrowy substance one finger in thickness, which they eat fresh with meat and fish as we do bread; and it has a taste resembling the almond, It could be dried and made into bread. There is a clear, sweet, water in the middle of that marrowy substance which is very refreshing, When that water stands for a while after having been collected, it congeals and becomes like an apple. When the natives wish to make oil, they take that coconut, and allow themarrowy substance and the water to putrefy. Then they boil itand it becomes cil like butter. When they wish to make a vinegar they allow only the water putrefy, and then place it in the sun, and a vinegar results [that made from] white wine. Milk can also be made from it, for we made some. We scraped that marrowy substance and then mixed the scrapings with its own water which we strained through a cloth, and so obtained milk like goats milk. Those palms resemble date-palms, but although not smooth they are less knotty. than thelatter. A family of 10 persons can be supported on two trees, by utilizing one of them during one week and the other during the other 8 days for the wine; for if they did otherwise, the trees would dry up. They last a century. ‘Those people became very familiar with us. They told us many things, their names and those of some of the islands that could be seen from that place. Their own island was called Zuluan and it is not very large. We took great pleasure with them, for they were very pleasant and conversable. In order to show them greater honor, the captain- general took them to his ship and showed them all his merchandise cloves, cinnamon, Pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace, gold and all the things in the ship. He had some mortars fired for them, whereat they exhibited great fear, and tried to jump out of the ship. They made signs to us that the above said articles grew in the place where we were going. When they were about to retire they look their leave very gracefully and neatly, saying, that they would return according to their promise. The island where we were is called Humunu; [now Homonhon] but inasmuch as we found two springs there of the clearest water, we called it Acquada da It kuoniSegnialli ("the Watering, place of Good Signs”), for there were the first signs of gold which we found in those districts. We found a great quantity of white coral there, and large trees with fruit a trifle smaller than the almond and resembling pine seeds. There are also many palms, some of them good and others bad. There are many island in that district, and therefore we called them the archipelago of San Lazaro, as they were discovered on the Sunday of St. Lazarus. They lie in 10 degrees of latitude toward the Arctic Pole, and in a longitude of one hundred and sixty- ‘ome degrees from the line of demarcation. ‘At noon on Friday, March 22, those men came as they had promised us in two boats with coconuts, sweet oranges, ajar of palm-wine and a cock, in order to show us that there were fowls in that district. They exhibited great signs of pleasure at seeing us. We READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 37purchased all those articles from them. Their seignior was an old man who was painted [tattooed]. He wore two gold earrings in his ears, and the others many gold armlets ‘on their arms and kerchiefs about their heads. We stayed there one week, and during, ‘that time our captain went ashore daily to visit the sick, and every morning gave them ‘coconut water from his own hand, which comforted them greatly. There are people living ‘near that island who have earrings in their ears so large that they can pass their arms ‘through them. Those people are caphri, that is ta say, heathen. They go naked, with a cloth woven from the bark of a tree about their privies, except some of the chiefs who ‘wear cotton cloth embroidered with silk at the ends by means of a needle. They are dark, fat, and painted. They anoint themselves with coconut and with beneseed cil as a Protection against sun and wind. They have very black hair that falls to the waist, and ‘use daggers, knives, and spears ornamented with gold, large shields, fascines, javelins, and fishing nets that resemble rizali; and their boats are like ours. On the afternoon of holy Monday, the day of our Lady, March twenty-five, while ‘we were on the point of weighing anchor, I went to the side of the ship to fish and putting my feet upon a yard leading down into the storeroom, they slipped, for it was rainy, and consequently [ fell into the sea, so that no one saw me. When I was all but under, my left hand happened to catch hold of the clew-garnet of the garnet ‘of the mainsail, which was dangling in the water. I held on tightly, and began to cry ‘out so lustily that [ was rescued by the small boat. I was aided not, I believe, indeed, ‘through my merits but through the mercy of that font of charity [the Virgin]. That same day was shaped our course towards the west southwest between four islands, namely Cenalo, Hiunanghan, Ibusson, and Abarien. On Thursday morning, March twenty-eight, as we had seen a fire on an island the night before, we anchored near it. We saw a small boat which the natives call boloto [baroto] with eight men in it, approaching the flagship. A slave belonging to the captain- general, who was a native of Zamatra [Sumatra], which was formerly called Taprobana, spoke to them. They immediately understood him, came alongside the ship, unwilling to ‘enter but taking a position at some little distance. The captain, seeing that they would ‘not trust us, threw them out a red cap and other things tied to a bit of wood. They received them very gladly, and went away quickly to advise their king. About two hours later we saw two balanghai coming, They are large boats and are so called [by those people]. They were full of men, and their king was in the larger of them, being seated ‘under an awning of mats. When the king came near the flagship, the slave spoketo him. ‘The king understood him, for in those districts the kings knew more languages than ‘other people. He ordered some of his men to enter the ships, but he always remained in ‘his balanghai, at some little distance from the ship until his own men returned; and as ‘soon as they returned he departed. The captain-general showed great honor to the men who entered the ship, and gave them some presents, for which the king wished before ‘his departure to give the captain a large bar of gold and a basketful of ginger. The latter, ‘however, thanked the king heartily but would not accept it. In the afternoon we went in the ships [and anchored] near the dwellings of the king. 58 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY‘Next day, holy Friday, the captain-general sent his slave, who acted as our interpreter, ashore in a small boat to ask the king if he had any food to have it carried to the ships; and to say that they would be well satisfied with us, for he [and his men] had come to ‘the island as friends and not as enemies. The king came with six or eight men in the ‘same boat and entered the ship. He embraced the captain-general to whom he gave three ‘porcelain jars covered with leaves and full of raw rice, two very large dorado and other ‘things. The captain-general gave the king a garment of red and yellow cloth made in the ‘Turkish fashion, and a fine red cap; and to the others (the king’s men), some knives and ‘to others, mirrors. Then the captain-general had a collation spread for them, and had the ‘king told through the slave that he desired to be casicasi with him, that is to say, brother. ‘The king replied that healso wished to enter the same relations with the captain-general. ‘Then the captain showed him cloth of various colors, linen, coral [ornaments], and many ‘other articles of merchandise, and all the artillery, some of which he had discharged from him, whereat the natives were greatly frightened. Then the captain-general had a man armed as a soldier, and placed him in the midst ‘of three men armed with swords and daggers, who struck him on all parts of the body. ‘Thereby was the king rendered almost speechless. The captain-general told him through ‘the slave that one of those armed men was worth one hundred of his own men. The king, answered that that was a fact. The captain-general said that he had two hundred men ‘in each ship who were armed in that manner. He showed the king cuirasses, swords, and bucklers and had a review made for him. Then he led the king to the deck of the ship, that is located above at the stern; and had his sea-chart and compass brought. He told the king through the interpreter how he had found the strait in order to voyage ‘thither and how many moons he had been without seeing land, whereat the king was astonished. Lastly, he told the king that he would like, if it were pleasing him to send two ‘of his men with him so that he might them some of his things. The king replied that he ‘was agreeable, and I went in company with one of the other men. When I reached shore, the king raised his hands towards the sky and then turned ‘towards us two. We did the same toward him as did all the others. The king took me by ‘the hand; one of his chiefs took my companion: and thus they led us under a bamboo covering, where there was a balanghai, as long as eighty of my palm lengths, and ‘wesembling a fusta. We sat down upon the stern of that balanghai, constantly conversing, with signs. The king's men stood about us in a circle with swords, daggers, spears, and ‘bucklers. The king had a plate of pork brought in and a large jar filled with wine. At ‘every mouthful, we drank a cup of wine. The wine that was left [in the cup] atany time, although that happened but rarely, was put inte a jarby itself, The king’s cup was always ‘kept covered and no one else drank from it but he and I. Before the king took the cup to drink, he raised his clasped hands toward the sky, and then toward us; and when he was about to drink, he extended the fist of his left hand toward me (at first I thought that he ‘was about to strike ms) and then drank. I did the same toward the king. They all make History 3sthose signs one toward another when they drink. We ate with such ceremonies and with, other signs of friendship. [ ate meat on holy Friday, for I could not help myself. Before the supper hour I gave the king many things which I had brought. I wrote down the names of many things in their language. When the king and the others saw me writing, and when I told them their words, they were all astonished. While engaged in that the supper hour was announced. Two large porcelain dishes were brought in, one full of rice and the other of pork with its gravy. We ate with the same signs and ceremonies, after which we went to the palace of the king which was built like ahayloft and was thatched with fig and palm leaves, Itwas built up high from the ground, on huge posts of wood and it was necessary to ascend to it by means of ladders. The king, made us sit down there on a bamboo mat with our legs drawn up likea tailors. After half an hour a platter of roast fish cut in pieces was brought in, and ginger freshly gathered, and wine. The king’s eldest son, who was the prince, came over to us; whereupon the king told him to sit down near us, and he accordingly did so, Then two platters brought in (one with fish and its sauce, and the other with rice), so that we might eat with the prince. My companion became intoxicated as a consequence of so much drinking and eating. They used the gum of a tree called anime wrapped in palm or fig leaves for lights. The king made us a sign that he was going to goto sleep. He left the prince with us, and we slept with the Latter on a bamboo mat with pillows made of leaves. When day dawned the king came and took me by the hand, and in that manner we went to where we had supper, in. order to partake of refreshments, but the boat came to get us. Before we left, the king Kissed our hands with great joy, and we his. One of his brothers, the king of another island, and the three men came with us. The captain-general kept him to dine with us, and gave him many things. Pieces of gold, of the size of walnuts and eggs, are found by sifting the earth in the island of that king whom I led to our ships. All the dishes of that king are of gold and also some portion of his house, as we were told by that king himself, According to. their customs he was very grandly decked out, and the finest looking man that we saw among those people. His hair was exceedingly black, and hung tohis shoulders. He had. a covering of silk on his head, and wore two large golden earrings fastened in his ears. He wore a cotton doth all embroidered with silk, which covered him from the waist to knees. At his side hung a dapger, the haft of which was somewhat long and all of gold, and its scabbard of carved wood. He had three spots of gold on every tooth, and his teeth appeared as if bound with gold. He was perfumed with storax and benzoin. He was tawny and painted all over. That island of his was called Butuan and Calagan. When, those kings wished to see one another, they both went to hunt in that island where we were. The name of the firstking is RaiaColambu, and the second RaiaSiaui. Early on the morning, of Sunday, the last of March and Easter-day, the captain- general sent the priest with some men to prepare the place where Mass was to be said; together with the interpreter to tell the king that we were not going to land in order to dine with him, but to say Mass. Therefore the king sent us two swine that he had 2 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORYkilled. When the hour for Mass arrived, we landed with about fifty men, without our body armor, but carrying our other arms, and dressed in our best clothes. Before we reached the shore with our boat, six pieces were discharged as a sign of peace. We landed; the two kings ‘embraced the captain-general, and placed him between them. We went in marching order to the place consecrated, which was not far from the shore. Before the commencement of ‘the Mass, the captain sprinkled the entire hodies of the two kings with musk water. During ‘the Mass we made our offerings. The kings went forward to kiss the cross as we did, but ‘made no offerings. When the body of our Lord was elevated, they remained on their knees worshipped Him with clasped hands. The ships fired all their artillery at once when thebody ‘of Christ was elevated, the signal having been given from the shore with muskets. After the conclusion of Mass, some of our men took communion. ‘The captain-general arranged a fencing tournament, at which the kings were greatly pleased. Then he had a cross carried in and the nails and a crown, to which they made immediate reverence. He told the kings through the interpreter that they were the standards given to him by the emperor his sovereign, so that wherever he might go he ‘might set up those tokens. [He said] that he wished to set up in that place for their benefit, for whenever any of our ships came, they would know that we had been there by that cross, and would do nothing to displease them or harm their property. If any of their ‘men were captured, they would be set free immediately on that sign being shawn. It was necessary to set that cross on the summit of the highest mountain, so that on seeing it every morning, they might adore it; and if they did that, neither thunder, lightning, nor storms would harm them in the least. They thanked him heartily and [said] that they would do everything willingly: The captain-general also had had them asked whether they were Muslims or heathen, or what was their belief. They replied that they had no other worship but raising their clasped hands and their face to the sky; and that they called their god “Abba.” Thereat the captain was very glad, and seeing that, the first king raised his hands to the sky and said that he wished that it were possible for him to make the captain see his love for him. The interpreter asked the king why there was so little to eat there. The latter replied that he did not live in that place except when he went hunting and to see his brother, but he lived in another island where all his family were. The captain-general had him asked to declare whether he had any enemies, so that he ‘might go with his ships to destroy them and to render them obedient to him. The king thanked him and said that he did indeed have two islands hostile to him, but that it was not then the season to go there. The captain told him that if God would again allow him to return to those districts, he would bring so many men that he would make the king's ‘enemies subject to him by force. He said that he was about to go to dinner, and that he would return afterward to have the cress set up on the summit of the mountain. They replied that they were satisfied, and then forming in battalion and firing the muskets and the captain having embraced the two kings, we took or leave. READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HisTORY 61After dinner we all returned clad in our doublets, and that afternoon went together with the two kings to the summit of the highest mountain there. When we reached the summit, the captain-general told them that he esteemed highly having sweated for them, for since the cross was there, it could not but be of great use to them. On asking them which port was the best to get food, they replied that there were three, namely, ‘Ceylon, Zubu, and Calaghann, but that Zubu was the largest and the one with the most trade. They offered of their own accord to give us pilots te shaw us the way. The captain- general thanked them, and determined to go there, for so did his unhappy fate will. After ‘the cross was erected in position, each of us repeated Pater Noster and an Ave Maria and adored the cross; and the kings did the same. Then we descended through their cultivate fields, and went to the place where the balanghai was. The kings had some coconuts brought in so that we might refresh ourselves. The captain asked the kings for the pilots, for he intended to depart the following morning, and [said] that he would treat them as if they were the kings themselves, and would leave one of us.as.a hostage. The kings replied that every hour he wished the pilots were at his commands, but that night the first king, changed his mind, and in the morning when we were about to depart, sent word to the captain-general, asking him for love of him to wait two days until he should have his rice ‘harvested, and other trifles attended to. He asked the captain-general to send him some ‘men to help him, so that it might be done sooner; and said that he intended to act as our pilot himself. The captain sent him some men, but the kings ate and drank so much that ‘they slept all the day. Some said to excuse them that they were slightly sick. Our men did. nothing on that day, but they worked the next two days. ‘One of those people brought us aboard a porringer full of rice and also eight or ten figs fastened together to barter them for a knife which at the most was worth there catrini. The captain, seeing that the native cared for nothing but a knife, called him to look at other things. He put his hand in his purse and wished to give him one real for those things, but the native refused it. The captain showed him a ducat but he would not accept that either. Finally the captain tried to give him a doppione worth two ducats, but he would take nothing but a knife; and accordingly the captain had one given to him. ‘When one of our men went ashore for water, one of those people wanted to give him a pointed crown of massive gold, of the size of a colona, for the six strings of glass beads, but the captain refused to let him barter, so that the natives should learn at the very beginning that we prized our merchandise more than their gold. ‘Those people are heathens, and go naked and painted. They weara piece aclothwoven from a tree about their privies. They are very heavy drinkers. Their women are clad in. ‘tree cloth from their waist down, and their hairis black and reaches to the ground. They have holes pierced in their ears which are filled with gold. Those people are constantly ‘chewing a fruit which they call areca and which resembles pear. They cut that fruit into four parts, and then wrap it in the leaves of their tree which they call betre [betel]. Those leaves resemble the leaves of the mulberry. They mix it with a little lime, and when they ‘have chewed it thoroughly, they spit it out. It makes the mouth exceedingly red. All the 62 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORYpeople in those parts of the world use it, for it is very cooling to the heart, and if they ceased to use it they would die. They are dogs, cats, swine, fowls, goats, rice, ginger, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, millet, panicum, sorgo, wax, and a quantity of gold in that island. It lies in a latitude of nine and two-thirds degrees toward the Artic Pole, and in a longitude of hundred and sixty-two degrees from the line of demarcation. It is twenty-five leagues from the Acquada, and is called Mazaua. ‘We remained there seven days, after which we laid our course toward the northwest, passing among five islands; namely, Ceylon, Bohol, Canighan, Baybai, and Gatighan. In the last-named island of Gatighan, there are bats as large as eagles. As it was late we Killed one of them, which resembled chicken in taste. There are doves, turtle-doves, parrots and certain black birds as large as domestic chickens, which have a long tail. ‘The last mentioned birds lay eggs as large as the goose, and bury them under the sand, through the great heat of which they hatch out. When the chicks are born, they push up the sand and come out. Those eggs are good to eat. There is a distance of twenty. leagues from Mazaua to Gatighan. We set out westward from Gatighan, but the king of Mazua could not follow us [closely] and consequently, we awaited him near three islands; namely, Polo, Ticobon and Pozon. When he caught up with us he was greatly astonished at the rapidity with which we sailed. The captain-general had him come into his ship with several of his chiefs at which they were pleased. Thus did we go to Zubu from Gatighan, the distance to Zubu being fifteen leagues.” READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HisToRY 6aUssoH2 | CAVITE MUTINY __] ‘MANY BELIEVED that oneofthef sctors thatignited the Filipino senseofnationhood an Levent... uy lea to the rhilippine Revol..tion in 16% ..15 the Cavite utin. Thi ‘event has been -ema kable among, hisipinos because it p om.ted to tne -nartyidom of Gomburza tne acon,m tnit rep.esent the sma es of tne, ests Muriano Gé, ez, Jo 2 Apoion o urges nd Ja.into .amo_a ..ho were e.ecuted on Le_r.ary 17,872) Howeve., there are three ve.sions that ever, Filipino tudent st read for them to art «late argu.nents tnat sould unport their tand abo..t tne i sue on the te. ms used, cau © .efffe ts and the unraveling truth about the avite Mutiny. SPANIARDS’ VERSION OF THE CAVITY MUTINY OF 1872 This version as written by Jose Montero y Vidal, a Spanish historian, in his book entitled, Mis ~ia' ‘ene alde Fi ipin-s. it was dolefully biased that Dr. TH. Pardode’ravera stated that he “in narrating the Cavite episode, doesnot speal as.a historian he speaks as a opaniard bent on perverting the facts at his pleasure, he is mischievously partial” ‘The Spanish historian in his account overstated the mutiny of some dissatisfied soldiers and laborers into a revolt to bring down “panish rule and this intricated some patriots like Gomburza and others. Below is Montero y didal s version of the Cavite episode of 1872 in English translation. $eun: =20i0e, Gragari oneo.io 2 1830) Jozamonter, Serrces of 7I)gine Wstey. vet 7 Mani = Notionat “With the x tancish.nent in spam ofwgo.ernme=ties auii a. fa tne one that uppointed La (i.e, the latter as .elieved fron. his post. His su essor D Rafael de E-quierdo. wssumed ‘control of the government of these islands April 4, 1871. 1he most eventfiil episode in his rule was the Cavite revolt of 18 2 ‘The abolition of the privileges emoyed by the laborers of the Cavite arsenal of ‘¢.emption from the tribute was, according to some the cause of the insurrection. There ‘were, however other causes. The Spanish revolution which overthrew a secular throne; the propaganda carried ‘on by an unbridled press against monarchial principles, attentatory of the most sacred respects towards the dethroned majesty; the democratic and republican books and pamphlets; the speeches and preachings of the apostles of these new ideas in Jpain; the ‘outbursts of the American publicists and the criminal policy of the senseless Governor ‘whom the revolutionary government sent to govern the Philippines and who put into practice these ideas were the determining circumstances which “ave rise, among certain 6s READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORYFilipinos, to the idea of attaining their independence. It was towards this goal that they started to work, with the powerful assistance of a certain section of the native clergy, who out of spite toward the friars, made common cause with the enemies of the mother country. Ae various times but especially in the beginning of the year 1872, the authorities received anonymous communications with the information that a great uprising would break out against the Spaniards, the minute the fleet at Cavite left for the South, and that all would be assassinated, including the friars. But nobody gave importance to these notices. The conspiracy had been going on since the days La Torre with utmost secrecy. At ‘times, the principal leaders met either in the house of the Filipino Spaniard, D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, or in that of the native priest, Jacinto Zamora, and these meetings ‘were usually attended by the curate of Bacoor (Cavite), the soul of the movement, whose energetic character and immense wealth enabled him to exercise a strong influence. ‘The garrison of Manila, composed mostly of native soldiers, were involved in this conspiracy, as wellasa multitude of civilians. The plan was for the soldiers to assassinate their officers, the servants, their masters, and the escort of the Captain-Ceneral at Malacafiang, to dispose of the government himself. The friars and other Spaniards were later to have their turn. The pre-concerted signal among the conspirators of Cavite and Manila was the firing of rockets from the walls of the city. The details having been arranged, it was agreed that the uprising was to breakout in the evening of the 20" of January, 1872. Various circumstances, however, which might well be considered as providential, upset the plans, and made the conspiracy a dismal failure. In the district of Sampaloe, the fiesta of the patron saint, the Virgin of Loreto, was being celebrated with pomp and splendor. On the night of the 20", fireworks were displayed and rockets fired into the air. Those in Cavite mistook these for the signal to revolt, and at nine-thirty in the evening of that day twe hundred native soldiers under the leadership of Sergeant La Madrid rose up in arms, assassinated the commander of the fort and wounded his wife. ‘The military governor of Cavite, D. Fernando Rojas, despatched two Spaniards to inform the Manila authorities of the uprising but they were met on the way bya group of natives, belorging to the Guias established by La Torre, who put them instantly to death. At about the same time, an employee of the arsenal. D. Domingo Mijares, left Cavite in a war vessel for Manila, arriving there at midnight. He informed the commandant of marine of what had occurred, and this official immediately relayed the news to Governor Izquierdo. Early the next morning two regiments, under the command of D. Felipe Ginoves, ‘segundocabo, left for Cavite on board the merchant vessels Filipino, Manila, Isabela I and Isabela II. Ginoves demanded rendition and waited the whole day of the 21” for the rebels to surrender, without ordering the assault of their position in order to avoid READINGS IN PHILIEunnecessary shedding of blood. After waiting the whole day in vain for the rendition of the rebels, Ginoves launched an assault against the latter's position, early in themerning of the 22", putting to the sword the majority af the rebels and making prisoners of the rest. On the same day, an official proclamation announced the suppression of the revolt. As a result of the declarations made by some of the prisoners in which several individuals were pointed out as instigators, Don Jose Burgos and D. Jacinto Zamora, curates of the Cathedral, D. Mariano Gomez, curate of Bacoor (Cavite), several other Filipino priests, D. Antonio Maria Regidor, lawyer and Regidor of the Ayuntamiento, D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Consejero de administracion, Pedro Carillo, Gervasio Sanchez and Jose Mauricio de Leon, lawyer Enrique Paraiso and Jose and PioBasa, employees, and Crisante Reyes, Maxime Paterno and several other Filipinos, were arrested. ‘The council of war, which from the beginning took charge of the causes in connection with the Cavite uprising, passed the sentence of death on forty-one of the rebels. On the 27* of January the Captain-General fixed his “cumplase” on the sentence. On the 6% of the following month, eleven more were sentenced to death, but the Governor General, by decree of the day following, commuted this sentence to lifeimprisonment. On the 8, the sentence of death was pronounced on Camerino and ten years imprisonment of eleven individuals of the famous "Guias de la Torre,” for the assassination of the Spaniards who, on the night of January 20%, were sent to Manila to carry news of the uprising. The same council on the 5“ of February, sentenced to die by strangulation the Filipino priests, D. Jose Burgos, D. Jacinto Zamora and D. Mariano Gomez, and Francisco Saldua; and Maximo Inocencio, Enrique Paraiso and Crisanto de los Reyes to ten years imprisonment. Early in the morning of the seventeenth of February, an immense multitude appeared on the field of Bagumbayan to witness the execution of the sentence. The attending force was composed of Filipino troops, and the batteries of the fort were aimed at the place of execution, ready to fire upon the least sign of uprising. Gomez was executed first, then Zamora, then Burgos, and lastly, Saldua. ‘On the 3" of April, 1872, the Audiencia suspended from the practice of law the following men: D. Jose Basa y Enriquez, D. Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, D. Antonio Ma. Regidor, D. Pedro Carillo, D. Gereasio Sanchez and D. Jose Mauricio de Leon. Izquierdo had requested the sending to Manila of Spanish troops for the defense of the fort as most of these found here were natives. In pursuance of Izquierdo’s request, the government, by decree of April 4, 1872, dissolved the native regiment of artillery and ordered the creation of an artillery force to be composed exclusively of Peninsulares. The latter arrived in Manila in July, 1872. On the occasion of the arrival of the troops, the Sto. Domingo Church celebrated a special mass at which high officials of the Government, the religious corporations, and the general public, attended, upon invitation by the Governor and Captain-General of the Philippines.” 70 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORYFILIPINOS’ VERSION OF THE CAVITE MUTINY OF 1872 This version was written by Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scientist, scholar and historical researcher. In his account, Cavite Mutiny was simply a mutiny by ‘the Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal who turned out to be dissatisfied with the eradication of their privileges. Tavera, in his account blamed Gov. General Inquierde’s harsh policies like the abolition of their privileges of exemption from paying ‘yearly tribute and rendering forced labor. This eventually resulted to a bloody incident ‘on the night of January 20, 1872 when some of the soldiers, laborers and residents assassinated the Commanding officer and some Spanish officials in sight. Dr. Pardo de ‘Tavera’s version is as follows: Source: Zeide, Sregoria and Sonia Zuide, (180), Decamantory Sources af Phitiseing History. Vel 3. Menile: Maticnal “The arrival of General Inquierdo (1871-1873) was the signal for a complete change in the ‘aspect of affairs. The new governor scon made it clear that his views were different from those of La Torre—that there would be no change in the established form of government—and he at ‘once announced that he intended to govern the people “with a crucifix in one hand and a sword ‘im the other.” His first official act was to prohibit the founding of a school of arts and trades, which was being organized by the efforts and funds raised by natives of standing in the community, but the founding of which did not tally with the views of the religious orders. Governor Izquierdo believed that the establishment of the new school was merely a pretext for the organization of a political club, and he not only did not allow it to be opened but made a public statement accusing the Filipinos who had charge of the t. All of those who had offered their support to ex- Governor La Tarre were classed as personas sespechosas (suspects), a term that since that time ‘has been used in the Philippine Islands to designate any person who refused to servilely obey the wishes and whims of the authorities. The conservative element in the islands now directed the governmental policy, and the educated Filipinos fell more and mare under the displeasure .and suspicion of the governor. ‘The peace of the colony was broken by a certain incident which, though unimportant in ‘itself, was probably the origin of the political agitation which, constantly growing for thirty ‘years, culminated in the averthrow of the Spanish sovereignty in the Philippine Islands. From time immemorial the workmen in the arsenal at Cavite and in the barracks of the artillery and engineer corps had been exempt from the payment of the tribute tax and from obligation to work certain days each year on public improvements. General Izquierdo believed the time ‘opportune for abolishing theses privileges and ordered that in the future all such workmen should pay tribute and labor on public improvements. This produced great dissatisfaction among the workmen affected and the men employed in the arsenal at Cavite went on a strike, but, yielding to pressure and threats made by the authorities, they subsequently returned to their labors. READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 7‘The workmen in the Cavite arsenal were all natives of that town and the neighboring town of San Roque. In a short while the dissatisfaction and discontent with the government spread all over that section and even the entire troops became disaffected. On the night of January 20, 1872, there was an uprising among the soldiers in the San Felipe fort, in Cavite, and the commanding officer and other Spanish officers in charge of the fort were assassinated. Forty marines attached to the arsenal and 22 artillerymen under Sergeant La Madrid took part in this uprising, and it was believed that the entire garrison in Cavite was disaffected and probably implicated. But if the few soldiers who precipitated the attack believed they would be supported by the bulk of the army and that a general rebellion against Spain would be declared in the islands, they were deceived. When the news of the uprising was received in Manila, General Izquierdo sent the commanding general to Cavite, who reinforced the native ‘troops, took possession of the fort, and put the rebels to the sword. Sergeant La Madrid has ‘been biinded and badly burned by the explosion of a sack of powder and, being unable te escape, ‘was also cut down. A few of the rebels were captured and taken to Manila and there was no further disturbance of the peace or insubordination of any kind. ‘This uprising among the soldiers in Cavite was used as a powerful lever by the Spanish residents and by the friars. During the time that Gen. La Torre was chief executive in the Philippine Islands the influential Filipinos did not hesitate to announce their hostility to the religious orders, and the Central Government in Madrid has announced its intention to deprive the friars in these islands of all powers of intervention in matters of civil government and of the directian and management of the management of the university. Maret, the colonial minister, had drawn up a scheme of reforms by which he proposed a radical change in the colonial system of government which was to harmonize with the principles for which the revolution in Spain had been fought. [twas due to these facts and promises that the Filipinos had great hopes of an improvement in the affairs of their country, while the friars, on the other hand, feared that their power in the colony would soon be completely a thing of the past. ‘The mutiny in Cavite gave the conservative element—that is, those who favored a ‘continuation of the colonial modus vivendi—opportunity torepresent tothe Spanish Government that a vast conspiracy was afoot and organized throughout the archipelaga with the abject of destroying the Spanish sovereignty. They stated that the Spanish government in Madrid was to blame for the propagation of pernicious doctrines and for the hopes that had been held out from Madrid to the Filipino people, and also because of the learnings of ex-Covernor La Tarre and of other public functionaries who had been sent to the Philippine islands by the Government that succeeded Queen Isabella. The fall of the new rulers in Spain within the few days, as well ‘as other occurrences, seemed to accentuate the claims made by the conservative element in the Philippine Islands regarding the peril which threatened Spanish sovereignty in the islands; it appeared as though the prophecies were about to be fulfilled. The Madrid authorities were not ableto combat public opinion in that country; no epportunity was given nor time taken to make @ thorough investigation of the real facts or extent of the alleged revolution; the conservative element in the Philippine Islands painted the lacal condition of affairs in somber tints: and the Madrid Government came to believe, or at least to suspect, that a scheme was being concocted 7” READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORYthroughout theislands to shake off Spanish sovereignty. Consistent with the precedents of their colonial rule, the repressive measures adopted to quell the supposed insurrection were strict and sudden. No attempt appears to have been made ta ascertain whether or not the inmocent suffered with the guilty, and the only end sought appeared to be to inspire terror in the minds of all by making examples of a certain number, so that none in the future should attempt, nor even dream of any attempt at secession. Many of the best known Filipinos were denounced to the military authorities, and they, the sons of Spaniards born in the islands and men of mixed blood (Spanish and Chinese), as well as the Indians of pure blood, as the Philippine Malays were called, were persecuted and punished without distinction by the military authorities. Those who dared to oppose themselves to the ahalf-blood Spaniard, Zamora, a half-blood Chinaman, and Gomez, a pure-blood Tagalog, who had vigorously opposed the friars in the litigation over the curacies in the various province. The three priests mentioned were condemned to death by a military court-martial; and Antonio M. Regidor, a lawyer and councilman of Manila, Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, lawyer and member of the administrative council, P. Mendoza, curate ef Santa Cruz, Guevarra, curate of Quiapo, the priests Mariano Sevilla, Feliciano Gomez, Ballesteros, Jose Basa, the lawyers Carillo, Basa, Enriquez, Crisanto Reyes, Maximo Paterno, and many others were sentenced to life ‘imprisonment on the Marianas Islands. The Gavernment thus secured its object of terrorizing the Filipino people, but the punishments meted out were not only unjust but were from every point of view unnecessary, az there had not been the remote intention on the part of anyone to averthrow the Spanish sovereignty. On the contrary, the attitude of Moret, Labra, Becerra, and other high officials in the Madrid Government had awakened in the breasts of the Filipines a lively friendship for the home government, and never had the ties which bound the colony to Spain been as clase as they were during the short interval between the arrival of General La Torre and the time when General Inquierdo, in the name of the home government was guilty of the atrocities mentioned above, of which innocent men were made victims. A careful study of the history and documents of that time brings to light the part which the religious orders played in that sad drama. One of the results of the so called revolution of Cavite was to strengthen the power of the friars in the Philippine Islands in such manner that the Madrid Government, which up to that time had contemplated reducing the power of the religious orders in these islands, was obliged not only to abandon its intention, but to place a yet greater measure of official influences at the service of the friars, and fram that time they ‘were considered as an important factor in the preservation of the Spanish sovereignty in the colony. This influence was felt throughout the islands, and not only were the friars taken into the confidence of the Government, but the Filipino people looked upon the religious orders as their real masters and as the representatives, powerfuland unsparing, of the Spanish Kingdom. But there were other results following upon the unfortunate policy adopted by Governor Izquierdo. Up to that time, there had been no intention of secession from ‘Spain, and the only aspiration of the people was to secure the material and educational advancement of the country. The Filipino people had never blamed the Spanish nation READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 73for the backward condition in which the islands existed, nor for the injustices committed in the islands by the Spanish officials; but on the contrary it was the custom to lay all the blame for these things on the individual officers guilty of maladministration, and no attempt had been made to investigate whether or not the evils under which the islands suffered were due to fundamental causes. The persecutions which began under ‘Governor Izquierdo were based on the false assumption that the Filipino people were desirous of independence, and although this was an unfounded accusation, there were many martyrs to the cause, among whom were found any of the most intelligent and well-to-do people, without distinction of color or race or nationality, who were sentenced to death, to imprisonment, or were expatriated because they were believed to aspire to the independence of these islands. The fear which he people felt of the friars and of the punishments meted out by the Government was exceeded only by the admiration which the Filipino people had for those whe did not hesitate to stand up for the rights of the country. In this manner, the persecutions to which the people were subjected served as stimulus and an educative force, and from that time the rebellion was nursed in secret and the passive resistance to the abuses of the official power became greater day by day. ‘No attempt was made to allay the ill-feeling which existed between the Filipinos and the Spaniards, especially the friars, caused by the mutiny in Cavite and the cruel manner in which the punishment was meted out. Many years would have been necessary to heal the wounds felt by the large number of families whose members were made the victims of the unjust sentences of the military courts-martial. Nothing was done by the Government to blot out the recollections of these actions; on the contrary, it appeared ta be its policy to continually bring up the memory of these occurrences as a reminder to the malcontents of what they had to expect; but the only thing accomplished was to increase the popular discontent. It was from that time that every disagreement between, the Spaniards and the Filipinos, however trivial, was given a racial or political character; every time a friar was insulted or injured in any way, it was claimed to be am act of hostility to the Spanish nation.” THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GOVERNOR IZQUIERDO ON THE CAVITE MUTINY OF 1872 Gov. General Rafael Izquierdo made a report to the Spanish Ministry of War on January 23, 1872. In his report he blamed the native clergy, scholars, and some residents of Manila and the neighboring provinces as the instigators of Cavite Mutiny. He ‘expressively describes Cavite Mutiny as an “insurrection”, “uprising” and a “revolution”. Below is the text of Gov. General Izquierdo’s report. Source: zaiae, Gregorio ana Sonia Zales. (1990). Gocumentary Sources of Phitipping Mistary. vou 3. sanita: Wationat 74 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY.“From the summary of information received—that is, from the declaration made before the Fiscal —it seems definite that the insurrection was motivated and prepared by the native clergy, by the mestizos and native lawyers, and by those known hereas abogadillos. Some are residents of manila, others from Cavite and some from the nearby provinces. ‘The instigators, to carry out their criminal project, protested against the injustice of the _government in not paying the province for their tobacco crop, and against the usury that some (officials) practice in (handling) documents that the Finance department gives crop owners who have to sell them at a loss. They encouraged the rebellion by protesting what they called the injustice of having obliged the workers in the Cavite arsenal to pay tribute starting January 1 (1872) and to render personal service, from which they were formally exempted. ‘To seduce the native troops, they resorted to superstitions with which the indios are so prone to believe; persuading them that the Chief of State (hari) would be an ecclesiastic and the rest or the clergy who backed the uprising would celebrate daily for its success. Thus the rebellion could not fail because God was with them; and those who would not revolt they would Kill immediately. Taking advantage of the ignorance of those classes and the propensity of the Indio to steal, they offered (to those who revolted) the wealth of the Spaniards and of the regular clergy, employment and ranks in the army; and to this effect they said that fifteen native battalions would be created, in which the soldiers who revolted would have jobs as officers and chiefs. The lawyers and abegadillos would direct the affairs of government, of the Jiministration and of justi Up to now it has not been clearly determined if they planned to establish a monarchy or a republic, because the Indios have no word in their language to describe this different form of government, whose head in Tagalog would be called hari: but it turns out that they would place at the head of the government a priest; and there were great probabilities—nay, a certainty — that the head selected would be D. Jose Burgos, or D. Jacinto Zamora, parish priests of S. Pedro of Manila. All the Spaniards, including the friars, would be executed except for the women; and their belongings confiscated. Foreigners would be respected. This uprising has roots, and with them were affiliated toa great extent the regiments of infantry and artillery, many civilians and a large number of mestizos, indios and some ilustrados from the provinces. ‘To start the revolution, they planned to set fire to the district of Tondo. Once the fire was set and while the authorities were busy putting it out, the regiment of artillery with the help of the part of the infantry would seize Fort Santiago of this capital (they would then) fire cannons to inform the rebels of Cavite (of their success). The rebels in Cavite counted on the artillery detachment that occupied the fort and on the navy helped by 500 natives led by the pardoned leader Camerino. This person and his men, located at the town of Bacoor and separated from the fort of San Felipe by a small arm of the sea, would cross the water and reach the fort where they would find arms and ammunition. History 73‘The rebels (in Cavite) made the signals agreed upon by means of lanterns, but the native civilians (in Bacoar) although they tried it, failed because of the vigilance of (Gpanish) navy that had placed there a gunboat and armed vessels. Loyalists who went to arrest the parish priest of Bacoor found an abandoned vessel ‘The uprising should have started in Manila at midnight abetted by those in Cavite, but the rebels of this city went ahead of time. The civil-military governor of Cavite and the commanders of regiment 7 took very timely precautions; they knew how to keep ‘the soldiers loyal (although these had been compromised) and behaved with valor and gallantry, obliging the rebels to take refuge in the fort of San Felipe. Such is your Excellency, the plan of the rebels, those who guided them, and the means they counted upon for its realization. For a long time now, through confidential information and others of the vaguer character, I have been told that since 1869—taking advantage of a group that had left behind plans for an uprising, but was not carried ‘out because of the earthquake of 1862—there existed in Manila a junta or center that sought and found followers; and that asa pretext they had established a society for the teaching of arts and trades. Months ago I suspended it indirectly, giving an account to ‘Your Excellency in my confidential report No. 113 dated August 1, (1871) to which Your ‘Excellency has not yet replied. It has also been said that this center or junta received inspiration from Madrid, where newspapers of advanced ideas flourish; to sustain them subscriptions are (locally) solicited; in effect, newspapers such as El Eco Filipino were sent here from Madrid which were distributed by persons now imprisoned, whose articles thundered against ‘everything that can be found here. As in the case of my worthy predecessor, I have continuously received anonymous letters, but because I was confident that I could put down and punish any uprising, I gave no credit (to these reports) in order not to cause alarm; and instead continued a vigilant watch wherever possible within the limited means at my command. I had everything, ready (for any untoward possibility), taking into account the limited peninsular force which composes the army. 76 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HLETORYLESSON 3 CRY OF BALINTAWAK OR PUGAD LAWIN __]} IT IS SURPRISING that there are different versions on the date: for first .r, or tne rev.tation as well as ts venue T-- 5 cont.oversy tj: to thic time remain. .nsuwed. 1 berieved that the so-vIled ‘ ‘ry took piace in Fannta+a., b-t others «oid szy that it realy hu | enedinvug:d La .n Nevertheless taere are di.ferent versions t. considerin ano..in, the real date and piace of the Cry These imd_de rio vaien.-elas Controvers ut Cay fr. ad win, inta, Alvrezs “Ine Cr, of Bahi, Toro” ‘s.egoria de es_s vers on of the sisst(C.," and {i Ilermo Musangkay's Tne Cry of Balint_wak” PIO VALENZUELA'S CONTROVERSIAL “CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN” (August 23,18. 6 This controversial version of the “Cry of Pugad Lawin" has been authorized by no other than Dr. Pio Valenzuela, who happened to be the eyewitness himself of the event. In his first version, he told that the prime staging ,oint of the Cry was in Balintawak on Wednesday of August 26, 1896. He held this account when the happenings or events are still vivid in his memory. ‘sn the other hand, later in his life and with a fading memory, ‘he wrote his Memoirs of the evolution without consulting the written documents of the Philizzine revolution and claimed that the “Cry” took place at Pugad .awin on August 43, 18:6. Below is his account on this topic: “The first place of refuge of Andres Bonifacio, ' milio -acinto, ProcopioBonifacio, ‘Teodoro Plata, Aguedodel Rosario, and myself was Balintawak, the first five arriving there on August 19 and I, on August 2v, 1896. The first place where some 00 members of the Katipunan met on August 22, 1796, was the house and yard of Apolonio Samson at Kangkong, Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those who were there ‘were BriccioPantas, Alejandro Santiago, tamon Bernardo, Apolonio Samson, and others. Here, views were only eachanged, and no resolution was debated or adopted. It was at Pugad Lawin, in the house, store house, and yard of Juan Ramos, son of MelchoraAuino, where over 1,00. members of the Katipunan met and carried out considerable debate and discussion on August 2, 1986. The discussion was on whether or not the revolution against the Spanish government should be started on August 29, 1986. Only one man protested and fought against a war, and that was Teodoro Plata [Bonifacio's brother in-law-Z]. Besides the persons named above, among those present at this meeting were REAbINGS IN PHILI INE HISTORY 73Enrique Cipriano, Alfonso Pacheco, Tomas Remigio, Sinforoso San Pedro, and others. After the tumultuous meeting, many of those present tore their cedula certificates and shouted “Long live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines!” THE “CRY OF BAHAY TORO” (August 24, 1896) This version of the “Cry” was written by Santiago Alvarez, a well-known Katipunero from Cavite and a son of Mariano Alvarez. Santiago is a relative of Gregoria de Jesus, who happened to be the wife of Andres Bonifacio. Unlike the author of the first version mentioned (Valenzuela), Santiago Alvarez is not an eyewitness of this event. Asa result, this version of him is not given of equal value as compared with the other versions for authors of other accounts are actually part of the historic event. Below is his account: Soures: 2nine, Gragaria one Sonia Zaise. (£530). Oeeumentery Ssurese af Philippine Wistar). vel. 5. Menilo: Watton! SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 1896 As early az 10 o'clock in the morning. at the barn of Kabesang Melchora [Melchora Aquino-Z.J, at a place called Sampalukan, barrio of Bahay Toro, Katipuneros met together. About 500 of these arrived, ready and eager te join the “Supremo” Andres Bonifacio and his men... MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1896 ‘There were about 1,000 Katipuneros .. .. The “Supremo” decided to hold a meeting inside the big barn. Under his leadership, the meeting began at 10 oitlock in the morning... Ie was 12 o'clock noon when the meeting adjourned amidst loud cries of “Long live the Sons of the Country” (Mabuhay ang mga anak ng Bayan)! GREGORIA DE JESUS’ VERSIONOF THE FIRST “CRY” (August 25, 1896) This version was written by no other than the “Lakambini of the Katipunan” and wife of Andres Bonfacio, Gregoria de Jesus. She has been a participant of this event and became the keeper of the secret documents of the Katipunan. After the Revolution in August 1896, she lived with her parents in Caloocan then fled to Manila when she was told that Spanish authorities wanted to arrest her. Eventually, she joined her husband in ‘the mountains and shared adversities with him. In her account, the First “Cry” happened near Caloocan on August 25, 1896. ‘Source: Zaiae, Gragaria ang sania zaiea. (1930). Documentary Sources of Peliignine wistory. vel. 3. adanite: watfonat “Theactivities ofthe Katipunan had reached nearly all corners of the Philippine Archipelago, so that when its existence was discovered and some of the members arrested, we immediately 20 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY.