COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cagamutan Norte, Leganes, Iloilo - 5003

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Email Address : svcst_leganes@yahoo.com

COO – FORM 12

SUBJECT TITLE: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

INSTRUCTOR: MA. IVY B. QUINDIPAN, LPT
SUBJECT CODE: HIST1

MIDTERM MODULE

TOPIC 1: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL UPRISING AGAINTS THE SPANISH RULE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this topic, the students are expected to:
1. Identify and understand the causes of Filipino Uprising during Spanish period;
2. Explore with understanding the different internal and external uprising during
Spanish period;
3. Enumerate and understand the reasons for the failure of internal uprising;
4. Show appreciation by attending and participating the live discussion.

NOTES:

During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, 1521–1898, there were
several revolts against the Spanish colonial government by indigenous Moro, Lumad,
Indians, Chinese (Sangleys), and Insulares (Filipinos of full or near full Spanish descent),
often with the goal of re-establishing the rights and powers that had traditionally belonged
to Lumad Timueys, Maginoo Rajah, and Moro Datus. Some revolts stemmed from land
problems and this was largely the cause of the insurrections that transpired in the
agricultural provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna. Natives also rebelled over
unjust taxation and forced labor.

Most of these revolts failed because the majority of the local population sided up with
the well-armed colonial government, and to fight with Spanish as foot soldiers to put down
the revolts.

In Mindanao and Sulu, a continuous fight for sovereignty was sustained by the Moro
people and their allies for the whole duration of Spanish conquest and rule.

1.1. Causes of Filipino Uprising

The Filipinos love freedom. They do not like cruel foreigners telling them what to do
or oppressing them. Now, the Spaniards did not really take good care of the Filipinos under
Spanish rule. So, the Filipinos often rebelled against the Spanish government.

CAUSES OF REVOLTS
 Our love for freedom and independence
 Abuses of Spanish encomenderos
 Tribute (residence tax)
 Forced labor (polo)
 Land grabbing by the friars
 Basi (wine) monopoly
 Religion

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1.2. The Early Uprising

16th century
Dagami Revolt (1565–1567)
 The Dagami Revolt was a revolt led by the Dagami family who came from the island
of Leyte in 1567.
 This involved a group of 16 led by Dagami, who was the chieftain of Gabi (part of the
present-day town of Palo).
 The insurrection was short-lived and mainly involved the assassinations of Spanish
soldiers. The first incident took place on May 23, 1565 in Cebu where the group
ambushed Pedro de Arana, who was an aide to Miguel López de Legazpi, the Spanish
Governor of the Philippines.
 Dagami led a series of attacks, which baffled authorities for a time. By December
1566, Legazpi finally summoned the local datus and forced them to identify who the
culprits were after two more Spaniards died of poisoning. Dagami was captured rigil.

Lakandula and Sulayman Revolt (1574)

 The Lakandula and Sulayman Revolt, also known as the Tagalog Revolt, was an
uprising in 1574 by Lakandula and Rajah Sulayman in Tondo, Manila. The revolt
occurred in the same year as the Chinese pirate Limahong attacked the palisaded yet
poorly defended enclosure of Intramuros.
 Sulayman and Lakandula revolted because Miguel Lopez de Legazpi reneged on his
side of the deal. In exchange for accepting Spanish sovereignty, Legazpi promised
that Soliman and Lakandula (and their subjects) would retain some of their local
authority, be exempted from paying tribute, and be treated fairly. Legazpi did not
fulfill his promises.
 When Guido de Lavezaris replaced Legaspi as Governor General of the Philippines, he
revoked their exemptions from paying tribute and confiscated their lands. Father
Martin convinced Lakandula and Sulayman to abort the revolt and promised to grant
their privileges. Soliman refused and continued his revolt. Soliman's revolt was
finally and brutally crushed in 1574.

Pampanga Revolt (1585)

 The Pampanga Revolt was an uprising in 1585 by some native Kapampangan leaders
who resented the Spanish landowners, or encomenderos, who had deprived them of
their historical land inheritances as tribal chiefs or Datus.
 The revolt included a plot to storm Intramuros, but the conspiracy was foiled before
it could begin after a Filipino woman married to a Spanish soldier reported the plot to
the Spanish authorities.
 Spanish and Filipino colonial troops were sent by Governor-General Santiago de
Vera, and the leaders of the revolt were arrested and summarily executed by
Christian Cruz-Herrera.

Conspiracy of the Maharlikas (1587–1588)

 The Conspiracy of the Maharlikas, or the Tondo Conspiracy, of 1587–1588, was a
plot by the kin-related noblemen, or datus, of Manila and some towns of Bulacan and
Pampanga.
 It was led by Agustin de Legazpi, nephew of Lakandula, and his first cousin, Martin
Pangan. The datus swore to revolt.
 The uprising failed when they were denounced to the Spanish authorities by Antonio
Surabao (Susabau) of Calamianes, in Palawan.

Revolts against the Tribute (1589)

 The Cagayan and Dingras Revolts against the Tribute occurred on Luzon in the
present-day provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte in 1589.
 Ilocanos, Ibanags, and other Filipinos revolted against alleged abuses by the tax
collectors, including the collection of high taxes.

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  It began when six tax collectors who had arrived from Vigan were killed by the
natives. Governor-General Santiago de Vera sent Spanish and Filipino colonial troops
to pacify the rebels.
 The rebels were eventually pardoned and the Philippine tax system reformed.

Magalat Revolt (1596)

 The Magalat Revolt was an uprising in 1596, led by Magalat, a rebel from Cagayan.
He had been arrested in Manila for inciting rebellion against the Spanish. He was
later released after some urging by some Dominican priests, and returned to
Cagayan.
 Together with his brother, he urged the entire country to revolt. He was said to have
committed atrocities against his fellow natives for refusing to rise up against the
Spaniards.
 He soon controlled the countryside, and the Spanish eventually found themselves
besieged. The Spanish Governor-General Francisco de Tello de Guzmán sent Pedro
de Chaves from Manila with Spanish and Filipino colonial troops.
 They fought successfully against the rebels, and captured and executed several
leaders under Magalat. Magalat himself was assassinated within his fortified
headquarters by his own men.

1.3. Seventeenth Century Uprising

Igorot Revolt (1601)

 By order of the Governor-General Francisco de Tello de Guzmán an expedition was
sent to the Cordillera region for religious conversion purposes with the aid of Padre
Esteban Marin.
 Marin, the curate of Ilocos at that time, tried initially to convince the Igorots to
convert peacefully to Catholicism.
 Marin allegedly even tried to create his own dictionary in the Igorot language to
advance this cause. The Igorots, however, killed Marin and the Governor-General
sent Lt. Mateo de Aranda with Spanish and Filipino foot soldiers.
 The combined force would be defeated although the Spanish would continue using
harsher tactics (including slavery) to force the Igorots to submit. Nonetheless, the
Igorots would continue to defy and defeat Spanish expeditions in the years 1608,
1635, and 1663.

Caquenga's Revolt (1607)

 Main article: Caquenga's Revolt
 In 1607, with the coming of the Dominicans into the Cagayan Valley, a priest began
proselyting to the Malaueg people of Nalfotan, now Rizal, Cagayan.
 An animist priestess named Caquenga rebelled against the coming of the Catholic
Church.
 She gathered people from her village and fled to the mountains to unite with another
village and prepared for war.
 A Dominican friar and loyal Malaueg men successfully quelled the forthcoming
rebellion, and Caquenga was given over to the other village as a slave. However,
many of her followers rebelled, burned down a Catholic Church, and started other
rebellions throughout the Cagayan Valley.
 One rebel, who desecrated an image of the Virgin Mary, was executed for his
offense.

Tamblot Revolt (1621–1622)

 The Tamblot Revolt or the Tamblot Uprising, was a religious uprising in the island of
Bohol, led by Tamblot in 1621.
 The Jesuits first came to Bohol in 1596 and eventually governed the island and
converted the Boholanos to the Catholic faith.
 Tamblot, a babaylan or native priest, urged his fellow Boholanos to return to the old
belief of their forefathers.

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  The revolt began on the day when the Jesuits were in Cebu, celebrating the feast day
of St. Francis Xavier.
 It was finally crushed on New Year's Day, in 1622. Tamblot was executed and his
head was set on a pike and displayed to serve as a warning to the populace.

Bankaw (Bancao) Revolt (1621–1622)

 The Bankaw Revolt was a religious uprising against Spanish colonial rule led by
Bancao, the datu of Carigara, in the present-day Carigara in Leyte.
 Bankaw had warmly received Miguel López de Legazpi as his guest, when he first
arrived in the Philippines in 1565.
 Although baptized as a Catholic in his youth, he abandoned this faith in later years.
With a babaylan, or religious leader named Pagali, he built a temple for a diwata or
local goddess, and pressed six towns to rise up in revolt.
 Similar to the Tamblot Uprising, Pagali used magic to attract followers, and claimed
that they could turn the Spaniards into clay by hurling bits of earth at them.
 Governor-General Alonso Fajardo de Entenza sent the alcalde mayor of Cebu, Juan
de Alcarazo, with Spanish and foot soldier colonial troops, to suppress the rebellion.
Bankaw's severed head was impaled on a bamboo stake and displayed to the public
as a stern warning. One of his sons was also beheaded, and one of the babaylans
was burned at the stake. Three other followers were executed by firing squad. Other
historical sources/accounts reports The Bankaw Revolt as the first recorded uprising
against foreign colonization. The (1621–1622) dates may be inaccurate. Carigara
was known only a decade after Magellan landed in "Mazaua" (believed to be
Limasawa) in 1521. The uprising may well have taken place towards the end of the
16th century.

Itneg Revolt (1625–1627)

 The Itneg Revolt, or the Mandaya Revolt, was a religious uprising led by Miguel
Lanab and Alababan.
 The two were previously baptized as Catholics against their will and were from the
Itneg or Mandaya tribe of Capinatan, in northwestern Cagayan, in the Philippines.
The region is now part of the landlocked province of Apayao.
 Miguel Lanab and Alababan killed, beheaded, and mutilated two Dominican
missionaries, Father Alonzo Garcia and Brother Onofre Palao, who were sent by the
Spanish colonial government to convert the Itneg people to Christianity.
 After cutting Father Garcia's body into pieces, they fed his flesh to a herd of pigs.
Afterwards, they compelled their fellow Itnegs to loot, desecrate Catholic images,
and set fire to the local churches, and escape with them to the mountains.
 In 1626, Governor-General Fernándo de Silva sent Spanish and foot soldier colonial
troops to suppress the rebellion. They destroyed farms and other sources of food to
starve the Itnegs, and forced them to surrender in 1627.

Ladia Revolt (1643)

 Pedro Ladia was a Moro Bornean and a self-claimed descendant of Lakandula who
came to Malolos in 1643.
 At that time, his land was confiscated by the Spanish and he thought that it was
about time that they stage an uprising and put himself as King of the Tagalogs.
 This was despite the fact that a parish priest tried to convince him not to pursue his
plans. Upon his capture, he was brought to Manila where he was executed.

Sumuroy Revolt (1649–1650)

 In the town of Palapag, today in Northern Samar, Agustin Sumuroy, a Waray, and
some of his followers rose in arms on June 1, 1649 over the polo y servicio or forced
labor system being undertaken in Samar.
 This is known as the Sumuroy Revolt, named after Agustin 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 forced labor.

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  However, under orders of the various town alcaldes, or mayors, the Waray were
being sent to the shipyards of Cavite to do their polo y servicio, 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 rebel government was successfully established in the mountains
of Samar.
 The defeat, capture, and execution of Sumuroy in June 1650 delivered a big setback
to the revolt. His trusted co-conspirator David Dula sustained the quest for freedom
with greater vigor but in a fierce battle several years later, he was wounded,
captured, and later executed in Palapag, Northern Samar by the Spaniards together
with his seven key lieutenants.

Maniago/Pampanga Revolt (1660–1661)

 The Maniago Revolt was an uprising in Pampanga during the 1660s named after its
leader, Francisco Maniago.
 During that time, Pampanga drew most of the attention from the Spanish religious
orders because of its relative wealth.
 They also bore the burden of more tribute, forced labor, and rice exploitation. They
were made to work for eight months under unfair conditions and were not paid for
their labor and for the rice purchased from them.
 Their patience was put to the limit and they signified their intention to revolt by
setting their campsite on fire. The fight soon began and because the Spaniards were
busy fighting against the Dutch, they were badly depleted by the Kapampangans.
 The Maniago revolt was the start of a much bigger and even bloodier revolt in
Pangasinan. This battle was led by a man named Andres Malong who had heeded the
call of Maniago to revolt against the Spaniards.
 After hearing news of a Kapampangan chief siding with the Spaniards, Maniago and
his forces arranged for a meeting with Governor-General Sabiniano Manrique de Lara
in which they gave their conditions to end their rebellion. Appeased and satisfied with
the conditions of the agreement, the Governor-General accepted the demands after
which Maniago and his forces gave up the rebellion.

Malong Revolt (1660–1661)

 Andres Malong was the maestro de campo of Binalatongan - now San Carlos City - in
Pangasinan in the 1660s. He assisted many Spaniards in governing different towns in
Pangasinan, and as such, had learned and was trained to use force and cruelty. He
hoped of being the King of the province, however, set this plan aside when a war, led
by Francisco Maniago, broke out in Pampanga.
 Malong started his campaign in a small barangay called Malunguey, but failed.
Having the same condition as in Pampanga, he led the people in Pangasinan to take
up arms against the Spaniards. It spread like wild fire in Pangasinan. Because of his
success, he proclaimed himself King of Pangasinan.

Almazan Revolt (January 1661)

 A part of the chain to the Malong Revolt was the Ilocos Revolt led by Don Pedro
Almazan, illustrious and wealthy leader from San Nicolas, Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
 The letters sent by Don Andres Malong ("King of Pangasinan") narrating the defeat of
the Spaniards in his area and urging other provinces to rise in arms failed to obtain
any support among the natives.
 During the revolt, Don Pedro Almazan proclaimed himself "King of Ilocos", but was
later captured and executed. He also had a son which the Ilocanos proclaimed their
prince.

Panay Revolt (1663)

 The Panay Revolt was a religious uprising in 1663 that involved Tapar, a native of the
island of Panay, who wanted to establish a religious cult in the town of Oton.

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  He attracted some followers with his stories about his frequent conversations with a
demon. Tapar and his men were killed in a bloody skirmish against Spanish and
colonial foot soldier troops and their corpses were impaled on stakes.

Zambal Revolt (1681–1683)

 A group of chieftains from Zambales had refused to accept the authority of
the Crown over their realm and staged a revolt.
 The Spanish were very swift to respond and sent a colonial force of 6,000 foot
soldiers to suppress the uprising.
 After 2 years of conflict, the Spanish had pacified the entire area of Zambales
and all of the chieftains who participated in the revolt were executed.

1.4. Eighteenth Century Uprising

Agrarian Revolt of 1745

 The Agrarian Revolt was a revolt undertaken between the years 1745 and 1746 in
much of the present-day Calabarzon (specifically in Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite)
and in Bulacan, with its first sparks in the towns of Lian and Nasugbu in Batangas.
 Indigenous landowners rose in arms over the land grabbing of Spanish friars or
Catholic religious orders, with native landowners demanding that Spanish priests
return their lands on the basis of ancestral domain.
 The refusal of the Spanish priests resulted in much rioting, resulting in massive
looting of convents and arson of churches and ranches. The case was eventually
investigated by Spanish officials and was even heard in the court of Ferdinand VI in
which he ordered the priests to return the lands they seized. The priests were
successfully able to appeal the return of lands back to the natives, which resulted in
no land being returned to native landowners.

Dagohoy Rebellion (1744–1825)

 In 1744 in what is now the province of Bohol, what is known today as the Dagohoy
Revolt was undertaken by Francisco Dagohoy and his followers.
 This revolt is unique since it is the only revolt completely related to matters of
religious customs, unlike the Tamblot Uprising before it, which was 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 Catholic burial, since dueling is excommunicable by the Church.
 The refusal of the priest 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 Palacin y
Abarca, failed to stop the revolt. Ricafort himself sent a force of 2,200 foot soldiers 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).

Silang Revolt (1762–1763)

 Arguably one of the most famous revolts in Philippine history is the Silang Revolt
from 1762 to 1763, led by the couple Diego Silang and Gabriela Silang. Unlike the
other revolts, this revolt took place during the British occupation 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 newly
independent 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

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 prime example of the use of divide et impera, since Spanish troops largely used
Kapampangan 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.

Palaris Revolt (1762–1764)

 During the British invasion of Manila during the Seven Years' War, the Spanish
colonial government, including Villacorta, had relocated to Bacolor in the province of
Pampanga, which was then adjacent to Pangasinan.
 It was at this time that the principalia of Binalatongan protested the abuses
committed by the provincial governor. The town leaders demanded that the governor
be removed and that the colonial government stop collecting taxes since the islands
were already under British control at that time. But Governor-General Simon de Anda
dismissed the demands and the revolt broke out in November 1762. The name of de
la Cruz, who began to be known as Palaris, emerged as one of the leaders of the
revolt, along with his brother Colet, Andrés López, and Juan de Vera Oncantin.
 By December, all Spanish officials, except the Dominican friars who were in charge of
the Catholic mission, had left Pangasinan. The Spanish colonial government had to
deal with the British and the simultaneous Silang Revolt, led by Diego Silang, in the
neighboring province of Ilocos in the north. (The present-day province of La Union
was still part of Pangasinan and Ilocos.)
 At the battle of Agno, he faced on March 1, 1763 the Spanish forces under the
command of Alfonso de Arayat, who led a composite troop of Spanish soldiers and
Indios loyal to Spain.
 Arayat withdrew after losing much of his Indio loyalists. Pangasinenses took over all
official functions and controlled the province up to the Agno River, the natural
boundary between Pangasinan and neighboring Pampanga in the south. (The
present-day province of Tarlac was still part of Pampanga.) At the height of the
uprising, Palaris commanded 10,000 men. He was also in communication with Silang,
with whom he was coordinating a bigger offensive against the Spanish.
 However, the Seven Years' War ended on February 10, 1763 with the signing of the
Treaty of Paris. Also, Silang was assassinated on May 28, 1763 by an Indio under the
employ of the friars. The Spanish were then able to focus on the uprising and
mustered forces to surround Palaris. The Spanish friars, who were allowed to stay in
the province, also started a campaign to persuade Pangasinan residents of the futility
of the Palaris Revolt.

1.5. Nineteenth Century Uprising

Basi Revolt (1807)

 The Basi Revolt, also known as the Ambaristo Revolt, was a revolt undertaken from
September 16 to 28, 1807. It was led by Pedro Mateo and Salarogo Ambaristo
(though some sources refer to a single person named 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-led troops eventually quelled the
revolt on September 28, 1807, albeit with much force and loss of life on the losing
side. A series of 14 paintings on the Basi Revolt by Esteban Pichay Villanueva
currently hangs at the Ilocos Sur National Museum in Vigan City.
 The event is immortalized and commemorated in the Basi Revolt Monument located
along the highway of Piddig.

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Novales Revolt (1823)
 Andrés Novales later grew discontented with the way Spanish authorities treated the
Criollo people.
 His discontentment climaxed when peninsulares were shipped to the Philippines to
replace Criollo officers. He found the sympathy of many Criollos, including Luis
Rodriguez Varela, the Conde Filipino. As punishment to the rising sense of
discontentment, many military officers and public officials were exiled.
 One of them was Novales, who was exiled to Mindanao to fight the Moro. However,
Novales was not stopped to secretly return to Manila. On the night of June 1, 1823,
Novales along with a certain sub-lieutenant Ruiz and other subordinates in the King's
Regiment, went out to start a revolt.
 Along with 800 Indigenous natives in which his sergeants recruited, they seized the
royal palace (palacio del gobernador), the Manila Cathedral, the city's cabildo (city
hall) and other important government buildings in Intramuros. Failing to find
governor general Juan Antonio Martínez, they killed the lieutenant governor and
former governor general, Mariano Fernandez de Folgueras. Folgueras was the one
that suggested Spain to replace Creole officers with peninsulars.
 The soldiers shouted, "Long live the Emperor Novales!" (Viva el Emperador Novales).
Surprisingly, the townsfolk followed Novales and his troops as they marched into
Manila. They eventually failed to seize Fort Santiago because Andrés' brother
Mariano, who commanded the citadel, refused to open its gates. Authorities rushed
soldiers to the fort upon learning that it was still holding out against the rebels.
 Novales himself was caught hiding under the Puerta Real by Spanish soldiers. At
5:00 pm of June 2, Novales, Ruiz, and 21 sergeants were executed by firing squad in
a garden near Puerta del Postigo. In his last minutes, Novales declared that he and
his comrades shall set an example of fighting for freedom. Mariano was initially to be
executed as well for being Andrés' brother, but the crowd pleaded for his freedom
with the argument that he had saved the government from being overthrown.
Mariano received a monthly pension of ₱14, but went mad after the execution.

Palmero Conspiracy (1828)

 The Palmero Conspiracy in 1828 was a failed plot to overthrow the Spanish colonial
government in the Philippines. The Spanish government suppressed further
information on this conspiracy.
 In 1823, an order was from Spain declared that military officers commissioned in the
Peninsula (Spain) should have precedence of all those appointed in the Colonies.
 This was the reaction of Madrid to the series of wars against Spanish rule that was
known as the Spanish American wars of independence; Many Criollo military officers
were outranked by their peninsular counterparts.
 In 1828, matters became worse when public officials, mainly provincial governors,
were also being replaced by Peninsulares. In the same year, two Palmero brothers,
members of a prominent clan in the Philippines, along with other people from both
the military and the civil service, planned to seize the government. Such was the
prominence of the Palmeros, one of whose most famous descendants was Marcelo
Azcárraga Palmero, that when the Spanish government discovered the plan, they
thought it would be wise not to report it to the public.
 The plot itself would embarrass the government since the conspirators were
Spaniards themselves and it would seem that Spaniards themselves would want to
overthrow the power of Spain in the country. The main conspirators were exiled.

Pule Revolt (1840–1841)

 One of the most famous religious revolts is the Pule Revolt, more formally known as
the Religious Revolt of Hermano Pule (Spanish: Revuelta religiosa del Hermano
Pule). Undertaken between June 1840 and November 1841, this revolt was led by
Apolinario de la Cruz, otherwise known as "Hermano Pule".
 De la Cruz started his own religious order, the Confraternity of Saint Joseph
(Spanish: Confradia de San José) in Lucban, located in the present-day province of
Quezon (then called Tayabas), in June 1840. However, there were two types of

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 priests in the Philippines then: secular priests, or parish priests, which were usually
Indio, and religious priests, or convent priests, which were usually Spanish.
 Due to the concentration of Spanish religious power and authority in the already-
established religious orders (the Augustinians, Jesuits and Franciscans to name a
few) and the concept that Filipino priests should only stay in the church and not the
convent and vice versa (although this was not always followed), the Spanish
government banned the new order, especially due to its deviation from original
Catholic rituals and teachings, such as prayers and rituals which inculcated paganic
practices. However, thousands of people in Tayabas, Batangas, Laguna and even
Manila already joined.
 Because of this, the Spanish government sent in troops to forcibly break up the
order, forcing De la Cruz and his followers to rise in armed revolt in self-defense.
Many bloody battles were fought with the order's last stand in Mount San Cristobal,
near Mount Banahaw, in October 1841. The Spaniards eventually won, and Apolinario
de la Cruz was executed on November 4, 1841 in the then-provincial capital,
Tayabas.

Flag of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny

Cavite Mutiny (1872)
 The Cavite Mutiny (Motín de Cavite) of 1872 was an uprising of military personnel of
Fuerte San Felipe, the Spanish arsenal in Cavite, Philippines on January 20, 1872.
 Around 200 soldiers and laborers rose up in the belief that it would elevate to a
national uprising. The mutiny was unsuccessful, and government soldiers executed
many of the participants and began to crack down on a burgeoning nationalist
movement.

1.6. Reasons for the Failure of Internal Uprising

1. The leader and their men, as a whole, lacked military discipline.
2. Those who revolted against the Spaniards did not have enough experience in modern
warfare.
3. Those who revolted fought the Spaniards without full assurance of help from other
Filipinos.
4. The Filipinos rebels did not fight as Filipinos but as small ethnic groups, thus there
was no unity among Filipinos to stop the abuses of the Spanish authorizes.
5. Many Filipinos showed more loyalty to Spanish conquerors than to their Filipino
comrades.

1.7. External Uprising

The Chinese Revolt of 1603

 Main article: Sangley Rebellion
 In 1603, at least 30,000 Chinese merchants were slaughtered and in Luzon Chinese
officials and civilians were killed without authority by what The Ming Shi-lu (明實錄,
Míng shílù) describes as the barbarian Spanish chieftain of Luzon during that time.
 The surviving Chinese fled to Wawa, or what is now known as Guagua, this atrocity is
known in Chinese history as the Luzon Tragedy (吕宋惨案, Lǚ sòng cǎn àn). The
Chinese inhabitants of Manila set fire to Legarda and Binondo and for a time
threatened to capture the Moro stronghold in Intramuros.

Chinese Revolt of 1662

 Fearing an invasion of Chinese led by the famous pirate Koxinga, the garrisons
around Manila were reinforced.
 An increasing anti-Chinese sentiment grew within much of the population. In the
end, the invasion did not materialize, but many locals massacred hundreds of
Chinese in the Manila area.

Page 9 of 24
Exercises:

1. What were the causes of the Filipino revolts and foreign attacks during the Spanish
regime?
2. Why were the Filipino uprising to the Spanish government failed?
3. Was Rajah Lakandula Justified in his Revolt? Explain.
4. Why the Filipinos were not united in the fight against the Spaniards authorities?
5. What do you think will be needed in order for the Filipino to win in their uprising
against the Spaniards?

Page 10 of 24
TOPIC 2: THE BIRTH OF FILIPINO NATIONALISM AND THE PROPAGANDA
MOVEMENT

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this topic, the students are expected to:
1. Discuss the factors that contributed to the awakening of Filipino nationalism.
2. Enumerate the goals of the Propaganda Movement.
3. Discuss the reasons why propaganda movement failed.
4. Discuss the nature of nationalism.
5. Analyzed how the world trade affects the life of the Filipinos.

NOTES:

2.1. Nature of Nationalism

Nationalism is the identification with one's own nation and support for its interests,
especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Nationalism is an ideology by people who believe their nation is superior to all
others. This sense of superiority often has its roots in a shared ethnicity.
In other situations, nationalism is built around a shared language, religion, culture,
or set of social values. The nation emphasizes shared symbols, folklore, and mythology.
Shared music, literature, and sports may further strengthen nationalism.

Characteristics of Nationalism
The Royal institute of International Relations pointed out the following
characteristics of nationalism in its report published in 1930.

1. One Nation.
An idea of a common government always implies in a nation. It may be the reality of
past or present or just an ambition of the future.

2. Group Feelings.
There is sense of belonging together among the people of a nation.

3. Distinction.
There is distinctiveness in a nation that separates it from other nation as language,
religion, race and national character.

4. Defined Territory.
There is defined territory large or small.

5. Common Interest:
Existence of same common interest shared by all is also one of the most important
features of nationalism.

6. General Picture of State.

A general picture of state in the mind of every individual.

2.2. Filipino Nationalism

Filipino nationalism refers to the establishment and support of a political identity
associated with the modern nation-state of the Philippines, leading to a wide-ranging
campaign for political, social, and economic freedom in the Philippines. This gradually
emerged from various political and armed movements throughout most of the Spanish East
Indies—but which has long been fragmented and inconsistent with contemporary definitions
of such nationalism—as a consequence of more than three centuries of Spanish rule. These
movements are characterized by the upsurge of anti-colonialist sentiments and ideals which
peaked in the late 19th century led mostly by the ilustrado or landed, educated elites,
whether peninsulares, insulares, or native (Indio). This served as the backbone of the first
nationalist revolution in Asia, the Philippine Revolution of 1896. The modern concept would
later be fully actualized upon the inception of a Philippine state with its contemporary
borders after being granted independence by the United States by the 1946 Treaty of
Manila.

Page 11 of 24
The Start of Filipino Nationalism (1760s–1820s)
 The term "Filipino" originally referred to the Spanish criollos of the Philippines.
During their 333-year rule of the Philippines, the Spanish rulers referred the natives
as indios.
 Also during the colonial era, the Spaniards born in the Philippines, who were more
known as insulares, criollos, or Creoles, were also called "Filipinos." Spanish-born
Spaniards or mainland Spaniards residing in the Philippines were referred to as
Peninsulares.
 Those of mixed ancestry were referred to as Mestizos. The Creoles, despite being
regarded by the Peninsulares as inferior to them, had enjoyed various government
and church positions, and composed the majority of the government bureaucracy.
 The sense of national consciousness came from the Creoles, who now regard
themselves as "Filipino". It was brought to its advent by three major factors: 1)
economy, 2) education and 3) secularization of parishes. These factors contributed to
the birth of the Filipino Nationalism.
 The opening of the Philippines to the international or world trade, the rise of the
middle class, and the influx of Liberal ideas from Europe were only a few examples of
how the Philippines developed into a stable country.
 "The first manifestation of Philippine nationalism followed in the decades of the
1880s and the 1890s, with a reform or propaganda movement, conducted both in
Spain and in the Philippines, for the purpose of “propagandizing” Philippine
conditions in the hopes that desired changes in the social, political and economic life
of the Filipinos would come about through peaceful means."

Factors that Contributed to the Awakening of Filipino Nationalism

1. The Opening of the Philippines to World Trade
2. The Formation of an Influential Filipino Middle Class
3. Political Reforms Under Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre
4. The Trial and Execution of GOM-BUR-ZA

2.3. The Opening of the Philippines to World Trade

When the monopoly trade of Spain ended in 1834, Manila became to world trade.
Because of this, other sea ports in the Philippines opened their trade/market to other
foreign and local businessmen. The Philippines was exposed to different trading ideas such
as the agricultural and industrial businesses. In order to do this, the systems of
communication and transportation had to be developed.
Because of the improvement in the systems of transportation and communication,
the Filipinos were also exposed to different ideas in business as well as in politics, religion,
society, and culture.

Suez Canal
 It was opened on November 17, 1869 and was constructed by Ferdinand de Lesseps.
It opened the gateway between Europe and Asia. Before, it would take three months
for the European ships to travel before they were able to reach Asia but after the
construction of the Suez Canal, it only takes one month. Because of this, many were
encouraged to travel from the Philippines to Europe (and vice-versa). This exposed
the Filipinos to modern ideas of liberty.

2.4. The Rise of the Middle Class

The Formation of an Influential Filipino Middle Class

 The rise of the Filipino middle class was due to the economic prosperity because of
the exposure of the Philippine economy to world trade.
 The Filipino middle class was composed of farmers, businessmen, and teachers,
among others. They usually sent their children to exclusive schools in Manila and
Europe. Some of them established good relationship with the Spanish authorities
because of their high economic status. Others criticized the Spanish government due
to the oppression committed by the authorities to the Filipino people.

Page 12 of 24
Among the popular members of this class were:
 Jose Rizal – polyglot, artist, engineer, doctor, novelist, and scientist, among others
 Marcelo del Pilar – writer, debater, propagandist
 Graciano Lopez Jaena – journalist and orator
 Jose Burgos – secular priest (one of the GOM-BUR-ZA)
 Pedro Paterno – lawyer

Political Reforms under Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre

In the 19th century, the government of Spain was controlled by three different groups:
1. Conservatives/reactionaries - traditional politicians
2. Moderates - people who were at the middle of the political spectrum
3. Liberals - people who embraced liberal ideas in governance.

The people of Spain were already tired and discontented on how both the conservatives
and the moderates controlled the government. They gave the political control to the liberals.
This situation reflected to the political setting in the Philippines. The Spanish government
appointed Governor-Generals who embraced liberal ideas and who had liberal minds.

One of them was Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre. He introduced many

reforms in the Philippines. He became open to the plans of the Filipinos, encouraged
freedom of the press and speech, and pioneered many economic reforms.

The Trial and Execution of GOM-BUR-ZA

GOM-BUR-ZA is an acronym given to the surnames of the three Filipino priests:
1. Mariano Gomez
2. Jose Burgos
3. Jacinto Zamora.

They were accused of planning and organizing the Cavite Mutiny. The execution of
GOM-BUR-ZA awakened the spirit of nationalism of some Filipinos. It was also one of the
factors that led to the establishment of different Filipino nationalist movements such as the
Propaganda Movement.

For Your Information (FYI):

Reform - to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults and abuses.

For Your Information (FYI):

There were two ways on how Filipinos reacted on the abuses committed by the
Spaniards:
1. to stage revolts through violent means - were organized and staged in the Philippines
2. establishing reform movements – the organization of the reform movements
established in Europe.

2.5. The Propaganda Movement

The Propaganda Movement was the most popular reform movements established by
distinguished Filipino reformers. These reformers were members of the Filipino middle class
who were based abroad. This movement was organized by Filipino reformists/propagandists
abroad such as Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Jose P.
Rizal. This movement lasted for 10 years.

The Core Goals of the Propaganda Movement:

1. Making the Philippines as a regular province of Spain.
2. Development in the Philippine economy.
3. Promotion of human rights particularly the freedom of speech and of the freedom of
press.

Page 13 of 24
 4. Secularization of parishes.
 The purpose was to enable Filipino clergies to administer all the parishes in the
Philippines from the hands of the Spanish friars.
 It also aiming for the equality between the Spanish friars and the Filipino priests.
5. Equality between the Spaniards and the Filipinos.
6. Reform in the government and education system.

The Rise and Fall of La Solidaridad

The Filipino reformers/propagandists used newspaper as a medium to express their
sentiments and concerns about the Philippines. The name of the newspaper was “La
Solidaridad.” It was established by the reformists/ propagandists in Barcelona, Spain. Its
first editor was Graciano Lopez-Jaena. Later, Jaena was replaced by Marcelo H. del Pilar.
The periodical came out twice (two times) a month. The newspaper was used by the
propagandists/reformists to unite the Filipino people into one.

For Your Information (FYI):

Writers used pen names to hide or conceal their true identity from Spanish
authorities.

La Liga Filipina
Rizal believed that the fight for freedom should not be done in a foreign land but in a
native land. So, he returned to the Philippines from Hong Kong. Jose Rizal established
another reform movement after his return. It was founded in Doroteo Ongjunco’s house.
Doroteo Ongjunco was a Chinese-Filipino mestizo and was also a reformist in the
Philippines.

Motto of the La Liga Filipina: Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All)

The meeting was attended by a number of Filipino reformists such as:

 Pedro Serrano Laktaw – Aguedo del Rosario
 Domingo Franco – known as Felipe Leal and a tobacco shopkeeper
 Jose A. Ramos – known as Socorro and an engraver, printer, owner of Bazar Gran
Bretaña, and first Worshipful Master of Nilad
 Ambrosio Salvador – gobernadorcillo of Quiapo
 Bonifacio Arevalo – known as Harem and a dentist
 Deodato Arellano – brother-in-law of Marcelo H. del Pilar and civilian employee in the
army
 Ambrosio Flores – known as Musa and retired lieutenant of infantry
 Agustin de la Rosa – bookkeeper
 Moises Salvador – known as Araw and a contractor
 Luis Villareal – tailor
 Faustino Villaroel – known as Ilaw and a pharmacist
 Mariano Crisostomo – landlord
 Estanislao Legaspi – artisan
 Teodoro Plata – court clerk
 Andres Bonifacio – warehouse employee
 Apolinario Mabini – known as Katabay; a political philosopher and revolutionary; he
wrote a constitutional plan for the first Philippine Republic
 Juan Zulueta – playwright, poet, and government employee

Objectives of La Liga Filipina

While Jose Rizal was in Hong Kong, he rafted the constitution of La Liga Filipina. Its
objectives are:
1. To unite the whole archipelago into one body.
2. To have a mutual protection for all.
3. To establish defense against violence and injustice.
4. To study needed reforms and apply it in the Philippines.

Page 14 of 24
2.6. The Failure of the Propaganda Movement

Why the Propaganda Movement Failed

The propaganda movement did not succeed in its pursuit of reforms. The colonial
government did not agree to any of its demands. Spain itself was undergoing a lot of
internal problems all that time, which could explain why the mother country failed to heed
the Filipino’s petitions. The friars, on the other hand, were at the height of their power and
displayed even more arrogance in flaunting their influence. They had neither the time nor
the desire to listen to the voice of the people.
Many of the reformists showed a deep love for their country, although they still failed
to maintain a united front. Because most of them belonged to the upper middle class, they
had to exercise caution in order to safeguard their wealth and other private interests.
Personal differences and petty quarrels, apart from the lack of funds, were also a hindrance
to the movement’s success. Lastly, no other strong and charismatic leader emerged from
the group aside from Jose Rizal.

Exercises:
1. Why did the Filipinos preferred to establish reforms movement outside the
Philippines?
2. Why did writers use pen names in their literary works?
3. What do you think are the reasons why some Filipinos want reforms?
4. How did the execution of GOM-BUR-ZA awaken the Filipino nationalism?
5. As a Filipino, do you think nationalism is a priority nowadays?

END OF TOPIC 2

Page 15 of 24
TOPIC 3: THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT STRUGGLES FOR INDEPENDENCE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this topic, the students are expected to:
1. Understand the revolutionary government struggles for independence;
2. Elaborate the Spanish and American war;
3. Define Treaty of Paris; and
4. Expound dictatorial government.

NOTES:

3.1. Spanish –American War

 Spanish and the United States relations were becoming bad. Cuban revolution had
won the symphaty of the Americans against Spain because of economic reason. In
February 9, 1898, New York Journal published the private letter of Spanish Minister
to the United States describing United States President William Mckinley as weak
politician. The letter was alleged to have been stolen from the post office of Havana,
Cuba
 However, the incident that triggered the Spanish-American war was the explosion of
US Navy Warship “Maine” in Havana Harbor Cuba on February 15, 1898 during the
ongoing revolution in Cuba that killed 260 crew. The treacherous bombing of the
warship pressured the United States Congress to declare war on April 25, 1898.
Investigation was conducted but no evidence was obtained implicating Spain for its
explosion but the American press seized on the issue by calling war with Spain using
the war “Remember the Maine”.

3.2. The Battle of Manila Bay

 As early as March 9, 1898, a sum of $50 million was already appropriated by the
United States in preparation for war with Spain. On April 25, 1898, Dewey received
information from the Secretary of War of United States that war had commenced
between United States and Spain.
 On his arrival in Manila in May 1, 1898, with a fleet of seven ships, he encountered
the twelve ships commanded by Admiral Patricio Montojo of Spain. The battle lasted
only for several hours. More than 380 Spaniards died, on the side of the American,
only one and the cause was mere exhaustion.
 Not all vessels were sunk by Commodore Dewey’s flagship, the “Olympia”, and other
United States warships but Dewey insisted on sinking all ships for monetary reason.
It was because under the U.S Rules of War, Dewey and his men were not only
entitled to receive medals, but a share of an estimated $185,000 in booty. Section
4365 of the U.S Revised Statutes of 1864 provided reward for each vessel sunk,
depending on whether it was superior or inferior type. The captain of the ship was
entitled to 1/10 of the booty according to the number of enemies killed or wounded.
All of this would be paid by Spain as indemnity. Because of successful battle in
Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewy was given the title of “Hero of the Battle of
Manila Bay”.

3.3. Aguinaldo in Singapore, Hongkong and Its Return to Philippines

 A dispatch boat named McCulloch arrived in Hongkong from Manila on May 7, 1898
bringing news of Dewey’s successful battle in Manila Bay but no instruction was given
to transport Aguinaldo to the Philippines. The boat arrived again on May 15, 1898,
carrying orders to bring Aguinaldo back to the Philippines. Aguinaldo left Hongkong
on May 19 and arrived in Manila on May 19, 1898.

 His arrival brought joy to his countrymen, several revolutionary soldiers, even
Filipino soldiers employed by the Spanish army, submitted themselves to Aguinaldo’s
command. Soon after, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Bacoor (Cavite), San Fernando and
Macabebe (Pampanga), Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Tayabas
(Quezon), and the province of Camarines were all under control of the Filipino forces.
They were also able to secure the port of Dalahican in Cavite. Little by little, Spain
was losing control of the archipelago.

Page 16 of 24
  On May 24, 1898, Aguinaldo was at the verge of gaining control of the entire
archipelago. He announced that he was assuming “command of all the troops in the
struggle for the attainment of our lofty aspirations, inaugurating a dictatorial
government to be administered by decrees promulgated under my sole
responsibility…” and issued a decree formally establishing a “dictatorial Government”.
This was done under the authority of the Biak-na-Bato republic and nullified the
orders issued prior to the signing of the pact of Biak-na-Bato and asserted that the
dictatorial government was temporary in nature, “so that, when peace shall have
been re-established and our legitimate aspiration for unrestricted liberty attained, it
may be modified by the nation, in which rests the principle of authority”.

 By June of 1898, the entire island of Luzon, except Manila and the port of Cavite,
was under Filipino control. The revolutionaries were laying siege to Manila by cutting
off its food and water supply. With most of the archipelago under his command,
Aguinaldo decided that it was time to establish a new government.

3.4. The Siege of Manila

The Battle of Manila, sometimes called the Mock Battle of Manila, was a land
engagement which took place in Manila on August 13, 1898, at the end of the Spanish–
American War, four months after the decisive victory by Commodore Dewey's Asiatic
Squadron at the Battle of Manila Bay. The belligerents were Spanish forces led by Governor-
General of the Philippines Fermín Jáudenes, and American forces led by United States Army
Major General Wesley Merritt and United States Navy Commodore George Dewey. American
forces were supported by units of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, led by Emilio
Aguinaldo.

The battle is sometimes referred to as the "Mock Battle of Manila" because the local
commanders of the Spanish and American forces, who were legally at war, secretly and
jointly planned the battle to transfer control of the city center from the Spanish to the
Americans while keeping the Philippine Revolutionary Army out of the city center. The battle
left American forces in control of Intramuros, the center of Manila, surrounded by Philippine
revolutionary forces, creating the conditions for the Battle of Manila of 1899 and the start of
the Philippine–American War.

After the American victory in Manila Bay on May 1, the United States Navy, under
Admiral George Dewey, blockaded the city of Manila and waited for land forces to arrive.
The United States organized the Eighth Army Corps, dubbed the Philippine Expeditionary
Force, under the command of Major General Wesley Merritt. On May 16, the vanguard of
the force left San Francisco under the command of Brigadier General Thomas M. Anderson.
Merritt, on the same day, asked for information concerning the strength of the Spanish in
the Philippines. The American consul in Hong Kong gave the information needed: 21,000
men including 4,000 Filipinos, all but 1,000 of them in Manila. Dewey, however, sent more
accurate information: around 40,000 troops including around 16,000 Filipinos, about 15,000
were situated in Manila, and nine artillery guns in Manila.

By June, U.S. and Filipino forces had taken control of most of the islands, except for
the walled city of Intramuros. The first contingent of American troops arrived in Cavite on
June 30, the second under General Francis V. Greene on July 17, and the third under
General Arthur MacArthur on July 30. By this time, some 12,000 U.S. troops had landed in
the Philippines. By mid-June, some 40,000 Filipino revolutionaries under General Antonio
Luna had dug fourteen miles of trenches around Manila. Filipino revolutionaries, seizing
control of Manila's only pumping station, cut off the water supply to the city.

Emilio Aguinaldo had presented surrender terms to Spanish Governor-General of the

Philippines Basilio Augustín, who refused them initially, believing more Spanish troops would
be sent to lift the siege. As the combined forces of Filipinos and Americans closed in,
Augustín, realizing that his position was hopeless, secretly continued to negotiate with
Aguinaldo, even offering ₱1 million, but the latter refused. When the Spanish parliament,

Page 17 of 24
the Cortes, learned of Governor-General Augustín's attempt to negotiate the surrender of
the army to Filipinos under Aguinaldo, it was furious, and relieved Augustín of his duties as
Governor-General, effective July 24, to be replaced by Fermin Jáudenes. On June 16,
warships departed Spain to lift the siege, but they altered course for Cuba where a Spanish
fleet was imperiled by the U.S. Navy. In August, life in Intramuros (the walled center of
Manila), where the normal population of about ten thousand had swelled to about seventy
thousand, had become unbearable. Realizing that it was only a matter of time before the
city fell, and fearing vengeance and looting if the city fell to Filipino revolutionaries,
Governor Jáudenes suggested to Dewey, through the Belgian consul, Édouard André, that
the city be surrendered to the Americans after a short, "mock" battle. Dewey had initially
rejected the suggestion because he lacked the troops to block the Filipino revolutionary
forces, but when Merritt's troops became available, he sent a message to Jáudenes,
agreeing to the mock battle.

Merritt was eager to seize the city, but Dewey stalled while trying to work out a
bloodless solution with Jáudenes. On August 4, Dewey and Merritt gave Jáudenes 48 hours
to surrender, later extending the deadline by five days when it expired. Covert negotiations
continued, with the details of the mock battle being arranged on August 10. The plan
agreed to was that Dewey would begin a bombardment at 09:00 on August 13, shelling only
Fort San Antonio Abad, a decrepit structure on the southern outskirts of Manila, and the
impregnable walls of Intramuros. Simultaneously, Spanish forces would withdraw, Filipino
revolutionaries would be checked, and U.S. forces would advance. Once a sufficient show of
battle had been made, Dewey would hoist the signal "D.W.H.B." (meaning "Do you
surrender?), whereupon the Spanish would hoist a white flag and Manila would formally
surrender to U.S. forces. Under this plan, Spanish forces would be defeated by American
forces, while Filipino forces would not be allowed to enter the city. This minimized the risk of
unnecessary casualties on all sides, while the Spanish would also avoid the shame of
possibly having to surrender Intramuros to the Filipino forces.

3.5. Dictatorial Government

 The Dictatorial Government of the Philippines was an insurgent government in the
Spanish East Indies inaugurated during the Spanish–American War by Emilio
Aguinaldo in a public address on May 24, 1898 on his return to the Philippines from
exile in Hong Kong, and formally established on June 18. The government was
officially a dictatorship with Aguinaldo formally holding the title of "Dictator". The
government was succeeded by a revolutionary government which was established by
Aguinaldo on June 23.

 In 1896, the Philippine Revolution began. In December 1897, the Spanish

government and the revolutionaries signed a truce, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato,
requiring that the Spanish pay the revolutionaries 800,000 pesos and that Aguinaldo
and other leaders go into exile in Hong Kong. In April 1898, at the outbreak of the
Spanish–American War, Commodore George Dewey aboard the U.S.S. Olympia
sailed from Hong Kong to Manila Bay leading the Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy.
On May 1, 1898, the United States defeated the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay.
Emilio Aguinaldo decided to return to the Philippines to help American forces defeat
the Spaniards. The U.S.

3.6. Declaration of Philippine Independence

• On June 12, 1898, between four and five in the afternoon, in front of a huge crowd
at the ancestral home of Emilio Aguinaldo, the Philippine independence was
proclaimed. For the first time, the unfurling of the national flag was witnessed.
Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herboza made the flag in
Hongkong. Julian Felipe composed the national anthem entitled “Marcha Filipina
Magdalo” now called “Lupang Hinirang” and played for the first time by the San
Francisco de Malabon Band.

Page 18 of 24
 • Ambrosia Rianzares Bautista read the act of declaration of independence inSpanish.
There were 98 people who signed the declaration and one of them was an American
soldier named L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery.

3.7. Revolutionary Government

 The Revolutionary Government of the Philippines was an insurgent government
established in the Spanish East Indies on June 23, 1898, during the Spanish–
American War, by Emilio Aguinaldo, its initial and only President. The government
succeeded a dictatorial government which had been established by Aguinaldo on
June 18, and which was dissolved and replaced by this government upon its
establishment. This government endured until January 23, 1899, when the
proclamation of the Malolos Constitution established an insurgent Philippine Republic
government which replaced it.

 Four governmental departments were initially created, each having several bureaus:
foreign relations, marine and commerce; war and public works; police, justice,
instruction and hygiene; finance, agriculture, and industry.

3.8. The Treaty of Paris

 To formally end the Spanish-American war, United States and Spain signed the
Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. In the Article of the Treaty, “Spain cedes to
the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine Islands, on the condition
that the United States will pay Spain the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000)
within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present treaty”.

 In the United States, there was a movement who opposed for United States
occupation of the Philippine archipelago; some said that the United States had no
right to a land where many of the people wanted self-government. Andre Carnegie,
an industrialist and steal magnate, offered to buy the Philippines for 20 million
dollars (same amount United States paid Spain under the Treaty of Paris) and give it
to the Filipinos so that they could be free from the United States. Treaty of Paris also
formally ended the three centuries of Spanish ownership and occupation to the
Philippines.

Exercises:
1. How was the Battle of Manila Bay started?
2. Why Aguinaldo went to Hong Kong?
3. Differentiate the difference between dictatorial and revolutionary government?
4. Was President Aguinaldo the first dictator president in history? Explain.
5. Why was the Battle of Manila was called the “Mock Battle in Manila”?

END OF TOPIC 3

Page 19 of 24
TOPIC 4: PRELUDE TO THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND PHILIPPINES UNDER THE
AMERICAN RULE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this topic, the students are expected to:
1. Understand the Prelude to the American Occupation;
2. Elaborate Malolos Republic;
3. Enumerate the intentions of American to the Philippines;

NOTES:

4.1. The Malolos Republic

 Revolutionary government of Emilio Aguinaldo conducted election between June and

September 10, 1898. Aguinaldo was elected again as President in the seat of a
legislature called the “Malolos Congress”. The congress gathered in Barasoain Church
in Malolos Bulacan. All delegates of the congress were from wealthy and influential
class, totally different from what was established in Tejeros Convention on March 22,
1897.
 Aguinaldo ordered for the drafting of a constitution. Apolinario Mabini, adviser of
Aguinaldo objected the creation of constitutional assembly, but failed. He drafted a
constitution, and this too failed, instead, the constitution drafted by Felipe Calderon y
Roca was adopted. However, Aguinaldo, who always placed Mabini in high esteem
and heeded most of his advice, refused to sign when the latter objected. On January
21, 1899, after few amendments following Mabini’s suggestions, the constitution was
finally approved by the Malolos Congress and signed by the President.
 After two days, the First Filipino Republic of the “Malolos Republic” was inaugurated
in Malolos, Bulacan with Emilio Aguinaldo again as president.
 Under the Malolos constitution, the congress was called “Assembly of
Representatives”, and would serve as the lawmaking body of the republic.

 A unicameral body composed of representatives, one-third of whom were appointed

by the officials of the municipalities under the control of the revolutionary
government, the remaining were chosen by Aguinaldo. The powers and functions of
the congress were defined and enumerated in the constitution. These were:
 To watch over the interest of the Philippine people;
 To carry out the revolutionary laws and discuss the vote upon said laws;
 To discuss and approve treaties and loans; and
 To examine and approve the accounts presented annually by the Secretary of
Finance, as well as “extraordinary and other taxes which may be here-after
imposed”.

4.2. The Filipino-American War

 Private William Grayson of the Nebraska Volunteers had been enlisted since May
1898, a month after the Spanish-American War broke out, and his unit had been
deployed in the Philippines since June 1898. Grayson’s unit was under the command
of Colonel John M. Stotsenburg, had been encamped in Santa Mesa since two months
before the outbreak of the Filipino-American war. Since the time of their
encampment, there had been some reports surrounding the San Juan Bridge, located
at the east of their camp.

 On the morning of February 4, 1899, Stotsenburg ordered Grayson to hold the

village, “if armed men come into their lines, order them out, if they persist, summon
enough men to arrest them. In case an advance force is made, fall back to the
pipeline outpost and prevent occupation of the village by all means. Call all
headquarters for assistance”.

 At 8 p.m. of the same day, Grayson together with Private Orville Miller and another
man advanced to San Juan Bridge. Suddenly, they encountered four armed men.

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 Grayson and Miller called “halt” but the four men responded by cocking their guns.
They fired at them and retreated to Santol. Grayson claimed that he hit two of the
four men while Miller got one, but neither American nor Filipino reports mentioned
that anyone was hit. Because of the incident, finally Filipino-American was started.

 Aguinaldo attempted to stop the war by sending an emissary to General Elwell Otis.
But the general responded, “Fighting, having begun, must go on to the grim end”.

4.3. American Intentions to the Philippines

 There were controversies and oppositions regarding the American occupation of the
island. But the decision to keep the island was attributed to three motives; first,
military interest, the Philippines was located at the heart of the Pacific, a suitable site
to establish a naval base. Second, economic interest, the United States wanted to
bring their goods to the island and to other parts of Asia. And lastly, religious
interest, Americans wanted to spread the Protestant Movement.

4.4. The Basis of American Policy in the Philippines

 Philippine-American colonialism also transformed both the Philippines and the United
States in cultural terms. In the Philippines, the colonial state introduced a secular,
free public school system that emphasized the English language (believed by U. S.
officials to be the inherent medium of "free" institutions), along with industrial and
manual training to facilitate capitalist economic development. While the Filipino elite
retained and developed Spanish as a language of literature, politics, and prestige into
the 1920s—often contrasted with "vulgar" Americanism—Filipinos increasingly
learned and transformed English and used it to their own purposes. Filipinos also
reworked forms and elements from American popular culture, especially in film,
fashion, and literature. In addition, this period saw the development of popular and
literary culture in other Philippine languages. With the advent of the commonwealth,
Tagalog was declared the unifying "national" language.

4.5. Military and Civil Government

Military Government
 After the Mock Battle of Manila on August 1898, United States President William
Mckinley ordered for the establishment of Military Government in the Philippines. The
first appointed military governor was Major General Wesley Merritt, a commander of
United States forces in Manila. He left the Philippines for Paris, France to brief the
U.S and Spanish Peace Commissioners; Major General Elwell Otis who served until
1900 succeeded him. The last appointed military governor was Major General Arthur
MacArthur who served until 1901.

Civil Government
 On July 4, 1901, civil government was inaugurated in the Philippines with William
Howard Taft appointed as the First Civil Governor of the Philippines. The United
States Congress changed the title of Civil Governor to Governor General in 1905.
Since he was also the head of the Philippine Commission that served as the
legislative body, Governor Taft exercised both executive and legislative functions. His
policy of “The Philippines for the Filipinos" made him popular among the Filipinos and
displeased those Americans who wanted to take advantage of the country's natural
resources. Taft served as governor until December 1903.

4.6. Philippine Commission

First Philippine Commission

 On January 20,1899, President William McKinley created the First Philippine
Commission otherwise known as Schurman Commision, a group of five person
headed by Dr. Jacob Schurman, President of Cornell University, and its members
composed of Admiral George Dewey, Major General Elwell Otis, Charles Denby,
former United States Minister to China, and Dean C. Worcester, a professor of
University of Michigan. They were tasked to investigate the conditions of the islands
and to make recommendations.

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Second Philippine Commission
 Another commission was created by the United States President on March 16, 1900,
the Second Philippine Commission otherwise known as the Taft Commission. The
commission was headed by William Howard Taft. Its members were Luke E. Wright,
Henry C. Ide, Dean C. Worcester and Bernard Moses. The commission was tasked to
establish a civil government in the Philippines and to train the Filipinos in self-
government.

4.7. The First Philippine Assemble

Philippine Assembly
 The first Philippine Assembly was formally inaugurated at the Manila Grand Opera
House on October 16, 1907. Sergio Osmena was elected as the Speaker of the House
while Manuel L. Quezon was chosen as Majority Floor Leader.

4.8. Philippine Bill of 1902

 On July 1, 1902, Philippine Bill of 1902 otherwise known as “Cooper Act" was passed.
United States Representative Henry A. Cooper of Wisconsin sponsored it, it was the
first organic law for the Philippines enacted by the United States Congress.

Among the key provisions of the Philippine Bill of 1902 were:

1. A bill of rights for the Filipinos;
2. The appointment of two Filipino resident commissioners to represent the Philippines
in the U.S. Congress but without voting rights;
3. The establishment of a Philippine Assembly to be elected by two years after the
publication of a census and only after peace has been completely restored in the
country. The Philippine Assembly would be the lower house of the legislature while
the Philippine Commission would be the upper house.
4. The Civil Governor who would have several executive departments under him such
as Interior, Public Information, Finance and Justice, and Commerce and Police
would exercise executive power.
5. Conservation of the country’s natural resources for the Filipinos.

4.9. Educational Development Under American Period

 American government gave priority to education in the Philippines. Education
became very important for the Filipinos. The focus of American education was to
spread democracy, duties, rights and responsibilities of the people. The focus of
American education was to spread democracy, duties, rights and responsibilities to
the people. Education allowed the Americans to spread their culture. By their
impartial treatment of rich and poor, the American teachers showed the real meaning
of equality. They taught their pupils not just to memorize but also to think, enabling
them to voice their opinions and manifest their inherent worth as individuals.

 Education was a right. Americans wanted to give everyone the chance to study.
Filipino soldiers acted as first teachers offering their services without receiving
compensation. Also included in their mission was to build classrooms. In August
1901, a group or teachers arrived, they were called Thomasites, because they
boarded the ship S.S. Thomas.

 Every child from age 7 was required to enrol in schools nearest to their towns.
School supplies were given for free. The levels of education were three levels
namely; elementary level consisted of four primary years and 3 intermediate years.
The secondary level consisted of four years; and the third was the college or tertiary
level.

 Many elementary and secondary schools were opened in provinces and cities.
Normal, vocational, agricultural, and business schools were also opened. There were
also colleges opened like Philippine Normal School (1901); National University

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 (1901), University of the Philippines (1908), University of Manila (1914), Philippine
Women University (1919); and Far Eastern University (1933). Vocational schools also
opened like Philippine Nautical School, Philippine School of Arts and Trades and the
Central Luzon Agriculture School. Schools were also built in non-Catholic areas like
Sulu, Mindanao, and the Mountain Provinces.

 Education opened the door for upward social mobility. For the Filipinos, earning a
diploma ensured a good job and acceptance in society with a chance for a better
future.

4.10. Economic Development Under American Period

Trade and Agriculture

 The second Philippine Commission (Taft Commission) viewed development, along
with education and the establishment of democratic institutions, as one of the three
pillars of the United States program of tutelage.
 The commissions planned to build railroads and highways, improved harbor facilities,
opened greater markets for Philippine goods through the lowering or elimination of
tariffs, and stimulated foreign investment in mining, forestry, and cash crop
cultivation.
 In 1901 Some 93 percent of the islands' total land area was public land, and it was
hoped that a portion of this area could be sold to American investors. Those plans
failed, however, by powerful agricultural interests in the United States Congress who
feared Competition from Philippine sugar, coconut oil, tobacco, and other exports.
 Although Taft argued for more liberal terms, the United States Congress passed the
Public Land Act of 1902, which set a limit of 16 hectares of Philippine public land to
be sold or leased to American individuals and 1,024 hectares to American
corporations. This act and tight financial markets in the United States discouraged
the development of large-scale, foreign-owned plantations such as were being
established in British Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, and French Indochina. The
Commission argued that tariff relief was essential if the islands were to be
developed.

Medium of Exchange
 At the beginning of American colonization, United States coins and banknotes were
introduced but these were used at least than their real value and banks were
generally afraid to hold accounts of the United States currency. The peso was chosen
as the official currency and the value of the peso was fixed at half of the value of the
United States dollar. Finally, 1903, Philippine Coinage Act was passed.

Tenancy Problem
 The landlord and tenant relationship remained unchanged with the limited
intervention of the United States and the continuing dominance of the Nacionalista
Party, where most of them are owners of huge tracts of lands. Despite the attempt to
establish homesteads modeled in American West in 1903, different regions had their
own specific arrangements, different proportions of tenants and small proprietors.
The "Kasama System" became the most popular, particularly in Central Luzon and
Visayas region.

 Under this arrangement, the landowners supplied the seed and cash necessary to
tide cultivators over during the planting season, whereas the cultivators provided
tools and work animals and were responsible for one-half the expense of crop
production. Usually, owner and sharecropper each took one-half of the harvest,
although only after the former deducted a portion for expenses. Terms might be
more liberal in frontier areas where owners needed to attract cultivators to clear the
land. Sometimes land tenancy arrangements were three tiered. An original obner
would lease land to an "inquilino" who would then sublet it to "kasamas".

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Public Health and Sanitation
 One of the priorities of the Americans was the promotion of public health and
sanitation. They were successful in curing and minimizing the spread of deadly
diseases like cholera, smallfox, dysentery and tuberculosis. Several agencies were
created to promote public health; among them were Bureau of Health and the
Quarantine Service. Many hospitals, clinics and health centers were established all
over the Philippines.

Infrastructure, Transportation and Communication

 More roads and bridges were also constructed. Americans improved the buildings
constructed by the Spaniards. They also brought the first motor vehicle to the
country. By 1934 there were already more than 40,000 motor vehicles, cars, trucks
and motorcycles in the country. In 1911, the airplane was introduced for the first
time in the Philippines. Telephone lines and radio relationship were introduced in
Manila in 1905. Towns and provincial capitals were linked together by telephones,
telegraph lines and radio. Mail offices throughout the country, numbering more than
a thousand in 1935, handled ordinary mails, telegrams, money orders and airmail
letter and packages. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone or PLDT, the largest in
terms of telecommunications in the country was sold by General Telephone and
Electronics Corporation to a group of Filipino businessmen on November 1928.

Exercises:

1. What is the difference between Military and Civil Government?

2. Enumerate the development under American period.
3. What was is the purpose of Philippine Assembly?
4. What is the significance of Philippine Bill of 1902?
5. Do you think the American Policy in the Philippines was effective? Why?

END OF MIDTERM MODULE

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