The Underlying Causes and Failures of the Philippine Revolts

Against Spanish Rule

During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, several

revolts against Spain were undertaken for various reasons. However,
it can be agreed upon that the common underlying cause of these
revolts were the generally repressive policies of the Spanish colonial
government against the native Filipinos. Many of these revolts though
have failed. The specific underlying causes of these revolts have
distinct circumstances that need to be studied in Philippines History.
We now take a look on how these revolts prospered from its main
cause and failure to subjugate the Spanish rule .

In 1585, the popular revolt of Pampanga was undertaken due to

abuses felt by the natives inflicted by the encomenderos. The native
Kapampangan leaders failed to implement the revolt because a
Filipina married to a Spanish soldier reported the plot to Spanish
authorities. For their actions, the leaders of the revolt were ordered
executed.

The revolt against the tribute in 1589 occurred in the present

day provinces of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in 1589. The
natives, which included the Ilocanos, Ibanags and others, rose in
revolt over alleged abuses by tax collectors, such as the collection of
unjust taxes. Governor-General Santiago de Vera sent Spanish troops
to pacify the rebels. They were eventually granted pardon, along with
the overhaul of the Philippine tax system.

From 1649 to 1950, another popular revolt which was known as

the Sumuroy Revolt came from the present town now of 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. 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.
 The unique revolt that happened in 1744 was the Dogohoy
revolt which was completely related to matters of religious customs.
This was undertaken by Francisco Dagohoy.

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 Manuel Ricafort Palacín 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).

After a year another revolt was undertaken because agrarian

problems. The Filipino Landowners rose in arms over the land-
grabbing of Spanish friars, 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.This was then called “ Agrarian Revolt” which first sparked in
the towns of Lian and Nasugbu in Batangas.The date of the revolt
started between the years 1745 and 1746. An interesting result of this
revolt was when the court of King Philip heard the incident he ordered
the priests to return the lands they seized. However, the priests made
an appeal to the Spanish government and successfully able to appeal
the return of lands back to the natives, which resulted in no land
being returned to native landowners.

The most famous revolts in Philippine History was the Silang

Revolt which took place during the British invasion of Manila . The
revolt started in December 14, 1762 which 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 were 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.

Another revolt that happened in Ilocos was the Basi Revolt also
known as the Ambaristo revolt which was undertaken from September
16-28,1807. The revolt was very unique because the underlying cause
was the Ilocanos’ love for basi or sugar cane 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. However, the Spanish
troops eventually quelled the revolt on September 28, 1807, albeit
with much force and loss of life on the losing side.

Finally, on the most famous revolts was the Religious Revolt of

Hermano Pule which was undertaken between June 1840 and
November 1841. This revolt was known as Pule Revolt which 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 of
1840. However, there were two types of priests in the Philippines then:
secular priests, or parish priests, which were usually Filipino, 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 suited for
Filipinos.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 of 1841. The Spaniards
eventually won, and Apolinario de la Cruz was executed on November
4, 1841 in the then-provincial capital, Tayabas.It did not end there,
though. Many members of the Spanish armed forces' Tayabas
regiment, based in Malate in Manila, had relatives that were members
of the order, of which many of those relatives were also killed in the
ensuing violence. On January 20, 1843, the regiment, led by Sergeant
Irineo Samaniego, rose in mutiny, eventually capturing Fort Santiago
in Intramuros. The next day, however, the gates of Fort Santiago were
opened by loyalist soldiers. After a bloody battle, the mutineers were
defeated by loyalist troops, resulting in the execution of Samaniego
and 81 of his followers the same day.

An interesting insights about the underlying causes of the

Philippine revolt can be studied from the insights of Boquiren (1999)
which had been presented on the streams in peasant movements :

A. 1565-1663

Peasant movements within this period were generally

characterized as immediate reactions to the different aspects of
colonialism and the state that the local communities were
confronting at the time of contact.

The revolts were brought about largely as a result of:

1. oppression through colonial policies such as the tribute,
bandala (or reales compras) , polo, and other extractions;
2. (reaction to) the alien character of the new state imposed upon
the people (this was true among the dispossessed datu and
maharlika class, and may have been a deeper motivation); and
negation of ancient ways and beliefs (as foreign values and
customs were thrust upon the country, resulting in social
disorientation).

In particular instances, the revolts differed in the specific

mixture of the elements that went into their making. Nonetheless, it
will be useful to summarize the general character of and directions in
these peasant movements.

Revolts in LUZON were generally more political in character,

specifically within the old Pampanga-Manila-Mindoro area of state
construction. In Ilocos, meanwhile, revolts constituted a religio-
cultural, nativistic negation of Hispanic cultural predominance.
(Boquiren :1999)

A. 1565-1663

Luzon Revolts

June 1571 ( 3 days) : (Tondo ,Manila- Mindoro Circumference

area)

 MACABEBES led by "the King of Macabebes"

 Some 2,000 Macababe warriors (from Pampanga),
a reaction against foreign political set-up and religion; quelled
by Pintados and Spanish soldiers under Goiti

August 1571 ( Cainta)

 Tagalogs
1574 ( Navotas (Manila to Cavite, Batangas, and Mindoro)

 Manila Revolt led by Lakan Dula, involving some 10,000 natives

(during Limahong's attacks) as reactions against Spanish
officials extractions of food supply; turned out to be anti-
Spanish (civil officials and priests)

1585 (Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna,Bulacan)

 TONDO CONSPIRACY (of all the datus of the (1st attempt)

Pampanga and Tagalog Region) to expel the Spaniards led by
Agustin de Legazpi, Martin Panga

1587
 Second attempt) led by Magat Salamat - with the help of the
Japanese at first, and then of the Borneans

1584 ( Pampanga)
 Because of the famine caused by the polo

1580s
 Reported: numerous revolts in Cagayan and Ilocos as initial
reactions to colonial policies

1596(Cagayan)
 Magalat

1607 ( Cagayan)
 Chief of Malaguey"

1643 ( Bulacan)
 led by Don Pedro Ladia, nativist political revolt with religious
undertones. Ladia claimed the right to be "King over the
provinces of the Tagalogs" in his appeal to the ancient
indigenous religion

1645 ( Nueva Ecija /Gapan in Pampanga then)

 led by "an Indian sorcerer," *nativist, religious (kill the
Spaniards and the religion which caused the people disaster,
"slay the fathers and burn the churches")

1660(Pampanga, with contacts in Pangasinan, the Ilocos and

Cagayan)
 MANIAGO REVOLT (was actually a non-revolt) led by Don
Francisco Maniago, initially caused by natives' protest against
the polo and bandala, later became a struggle to free the
 natives from Spanish rule. The rebels were weakened by Gov.
de Lara's cooperation of Arayat chief Macapagal
 PANGASINAN REVOLT (Malong) led by Don Andres Malong, the
"King of Pangasinan" with some 11,000 men in all. Called for
the elimination of the Spanish civil bureaucracy, in place of
which Malong set up a rudimentary one consisting of a count, a
judge, and army generals based at "Palapag"; his weakness: he
spared the religious which was why he did not have a
committed following.
 GUMAPOS, with the help of Zambals and de Vera ( In Ilocos and
Cagayan)
 ILOCOS REVOLT led by Pedro Almazan, "King of the Ilocos",
with the help of Isnegs; response to Malong's appeal in Ilocos

In the VISAYAS, nativistic sentiment was much stronger than

elsewhere, as indicated in the fact that the communities sought in the
ancient religion and culture the strength and resources for the
struggle against Spanish political and cultural dominance.

Visayan Revolts

1588 (Cebu,Panay,other Visayan islands)

 Minor revolts against colonial policies

1621 ( Bohol)
 TAMBLOT REVOLT of 2,000 men led by the babaylan Tamblot,
called for the rejection of Catholic religion, people to rise up
against the Spaniards. Tamblot reported the appearance of a
diwata who promised the natives a life of happiness and
abundance "without paying tribute to the Spaniards or dues to
the churches

1621 ( Bohol)
 BANCAO, a chief of Limasaua, led a nativistic movement. He
erected a temple to the diwata and called on the people to
destroy church property

1649-1650 (Samar, Leyte, Albay, Camarines Sur, Bohol, Cebu,

Iligan, Camiguim, Surigao and Zamboanga )
 SUMUROY REVOLT led by the father of Sumuroy and himself,
Don Juan Ponce, Don Pedro Camuug, against the polo, but
with a nativistic, anti-friar impulsion behind it
 DABAO ("tricky Dabao"), from Butuan to Cebu, through Leyte
and Samar, and parts of Bicol: the territory of the ancient
Visayan rajahs in Northern Mindanao

1663 ( Panay)
  TAPAR REBELLION led by the sorcerer Tapar who went around
as a woman, as a babaylan; nativist, with Christian
organizational scheme inspiration
He taught his followers to worship idols, performed prodigies
resembling miracles, and became a prophet. He promised the
natives:
a . a life of abundance (leaves into fish,
coconut fiber into linen)
b. that they won't be hit/won't die when hit by
Spanish muskets; those who will die in the
rebellion will live again.
Tapar as the "Eternal Father," among his followers were
assigned a "Son," a "Holy Ghost," a "Virgin Mary," twelve apostles, a
"Pope," several bishops

B. 1663-1765

The revolts toward the 18th century differed from the earlier ones
in that they were more intense, more widespread, and longer in
duration. The following were the common features in these revolts:

1. They revealed direct links between the pre-Spanish centers of

state construction and the aspirations of the leaders (for a
return to the pre-colonial society/situation)
2. They also endeavored to achieve hegemony on a regional scope
3. All were rural-based, and had as aim the restitution of lands
and the melioration of the plight of the impoverished peasants.
4. There evolved a new pattern of resistance which unified the
kasama and principalia against the colonial society in the
Tagalog area, the kailianes and babacnang of Ilocos; the
peasants and the anacbanuas of Pangasinan, the Timauas and
ethnic (tribal) groups of Cagayan.
(Prior to this period, the revolts were characterized as
conflicts between the peasantry and the whole colonial
machinery - which included the principales to some extent. )
5. All revolts also revealed the schism within the principalia
(which the religious orders fomented), and thus gave birth to
the confrontation between opposition and collaboration as
tendencies of the elite.
6. To some extent, there was also some sort of an awakening
which took place among the "abogadillos" and "apo de radillos"
who assisted those who joined in the struggle (this being an
indication of a positive desire to assert native identity against
the political power of the colonizer). In this alliance
prefigured the future revolutionary coalition between the
peasant movement and the expanded ilustrado- principalia of
the 19th century .
 Three types of revolt characterized movements during the period:
1. the essentially agrarian uprisings in 1745 in the Tagalog
regions
2. the political revolts which took place mainly in Northern
Luzon
3. the culturally-controlled rebellion in Bohol which lasted for
almost 80 years

C. 1765-1815

Manifestations of the growing nationalism were in the form of

mass uprisings as a result of intensifying colonial exploitation in
view of new economic orientation which the influence of the
physiocrats in Europe brought about. The stress on monocropping-
based commercial agricultural production and exchange did not only
expand to become region-wide (hence, the regionalization of
commodity production along a few select export crops like coconut,
tobacco, sugarcane and cotton), but it also intensified land
concentration among fewer families and religious corporations
through the sanglang-bili and outright landgrabbing, The more
known revolts during the period were the following:

D. 1815-1872

The period is characterized by the emergence of a counter-

consciousness, a developing national identity which frontally
confronted the instruments of colonial control. The key institutions
which became targets of struggles were the church in the form of the
secularization movement as well as the reform movement in the
legislative and judicial functions of the colonial government through
lobbying and tirade by the insulares (Philippine-born Spaniards) and
Spanish mestizos.

Hermano Pule’s Cofradia de San Jose started as an open,

devotional organization in late 1840. It later became some sort of a
secret movement. By 1841 it began to espouse armed confrontation
with the colonial authorities. It became known as a colorum
movement as it spread to Tayabas, Laguna, and Batangas.

This was clearly a semi-nativistic confraternity in the sense that

it had syncretic elements of both the Christian and native
religions. Yet, it was a direct challenge to the ecclesiastical status
quo, in that its organization and activities were directed to the
pursuit of the limited goal of creating within the Church a
satisfactory environment for religious expression in which a
Filipino leadership could function without the handicaps created by
the religious orders (viz, the Dominicans).

It was also proto-political in the sense that although it had an

organizational machinery, this was still not broad-based and had
not formulated a program. Pule had connections with the creole
Domingo de Ropjas of Manila and his secular priest. This movement
was confronted by state (and Church) repression.

In the urban centers, the secularization movement was

characterized by student and youth organizing in support of the
demand to cut the control by religious corporations over the local
churches and greater participation by the Insulares and half-breeds in
the administrative functions of government.

E. 1872-1896

Uprisings during this period merged with initiatives of the

urban middle class, which eventually saw the outbreak of the
revolution in 1896. The merging of the anti-feudal, anti-cleric and
anti-colonial character of social movements was finally achieved
within the last decade of the 19 th century, not only through the
Katipunan-led organization but even moreso by the peasant
movements that presaged it.

Papa Isio’s movement was clearly a separatist movement at the

start which mobilized under the slogan "Long Live Rizal, Long Live the
Free Philippines," "Down with the Spaniards." As Papa Isio promised,
" the lands would be partitioned among the people, that machinery
would no longer be permitted on the island, and that nothing but
palay would henceforth be planted."

It eventually developed into an anti-protestant and anti-foreign

movement (haciendas owned by the natives were not touched, unless
the owners of these cooperated with the enemies).

F. 1896-1930s

The intrusion of Americans in the revolution against Spain saw

the systematic weakening of the Philippine revolutionary forces.
During the crucial period of intense American pacification campaigns
within the first decade of the 1900s, these local, nativistic and/or
millenarian movements provided for the continuity in the national
struggle while the resistance of the forces of Aguinaldo was being
undermined. The resurgence of militant nationalism from the ranks
of Aguinaldo accordingly saw the renewed links of the local
movements with the national struggle

B. 1663-1765

Luzon and Visayan Revolts

1718 ( Cagayan Valley)

 Itaves and Irraya led by Luis Magtangaga; a nativist-religious,
anti-Christian movement, brought about by worsening
conditions :economic crisis brought about by crop failure,
excessive oppression by the Alcalde Mayor
Zorilla (high prices, excessive/ arbitrary grain-tribute, and
personal services)

1718 ( Cainta)
 signs of restiveness in the Visayas reported Cebu, Oton, Negros
in Manila

1718-1719 ( Pangasinan)
 Caragay (a social bandit), in reaction against oppressive acts of
Alcalde-Mayor Antonio del Valle

1745 ( Tagalong Area)

 TAGALOG AGRARIAN UPRISING to recover the communal lands
system on account of the gradual encroachment of the religious
haciendas viz. the Hispanic proprietary rights and customs.

1762-1764
 LACAADEN, and KIDIT wage attacks against religious and
punitive missions in Tonglo and its neighboring villages in the
Mount Santo Tomas area

LUZON & VISAYAN REVOLTS

Date Description of struggle Base and scope
Cagayan Valley

1718 Cainta
Pangasinan

1745- Tagalog Area

1745
1759 Benguet
1762- Binalatongan in
1764 Pangasinan
1744- DAGOHOY, assisted by some members Bohol
1829 of the principalia: Calixto Sotero of
Tagbilaran, Captain
Miguelillo and Yslao of Baclayon, Pedro
Cortez Flores, Lazaro Sotario, and
Narciso delos Santos of Dauis, Bohol
has a heroic tradition-although situated
on the seashore, the Moros never
infested it.
C. 1765-1815

Date Description of struggle Base and

scope
1872- GUARDIA de HONOR Pangasinan,
1910 Originally a loyalist group created by the La Union
1872- Dominican friars, designed to promote
1882 Christian values, with clerical sanction.
Became a millenarian movement under
the
1883- leadership of a charismatic couple, faith
1896 healers "Apo Laqui" (Julian Baltazar) and
his blind wife.
Anti-cacique (by 1900s)
1896-
1910
1886- DIOS BUHAWI Negros
1889
1889 CA MARTIN Negros
1887- BABAYLANES (or PULAHANES or Negros
1907 MONTESCAS or CIVIL)
*Led by PAP ISIO (Dionisio Magbuelas;
Sigobelya)
Date Description of struggle Base and
scope
1839- COFRADIA de SAN JOSE Tayabas
1841 led by Hermano Pule (Apolinario dela
Cruz)
Hermano de la Archi-Cofradia del
Glorioso
Senor San Jose y de la Virgen del Rosario
(Brotherhood of the Great Sodality of the
Glorious Lord Saint Joseph and of the
Virgin of the Rosary)

Date Description of struggle Base and scope

1807 BASI REVOLT Ilocos
*reaction to the government wine
 monopoly

1815 SARRAT REBELLION Ilocos

*anti-cacique
opted for egalitarian society,
but within
(context of) Spanish colonial
state

Guide Questions:

1. What was the common underlying cause of the Philippine

rebellion?
2. Give a brief discussion on the following revolts:
a) Pampanga Revolt (1585)
b) Revolt Against the Tribute
c) Sumuroy Revolt ( 1649-80)
d) Dagohoy Revolt ( 1744-1829)
e) Agrarian Revolt ( 1745-48)
f) Silang Revolt ( 1762-63)
3. What were the reasons of the Philippine revolts in 1565-1663?
4. What were the general reasons of Philippine revolts that
happened in Luzon and Visayas?
5. Enumerate and describe the Philippine revolts that happened in
Luzon and Visayas?
6. Do you think the revolts 1863-1765 were the same from the
earlier ones? Justify your answer.
7. What were the common features of the Philippine revolts in
1565-1663?
8. What were the three types of revolt that characterized the
movements in 1565-1663?
9. Was the revolt of 1765-1815 manifested by the growing
nationalism of the peasant? Explain your answer.
10. Was the revolt of 1815-1872 characterized by the emergence
of a counter-consciousness in the securalization movement ?
Cite an instance that supports this answer.Was the revolt
of1872-1896 initiated by the urban middle class? Prove your
answer.

The Development of a National Consciousness

1. How did the Filipinos develop their national consciousness?

2. What were the prime causes in the development of the national
consciousness of the Filipinos?
 3. What can you say the administration of Governor General
Carlos Maria de la Torre in his extended reform for the
Filipinos?
4. What was the reaction of the friars and other conservative
Spaniard in Manila on the liberal administration of Governor
General Carlos Mario de la Torre?
5. Who were the identified liberal reformists implicated in the
Cavite mutiny on January 20,1872?

José Rizal and the Propaganda Movement

1. What was the main goal of the Propaganda Movement that

initiated by the Filipino émigrés in Europe?
2. What were the specific goals of the Propaganda movement?

3. How did it contribute to the development of the national

consciousness of the Filipinos?

4. Who was the most outstanding propagandist that contributed

the greatest impact on the development of the Filipino national
consciousness? Cite other instances that you know that shaped
the future of the Filipino nation.

5. Who were the other propagandists that contributed much to the

development of the Filipino nation? Cite their contributions and
its impact to the development of the national consciousness of
the Filipinos.

Spirit of Nationhood ( A Quote on the Spirit of Nationhood)

1. Explain the idea on the “ Spirit of Nationhood” that had its roots
in the scattered towns of Philippine Society during the Spanish
period.
2. What are your reactions and comments on the following
questions about the untold mysteries, anomalies, and secrets in
the history of the Philippines:

a) Did you know that the ilustrados were the first

articulators of the revolution?

b) Did you know that the first 'Filipinos" were not pure
filipinos but were creoles, Españoles-Filipinos, or the
Spaniards born in the Philippines?

c) Did you know that three groups composed the nucleus of

the reforms known as the Propaganda movement?
 d) Did you know that the first purely Filipino organization
was the La Solidaridad organized in Barcelona on
December 13, 1888?

e) Did you know that del Pilar and Rizal, two of the
Philippine's most famous and active propagandists, had a
misunderstanding resulting to the latter's withdrawal of
his support fot the La Solidaridad?

f) Did you know that Graciano Lopez Jaena ridiculed his

colleagues in La Solidaridad when pension from Manila
supporters did not materialize and that he devoted
himself to fulfilling his ambition to be elected to the
Cortes but without success?

g) Did you know why the Propaganda movement failed to

unite the Filipino people?

h) Do you know the aims of Rizal's La Liga Filipina?

i) Did you know that during the Spanish period, land

rentals increased from year to year and that social
injustice was so rampant in the rural areas?

j) Do you know who betrayed the Katipunan causing many

of its members to be imprisoned and persecuted.

k) Did you know where the first real encounter between

Spanish forces and the Katipunan took place?

l) Did you know that Bonifacio was tried and sentenced in a

mock trialby Aguinaldo's council because he was accused
of plotting Aguinaldo's death?
41
Wikipedia, “Philippine Revolts Againts Spain”
42
Boquiren, Rowena Reyes.Lectured on History of Colonialism and Struggle, Local Streams
in the Philippines delivered during the1999 Ibon Philippine Educators Training, Baguio
City