"Champion Of The Cause Of The Filipino Clergy"

A Filipino catholic priest, accused of mutiny by Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century and was placed in a mock trial and summarily executed in Manila along with two other clergymen. José Ma. Apolonio Burgos y Garcia , the son of a Spanish officer Jose Tiburcio Burgos and a Filipino mestiza Florencia Garcia, studied at the prestigious Colegio San Juan de Letran in Manila, where his excellent grades led him to obtain the titles of Bachelor in matters of philosophy (1855) and theology (1859), and graduating with the number one in his class. That same year he was ordained as priest, and then began studies at the University of St. Thomas; in this Center continued his brilliant academic career, on graduating in the Bachelor of philosophy (1860), theology (1862), and Canon law (1866). In 1868 he obtained the doctorate in theology and in April 1871 culminated as extraordinary curriculum with the title of doctor in Canon law. At the same time he combined studies with the position of Pastor in the District of Intramuros in the Philippine capital. Then he held the positions of Prosecutor of the ecclesiastical court, Canon of the Cathedral of Manila, and master of ceremonies for the Universidad La experience in the University that made him aware of unfair discrimination against the Spaniards towards the Indians, particularly serious situation in the bosom of the Church establishment. For this reason, he began to write articles in which denounced this situation, with vehemence and brilliant arguments writings who enjoyed certain permissiveness to be broadcast during the liberal interlude of 1869- 1871. However, his spirited defense of the native clergy on the controversial issue of the Secularization of the clergy earned him furious enmity of regular Spanish friars.

For his courageous defense of the cause of Filipino priesthood, Father Burgos earned for himself the name "Champion of the Cause of the Filipino Clergy" but incurred the hatred of the Spanish friars. Thus, when the Cavite mutiny broke out in 1872, the Spanish authorities arrested him together with Father Gomez and Father Zamora, charging them of having incited the revolution. After a mock trial at Fort Santiago on February 15, 1872, they were sentenced to die by means of the garrote, a Spanish strangulation by an iron collar tightened by a screw. On February 17, 1872, they were executed in Bagumbayan, now the Luneta. This incident made Jose Rizal mourn and was inspired to write his second novel, El Filibusterismo.

2 WORKS OF PADRE JOSE MA. APOLONIO BURGOS Y GARCIA

La Loba Negra

Maremagnum

La Loba Negra (The Black She- Wolf) is a historical novel allegedly written by Padre Burgos in 1869. The novel was based on a true story about Governor General Bustamante who received an order from King Philip V of Spain to organize and manage the Philippine taxes. The man refuses to kiss the hand of a Friar which become the start of the conflict and worsen by his strict governance and following the king's Order that results to his death.

Prior to his death, Maria his wife, angrily talks to a priest about his unjustified excessive claims of being a man of God then slaps him. She also killed the Curate who raped her daughter. As a result, Maria became the leader of the natives' abuse by the church. From then, the Black She-wolf (La Loba Negra) become famous for killing many Priests. However, the reign of the black she-wolf ended, Maria got killed. Maria who is the La Loba negra is Dona Luisa, wife of Gov. Gen. Bustamante. It also reveals that the priest also killed their sons. Meanwhile, Dolores their oldest daughter, marry Sandugo and follow the steps of her mother.

The story of La Loba Negra by Padre Burgos still exist in this modern society. The story may show its heroic idea toward Spaniards but contradicts the way it is implied. Unlike the act done by Luisa, many people especially youth still do revenge in its simplest way. Looking into the brighter side of the story, the youth may collect lessons to improve their situations. First, there’s no good in doing revenge. A self-explanatory statement that is sometimes hard to digest. Revenge won’t do anything good, in fact, it might cause harm not just to the target but also to yourself, doing bad things in a good way doesn’t make you a hero. Second is awareness. This novel was written for us youth to be aware of how life was during the regime of Spaniards. How Filipinos do unlawful acts and sacrifices just to get away from the Spaniards. It was a hope for us to digest all the lessons in the story, to change the deeds and acknowledge acts we have done.

References:

*Foreman, J., 1906, The Philippine Islands, A Political, Geographical, Ethnographical, Social, and Commercial History of the Philippine Archipelago, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons

*Padre Burgos, The Philippine Magazine, Volumne 34, Number 2, January 1937

*Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.

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