Prologue
The Colonial Government
Within the more than three centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines, several alzamientos (uprisings) against Spain took place and the common underlying cause of these revolts was the generally repressive policies of the Spanish colonial government against the native Filipinos. The kind of society that developed was colonial and feudal. It was basically ruled by the landlord class, which included the Spanish colonial officials, the Catholic religious orders and local puppet chiefs. The people suffered from forced labor, non-payment of the timbers used in the construction of galleons, collection of tribute fees (payment for the spiritual guidance being done by the colonizers) and other taxes, thus reducing the masses to the status of serfs.
The friars exercised vast political powers. They supervised such diverse affairs as the municipal budget, taxation, census, statistics, primary schools, health, public works, and charities; certified the correctness of residence certificates; intervened in the election of municipal officials and in the appointment of police officers. So powerful, that they could instigate the transfer, suspension or removal from office of colonial officials, from the highest to the lowest. In line with their feudal interests, they could even murder the governor-general with impunity, as they did to Diego de Salcedo in 1668 and Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda in 1719. As they could be that vicious within their own official ranks, they were more so in witch-hunting and suppressing native rebels whom they condemned as “heretics” and "subversives."
The friars exercised vast political powers. They supervised such diverse affairs as the municipal budget, taxation, census, statistics, primary schools, health, public works, and charities; certified the correctness of residence certificates; intervened in the election of municipal officials and in the appointment of police officers. So powerful, that they could instigate the transfer, suspension or removal from office of colonial officials, from the highest to the lowest. In line with their feudal interests, they could even murder the governor-general with impunity, as they did to Diego de Salcedo in 1668 and Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda in 1719. As they could be that vicious within their own official ranks, they were more so in witch-hunting and suppressing native rebels whom they condemned as “heretics” and "subversives."
Widespread Rebellion
The most widespread revolts that occurred in the 17th century were those inspired by Juan Ponce Sumuroy in the southern provinces; and Francisco Maniago, Andres Malong, and Pedro Almazan in the northern provinces of the archipelago. The Sumuroy revolt started in Samar in 1649 and spread northward to Albay and Camarines Sur and southward to Masbate, Cebu, Camiguin, Zamboanga and Northern Mindanao.
The parallel revolts instigated by Maniago of Pampanga; Malong, of Pangasinan; and Almazan, of Ilocos all started in 1660. The Pampanga struggle led by Don Francisco Maniago failed when a certain leader from Arayat, Juan Macapagal, pledged his loyalty to Spain and cooperated with the colonial rulers, particularly with Spanish Governor Sabiniano Marquez de Lara.
The parallel revolts instigated by Maniago of Pampanga; Malong, of Pangasinan; and Almazan, of Ilocos all started in 1660. The Pampanga struggle led by Don Francisco Maniago failed when a certain leader from Arayat, Juan Macapagal, pledged his loyalty to Spain and cooperated with the colonial rulers, particularly with Spanish Governor Sabiniano Marquez de Lara.
Ilocos Uprising Planned
Don Pedro Almazan was a wealthy but generous leader from San Nicolas, Ilocos (at that time, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and part of La Union comprises the Ilocos province). He was enraged by the severe injustices and atrocities of the Spaniards. In protest against Spanish despotism and to expel the colonizers from his domain, Almazan planned of staging armed revolution. He transformed a certain quarter under his house into a secret dungeon and a repository of iron fetters. He intended to shackle all the friars and Spaniards that he could capture and jail them for life. He was joined in his plot by Juan Magsanop, a leader from Bangui. To strengthen their scheme, Almazan suggested the marriage between his son and Magsanop’s daughter, which the latter acceded to. They waited for the best chance for the occasion.
Don Pedro Almazan became more ardent in executing his plan upon hearing of the successful uprising in Pangasinan, by Don Andres Malong, King of Pangasinan, early in December 1660. When a mutiny ensued in Agoo (La Union), a huge contingent of Spaniards from Ilocos went to support their besieged troop. The Augustinian Friar Jose Arias of Bacarra, who was renowned for his viciousness, joined the party. The absence of Arias from Bacarra was anticipated by Almazan and Magsanop as the best opportunity for their brood’s wedding. And so, they set it for the end of the month.
Immediately, Magsanop sent a letter to Gaspar Cristobal, leader of Laoag, inviting him to the wedding and simultaneously asking the latter’s opinion on Almazan’s plan to revolt. After reading it, Cristobal instantly led his people and the emissaries to the Laoag church. He took a flaming torch and set the edifice on fire to demonstrate his concurrence to the plan and his solidarity with Almazan. Cristobal turned to the emissaries and said:
“Bilang tugon sa nais na malaman ng inyong pinuno, ipabatid ninyo sa kanya ang aking pagsangayon sa kanyang layuning mag-aklas! Isalaysay ninyo sa kanya na ang ginawa ko ngayon ay tanda ng aming pakiki-isa!” “Tulungan din ninyo kami na lupigin ang mga Kastila!” (“In response to your chief’s query, convey my concurrence to his aim to revolt! Narrate to him that what I did just now is our manifestation of solidarity. Help us also to crush the Spaniards!”)
Don Pedro Almazan became more ardent in executing his plan upon hearing of the successful uprising in Pangasinan, by Don Andres Malong, King of Pangasinan, early in December 1660. When a mutiny ensued in Agoo (La Union), a huge contingent of Spaniards from Ilocos went to support their besieged troop. The Augustinian Friar Jose Arias of Bacarra, who was renowned for his viciousness, joined the party. The absence of Arias from Bacarra was anticipated by Almazan and Magsanop as the best opportunity for their brood’s wedding. And so, they set it for the end of the month.
Immediately, Magsanop sent a letter to Gaspar Cristobal, leader of Laoag, inviting him to the wedding and simultaneously asking the latter’s opinion on Almazan’s plan to revolt. After reading it, Cristobal instantly led his people and the emissaries to the Laoag church. He took a flaming torch and set the edifice on fire to demonstrate his concurrence to the plan and his solidarity with Almazan. Cristobal turned to the emissaries and said:
“Bilang tugon sa nais na malaman ng inyong pinuno, ipabatid ninyo sa kanya ang aking pagsangayon sa kanyang layuning mag-aklas! Isalaysay ninyo sa kanya na ang ginawa ko ngayon ay tanda ng aming pakiki-isa!” “Tulungan din ninyo kami na lupigin ang mga Kastila!” (“In response to your chief’s query, convey my concurrence to his aim to revolt! Narrate to him that what I did just now is our manifestation of solidarity. Help us also to crush the Spaniards!”)
Crowning of the King – Dawning of the Ilocos Revolt
Aside from the Ilocos people, the Almazan-Magsanop grandiose wedding in Bacarra in December 1660 was likewise attended by chieftains and warriors of Kalinga and the Isnegs of Cagayan. After the nuptial rites, Gaspar Cristobal brought out the golden crown of the Virgin Mary that he salvaged from the razed Laoag church, and ceremoniously crowned it on Don Pedro Almazan. Cristobal and the public acknowledged and decreed Don Pedro Almazan the “King of Ilocos”. They pledged their allegiance and full support to their newly installed king. The entire community jubilantly waved banners as they extensively celebrated the coronation. They loudly proclaimed,
“Mabuhay si Manong Almazan, ang Hari ng Ilocos!” ("Long Live Manong Almazan, the King of Ilocos!”).
That momentous event signaled the onset of the insurrection. Sporadic attacks launched against the Spaniards all over the region reached as far as the towns of Cabicungan (now Claveria) and Pata (now Sanchez Mira) in Cagayan.
In February 1, 1661, as nine friars, including Arias, were celebrating in Narvacan, for the suppression of a big group of Zambal fighters, another aggression erupted in northern Ilocos. Despite the looming danger, no amount of dissuasion by his peers prevented Arias from hurrying back to Bacarra. He was deluded by the thought that, by virtue of his position, he could thwart the rebellion. Upon arrival, he was met and cautioned by his servants of the imminent danger posed on his life by the escalating unrests. People were yelling and marching-in from all directions. In no time, the public grounds and thoroughfares were swollen with angry crowds who were ready to attack. They continually cried out:
“Mabuhay si Manong Almazan, ang hari ng Ilocos! Patayin lahat ang Español!” (“Long Live Manong Almazan, the king of Ilocos! Kill all the Spaniards!)
The frantic servants hid the priest in another aide’s house. They planned to send him off as soon as darkness fell. A certain Juan, a Negro mestizo who was with the crowd, cautioned the house owner:
“Palayasin mo ang frayle o papatayin namin kayong lahat, pati ang mag-anak mo! (Send the friar away or we will kill all of you, including your kinfolk!).
In quandary, the servants pleaded that they be allowed to dispatch the friar safely. Juan Boaya, one of the mutineers, agreed to help in the silent departure. He told the servants to take the friar to Laoag right away. They wasted no time in concealing the scared priest on a rattan hammock given by Boaya. They covered it with assorted stuffs and, along with some of Boaya’s men, hurriedly left. Unfortunately, they were met on the way by a group of rebels who were to join the multitude in Bacarra. They scrutinized the hammock and found Arias hidden under the stuffs. The warriors beheaded Arias and brought his severed head to Magsanop.
Magsanop immediately delivered the head to Almazan and gave the King an account of the incident. Cristobal and all who participated in the insurrection were fetched for the celebration. A few days later, the friars begged for the head of Arias and buried it with his body.
Although significantly outnumbered, Almazan's remaining troop continued fighting. As last ditch, the King rode on his cavallo and furiously and courageously confronted the foes up to his last breath. He was, however, outfought, captured and executed along with a hundred and thirty revolt leaders. With the two leaders (Almazan and Magsanop) dead, the remaining warriors were forced to flee.
By his heroic deeds, Don Pedro Almazan, King of Ilocos, epitomized one marvelous paradigm of unreserved patriotism that contemporary leaders should emulate. He lives in the annals of history because what matters most, in reverence to his memory, is for generations to remember him, more on “how he lived” than “how he died”!.
(Send in your comments and suggestions to: edalmazan88@yahoo.com.ph)
“Mabuhay si Manong Almazan, ang Hari ng Ilocos!” ("Long Live Manong Almazan, the King of Ilocos!”).
That momentous event signaled the onset of the insurrection. Sporadic attacks launched against the Spaniards all over the region reached as far as the towns of Cabicungan (now Claveria) and Pata (now Sanchez Mira) in Cagayan.
Two Powerful Friars Beheaded
In January 31, 1661, the Dominican friar of Claveria, Jose Santa Maria, was distracted by a commotion outside the church. A frightened Spaniard rushed in and advised the priest and other church assistants to secure themselves right away. Defying the warning, Santa Maria boastfully rushed out to scold and diffuse the noisy crowd. He was, however, shaken upon seeing the irate mutineers rushing towards him. He ran back but the church doors and windows had been locked by the frightened Spaniard who forewarned him of the unrest. The mob caught up with Santa Maria, attacked him with spears and hacking knives, and beheaded him.In February 1, 1661, as nine friars, including Arias, were celebrating in Narvacan, for the suppression of a big group of Zambal fighters, another aggression erupted in northern Ilocos. Despite the looming danger, no amount of dissuasion by his peers prevented Arias from hurrying back to Bacarra. He was deluded by the thought that, by virtue of his position, he could thwart the rebellion. Upon arrival, he was met and cautioned by his servants of the imminent danger posed on his life by the escalating unrests. People were yelling and marching-in from all directions. In no time, the public grounds and thoroughfares were swollen with angry crowds who were ready to attack. They continually cried out:
“Mabuhay si Manong Almazan, ang hari ng Ilocos! Patayin lahat ang Español!” (“Long Live Manong Almazan, the king of Ilocos! Kill all the Spaniards!)
The frantic servants hid the priest in another aide’s house. They planned to send him off as soon as darkness fell. A certain Juan, a Negro mestizo who was with the crowd, cautioned the house owner:
“Palayasin mo ang frayle o papatayin namin kayong lahat, pati ang mag-anak mo! (Send the friar away or we will kill all of you, including your kinfolk!).
In quandary, the servants pleaded that they be allowed to dispatch the friar safely. Juan Boaya, one of the mutineers, agreed to help in the silent departure. He told the servants to take the friar to Laoag right away. They wasted no time in concealing the scared priest on a rattan hammock given by Boaya. They covered it with assorted stuffs and, along with some of Boaya’s men, hurriedly left. Unfortunately, they were met on the way by a group of rebels who were to join the multitude in Bacarra. They scrutinized the hammock and found Arias hidden under the stuffs. The warriors beheaded Arias and brought his severed head to Magsanop.
Magsanop immediately delivered the head to Almazan and gave the King an account of the incident. Cristobal and all who participated in the insurrection were fetched for the celebration. A few days later, the friars begged for the head of Arias and buried it with his body.
The Final Battle
After Arias’ burial in February 1661, the distraught Spanish authorities sent Lorenzo Arqueros, Alferez (Vice Governor) and Alguazil Mayor (Chief of Police) of Ilocos to crush Almazan and his men. Arqueros’ troop comprised of a few Spaniards, and more than a thousand native collaborators. As Almazan and a few of his men were waiting unperturbed for the arrival of a great number of supportive combatants from the south, Arqueros and his troop staged a sudden attack and snatched from Almazan the opportunity to fortify his troop. Caught in surprise, Almazan and his troop engaged in a running battle but had to gradually retreat to the forest. With the guidance of some native collaborators who were familiar with the terrain, the Spaniards steadily trailed Almazan’s group. During the long and hot pursuit, Juan Magsanop's group was herded, but before the Spaniards could lay a hand on him, he stabbed his breast with his own knife and died.Although significantly outnumbered, Almazan's remaining troop continued fighting. As last ditch, the King rode on his cavallo and furiously and courageously confronted the foes up to his last breath. He was, however, outfought, captured and executed along with a hundred and thirty revolt leaders. With the two leaders (Almazan and Magsanop) dead, the remaining warriors were forced to flee.
Epilogue
A son of Don Pedro Almazan was proclaimed "Prince" after his death. Even as the Ilocos revolt led by Don Pedro Almazan has ended, Arqueros went on to fulfill his insatiable vengeful inclinations by mercilessly killing a number of Almazan’s and Magsanop’s non-combatant clan, including women and children.By his heroic deeds, Don Pedro Almazan, King of Ilocos, epitomized one marvelous paradigm of unreserved patriotism that contemporary leaders should emulate. He lives in the annals of history because what matters most, in reverence to his memory, is for generations to remember him, more on “how he lived” than “how he died”!.
(Send in your comments and suggestions to: edalmazan88@yahoo.com.ph)
