Aira Dela Vega - Angela Realda - Jacey Uy - Kristine RonatayCURATORIAL THESIS
The Cavite Mutiny was a failed attempt of 200 Filipino
soldiers to overthrow the Spanish government. It was
interpreted by the Spanish friars and Governor-General
Izquierdo as a full-fledged attempt involving not only
military personnel, but also the native clergy and civilians in
Cavite and Manila. The National Hero, Jose Rizal dedicated
his book, “El Fili” to the three priests who were persecuted
for being accused of instigating the Cavite Mutiny. Despite
the fact that the mutiny failed to establish a truly free nation,
it is presumed to have influenced the 1898 revolution where
the Philippines finally declared independence against the
Spaniards.
A democratic society requires dismantling decades of social
inequality, exploitation, and other types of oppression. We
can only achieve a social change through a collective impact
and sociohistorical awareness. Thus, this monument, along
with the virtual exhibit, aims to give recognition to the Cavite
Mutiny that is seldom addressed despite having a significant
impact in the Philippine history. As we strive to immerse
ourselves in the essential aspects of the past through these
initiatives, it will help awaken the Filipino consciousness and
nationalism.HISTORIGAL BACKGROUND
The Cavite Mutiny or the event that preceded the Gomburza
execution in 1872 transpired on January 20, 1872, 28 days before
the happening that inspired one of Rizal's prominent writings, “El
Filibusterismo”.’ According to Governor-General Izquierdo’s
letter to the Overseas Minister or the Ministro de Ultramar ’, the
revolt was triggered by the removal of the Cavite arsenal
workers’ privilege such as tax (tribute) and exclusion from
forced labor.* In addition to the following, Izquierdo claimed that
the revolution was also powered by the arrival of malicious
propagandas from Spain to the Philippines and the ardent
support of the native clergy towards the rebels and enemies of
Spain — all in hopes of overthrowing the Spanish government.*
The revolt was not planned in a haste as a confession from Sgt.
Bonifacio Octavo, a suspected Cavite Mutiny leader, expresses
that he was approached as early as the November or December
of 1871 and was supposedly spearheaded by a Cavitejio civilian,
Francis Zaldua.’ The process of joining the revolution was as
simple as signing your name on a paper to showcase your
willingness to fight against Spain.’ Influential and prominent
people in society such as mestizos, abogadillos or native
lawyers, educated leaders, people residing in Cavite and Manila,
as well as the native clergy, were all thought to be part of this big
conspiracy.’ They were set to attack in the wee hours of the
morning and their scheme included setting fire to Tondo and
taking over Fort Santiago while the authorities were busy
extinguishing it, ultimately ending the uprising by killing all
Spaniards, except for the women, and declaring the country’s
independence.’ However, despite the early preparedness of the
insurgents and the methodical planning, the revolt ended in vain.
‘1*The Martyrdom of GomBurZa | Presidential Museum and Library,” Malacanang.gov.ph, 2013,
hitp://malacaneng gov ph/7695-the-mertyrdom-of-the-gomburza/
2 John N. Schumacher, “The Cavite Mutiny Toward a Definitive History," Philippine Studies 59, no. 1 (2011): 55-81,
it} jstororo/stable 2638001
3Xia0 Chula, Xiao Time: Ang pag-aaklas sa Cavite (Cavite Mutiny," YouTube video, 3:45, June 4, 2020,
hitps/wwwyoutubecom/wateh?v=scwmeVCwuv8
4 Ghris Antonette Pledad-Pugay, "The Two Faces ofthe 1872 Cavite
Philippines, September 4 28% hitps//nhcp gov ph/the-two-Taces
1 Cavite Mutiny Toward a Definitive History, 61
" National Historical Commission of the
12-1872-cavite-mutiny/
7 Piedad-Pugay, “The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny”
8 Schumacher, “The Cavite Mutiny Toward a Definitive History’, 58,HISTORIGAL BACKGROUND
There were two main reasons as to why the mutiny met an
unfortunate ending. First, the conspirators decided on firing
rockets from within the walls of Intramuros as a sign to seize
the Fort. Coincidentally, the district of Sampaloc was celebrating
the feast of the Virgin of Loreto and had the usual display of
fireworks to commemorate, which the rebels mistook as the
sign and thus striking at a wrong time.® 200 men led by Sgt.
Fernando Lamadrid fought a battle that was set up for failure, as
the reinforcements from Manila that they were expecting were
nowhere to be found.’ Second, reports of an anonymous tip of
the insurgent already fell in the hands of Governor-General
Izquierdo on January 19, detailing that there was an uprising
happening that night and to be on guard for attacks in both
Manila and Cavite. Already on high alert for the revolt, he
gathered the troops and generated fear that their plans had
already been discovered, causing three regiments to remain
loyal to Spain and prevent Bacoor from joining the rebellion. °
Despite the adverse ending of the Cavite mutiny, the rebels did
not go without a fight. It took two days before the uprising was
officially declared “a win” for the Spaniards,’ much longer than
what was expected due to the decrease in the mutineers and the
fact that there was a tip-off given for the opposition to prepare.
Governor-General Izquierdo believed that the mutiny was
instigated by no other than Fr. José Burgos and Fr. Jacinto
Zamora, and later on Fr. Mariano Gomez and Fr. José Guevara
were added since Octavo reported that Zaldua repeatedly
pointed them out as the masterminds. Due to the previous
implications of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, the three were
picked out and were then executed, commemorating what the
Filipinos know now as Gomburza.
9 Piedad-Pugay, “The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny”
10 Schumacher, “The Cavite Mutiny Toward a Definitive Hse. 58-59,
11 Piedad-Pugay, “The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutin
12 Schumacher “The Cavite Mutiny Toward a Definitve History’, 65-66PUBLIC HISTORY
EDUCATION COMPONENTQJECT DESCRIPTION
A virtual exhibition will be held to commemorate the Cavite
Mutiny based on the account of Governor-General Rafael
Izquierdo y Gutiérrez. Similar to an actual physical exhibition, a
virtual exhibition is a digitized version of a physical exhibition,
similar to virtual museums like the Smithsonian National
Museum. Through this set up, viewers from all around the
country, or even the globe, can see the exhibition whenever they
please. This will allow the exhibit to cater to a bigger audience.
Furthermore, the virtual exhibition will come with an audio guide
that would help in narrating the story behind the Cavite Mutiny to
allow viewers to feel the emotions of the said mutiny. The audio
guide will come with two language options, English and Filipino,
so that it would be more inclusive. In addition, the audio guide
will also provide an option to skip or sensor parts that may
contain sensitive topics, since some parts of the 1872 Cavite
Mutiny may be triggering.
At the end of the virtual exhibit, the audience will be presented
with an option to find out more about the mutiny. They will be
redirected to a page where they can view the different accounts
of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny, aside from the commonly used account
by Governor-General Rafael Izquierdo y Gutiérrez. Moreover, a
page that compares and contrasts the Spanish accounts of the
Mutiny with the Filipino account by Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo
Pardo de Tavera, in order to show them the difference between
both.
In partnership with different local artists in the Philippines, the
exhibition will display commissioned art pieces that portray the
happenings of the Cavite Mutiny. Local artists are given certain
parts of the audio guide's script to help inspire them to come up
with a piece reminiscent of that part. Through this, the exhibit is
able to give value to local artists and give them a platform for
their art while commemorating the Cavite Mutiny at the same
time. Together with these locally sourced art pieces, the exhibit
will also display memorabilia from the Cavite Mutiny such as the
different photographs taken from this event.ee
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aMade up of granite nd bronze, the figures depicted in the
monument are composed of the Philippine flag and the Filipino
soldiers and troops who partook in the Cavite Mutiny in an
attempt to overthrow the Spanish authority and attain
Independence.
a,
oANG PAG AALSA SA KABITE
INILAAN ANG PAMPUBLIKONG
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PAG-AALSA SA KABITE NOONG
PANAHON NG _ KASTILLA.
KABILA NG PAGKABIGO NITO.
NAGBIGAY ITO NG DAAN
PATUNGO SA 1898 REBOLUSYON
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OBJECTIVES
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aLEARNING OBJEGTIVES
The 1872 Cavite Mutiny is an event in Philippine History that
is often not discussed in history classes. Usually, only the
story of the execution of the GomBurZa is mentioned, along
with a brief background of it. However, the mutiny is seldom
mentioned.
Through the activity, the audience will be able to understand
the events that transpired prior to the execution of the
GomBurZa. This virtual exhibit seeks to shed light on the
events that inspired the awakening of Philippine nationalism.
In addition, the virtual exhibit also seeks to inform the
audience about the importance of giving local artists a
platform to showcase their artworks, so that they may be
given more avenues to express their creativity.EMOTIONAL OBJECTIVES
Introducing an event in history which isn't often discussed in
history classes will help make people realize that there is
more to Philippine history. This in turn will entice them to
read and find out more about the country’s past.
Moreover, recognizing this significant event in history will
allow the audience to feel moved due to the will of the native
Filipinos to fight for what they believe was right. By
highlighting the historical events about resisting oppression,
we expect them to be more aware and actively participate in
societal issues.
This virtual exhibit will also help them appreciate the
creativity and passion that local Filipino artists contribute to
their craft and pave way for more platforms for local artists
to exhibit their artworks.wn
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REFERENEES
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‘ ee oar_ REFERENGES
Piedad-Pugay, Christ Antonette. “The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny -
National Historical Commission of the Philippines.” National Historical
Commission of the Philippines, September 4,
2012.https://nhcp.gov.ph/the-two-faces-of-the-1872-cavite-mutiny/.
Presidential Museum and Library. “The Martyrdom of GomBurZa |
Presidential Museum and Library.” Malacananggov.ph. Accessed March 29,
2021. http://malacanang.gov.ph/7695-the-martyrdom-of-the-gomburza/.
Schumacher, John N. "The Cavite Mutiny Toward a Definitive History."
Philippine Studies 59, no. 1 (20m): 55-81.
http://www,jstor.org/stable/42635001.
Xiao Chua, “Xiao Time: Ang pag-aaklas sa Cavite (Cavite Mutiny),” YouTube
video, 3:45, June 4, 2020, https://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=5CwmcUCwuv8