The Writings of Fr. Jose Burgos

Head Held High

It’s very promising, how Father Jose Burgos calmly faced the executioner during the Cavite munity where he has nothing to do with it. The undeniably tragic fate of Burgos together with Fathers Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora arisen the accolade to every National hero that is yet to be born. He was being praised and brought a lot of inspiration that awoken the minds of every living Filipino—even in his time, including our beloved Gat. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.

Did Father Jose Burgos realize that his death would spark the heart of every Filipino of many generations? Filipino youth wouldn’t recognize and admire the heroes of the distant past like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio if not because of the three Martyred Priests (GomBurZa) especially Father Jose Burgos who is being the most idolized because of his intelligence. He inspired Rizal to fight the love for his country and his own countrymen through his pen and paper—his writings. In fact Dr. Jose Rizal was able to dedicate his writings which became famous in the Philippines and all over the world, his second great novel after Noli Me Tangere, the El Fili Busterismo in 1891.

One of the greatest works that was written before by Father Burgos was his novel La Loba Negra or the Black She-Wolf in english translation, an operatic piece that tells about a three-act Filipino Opera that is based in the history and legend. The story of La Loba Negra takes place in the 17th century, during the time of Spanish rule in the Philippines. It revolves around the tragic assassination of Spanish Governor-General Fernando Bustamante, whose administration was greatly admired for its planned reforms in the colonial administration. The story thus focuses on the bitter reaction and planned revenge by his wife Dona Luisa (La Loba Negra) on the religious perpetrators.

In the story, at the Governor’s Palace ballroom, the conflict starts when Fray Totanes showed himself posturing a further elicit sarcastic remarks from the Governor and the misconduct act of the Auditor General Antonio Torralba the one’s that is in charge of the tax bills. Torralba was witnessed by Fray Totanes doing illegal work by collecting taxes from the merchants in exchange for fair trade. This doings was noticed by the governor and favored Torralba to be imprisoned in Fort Santiago, a most dreaded place for criminals and political prisoners at that time. This order caused the hatred of Fray Totanes and also of the most of the religious official, turning him into a crackdown. As a result of the jealousy of the friars, they organized the assassination of the governor along with his son. Also they seduced and sexually abused the daughter. Later the wife of the Governor, Dona Luisa who saw the brutal killing of her husband and son, became the La Loba Negra (The Black She-Wolf. In order for Dona Luisa to avenge his husband and son and the rape of her daughter, she methodically slays every friar she encounter. She killed over 200 priests in the span of only 2 years.

The story, in connection about our present situation, depicts about how fragile we are when it comes to our family. We don’t want to just let others harm our loved one’s even in the unrightfully way. There is always a connecting rope in the hurting heart of ours, vengeance it is. When put into a clearer picture, the brutal killing of Dona Luisa which is the La Loba Negra, implies about how men and women fought for the right of our country, the place that has been held hostage by the Spaniards colonialism. The unjust and inhumane act of the priests or friars in the story leads us to having the courage to fight and courageously face the fronts of the enemy. Moreover, this story tells us of our Filipino youth that even at a difficult situation we must not forget to deal with the enemy not our own natives. Because having to protect the land where we are raised in, is the honor of putting the heart to saving it. However, we should not be driven by our anger and despair to do immoral things just to avenge, all of it can be handled in the right and just way.

A great hero indeed, reflecting not only the bravery of father Burgos but also his writings that give rise to the urge of Filipino to fight the Spaniards and other foreign conquerors with their unjust and violent ruling. It became the symbol of his love to his countrymen that will forever be an honor to the country and also with his sacrifices that leads him to his awful grave. One thing that will be remarkable to the wide Filipino youth before he broke his neck with the garrote together with the Father Gomez and Father Jacinto, is the undying love that he showed by making his head held high, the symbol of a proud Filipino even if at the moment of his final hours.

As a Filipino youth, I consider Father Jose Burgos as a great hero and a normal individual with a large passion to function and contend for the rights of his state. Too many people yet he became one. But he is besides an individual like us, and as an individual we can make progress over our own destiny by doing well and inspiring the future generations. We should be proud, we are a Filipino and we have heroes like Father Jose Burgos.