10 Mind-Blowing Controversies in

Philippine History

While we’re already familiar with the more well-known controversies in

Philippine history, such as Jose Rizal’s retraction, Luna’s assassination,
etc., some lesser-known controversies are worth delving into. After all,
they do form a part of Philippine history.

Also Read: 10 ‘What If’ Scenarios That Would Have Changed

Philippine History Forever

Table of Contents

10. We Already Had An Excellent Public School System Before The

Americans Came
9. Jose Rizal Disliked The Chinese.
8. Jose Burgos Was Framed For The Cavite Mutiny.
7. The Americans Used Pigs’ Blood And Body Parts On Moro Insurgents.
6. The Jabidah Massacre Never Happened.
5. A Filipino Helped Found Los Angeles.
4. Gregorio del Pilar Was Aguinaldo’s Assassin.
3. Bonifacio ‘Acted Like A King’ In Cavite.
2. Miguel Malvar, Not Manuel Quezon, Should Be The Second Philippine
President.
1. An Ancient Family Owns The Entire Philippines.
References

10. We Already Had An Excellent Public School System Before The

Americans Came

Thoma
site teacher with Filipino students.

Although we cannot discount all the good things the Americans did to
improve the country’s education system, the Spanish deserve credit for
their contributions.

Contrary to popular belief that Filipinos lived like uneducated medieval

peons during the Spanish era, the inhabitants were one of the most
educated peoples in all of Asia, and thanks mainly to the implementation
of the public school system by the Spanish government, which started
with the Educational Decree Act of 1863.

Also Read: 10 Reasons Why Life Was Better In Pre-Colonial

Philippines

The act created separate public schools for Filipino boys and girls and the
teaching of free compulsory education, a first for any European colony.
Surprisingly, the girls were taught “domestic” lessons and subjects such
as Spanish and French languages and the sciences. Manuel Quezon, a
product of the Spanish public school system, attested to the existence
and excellence of Spanish education long before the Americans came.

Unfortunately, American propaganda against the Spanish and the fact

that local friars tried to subvert the system made a very negative
impression of the Spanish educational system.

9. Jose Rizal Disliked The Chinese.

Oil painting
portrait of Jose Rizal by Filipino painter Félix Resurrección Hidalgo
(1883). Via Wikimedia Commons.

Other than campaigning against Spanish oppression, Rizal would also end
up fighting what he perceived to be the Chinese exploitation of his
countrymen. He viewed the Chinese primarily as unscrupulous traders and
businessmen who liked to take advantage of Filipinos for profit, even if it
meant kowtowing to the Spanish.

Rizal’s dislike for the Chinese could be seen in his letter to his mother, in
which he complained of being embroiled in a lawsuit with a Chinese and
promised never to buy any products from him, and in his novel El
Filibusterismo, where he portrayed the character of Quiroga (who was
reportedly based on a real Chinese businessman) as a shrewd and cunning
individual.

Also Read: 8 Mind-Boggling Myths About Jose Rizal

While Rizal’s anti-Chinese sentiment could be attributed to his nationalist

drive, some historians think he may have gone too far by putting all
Chinese in the same category as those he had encountered. Not only that,
he ironically disowned his Chinese ancestry by claiming he had no Chinese
blood and was pure Filipino.

Related Article:

9 Reasons Why Rizal Was Just As Human As The Rest Of Us

However, to some historians, Rizal expressed his wish to be viewed as a

full-blooded Filipino, no matter his heritage. In addition, general
sentiment at that time ran high against foreigners regardless of whether
they were Chinese or Spanish.

8. Jose Burgos Was Framed For The Cavite Mutiny.

 Source: Kasaysayan – The
Story of the Filipino People.

We all know that Gomburza—Fathers Mario Gomez, Jose Burgos, and

Jacinto Zamora—very much had nothing to do with the 1872 Cavite
Mutiny and that some disgruntled soldiers launched it after discovering
they were now forced to pay personal taxes as well as perform forced
labor, both of which they had been previously exempted from.

Trivia: There were three other martyr priests aside from “Gomburza.”

However, according to the accounts of two Spanish clergymen captured

during the Revolution, the failed mutiny was, in fact, a plot by the Spanish
friars to eliminate Jose Burgos, who was then the foremost champion of
secular priests. To that end, they sent a Franciscan friar named Claudio
del Arceo to Cavite and foment unrest among the soldiers, promising them
money and a great fleet from the United States in the name of Father
Burgos would arrive to assist them.

After the mutiny unfolded, the friars convinced Rafael de Izquierdo that
Burgos planned it all by giving him a banquet and a colossal bribe.
7. The Americans Used Pigs’ Blood And Body Parts On Moro
Insurgents.

LEFT:
Gen. Pershing as Army Chief of Staff. RIGHT: Americans were said to
have executed captured insurgents with bullets dipped in pig’s blood or
buried with dead pigs.

Other than the infamous “water-cure” method the Americans used on

captured Filipino combatants during the Philippine-American War, they
would also reportedly employ the unconventional method of using pigs to
pacify the Moro fighters in the second half of the same war.

Recommended Article: 8 Dark Chapters of Filipino-American History

We Rarely Talk About

Specifically, they were said to have executed captured insurgents

or “juramentados” (an assassin gone amok) with bullets dipped in pig blood
or buried with dead pigs. The Americans believed that the Moros—who
detested pork—would not be able to go to the afterlife if they had any
contact with the animals and so hoped to dissuade further attacks.

Rare Video: Gen. J. Franklin Bell’s mule pack train crossing the Agno
River in Northern Luzon (1902)

The originator of this method was supposedly none other than US General
John “Black Jack” Pershing, the first and only man to have ever been
promoted to General of the Armies during his lifetime (Washington was
promoted posthumously). Although the method is unsubstantiated, many
books and websites regularly quote it as one way to fight Islamic
terrorists.

6. The Jabidah Massacre Never Happened.

While we may all be familiar with the alleged massacre of disenchanted

Muslim recruits in Corregidor in 1968, many historians have disputed
whether the massacre happened.

Contrary to popular belief, then-Senator Benigno Aquino did not believe

Jibin Arula, who claimed to be the massacre’s sole survivor. For him, the
massacre reeked of a hoax. However, he did accuse President Ferdinand
Marcos of plotting to build up a personal elite force for his “garrison
state,” as well as planning for the takeover of Sabah. Rigoberto Tiglao
even states that the Jabidah Massacre was a brilliant propaganda
campaign pulled off by Malaysia, a belief accepted again by Ninoy.

Also Read: 13 Curious Facts About Ninoy Aquino

Supposedly, many of the recruits were Malaysian counter-agents tasked

to foment dissent among the members, thus ensuring that Marcos’ plan
would never go off. In a way, the alleged plan to sow chaos in Sabah
boomeranged right back into the Philippines’ backyard—Mindanao.

5. A Filipino Helped Found Los Angeles.

Mural
by Millard Sheets depicting the 1781 founding of Los Angeles. Courtesy
of the Title Insurance and Trust / C.C. Pierce Photography Collection,
USC Libraries.
While not directly concerning the country, this little historical
controversy is somewhat of a heated issue, especially within the Fil-Am
community of Los Angeles.

Although there is no doubt given to the eleven founding settlers who

helped to found Los Angeles in 1781, the same cannot be said for Antonio
Miranda Rodriguez. Supposedly, he was a skilled gunsmith from Manila
who journeyed there with his daughter via the galleon trade but arrived
much later after suffering from smallpox. Later, he came to be feted as
the 12th settler of Los Angeles.

Did you know? A Filipino dwarf became a famous figure in 19th-

century Britain.

However, some historians have disputed the recognition of the argument

that Rodriguez never settled. Upon arriving in California, he was
reportedly sent to Sta. Barbara instead was an armorer due to his skills
as a gunsmith and was said to have died in that place after only eight
months. Also, his name cannot be found on any of the plaques and markers
honoring the founders of LA.

4. Gregorio del Pilar Was Aguinaldo’s Assassin.

 Gregorio del Pilar, ca. 1899. Via
Wikimedia Commons

Admittedly, most of del Pilar’s fame comes from his death defending
Tirad Pass from advancing American forces during the Philippine-
American War. Yet for all his bravery (or foolhardiness, depending on
one’s view), del Pilar also has his plethora of controversies.

Also Read: Gregorio del Pilar’s famous last words.

Aside from the controversy of reportedly indulging in a drinking spree

and an orgy the night before his big battle, it is alleged that del Pilar
was also Emilio Aguinaldo’s “hatchetman.” As someone who reportedly
exhibited sadistic tendencies toward captured friars (he made one clean
the toilet with his bare hands, according to one story) and with his
unwavering loyalty to the president, del Pilar was the ideal “berdugo” for
Aguinaldo.
Recommended Article: 13 Facts That Prove Antonio Luna Was An All-
Around Badass

Accordingly, it is believed that del Pilar and his men were behind the
killing of Antonio Luna after being ordered by Aguinaldo to eliminate him.
By extension, del Pilar was also said to have personally conducted the
arrests, torture, and execution of many of Luna’s officers.

3. Bonifacio ‘Acted Like A King’ In Cavite.

Source: “Tragedy of the

Revolution” by Adrian Cristobal (Studio 5 Publishing)

Although many would undoubtedly choose Bonifacio over Aguinaldo as

their hero, the former does deserve his fair share of criticism, mainly
because he was said to have “acted like a king” upon his arrival in Cavite
after being invited to mend the growing rift between the Magdiwang and
Magdalo factions.

According to Nick Joaquin, Bonifacio turned off the Caviteños when he

showed up, began barking orders, and behaved like “Caesar without the
crown.” He adds that instead of capitalizing on the golden opportunity to
stop the infighting among the revolutionaries who were at the time facing
a Spanish offensive, Bonifacio just added more fuel to the fire by openly
taking sides.
 Also Read: 7 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Andres
Bonifacio

After the Tejeros Convention, he nullified all appointments and had

Artemio Ricarte intercept Magdalo reinforcements to Pasong Santol,
resulting in the death of Aguinaldo’s brother Crispulo who was defending
that area. At that point, Aguinaldo and the rest of Cavite must have
decided Bonifacio was too dangerous to leave alone.

2. Miguel Malvar, Not Manuel Quezon, Should Be The Second

Philippine President.

Genera
l Miguel Malvar. Photo Credit: Zarah Escueta/It’s Xiao Time!

On par with the perennial argument of whether Andres Bonifacio should

be recognized as the country’s first president is whether Miguel Malvar
and not Manuel Quezon rightfully deserve the title as the country’s
second president.

According to his supporters (Jejomar Binay is one of them), Malvar

deserves to be recognized as such in line with the natural order of
succession. With the capture of Aguinaldo and the surrender of Mariano
Trias, his designated successor and Malvar’s direct superior, it fell upon
the general from Batangas to lead the remnants of the revolutionary
forces.
Recommended Article: 9 Pinoy Historical Villains Who Weren’t As Evil
As You Think

His presidency was also recognized as legitimate by members of the

“Hong Kong Junta,” the overseas council which procured arms and
campaigned for foreign recognition of Philippine independence. During his
period of resistance up until his surrender, Malvar ran the fledgling
republic as a chief executive and as head of the armed forces—just as a
real president would.

1. An Ancient Family Owns The Entire Philippines.

Did an ancient family rule the Philippines before the coming of the
Spaniards? According to the modern-day descendants of the Tagean-
Tallano clans, their ancestors used to rule over a land called “Maharlika,”
an empire that consisted of the Philippines, the rest of Southeast Asia,
the Marianas Islands, and even Hawaii.

The clan counts Lapu-Lapu, Soliman, Lakandula, and other prominent

Filipino rulers as their descendants. Under Luisong Tagean Tallano,
Maharlika was said to have been one of the most prosperous countries in
Asia. The clan also claims that their sovereignty over the Philippines was
recognized by the different colonial powers (Spain, Britain, and the US)
through the issuance of three documents, all of which were unfortunately
thrown out by the Court of Appeals in 2002 for being “spurious.”

READ: 13 Intriguing Facts You Might Not Know About Ferdinand

Marcos

However, that hasn’t stopped some family members from showing up in

the news from time to time. In 2012, Salam Lacan Luisong Tagean—who
claims to be from the clan—made headlines when he filed his candidacy
for senator while proclaiming he was the country’s rightful ruler.

References

Arguelles, M. (2012). Hundreds turn up in rally to back ‘Ako Bicol’ party-

list group. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved
from http://goo.gl/sVwmHW

Escobar, A. (2014). Groundbreaking Filipino American Art Exhibit “The

Arrival of the 12th Poblador” at the El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical
Monument – Closes May 25th. FilAm Arts. Retrieved 16 March 2015,
from http://goo.gl/U7gjFv

GMA News Online. (2008). General Goyo: The Gregorio del Pilar story.
Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/7E4Oyj

Joaquin, N. (2005). A Question of Heroes (pp. 86-108). Pasig City: Anvil

Publishing, Inc.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines 2013. The Hong Kong

Junta. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/cHbDbh

Official Website of the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines,

(2015). VP Binay To Historians: Help Rectify Oversight In Recognizing
General Malvar As 2nd President. Retrieved 16 March 2015,
from http://goo.gl/q7mqIb

Paredes, J. (2013). Bonifacio Remembered: Divisive and a hero

downgraded, what, finally, is Supremo’s place in
history?. InterAksyon.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015,
from http://goo.gl/de04a6

Pimentel, J. (2008). The Enclave of Our Roots. The Asian Journal MDWK
Magazine, 2. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/2OATMf

Snopes.com. Pershing the Thought. Retrieved 16 March 2015,

from http://goo.gl/7P8Xab

The ProPinoy Project,. (2011). Was Jose Rizal anti-Chinese?. Retrieved 16

March 2015, from http://goo.gl/Q85ylv

Tiglao, R. (2013). Malaysia’s masterstroke that buried our Sabah

claim. RigobertoTiglao.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015,
from http://goo.gl/OcLR5U

Tiglao, R. (2013). Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.’s Jabidah speech

1968. RigobertoTiglao.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015,
from http://goo.gl/6SYiRp

Written by FilipiKnow

in Facts & Figures, History & Culture

Last Updated January 26, 2023 10:49 PM

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