FILIPINO REVOLT

1. CAUSES OF FILIPINO REVOLT Filipino revolts against the Spanish colonizers were mostly triggered by the forced labor imposed by the Spaniards, and the abuses done by Spanish officials and friars. 2. SOME OF MANY REVOLTS IN THE PHILIPPINES A. Tamblot Uprising (1621) The Tamblot Uprising was a revolt in Bohol led by Tamblot in 1621. Being the more religious revolt of Bohol, Tamblot, a babaylan or native priest, urged Boholanos to return to the old native religion of their forefathers after the arrival of the Jesuits in 1596, and the eventual conversion of the Boholanos to the Catholic faith. The revolt, which was undertaken at a time when the Jesuit fathers who administered the island were in Cebu celebrating the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, was crushed on New Year's Day, 1622. After the revolt, the Spaniards strengthened their hold over Bohol B. Sumuroy Revolt (1649-50) In what is today the town of Palapag in Northern Samar, Juan Ponce Sumuroy, a Waray, and some of his followers rose in arms on June 1, 1649 over the polo system being undertaken in Samar. This is known as the Sumuroy Revolt, named after Juan Ponce Sumuroy. The government in Manila directed that all natives subject to the polo are not to be sent to places distant from their hometowns to do their polo. However, under orders of the various town alcaldes, or mayors, Samarnons were being sent to the shipyards of Cavite to do their polo, which sparked the revolt. The local

parish priest of Palapag was murdered and the revolt eventually spread to Mindanao, Bicol and the rest of the Visayas, especially in places such as Cebu, Masbate, Camiguin, Zamboanga, Albay, Camarines and parts of northern Mindanao, such as Surigao. A free government was also established in the mountains of Samar. The defeat, capture and execution of Sumuroy in June 1650 led to the end of the revolt. C. Dagohoy Rebellion (1744-1829) In 1744 in what is now the province of Bohol, what is known today as the Dagohoy Revolt was undertaken by Francisco Dagohoy and some of his followers. This revolt is unique since it is the only Philippine revolt completely related to matters of religious customs, although unlike the Tamblot Uprising before it, it is not a complete religious rebellion. After a duel in which Dagohoy's brother died, the local parish priest refused to give his brother a proper Christian burial, since dueling is a mortal sin. The refusal of the priest to give his brother a proper Christian burial eventually led to the longest revolt ever held in Philippine history: 85 years. It also led to the establishment of a free Boholano government. Twenty governors-general, from Juan Arrechederra to Mariano Ricafort Palacn y Ararca, failed to stop the revolt. Ricafort himself sent a force of 2,200 troops to Bohol, which was defeated by Dagohoy's followers. Another attack, also sent by Ricafort in 1828 and 1829, failed as well. Dagohoy died two years before the revolt ended, though, which led to the end of the revolt in 1829. Some 19,000 survivors were granted pardon and were eventually allowed to live in new Boholano villages: namely, the present-day towns of Balilihan, Batuan, Bilar (Vilar), Catigbian and Sevilla (Cabulao). D. Basi Revolt (1807) The Basi Revolt, also known as the Ambaristo Revolt, was a revolt undertaken from September 16-28, 1807. It was led by Pedro Ambaristo with its events occurring in the present-day town of Piddig in Ilocos Norte. This revolt is unique as it revolves around the Ilocanos' love for basi, or sugarcane wine. In 1786, the Spanish colonial government expropriated the manufacture and sale of basi, effectively banning private manufacture of the wine, which was done before expropriation. Ilocanos were forced to buy from government stores. However, wine-loving Ilocanos in Piddig rose in revolt on September 16, 1807,

with the revolt spreading to nearby towns and with fighting lasting for weeks. Spanish troops eventually quelled the revolt on September 28, 1807, albeit with much force and loss of life on the losing side. E. Silang Revolt (1762-63) Arguably one of the most famous revolts in Philippine history is the Silang Revolt from 1762 to 1763, led by the couple of Diego and Gabriela Silang. Unlike the other revolts, this revolt took place during the British invasion of Manila. On December 14, 1762, Diego Silang declared the independence of Ilocandia, naming the state "Free Ilocos" and proclaimed Vigan the capital of this newlyindependent state. The British heard about this revolt in Manila and even asked the help of Silang in fighting the Spanish. However, Silang was killed on May 28, 1763 by Miguel Vicos, a friend of Silang. The Spanish authorities paid for his murder, leading to his death in the arms of his wife, Gabriela. She continued her husband's struggle, earning the title "Joan of Arc of the Ilocos" because of her many victories in battle. The battles of the Silang revolt are a prime example of the use of divide et impera, since Spanish troops largely used Kampampangan soldiers to fight the Ilocanos. Eventually, the revolt ended with the defeat of the Ilocanos. Gabriela Silang was executed by Spanish authorities in Vigan on September 10, 1763. F. Lakandula Revolt (1574) Also known as the Manila Revolt or the Sulayman Revolt happened in 1574. It was a rebellion against the Spanish rule led by Rajah Lakandula and Rajah Soliman in Tondo, Manila. In 1571, Rajah Lakandula, the native Muslim ruler of Tondo, made a pact with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi to submit his land to him and to hand over his throne which led to Manila being the capital of the Spanish colony. When a Chinese pirate named Limahong planned to conquer Manila, Lakandula helped resist the attack. When Lopez de Legaspi died in 1572, Governor-General Guido de Lavezaris took his place but did not honor the agreements done between Lakandula and his predecessor and even tolerated Spanish abuses. The Spanish took over their lands and encomienderos oppressed Filipinos. Because of this, Lakandula together with Rajah Sulayman led a revolt against the Spanish in the villages of

Navotas. The revolt did not succeed and Governor-General Lavezaris, with the help of Spanish and Filipino colonial troops, was able to stop the rebellion and restore order in Manila. G. Tondo Conspiracy (1587-1588) The Tondo Conspiracy of 1587-1588 was a plot against Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines by the datus of Manila and some towns of Bulacan and Pampanga. It was led by Agustin de Legazpi, nephew of Lakandula, and his cousin Martin Pangan. The uprising failed when a Cuyo native betrayed the datus to the Spanish authorities. Many datus resented Spanish rule and were keen to regain the freedom and authority they enjoyed before the foreigners arrived. The leader behind the plot was Agustin de Legazpi; nephew of Lakandula and son-in-law of the sultan of Brunei; and his first cousin was Martin Pangan, who was then the gobernadorcillo of Tondo. On the way to meet with the sultan of Brunei, Magat Salamat and his deputies stopped at Cuyo, Calamianes to convince its chief Sumaclob to join the plot. The chief agreed to support the conspiracy and pledged to contribute 2,000 of his men for the cause. Magat Salamat solicited the participation of another Cuyo native, Antonio Surabao (Susabao). When he learned of the plot, Surabao immediately revealed it to Captain Pedro Sarmiento, the Spanish encomiendero of Calamianes. Salamat, Banal and Manuguit were apprehended, and Sarmiento hastily traveled to Manila on 26 October 1588 and informed Governor-General Santiago de Vera of a brewing conspiracy against the Spanish. The governor-general immediately ordered the arrest of all persons involved in the plot. All were investigated, tried, and suffered cruel punishment including execution. H. Magalat Revolt (1596) The Magalat Revolt happened in the Philippines in 1596. It was a rebellion against the Spanish and was led by Magalat a Filipino rebel from Cagayan. He was arrested in Manila for initiating rebellion against the Spanish but was released because of the pressing demand of some Dominican priests. He then returned to Cagayan and together with his brother, he provoked the whole country to rebel against the Spanish. He was believed to have committed crimes upon his fellow natives for refusing to defend them against the Spaniards. He soon gained control over the countryside and the Spanish eventually laid siege to Malagat and his fellows.

The Spanish Governor-General Francisco de Tello de Guzman sent Spanish and Filipino to fight against the rebels and succeeded. They captured and murdered several leaders under Magalat. Magalat was also assassinated by his own men in his headquarters because of a promise of reward from the Spaniards. I. Igorot Revolt The Igorot Revolt of 1601 was an opposition to the effort of the Spanish to Christianize the Igorots of Cordillera in Northern Luzon. Historical accounts date the revolt to the year 1601, at the very time where the Spanish were slowly but surely taking over the archipelago by means of propagating Catholicism and making the native submit to the Spanish monarch. But unlike other revolts that have been made famous, the Igorot revolt is purely spiritual or religious in nature, with the origin of the revolt being a staunch opposition of the Igorot chieftain to leave their pagan gods, as is the religious tradition of Filipino inhabitants in pre-Spanish colonial period. It was at the order of then Governor-General Francisco de Tello de Guzman that had Spaniards bound for the Cordillera region for religious conversion purposes. This comprised of the partnership of Captain Mateo de Aranda of the Spanish troops, with the aid of Fr. Esteban Marin. Marin, the curate of Ilocos at that time, tried to initially convince the Igorots to ally peacefully with de Aranda. Marin allegedly even tried to create his own dictionary in Igorot dialect to advance this cause. Unmoved and enraged at the invasion, the Igorots assaulted Fr. Esteban Marin. Captain Mateo de Aranda, upon Marins death, used brute force and had the Igorot villages burned in his rage for the loss of his companion. The revolt was short-lived as Aranda made use of extreme measures and executed them quickly to dispel the revolt in the Cordillera region. The Igorots were one of the few ethnic groups who remained staunch in their religious beliefs and refused to trade it off for any foreign concept or idea. At present, they continue to preserve much of their pre-Spanish heritage, in keeping with the fiercely loyal spirit under which the Igorot revolt was made. J. Malong Revolt (1660-1661) Cause: Spanish oppression and the desire to replace Spaniards as personal rulers of the people

Spurred by the Pampangueo rebellion, the natives of Pangasinan also rose in arms against the Spanish government in Lingayen on December 15, 1660. Several Spaniards were killed including an alcalde mayor. Inspired by the growing number of their followers and their early successes, Maling proclaimed himself king and directed his military leaders to place the province under rebel control with his dfenses at the capital town of Binalotongan. He appointed Pedro Gumapos as count, Francsico Pacadua as judge, and Jacinto Macasiagm and Melchor de Vera as army generals. Letters were sent to the people of Ilocos, Zambales, Pampanga and Cagayan, inviting them to rise against the Spaniards. The Pampangueos under Maniago did not joint because they had already made their space with the Spaniards. To extend his sovereignty, Malong sent 6,000 men to Pampanga and 3,000 men to Ilocos and Cagayan, leaving 2,000 men with him in Pangasinan. But his depleted his forces. The government troops led by Don Felipe de Ugalde and Don Francisco Esteban outmaneuvered his army in Pangasinan. He was pursued into the mountains and was caught alive. He was executed together with Vera, Pacadua and Macasiag in 1661 in Binalatongan. 3. WHEN IS A REVOLUTION JUSTIFIABLE? In my own opinion, revolution will be justifiable if there are acceptable reasons why they need to have a revolt, acceptable in them and also to others. But in some instances having a revolt is not always acceptable to others. We all have different perceptions on forming a group (rebel), and whatever are the reasons, its reasonable for me to have revolt if its about the goodness of this country. 4. WHY DID FILIPINO REVOLTS FAIL? Filipinos were like puppets to their colonists. The Spaniards, for example, forced Christianity and traditions upon them, to the extent that they brutally punished those that didn't do certain practices like joining in processions. The Japanese made slaves out of them. Ever heard of the Death March? It was that terrible. These Colonists had them believe that they were an inferior race. That it was pointless to fight back. Thus, when revolts broke out, it lacked manpower and sufficient weaponry. It was usually after adored heroes got shot (i.e. Rizal, Ninoy) that people were one in their cause and driven to really revolt.

5. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ANY REVOLUTION HAMPERS THE ECONOMY OF ONES COUNTRY? WHY? Of course yes, any revolution that happens in every country has its effects not only in the economy or wealth but also to the Government or administration now days. Each revolutions has a purposes or reasons why does it happened, and whatever the outcome of any revolts can affect the whole Country.