1> Philippine Revolution vs.

Spain
Christianized by the Spanish missionaries
but oppressed by the colonizing powers,
the Filipinos sought to gain freedom.
Revolts and reform movements marked
the 400 years of Spanish occupation.

Lapu-lapu,
Chief of Mactan
and Sultan Kudarat

were among the first who

defied Spanish rule.
The Dagohoy revolt began
by Francisco Dagohoy lasted
for 100 years.

The martyrdom of Frs.

Gomez, Burgos and Zamora

who worked for Church and

ecclesiastical reforms, became
a rallying point for the
revolutionaries.

The Cavite mutiny inspired

many other uprisings.
 The popular freedom movement
Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio,
Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini

and the peaceful reforms

spearheaded by
Dr. Jose Rizal
Marcelo H.del Pilar
and numerous unsung heroes who
gave their lives for the country,
bore fruit.
 Philippine Independence
was declared on
June 12,
1898.
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
became President
of the First Philippine Republic.

However - the victory of the revolution

led to the departure of the Spanish
missionaries and religious.
2> American Occupation & Colonization
Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States.
The United States came in as the New
Colonizers.
New battles were fought!
These cost the lives of
Gregorio del
Pilar,
Antonio Luna,
Miguel Malvar
– and countless
other Filipino patriots.
The Americans sought to establish a strong
foothold in the Philippines. With their
military entry came a new system of
education and protestantism.

Protestantism spread
through the American
teachers and schools.

Embracing protestantism
became a condition for free
admission in schools and in
some cases, free treatment
in hospitals.
3>The Aglipayan Movement
Fr. Gregorio Aglipay’s nationalist efforts
against Spanish oppression resulted in his
separation from the Catholic Church –
and the founding of the Philippine
Independent Church.

The dangers to the Catholic

Faith of the Filipinos was real!
The Coming of the SPC Sisters
Bishop Frederick Rooker,
one of the first four American
Bishops assigned to the
Philippines
sought means
to preserve, nurture and
strengthen the Catholic faith
in his diocese – Jaro - which
comprised 8 provinces including
Dumaguete.
As the story goes:

making a stop-over in
Hongkong en route to the
U.S., Bishop Rooker saw a
Sister of St. Paul .
He asked how he could invite
sisters to his diocese. Mo. Candide Cousin
The Sister directed him to Principal Superior in
write the Principal Superior Asia (1845-1921)
who was then residing in
Saigon.
Sailing to Philippine shores
Saigon - October 20, 1904
Sisters sail aboard the “Minas de Batan”
Manila – October 25, 1904
Archbishop Jeremiah J. Harty

welcomed the Sisters and

next day they set sail for
Cebu aboard the
“Pleguezuelo”

Cebu – October 28, 1904

Bishop Thomas A. Hendrick received the Sisters

and assured them of his support as they transferred

to yet another boat!
29 October 1904: Arrival in Dumaguete
A moment of great joy for the whole town!
 Sisters carried to the shore
 Cheering crowd, ringing bells,brass bands playing
 To the Church and their new home
Catechism -later a school – St. Paul Academy
The FIRST FOUNDATION
now St. Paul UniversityDumaguete
The harvest is great !

After Dumaguete, one foundation

followed another….
Sharing in the Paschal Mystery
1. Adjustments to different cultures, language difficulties,
uncertainties and deprivations of the first foundations
2. Fires, storms, earthquake and other natural calamities
3. The WAR YEARS
4. Martial law years that saw the death of many freedoms
enjoyed by the people
5. Closure of some houses due to lack of resources,
misunderstandings with the bishop or parish priests
6. Realities of the human condition, struggle with human
weakness and limitations within and without the
community