GE 109 Readings in the Philippine History

“To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book

that tells of her past”
Jose Rizal
 Introduction
 

Reforms to the basic education system of the Philippines have

resulted into introduction of the K to 12 program, a much needed
development since the Philippine has been the last country in Asia
with a 10 year pre-university cycle. Globally, the accepted span of
basic education is 12 years, and it is recognized as the standards for
students and professional.
It is in these realities that the GE course Reading in the Philippine
History is situated with the course description viewed from the lens
of selected primary sources in different periods, analysis and
interpretations. The focus of this course is to develop
historiographical skills connected to context and content analysis
applying both analytical strategies in themes and topics across the
Philippine past..
.
 
Primary sources will be the ultimate bridge between the
past and the present allowing spaces for students to simply
not parrot facts about the past but to gain knowledge that
can be used in proposing solutions to the problems of today
The use of primary sources in studying about the past
connect the history learner to the text producers
themselves. Allowing for a richer experience of
understanding and appreciation.
However, the use of primary sources for those who lack
training and knowledge could also be disastrous and maybe
a source of misunderstanding and alienation to the events
of the past.
This subject is crafted to provide a strategy on how to study
Philippine history through primary sources in hopes that the
teacher and the study would have the best opportunity to
learn and study about the past while taking great care in
watching the steps they take in their attempt to utilize
primary sources in history.
To us as teachers, remember that Philippine history is not
set in stone and holy in continuous learning and updating
historical knowledge can we make ourselves aware that the
trends in knowledge of Philippine history is regularly
changing. It is our responsibility to keep track of the
discourse of the Philippine past and keep our self-
knowledge to be able to provide our students with the best
instruction and assistance in understanding our nation’s
narrative.
 Emilio F. Aguinaldo
-Ist President of the Philippines & Ist Republic
-Jan. 23, 1899 - April, 1901
-Leader of katipunan in Cavite.
-Elected as president by the Malolos Congress of
the Ist Republic.
-Proclaimed independence on June 12, 1898.
-Led the bloody revolution against Americans.
-Captured & surrendered in Palanan, Isabela to
Americans on March 23, 1901.
 Manuel L. Quezon
-2nd President of the Philippines & Ist President of
the Commonwealth.
-Nov. 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944
-Described as “Paladin of Philippine Freedom”
-Instrumental in the passage of Tydings- McDuffie
Act of the USA Congress which pave the way to
an ultimate independent Phil. Republic.
-He was forced to go into exiled in the USA during
the Japanese occupation in the Phils.
 Jose P. Laurel

-3rd President of the Phils. & Pres. Of 2nd

Republic
-October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945
-He was the president of the Phils. During the
war between or against Japan.
-Japanese surrendered to Allies headed by the
United States of America.
 Sergio Osmena Sr.
-4th President of the Philippines & 2nd of the commonwealth.
-August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946
- A lawyer & Newspaper Editor.
- Governor of Cebu in 1904.
- Founding speaker & was elected as Senator in
1922.
-He founded Nacionalista Party which dominated the politics
in 1935.
-Elected Vice-President of the Phil. Commonwealth
-He was exiled in USA with Quezon & returned in the
Philippines together with Mc Arthur & helped
Rehabilitate the country from the war.
 Manuel A. Roxas
-5th president & 3rd president of the Commonwealth
-May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948
-Started his political career as member of municipal
Council of Capiz in 1917.
-Served as Governor from 1919-1921.
-Won election in the House of Representative & to the post as
Speaker.
-Roxas worked with Quezon & Osmena campaign for
independence.
-Became member of ConCon in 1934 that produced the 1935
Constitution.
-He defeated Osmena in the 1946 election.
 Elpedio R. Quirino
-6th president of the Philippines
-April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953
-A practicing lawyer & elected as member of House
of Representatives in 1919 & as senator in 1925.
-Having most of his immediate family were
massacred during the war, he was elected as
vice-president & become president after the
sudden death of pres. Roxas.
-Quirino restored the people’s faith in the
government as well as solving agrarian conflict.
 Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay Sr.
-7th president of the Philippines
-December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957
-An automobile mechanic, appointed military of Zambales
Province.
-Outstanding service as guerrilla leader during the war.
-He then serve 2 terms as Congressman of Zambales under
LP.
-He won the presidency under NP in 1953.
-He purchased & distributed large estates to tenant
farmers. Widely popular as a leader & known as”
Champion of the masses”.
-Died in plane crash on March 17, 1957 in Cebu.
 Carlos P. Garcia

-8th president of the Philippines

March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961
-A former school teacher & a guerrilla leader.
-Served as Governor of Bohol, Senator &
elected as vice-president in 1953.
-Succeeded Magsaysay after his death.
-Remembered as poet & keen chess player.
-He popularized “ Filipino First Policy”
 Diosdado P. Macapagal

-9th president of the Philippines

-December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965
-known as “poor boy” from Lubao, Pampanga
-Elected as Congressman of Pampanga in 1957.
-Became vice-president under LP.
-He was elected as president in 1961.
-Affectionately called as “Champion of the
Common man”
 Ferdinand E. Marcos
-10th president of the Philippines
-Dec. 30, 1965 – Feb. 25, 1986
-Headed the information security of the USAFFE
-Thrice elected as Congressman of Ilocos Norte
-He was the youngest member of the House of
Representative at the age of 32.
-Elected Senator in 1959 as No.1 Senator & Senate President
in 1936.
-Elected president of the Philippines in 1965
-Popularized the slogan “ This country will be great again”
-Suspended the 1935 Constitution last Sept. 21, 1972
& implemented Martial Law.
 Corazon C. Aquino
-Eleventh & the Ist woman president on the Phils.
-Feb. 26, 1986 – June 30, 1992
-Run for president during snap election last Feb. 7,
1986 against Marcos after gathered M signatures.
-Installed as president because of People Power
happened on Feb. 25, 1986.
-Retained presidential form of government.
-Experienced 6 coup d’ etat that try to overthrow her
gov’t.
-Faced calamities like July 16, 1990 earthquake &
eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 15,1991.
 Fidel V. Ramos
-12th president of the Philippines
-June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998
-From Lingayen, Pangasinan
-Graduated from PMA.
-West Point graduate in USA.
-He was the former Chief of PC now PNP.
-Vice Chief of Staff of AFP during Marcos regime.
-Launched “Philippines 2000”.
-Chief of Staff of AFP in 1986.
-Sec. of DND in 1988.
 Joseph M. Ejercito (Estrada)
-13th president of the Phils.
-June 30, 1998 – Jan. 20, 2001
-College at Mapua Institute of Technology & ADMU
-Became movie actor at the age of 21 after dropping out
from school.
-Mayor of San Juan, MM for 17 years.
-Voted to end the US Military Bases in the Phils. In 1991.
-Popularized the slogan “ Erap Para sa Mahirap”
-Elected Vice-president of the Phils. In 1992.
-Forcibly relieved from his position because of EDSA II.
 Gloria M. Arroyo
-14th president of the Phils.
-Jan. 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010
-MA Economics, ADMU
-Ph. D. Economics, UP
-No. 1 Senator in 1992-1995
-Secretary of DSWD.
-Elected Vice-president on May 11, 1998
 Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III
-15th president of the Philippines
-2010 - 2016
-Popularized the slogan “ Daang Matuwid”
Fourth-youngest president after Emilio
Aguinaldo, Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos.[3]
First president to be a bachelor and have no 
official consort, being unmarried and having no
children.[3]
Second president not to drink alcoholic beverages; the
first president not to drink alcohol was 
Emilio Aguinaldo.[3]
Eighth president to smoke cigarettes.[3]
Ist alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University to become pres.
[3]

Third president who will only hold office in Malacañang

Palace, but not be a resident, following his mother Corazon
Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos.[3]
First president to make Bahay Pangarap his official
residence.[36][40]
Third president to use his second given name, Simeon, as his
middle initial, as Manuel L. Quezon and Jose P. Laurel did.][3][4]
2nd president to be a child of a former president
First president to be a former student of a former president (
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)
 Rodrigo R. Duterte
16th President of the Philippines
2016-Present
DU30- stylized campaign
 Born March 28, 1945), also known as Digong
 73 years old, Duterte is the 
oldest person to assume the Philippine presidency.
Duterte was born in Maasin, Southern Leyte.
He studied political science at the 
Lyceum of the Philippines University, graduated in
1968, before obtaining a law degree from 
San Beda College of Law in 1972.
 Chapter I
The Philippines & its people
-Philippines is a tropical & archipelagic country
situated in South East Asia Region.
-Endowed with rich natural resources &
hospitable people.
 Geography
-Philippines is an archipelago & compose of 7,107
islands, 4,000 have no names lying southeast of
the coast of mainland Asia. Located little above the
equator thus, belong to northern hemisphere.
Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Palawan,
Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu &
Bohol are the biggest islands in the Philippines.
Total land area is 300,000 Sq. Km. Has 17 regions
& 80 provinces.
On the north we can see Taiwan, Pacific Ocean on the
east, South China Sea on the west & Celebes sea on the
South. Coastline of the Phils. Is irregular & stretches
for about 36,289 km.
Philippine Deep is the deepest sea trench in the country
near Samar & Leyte. Phils. Is a mountainous area were
numerous peaks found from north to south. Mount Apo
is the highest mountain in the country found in Davao.
Its height is 2,954 m. Mt. Dulang-dulang is the 2nd
highest found in Bukidnon. It’s Height is 2,938 m. Mt.
Pulag is the 3rd largest mountain, 2,926 m high.
Three mt. Ranges namely, Sierra madre, Western
caraballo & Caraballo de baler.
Sierra Madre – is the longest mt. Range from
baler, Quezon up to Isabela & Cagayan.
The Tagaytay Ridge that crosses the provinces
of Cavite & Batangas, mt. Makiling in Laguna &
Taal volcano in Batangas are parts of Tagaytay
Ridge.
 Volcanoes & Earthquake
There are 26 Volcanoes in the Phils. are
considered as active while others are dormant.
Mayon in Albay & Taal in Batangas are the most
active volcanoes in the country.
Bulusan in Sorsogon, Hibok-hibok in Camiguin
Island & makaturing in Lanao.
In 1966, Taal volcano erupted & many people led
to resettlement to other places.
Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales that erupted last 1991
Philippines lies on the seismic belt or pacific
chain of fire.
Last July 16, 1990, hundreds of people died
because of 7.8 magnitude earthquake that strike
Luzon especially Baguio.
Climate
We have a tropical and maritime climate w/c is
tempered by the breeze from pacific ocean on
the east & China sea on the west.
2 major season
1.Dry season from Dec. -May
2.Wet season from June –November
Salubrious- accdg. to Miguil Lopez de Legaspi,
our climate is salubrious.
• Typhoon
Yolanda, Ruping and Undang.
Natural resources
Rice, corn, coconuts, sugar cane, banana &
pineapples.
Foods such as fish, seaweeds, sea shells & pearls
for jewelry. Minerals like gold, copper, silver, lead,
zinc, nickel, manganese & chromium. Non- metallic
minerals like salt, clay, coal, sulphur & limestone.
The Phils. Has also oil called “black gold” that is in
Malampaya, Palawan. The congress pass the law
lobbying the DENR R.A.7586 involvement of the
local communities in biodiversity conservation &
habitat management. The Phil. Clear Air Act of
1999, the Ecological Solid Waste Management of
2000 & Clear Water Act of 2004.
Economy
Rice is the main crop of the country. Produce by
the Central Luzon, Western Visayas and
Mindanao.
Insufficient of production due to several factors
1.Destructive typhoon & floods
2.Backwardness of agricultural sector
3.Production shift to sources of biofuels such as
jathropa.
4.Massive conversion of farmlands to residential
& commercial.
Major Phil. Products for export
1.Coconut oil 4.Sugar
2.Banana 5.Gum resins
3.Pineapple 6.Abaca
Phils. Also among the world’s supplier of semi
conductor product like ignition wiring sets used
in vehicle, aircraft & ships.
Top market countries for export
1.USA 4.China
2.Japan 5.Malaysia
3.Hongkong 6.South Korea
Population
2008-2009- 92 million Filipinos concentrated in
urban areas
110 million– Phil. Population
67.89 – life expectancy for men
73.85 – for women
84 % - population is functionally literate
2009 – estimated 35 M Filipinos are employed
34 %-engaged in agriculture.
15%-engaged in industry sector
51%-in service sector
Austronesian-ethnic group majority of Filipinos
Mestiza-mixture of offspring between Filipinos &
other foreigners.
170-spoken languages
Major languages
1.Bicolano 6.Kapampangan
2.Cebuano 7.Maguindanaon
3.Chabacano 8.Maranao
4.Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 9.Pangasinense
5.Ilocano 10.Tagalog
Filipino-is the national language.
Government
Philippines is a constitutional republic where the
head is called President.
Branches of government
1.Executive-Cabinet, Vice & President
2.Legislative-House of representatives & Senate
3.Judiciary-Supreme court & other lower courts
Senate president- head of the senate
Speaker of the House- led the House of Rep.
Chief Justice-head of the supreme court
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo 
Subdivision of the Philippines
1.Regions- 17
2.Provinces-80 provinces headed by governor
3.District-Headed by Congressman
4.Town-headed by Mayor
5.Barangay- headed by Brgy. Captain
Sangguniang Panlalawigan- legislative body of a
province
Four Constitution
1.Malolos Constitution 3.1973 Constitution
2.1935 constitution 4.1987 Constitution
Filipino Traits
1.Hospitality 3.Respect for the elders
2.Close family ties 4.Sentimental
Filipino Values
1.Pakikisama 6.Colonial mentality
2.Utang na loob 7.Ningas cogon
3.Hiya 8.Manana habit
4.Bayanihan 9.Bahala na
5.Crab Mentality 10.Amor propio
 Early contacts with neighboring countries
Early trade routes and contacts
 
Just like other South East Asian neighboring countries, early Filipinos
were expert seafarers and boat builders. They made all sizes and
types of boat. Big, small, single-hulled and outrigged. Because they
had mastered the wind and sea currents. They could travel far and
wide to trade with nearby South East and East Asian neighboring
countries.
Some scholars suggested that they even reached as far as Champa,
now known as Vietnam and some parts of India. Thus, long before the
coming of the Portuguese and Spaniards in the Philippines, the
country had outside trade contracts and along with varied cultural
exchanges took place. O.W. Wolters, said such a trade may have been
there as early as the 3rd century.
was rich in pearls and gold was abundant in the country.
Filipino historians believed that Filipino-Chinese trade
contacts began around the 9th century during the Tang
Dynasty.
Orang Dampuan, a group of people from southern
Vietnam, established trading post in Sulu. A flourishing
trade developed between Champa (Vietnam) and the
people of Sulu who were called as Buranun. The famous
pearl trade in Sulu also attracted another group of people
known as Banjar, of nearby Borneo. The traders of
Banjarmassin, aware of the fate of the Orang Dampuans,
were more diplomatic.
Economic and Cultural Exchanges
Arab Traders, dominated the Southeast Asian trading were
barred from the Central Chinese coast. Chinese traders,
greatly improved during the Ming Dynasty. During this time,
Emperor Yung lo sent a fleet of vessels to the Philippines
under the command of Admiral Cheng Ho to visit Lingayen,
Manila Bay, Mindoro and Sulu in 1405.The Philippine trade
goods included cotton, abaca, cloth of various patterns, hard
woods and pearl shells. Quite part from the Chinese, the
ancient Filipinos were also influenced by the Indians of India.
Sanskrit, the ancient language of India which clearly seen in
some of the words in tagalog in the Philippines. Like Ahi
sanskrit, ahas in tagalog and snake in English. Ganda in
Sanskrit, ganda in tagalog and beauty in English.
The coming and teachings of Islam
Islam spread outside Arabia after the death of Mohammad in
632 A.D. in two stages.
First stage, Islam was brought to the rest of Middle East,
Northern Africa, Spain and Central Asia. Second stage, Muslim
missionaries travelled with Arab merchants to India, China, and
to South East Asia where number of them were traders and
missionaries settled and intermarried with members of the
royalty.
Islam, the religion of Muslim. Mosque, their church, Madrasah,
the school of Muslim. Tuan Masha’ika, a trader from Malaya
who introduced Islam in the Philippines and his companion
Tuan Maqbalu who came to Sulu in the 1240s. Tarsila, the
genealogy of Sulu. Raja Baginda, who built madrasah in
Mindanao and later rose to position of power in Sulu.
Abu Bakr, married to Paramisuli, daughter of Raja
Baginda, Abu Bakr succeeded Baginda in
establishing a government similar to the Sultanate
of Arabia. Serif Kabungsuan, arrived from West
Malaysia and converted many inhabitants of
Mindanao to Islam and he became the first sultan
of Maguindanao. Allah, the only one supreme
creator of Muslim or their God, the creator of the
universe and all of human kind. Mohammad, their
prophet.
The following are the teachings of Koran:
1. There is only one Supreme Being, Allah, the creator of the
Universe and all of humankind.
2. Allah is a just and merciful God and it is Allah’s desire that all
should repent of their sins,
purify themselves so that they could enter paradise after death.
3. Life in this world is temporary and one’s good deeds as well
as bad deeds are listed by an angel for final judgement.
4. Koran forbids any human or animal representation in the art.
5. Eating pork, drinking wine and gambling are forbidden in
Islam.
6. Islam Forbids loans and usury.
7. Telling lies, stealing, adultery and murder are all grave sins.
 Sources of History
1.Primary Sources-considered as the lifeblood of
history. Accdng to De Viana (2015) it directly talks
about the subject matter. Accounts of people who
are direct participants or eyewitness to an event.
a.Minutes of meeting h.Decrees
b.Diaries & journals i.Letters
c.Autobiographies j.Eyewitness accounts
d.Speeches k.Laws
e.Receipts l.Letters of instruction
f.Essay m.Official reports
g.Newsletter articles n.Editorials
2.Secondary Sources-are documents or works
made by individuals who are not directly involved
to the events or made by people who obtain the
information from somebody else or from primary
sources.
a.Textbooks
b.Encyclopedia
c.Newspapers account of a meeting
d.Magazine articles about teacher’s report on
student behaviour reported by school’s counsellor.
Repositories of primary sources
1.National Archives of the Philippines
2.National Library of the Philippines
3.National Historical Commission of the Philippines
4.National Museum of the Philippines
5.UP Main Library
6.ADMU Rizal Library
7.DLSU Library
8.UST Library
9.Library of Congress
10.National Archives and Records Administration
11.Archivo General de Indias
12.Archivo General de la Nacion
13.Americal Historical Collection
14.Lopez Memorial Museum
15.Ayala Museum
Kinds of Primary Sources
1.Human fossils
2.Artifacts
3.Royal decrees & laws 11.Magazines
4.Official reports 12.Legislative journals
5.Chronicles 13.Court records
6.Friar accounts 14.Speeches
7.Maps 15.Pesonal letters
8.Memoirs 16.On line databases
9.Personal account 17.Blogs
10.Newspaper 18.Documentary films
19.Recorded interviews
Readings on Tejeros Convention (1897)
Narratives
The discovery of Katipunan led to the oppressing
stand of the warring factions of the society:
1.Magdalo-Emilio Aguinaldo
2.Magdiwang-Andres Bonifacio
The Magdalo faction stand firm in the changing of
the katipunan since it was already discovered by
the Spaniards. On the other hand, the Magdiwang
faction stand firm that the Katipunan should remain
despite the Spaniards had discovered it.
To unite the conflicting factions of the Katipunan &
to solve their conflict, Emilio Aguinaldo & Andres
Bonifacio agreed to hold the Tejeros Convention.
Primary Sources are: Alvarez Santiago V.(1992)
The Katipunan & the Revolution.Memoirs of a
General.Loyola heights, Quezon City: ADMU Press.
Secondary Source: Teodoro Agoncillo’s “Revolts of
the masses” The story of Bonifacio & the Katipunan.
Quezon City: UP Press.
 Output # 3
“Tejeros Convention”
Primary Sources vs Secondary Sources

Primary Source: Secondary Source:

Santiago Alvarez Teodoro Agoncillo’s
“Memoirs of A General” “Revolt of the Masses”

Author’s background

When was the account

written?
Mention of Date (s)
Mention of Place
Key personal ties

Sequencing of events

Differences between 2
accounts
 First Voyage around the world
Ferdinand Magellan was sent by King Charles V,
Spanish king to lead an expedition of 5 ships & 237
men which departed on August 10, 1519 & that was
the first circumnavigation of the globe.
-A Portuguese navigator who transferred his
allegiance to Spain.
-He reached the island of Homonhon, Samar on
March 16, 1521. He named the island & later on the
Philippines as Archipelago of St. Lasarus because it
was the feast day of the saint.
The First Voyage around the world
Antonio Pigafeta (1969)
Manila: Filipiniana Book Guild
 Kartilla of the Katipunan
Emilio Jacinto

The Light of Liberty

English Translation

KKK
Duties of the Sons of the People
Kartilla – where the teachings of KKK is contained.
-Adopted from Spanish term Cartilla which
means primer for grade school students.
-Written by Emilio Jacinto.
13 Teachings of Kartilla
1.Believe with a fervent heart in the creator
2.Reflect always that a sincere faith in Him involves
love of one’s native land because this shows true
love for one’s fellow.
3. Engrave on the heart the conviction that to die for
the liberation of the country from enslavement is
the highest honor and fortune.
4.In any endeavour, the realization of good aspirations
depends on calmness, perseverance, reason and hope.
5.Guard the instructions and plans of the KKK as you
would guard your own honor.
6.Anyone who falls into danger while carrying out
their duties should be supported by all and rescued
even at the cost of life and richest.
7.Let each of us strive in the performance of our duty
to set a good example for others to follow.
8.Share whatever you can with whoever is needy.
9.Diligence in earning a livelihood is a true expression
of love and affection for self, spouse,
children, brothers and compatriot.
10.Believe absolutely that scoundrels and traitors
will be punished and good deeds will be rewarded.
Believe that the aims of the KKK are blessed by the
Creator, for the will of the people is also His will.
Act of the declaration of Philippine Independence
June 12, 1898 – Independence Day.
Kawit, Cavite – where declaration was happen.
Through the recommendation of American Consul
Wildman.
Emilio Aguinaldo- declared independence day.
-Established a dictatorship government.
Treaty of Paris- virtue the ceding of the Philippines
to the USA by the Spaniards with the amount of
$20 million. Payment for the damage of war and
for the improvements done by the Spaniards.
Ambrosio R. Bautista- Spaniard who prepared the
declaration of Philippine Independence.
98 persons- signed the declaration.
Marcela Agoncillo – made our national flag
assisted by Lorenzana Agoncillo and Delfina
Herbosa and designed by Emilio Aguinaldo.
Julian Felipe- composed the Marcha Felipina
Magdalo now Lupang Hinirang.
San Francisco De Malabon Band – played the
Lupang Hinirang.
Sulpicio Guevara- read the act of declaration of
Philippine Independence.
Pact of Friendship-Ferdinand Magellan occupied
Cebu and become friend of Tupas, the chief of
Cebu. But he was killed by Kalipulako (Lapu-Lapu),
the chief of Mactan who suspected Magellan his
evil designs. He also entered Bohol & entered into
A Blood Compact with Sikatuna.
Fernando Amorsolo – son of Pedro Amorsolo &
Bonifacia Cueto.
Born on May 30, 1892 at Paco, manila.
But he spent his childhood years in Daet,
Camarines Norte where his love for rural life
became the foundation of his artistic outlook.
His favorite painting is the rural sceneries &
Philippine rural landscapes.
Juan Luna – native of Badoc, Ilocos Norte.
-Born on October 23,1857.
-Parents were Don Joaquin Luna de San Pedro y
Paredes & Doῆa Laurena Novicio.
His interest in art due to influence of his brother
Manuel Luna who was also a painter. He took
lessons from famous painting teacher Lorenzo
Guerero. Enrolled at Academia de Dibiyo y pintura
under Spaniard artist Agustin Saez.
-He is considered as one of the greatest Filipino
artists in history with master pieces “Spoliarium”,
“The Death of Cleopatra” & “Blood Compact”
He was known of being dramatic, dynamic,
focusing on romanticism & realism style of arts.
 Site of the First Mass in the Philippines
March 31, 1521 – Ferdinand Magellan ordered a
mass to be celebrated on that Easter Sunday.
Fr. Pedro Valderama – the Andalusian chaplain of
the ship officiated the mass. That mass marked the
birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.
Colambu and Siaiu – the first natives of the
archipelago.
Limasawa, Southern Leyte and Masau, Butuan
were the two places claim being the site of the
first mass in the Philippines.
But according to the First Voyage around the world
by Antonio Pigafeta, the first mass was in Masau,
Butuan.
Cavite Mutiny
Fort San Felipe, Cavite – a Spanish arsenal in the
Philippines where around 200 Filipino soldiers &
laborers rose a violent mutiny because of the
abolition from exemption from force labor & tribute.
believing that it would escalate to a national uprising.
January 20, 1872 – Cavite mutiny or uprising happen
where mutiny was unsuccessful.
Spanish soldiers executed many participants.
It was the beginning of Filipino nationalism that
Eventually lead to the Philippine revolution in 1896.
Martyrdom of GomBurZa
February 17, 1872 – GomBurZa were executed at
Bagumbayan, Manila. Charges of subversion arising
from Cavite mutiny. Their execution left profound
effect to many Filipinos. In fact Rizal dedicated his
2nd novel El Filibusterismo to the 3 martyred priest.
Gov. General Rafael Izquierdo – a reactionary
Spanish governor-General who blame the 3 priest
for the mutiny and ordered for their execution.
Garrote – means of killing the GomBurZa.