There are four historical events that became a conflict and controversies in the Philippines. The first mass controversy, the issue in the Cavite Mutiny, and the issue if Rizal really retract and the controversy on where did the cry of rebellion actually happened. In studying these controversies and issues we might encounter ourselves being confused in these case studies because of the arguments that is present here. But as we go deep in studying these, we would be able to understand more and conclude our analysis in here. The idea of studying these will enable us to view the Philippine History in a much more significant way. We will come to realize the real important of these in the present times. Surely, these will benefit us as a citizen of this country who appreciate the beauty and significance of the past or historical events that happened which led us to this kind of present, we are having right now.
Primary sources and findings alongside with the studies are presented on each case study below:
Where did the First Catholic Mass Take Place in the Philippines?
Butuan City and Limasawa, Southern Leyte are the either the two places that everyone argued to be the places where the First Catholic Mass happens in the Philippines, this issue is called the first mass controversy. These are the places that appeared on the historian’s studies and claims where they believed the first mass was held.
For a long period of time this issue is continuously being argued by many historians, although many supporting evidences are presented to make every historian’s claims reliable it still took a long time just to decide or to know truly where did the first mass in the Philippines was held. But it seems like at first, they already believed that the mass was really held at Limasawa, then the contradict to this claim appeared. Where in, many people also believe that it is held at Butuan City making the issue more confusing. Many findings are also presented in order to support that claims. Studies and evidences started to appear through the help of other historians. One of those findings is stated in Pigafetta’s Chronicle of Magellan’s expedition to the Philippine Island. Here, it stated that an island called “Mazaua” was the place where the first mass was held. That island is believed to be the Masao said to be near at Butuan City. Even with that the NHI and congress, still announced that the first mass is really held at Limasawa and not in Butuan City. Which is stated at RA 2733 that is enacted in 1960. But people who believed that the place should be Butuan City didn’t still agree on it, and that’s why it took a long time before the controversy was settled.
What happened in the Cavite Mutiny?
Year 1872, of January 20 around 200 local Filipino troops and workers or the military personnel of Fort San Felipe uprise, believing that this will be the start of the national uprising. Although this mutiny is unsuccessful, and many of the participants are executed by the government. This historical even is believed by many scholars still believe that this mutiny in Cavite is the start of the Philippine Revolution of 1896. This Cavite Mutiny that happened in the past is also considered as a major factor that affects the awakening of the Filipino’s nationalism to our country.
The three priests commonly known as the GOMBURZA is the combined name of the three martyred priest that believed to be the mastermind of the Cavite Mutiny. Father Mariano Gomez, a Chinese-Filipino who is born in Cavite, Father Jose Burgos, a Spanish descent that is born in the Philippines and Father Jacinto Zamora, also a Spanish but born in Philippines. The Spanish clergy connected the three priests to the mutiny thinking that instead of being an assistant to the regular friars, they desire to have their own parishes.
In the Spaniards accounts, during 1872 they planned on liquidating the high-ranking Spanish officials or officers and kill friars. It also stated here that during the celebration of the feast of Virgin Loreta, fireworks are displayed, the Caviteños mistook as a signal to begin their attack. Sergeant Lamadrid led 200 men to attack Spanish officers at sight. Unfortunately, the Manileños that are expected to back up or aid them did not arrived, which led to a perfectly defeated revolution. And the leaders of are executed including the three priests.
Did Rizal Retract?
Jose Rizal was a very influential leader of Filipino. Through his writings he awakens the mind of the Filipino and led them to the revolution during 1896-1898. Because of this up until know he is considered to be the National Hero of the Philippines because of his heroic deeds that he enacted in order to free and claim the independence of the Philippines from Spanish Rule. Due to his influence he is executed by Spaniards for starting a rebellion.
Some of the writings of Jose Rizal is considered anti-Catholic. Where in during that time Catholic church has a s powerful authority along side with the Spanish Government. During 1935, a controversial letter was discovered by a catholic priest and believed to be the writing of Rizal right before his execution. It states a retraction to his writings that contradicts the Catholic Faith. At least 4 retraction letters of Rizal have appeared. But many are saying that the lost original letters are only copied by a person who can imitate Rizal’s writings. The thought of Rizal might have been written; it is still being considered up until now. Although with these, they are still not able to confirm and validate any statements they have arrived.
Where Did the cry of Rebellion Happen?
During 1896, at northeast of Manila, the cry rebellion happened. The cry rebellion is the start of the revolution of the Filipino against Spanish in the late 19th century. But the thing here is just where did the cry of rebellion actually happened. There are many places that is considered here primarily because of those historians that study this issue and the basis of them from the primary sources that they have found.
Lt. Olegario Diaz and Teodor M. Kalaw a historian, believe that the cry rebellion happened in Balintawak on August 25, 1896. Gregorio Zaide that also believed in here but it is on August 26.
Santiago Alvarez the san of Mariano Alvarez and also a Katipunero said that it happened in Bahay Toro in Quezon City during August 24, 1896.
August 26, 1896, a big meeting was held in at Antonio Samson, Cabeza of Balintawak in Caloocan City. Andres Bonifacio and other leaders of Katipunan and board of Directors of organizations. The meeting is started at 9 o’clock in the morning led by Andres Bonifacio and Jacinto that act as a secretary. Reason why many people come up with different places and different dates of the occurrence of the cry of rebellion because those people are presented in and experienced different situation in compared to others. But using the primary and secondary sources that are given this rebellion happened in 4 different places, Balintawak, Pugad Lawin, and Bahay toro and the dates are range from August 23 – 26 in the year of 1896. Since there are different movements of Andres Bonifacio that time from place to place and time to time when they are invading the Spanish Government who were pursuing the Katipuneros it led to different accounts of place and time which confused us right now on the right places and dates the cry of the rebellion happened.