Filipino Nationalism Roots

Overview

This lecture traces the roots of Filipino nationalism, focusing on the series of revolts against Spanish colonialism, the struggle for secularization of parishes, and the martyrdom of Gomburza (Gomez, Burgos, Zamora) in 1872, which ignited collective action leading to the Philippine Revolution.

Early Filipino Revolts

• Before 1872, there were several revolts against Spanish colonialism, such as those led by Gabriela Silang, the Palaris Revolt, and the Tamblot Revolt. These uprisings were frequent but disunited, which contributed to their defeat by the colonizers.
• Many early revolts had religious motivations and were connected to babaylans (native spiritual leaders). Notable examples include:
  • Bancao in Leyte (1621)
  • Sumuroy in Samar (1649)
  • Tapar in Panay (1663)
• Hermano Pule (Apolinario de la Cruz) continued this tradition. His religious group, Cofradia de San Jose, was crushed by the Spanish colonial government in Tayabas in 1841. Hermano Pule was executed—beheaded and dismembered.
• In January 1843, the Tayabas regiment revolted in response to Hermano Pule’s execution, attacking Fort Santiago and shouting for independence, but the revolt failed.

Secularization and Church Politics

• The movement for secularization called for Filipino (secular) priests to lead parishes instead of Spanish regular (order-bound) friars.
• Fr. Pedro Pelaez was a key leader of secularization, mentoring priests like Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
• Racial discrimination by Spaniards kept Filipino priests from parish leadership, fueling calls for reform. The issue of “purity of blood” (racial purity) was used to justify discrimination.
• The expulsion of the Jesuits in 1768 and their return in 1859 led to a reshuffling of parish assignments, intensifying the secularization dispute. When Jesuits returned, they reclaimed parishes from the Recollects, who in turn took parishes from secular priests.
• The Council of Trent had originally assigned missionary work to regulars and parish leadership to seculars, but this was not followed in the Philippines due to a lack of Spanish secular priests.

Spanish Colonial Policies and Social Tensions

• The Galleon Trade (1565–1815), started by Legazpi, connected the Philippines to Mexico. It ended when Mexico became independent in 1815.
• The Philippines was opened to world trade in 1834, allowing foreign traders to enter.
• The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, along with the advent of steamships, accelerated the entry of liberal European ideas (from thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and John Locke) into the Philippines.
• Friars held significant power—spiritual, economic, and political—owning haciendas and often abusing their authority. They stayed in towns for decades, unlike civil officials who served only a few years.
• Social unrest grew due to land grabbing, forced labor (polo y servicios), and oppressive systems like the encomienda and hacienda. Banditry increased, especially in Cavite, where many were displaced by friar land grabbing. Cavite was called "La Madre de los Ladrones" (Mother of Thieves).
• In 1745, there was an uprising in Silang, Cavite, due to land disputes. Such unrest continued into the 19th century.

Gomburza: Lives and Martyrdom

• Mariano Gomes (born 1799, Sta. Cruz, Manila) served as parish priest of Bacoor, Cavite, from 1824 for 48 years. He was known for community work, economic development, and mediating agrarian disputes.
• Jacinto Zamora (from Pandacan, Manila) served in several parishes, including Marikina, Batangas, Pasig, and alternated with Burgos in Manila. He was in his mid-30s at the time of his death.
• Jose Burgos (born in Vigan, Ilocos, of Spanish descent) was a brilliant scholar with seven degrees, two doctorates, and taught at the University of Santo Tomas. He was a known liberal and close to Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre.
• All three were highly educated and advocated for reforms and secularization. They were part of the "Committee of Reformers," which included priests, businessmen, lawyers, and journalists, and had followers among UST students.
• The Cavite Mutiny broke out on January 20, 1872, at the Spanish arsenal in Fort San Felipe, Cavite City. Filipino soldiers, led by Sgt. La Madrid, revolted after losing privileges. The mutiny was quickly suppressed.
• The Spanish government blamed the mutiny on the three priests, despite weak evidence. Key witness Francisco Zaldua implicated Burgos, allegedly to save himself, but was also executed.
• The three priests were arrested, tried in a swift military trial (no trial documents have survived), and executed by garrote on February 17, 1872, in Bagumbayan (now Luneta). Zaldua was executed first, followed by Gomes (who faced death calmly), Zamora (who was reportedly stunned and lost his mind), and Burgos (who cried, protesting his innocence).

Aftermath and Legacy

• The execution of Gomburza shocked and traumatized Filipinos, including the Archbishop of Manila, Meliton Martinez, who insisted they be executed in their religious garb and tolled the bells in their honor.
• Their martyrdom inspired Jose Rizal (who dedicated El Filibusterismo to them), the Propaganda Movement (including Paciano Rizal, Maximo Paterno, Felipe Buencamino, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista), and later, the Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution.
• Before 1872, Filipinos identified by region (e.g., Bicolano, Ilocano, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Bisaya). After Gomburza, a sense of national consciousness emerged.
• The cry for justice for Gomburza became a rallying point for nationalists and revolutionaries. The portmanteau "Gomburza" was used as a password in the Katipunan, and Emilio Jacinto wrote an essay in their honor.
• Historian Teodoro Agoncillo argued that 1872 marked the beginning of Philippine nationalism, as Filipinos began to see themselves as a nation.
• The memory of Gomburza continued to inspire the Propaganda Movement, La Liga Filipina, and the Katipunan, leading to the declaration of independence in 1898.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Secularization — The movement for Filipino diocesan priests to control parishes instead of friars from religious orders.
• Regular priests/friars — Priests belonging to religious orders (e.g., Dominicans, Augustinians, Recollects, Franciscans) bound by vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience.
• Secular priests — Diocesan priests under a bishop, typically local Filipinos, mestizos, or insulares.
• Gomburza — Acronym for Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, three Filipino priests executed for alleged involvement in the Cavite Mutiny.
• Cavite Mutiny — The 1872 uprising by arsenal workers in Cavite against Spanish authorities, which led to the execution of Gomburza.
• Frailocracy — The dominance of friars in Philippine politics, economy, and society.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the main causes and effects of the Cavite Mutiny and the execution of Gomburza.
• Study the connections between early revolts, the secularization movement, and the rise of Philippine nationalism.
• Examine the roles of key individuals (Gomes, Burgos, Zamora, Pelaez) in the nationalist awakening.