PHILIPPINE HISTORYUNIT IIIA EARLY FILIPINO REVOLTSMore

PHILIPPINE HISTORY
UNIT III

A. EARLY FILIPINO REVOLTS
More than three hundred years of oppression, the early Filipinos attempted to regain several freedoms taken from them.
WHY FILIPINO REVOLTED AGAINST SPANISH AUTHORITIES?
Religious Oppression and Forced conversion to Christianity
Refusal to recognize/accept Spanish rule
Land Problems
Unjust or Oppressive Taxation
Forced Labor
Monopoly
I. Lakandula and Sulayman Revolt (1574)
In the same year that the Chinese pirate Limahong attacked Manila, Manila experienced another uprising; this was known as Lakandula and Sulayman revolt or Tagalog revolt. Tagalog revolt was an uprising in 1574 led by Rajah Lakandula and Rajah Sulayman in Manila against Spanish rule when they were persuaded by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to accept Spanish sovereignty on the promise that the natives would be well-treated by the Spaniards.

II. First Pampanga Revolt (1585)
Some leaders of Pampanga revolted against Spain because of the abuses made by the encomienderos. Part of the revolt was the plan to attack Intramuros and kill all officials there. However, the plot did not prosper. A wife of Spanish soldier who was a Filipina reported the plot to Spanish authorities. The leaders were arrested and then executed.

III. Conspiracy of the Maharlikas (1587-1588)
Otherwise known as Tondo Conspiracy of 1587-1588, was a plot made by “relatives of datus” in Manila against Spanish rule. Agustin de Legazpi, nephew of Lakandula, and his cousin Martin Pagan headed it. However, the uprising failed when certain native named Antonio Susabau of Calamianes informed Spanish authorities about the plot.

IV. Revolt against the Tribute (1589)
In the year 1589, revolt against tribute happened in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Cagayan. Unjust taxation was the primary cause why the natives, which included Ilocanos, Ibanags and others, revolted over the abuses made by tax collectors. To restore peace, Governor General Santiago De Vera sent Spanish soldiers. Later, the tax system was improved and those natives involved in the uprising were pardoned.

V. Magalat Revolt (1595)
A Filipino rebel from Cagayan named Magalat, spearheaded a rebellion in 1596. A case of inciting to rebellion was charged against him upon his arrest in Manila. He regained his freedom through the help of some Dominican priests and he was returned to his hometown. After his release, he urged the entire nation to revolt and later found they were successful, Spanish did not even notice that they were surrounded by natives. Pedro de Chavez and some Filipino colonial troops were sent by Governor General Francisco Tello de Guzman to fight the rebels. The troops the colonial government successfully defeated the rebels. Some leaders of Magalat were captured and executed. Magalat was killed by his own men in his headquarter.

VI. Igorot Revolt (1601)
In the attempt to convert Igorots to Christianity, Governor General Francisco Tello de Guzman sent an expedition headed by Father Esteban Marin, the curate of Ilocos. However, the Igorots killed Father Marin causing the Governor General to send combined Spanish and Filipino troops led by Captain Aranda. Allegedly, the combined troops employed violence to the natives and even burned the entire village as a revenge for the loss of the friar. Captain Aranda ordered for the execution of Igorot leaders to ensure that no more revolt would follow in the Cordillera region.

VII. Tamblot Revolt (1621-1622)
In 1621, a religious uprising occurred in Bohol led by Tamblot. When the Jesuits came to Bohol in 1596 and converted the natives to Catholic, and eventually governed the island, Tamblot, a babaylan or native priest, urged Boholanos to abandon Catholic faith and return to the old native religion of their forefathers. The uprising ended on new year’s eve of 1622.

VIII. Bancao Revolt (1621-1622)
Another religious uprising occurred in the province of Leyte spearheaded by the datu of Carigara named Bancao. At first, he warmly welcomed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, upon his arrival in the Philippines in 1565 and had even allowed himself to be baptized as Catholic. After several years, he returned to his native religion abandoned the Catholic faith. He built temple for a diwata or local goddess with the help of pagali, a babaylan and urged six towns to rise up in revolt. Pagali employed magic to attract followers, and even told the natives that they could turn the Spaniards into clay by hurling bits of earth at them. The rebellion was suppressed by the combined Spanish and Filipino troops sent by Governor General Alonso Fajardo de Entenza. Bancao was beheaded and impaled on a bamboo stake and shown to the public as a reminder not to revolt against the Spaniards. One of his sons was also beheaded, while other followers were executed by firing squad.

IX. Itneg Revolt (1625-1627)
The Itneg revolt, also known as the Mandaya Revolt was a religious uprising led by Miguel Lanab and Albaban. The two were from the tribe of Itneg or Mandaya of Capitanan in Cagayan, now part of the province of Apayao. Revolt started when two Dominican missionaries named Father Alonzo Garcia and Onofe Palao, who were sent by the governor general to convert the natives to Christianity were beheaded. Father Garcia’s body was cut into pieces and fed his flesh to herd of pigs. Lanab and Alababan ordered their followers to steal and destroy Christian images, burned churches and joined them to the mountains. In 1626, combined Spanish and Filipino troops were sent by Governor General Anjanette de Silva to end the rebellion. The combined troops starved the natives by destroying their farms and other sources of food, finally in 1627, the natives surrendered.

X. Ladia Revolt
A certain descendant of Lakandula named Ladia, a Bornean, who went to Malolos in 1643, spearheaded a rebellion due to oppression made to the natives. He thought that it was about time to end the suffering of the natives, despite the efforts of the parish priest to discourage his plans. Upon his capture, he was brought to Manila and executed.

XI. Sumuroy Revolt (1649-1650)
Juan Ponce Sumuroy, a Waray, and some of his followers took their arms on June 1, 1649 against forced labor being undertaken in Samar. This was known as Sumuroy revolt, named after Juan Ponce Sumuroy.The uprising was due to to the orders fo different town alcaldes, or mayors to send Samarnons to the shipyards of Cavite to do their polo although the government of Manila directed that all natives subject to polo were not to be sent to places far from their hometowns. The priest of Palapag, Northern Samar was killed and eventually the uprising reached Zamboanga, Surigao, Albay, Camarines, Cebu, Masbate and Camiguin. In the mountains of Samar, a government was established. But in June 1650, Sumuroy was captured and executed that led to the end of the revolt.

XII. Maniago Revolt (1660)
The Maniago revolt took place in Pampanga during the 1660s. It was a revolt against the Spanish colonial period and was named after its leader, Francisco Maniago. During that time, Pampanga paid more attention on the religious group because of its wealth. They also bore the burden of higher taxes, forced labor, and monopoly of rice. They were forced to work for eight months; they were not paid on both rice purchase and forced labor. These practices led to their decision to rise in arms. The uprising started when they set fire on their camp. The Kapampangans were successful in their battle, since Spaniards were busy fighting the Dutch that time. However, Maniago’s revolt was not fully successful. He was tricked by the Spaniards to leave for Manila because he will be given a post as master of camp in Pampango but he was shot in Mexico, Pampanga.

XIII. Malong Revolt (1660-1661)
Andres Malong, a self-proclaimed king of Pangasinan and follower of Francisco Maniago, rose in arms together with some natives of Pangasinan against Spanish colonial government. However, his reign as a king was short-lived, his followers left him, making it easy for the Spaniards to capture him and afterwards executed him. But the revolt of Pangasinan did not end with Malong. Juan Dela Cruz Palaris, a native f Binalatongan renewed the call to end Spanish rule. Natives demanded for the removal of alcalde-mayor and after reviewing the demand, Spanish authoritites removed the alcalde-mayor. The natives continued their resistance but in March 1764, Spanish forces finally defeated them.

XIV. Almazan Revolt (1661)
Almazan revolt named after the leader Don Pedro Almazan, a rich leader from Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Almazan received a letter from Andres Malong informing him about the successive losses that the natives in Pangasinan suffered against the Spanish forces and calling them to also revolt. Later, he also proclaimed himself king of Ilocos. With limited support from the natives of Ilocos, he was captured and executed.

XV. Panay Revolt (1663)
Another uprising of religious nature occurred in 1663. Tapar, a native of Panay established a religious cult in the town of Oton. Sharing stories about his conversations with a demon was how he attracted his followers. Tapar and his followers were killed in a bloody encounter against Spanish and Filipino troops. Their corpses were impaled in stakes.

XVI. Agrarian Revolt (1745-1746)
In the years 1745-1746, agrarian revolt occurred in the province of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite and Bulacan. The revolt believed to have ignited in Lian and Nasugbu in Batangas. It started when Spanish friars took the land of Filipino landowners. The landowners demanded for the return of their lands on the basis of ancestral domain. The refusal of the Spanish firars caused massive looting of convents, burning of churches and ranches. The case caught the attention of Spanish officials and even reached the court of King Philip IV. The case was resolved when the friars were ordered to return the lands they seized from the natives.

XVII. Dagohoy’s Revolt (1744-1829)
The longest revolt in the history of the Philippines was headed by Francisco Dagohoy. Although classified as religious in origin, it was unique since the cause of the revolt was related to religious customs. The refusal of the parish priest to give dagohoy’s brother a Christian burial was the cause of the revolt. The priest defended his stand that dueling was a mortal sin. The refusal eventually led to the longest revolt reaching 85 years. It gave way for the establishment of government in Bohol. Twenty governor-generals attempted to suppress the rebellion, from Juan Arrechedera to Mariano Ricafort Ararca but they failed. Dagohoy died two years before the revolt ended, which led to the natural death of the revolt in 1829. About 20,000 survivors were granted pardon and were allowed to live new life in different municipalities in Bohol.

XVIII. Palaris Revolt (1762-1765)
During Spanish-Britain War in 1762 and the British invasion of the Philippines was in progress, Juan Dela Cruz Palaris also known as Pantaleon Perez revolted against excessive taxation. The revolt lasted for two years, spreading over Pangasinan and nearby provinces. Palaris revolt ended after Manuel de Azar with some Spanish troops and Ilocanos captured and executed Palaris in 1764. He was executed in public to warn the natives not to plot rebellion against Spain.

XIX. Silang Revolt (1762-1763)
The leaders of the revolt were Diego and Gabriela Silang. The revolt took place during the invasion of Britain in Manila. The revolt took place on December 14, 1762 when Diego Silang proclaimed the independence of Ilocandia and chose Vigan as the capital of the newly created independent state. When Britain learned about the revolt, she even asked the support of Silang in fighting Spain. However, on March 28, 1763, Miguel Vicos, a friend of Silang assassinated him. Allegedly, Spanish authorities paid for his murder, leading to his death in arms of his wife, Gabriela. Gabriela assumed her husband’s struggle, earning the title “Joan of Arc of locos” because of her many victories in battle. However, on September 10, 1763, Spanish authorities in Vigan executed Gabriela Silang.

XX. Cagayan Revolt (1763)
Palaris and Silang’s revolt ignited the desire of the people of Cagayan to rise in arms against Spain. On February 2, 1763, the natives of Ilagan declared their independence and their refusal to pay their taxes to Spanish authorities. The uprising reached Cabagan and Tuguegarao. A certain chieftain named Dabo and Juan Marayac ordered their troops to attack the Spaniards including the friars. However, the uprising did not last long. Don Manuel de Arza, assisted by combined Filipino and Spanish forces captured and executed them.

XXI. Ambaristo Revolt (1807)
Ambaristo revolt, also known as Basi Revolt was led by Pedro Mateo. The revolt was unusual because it was caused by love for basi or sugarcane wine. The problem started when the Spanish colonial government prohibited private enterprise of manufacturing and selling of basi in 1786. Ilocanos were forced to buy from stores owned by the government. However, wine-loving Ilocanos in Piddig, Ilocos Norte revolted on September 16, 1807. Spanish authorities finally defeated the natives on September 28, 1807.

XXII. Hermano Pule Revolt (1840-1841)
Apolinario Dela Cruz. Otherwise known as Hermano Pule spearheaded a religious uprising between June 1840 and November 1841. Dela Cruz established his own religious order called Confradia de San Jose in Lucban, Quezon. The Spanish government prohibited the establishment of new religious order, especially due to its deviation from original Catholic rituals and teachings, such as prayers and rituals suited for Filipinos. However, the Spanish authorities successfully suppressed the rebellion when on Novenmber 4, 1841; Apolinario Dela Cruz was captured and consequently executed.

WHY EARLY FILIPINO REVOLTS FAILED?

Lack of Unity among Filipinos
Effective Colonial Strategy

POINTS TO PONDER: Take Me. Read Me. Analyze Me. Answer Me.

1. The early Filipino revolt was marked my tragedy, such as:
Lack of Manpower
Disunity
Betrayal
Ambition
Why do you think so?

2. The Spanish Authorities in the country can easily be outnumbered by Filipinos. But why last 333 years of oppression?

3. Slavery is one form of invention that brought man to achieved great things. Explain

4. Our revolution is an exercise of right in futility. Why?

5. What do you prefer, bloody or peaceful revolution? Why?

6. What is freedom? When do you say “I am Free”?

7. Divide and Conquer: A Military Trick

8. Independence is a mesh of Unity. Explain

9. Revolution- The Filipino Style. Tell us your own way of revolution in family, in school and as member of society.

10. What one thing that scares you?

NOTE: Only those who work hard to help themselves shall be given mercy. Remember, salvation cannot be gained, it comes as a gift.