While we’re already familiar with the more well-known controversies such as Jose Rizal’s retraction, Luna’s assassination, etc., here are some lesser-known controversies that are really worth delving into. After all, they do form a part of Philippine history.
Also Read:10 ‘What If’ Scenarios That Would Have Changed Philippine History Forever
10. We Already Had An Excellent Public School System Before The Americans Came.
Although we cannot discount all the good things the Americans did to improve the country’s system of education, the Spanish do deserve credit for their own contributions.
Contrary to popular belief that Filipinos lived like uneducated medieval peons during the Spanish era, the inhabitants were actually one of the most educated peoples in all of Asia, and its thanks largely to the implementation of the public school system by the Spanish government which started with the Educational Decree Act of 1863.
Also Read:10 Reasons Why Life Was Better In Pre-Colonial Philippines
The act provided for the creation of separate public schools for Filipino boys and girls and the teaching of free compulsory education, a first for any European colony. Surprisingly, the girls were taught not only “domestic” lessons but also subjects such as Spanish and French languages and the sciences. Manuel Quezon, himself a product of the Spanish public school system, attested to the existence and excellence of Spanish education long before the Americans came.
Unfortunately, American propaganda against the Spanish, coupled with the fact that local friars tried to subvert the system, made for a very negative impression of the Spanish educational system.
9. Jose Rizal Disliked The Chinese.
Other than campaigning against Spanish oppression, Rizal would also end up fighting what he perceived to be the Chinese exploitation of his countrymen. He viewed the Chinese primarily as unscrupulous traders and businessmen who liked to take advantage of Filipinos for profit even if it meant kowtowing to the Spanish.
Rizal’s dislike for the Chinese could be seen in his letter to his mother, in which he complained of being embroiled in a lawsuit with a Chinese and promised never to buy any products from him, and from his novel El Filibusterismo, where he portrayed the character of Quiroga (who was reportedly based on a real Chinese businessman) as a shrewd and cunning individual.
Also Read:8 Mind-Boggling Myths About Jose Rizal
While Rizal’s anti-Chinese sentiment could be attributed to his nationalist drive, some historians think he may have gone too far by putting all Chinese in the same category as those he had encountered. Not only that, he ironically disowned his own Chinese ancestry by claiming he had no Chinese blood and was pure Filipino.
Related Article:9 Reasons Why Rizal Was Just As Human As The Rest Of Us
However, to some historians, Rizal was merely expressing his wish to be viewed as a full-blooded Filipino no matter his heritage. In addition, general sentiment at that time ran high against foreigners regardless whether they were Chinese or Spanish.
8. Jose Burgos Was Framed For The Cavite Mutiny.
We all know that Gomburza—Fathers Mario Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—very much had nothing to do with the 1872 Cavite Mutiny and that it was launched by some disgruntled soldiers after discovering they were now forced to pay personal taxes as well as perform forced labor, both of which they had been previously exempted from.
Trivia:There were three other martyr priests aside from “Gomburza.”
However, according to the accounts of two Spanish clergymen captured during the Revolution, the failed mutiny was, in fact, a plot by the Spanish friars to eliminate Jose Burgos who was then the foremost champion of secular priests. To that end, they sent a Franciscan friar named Claudio del Arceo to Cavite and foment unrest among the soldiers, promising them money and that a great fleet from the United States in the name of Father Burgos would arrive to assist them.
After the mutiny unfolded, the friars then convinced Rafael de Izquierdo that Burgos planned it all by giving him a banquet as well as a huge bribe.
7. The Americans Used Pigs’ Blood And Body Parts On Moro Insurgents.
Other than the infamous “water-cure” method the Americans used on captured Filipino combatants during the Philippine-American War, they would also reportedly employ the unconventional method of using pigs to pacify the Moro fighters in the second half of the same war.
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Specifically, they were said to have executed captured insurgents or “juramentados” (an assassin gone amok) with bullets dipped in pig’s blood, or bury them along with dead pigs. The Americans believed that the Moros—who detested pork—would not be able to go to the afterlife if they had any contact with the animals and so hoped to dissuade further attacks.
Rare Video:Gen. J. Franklin Bell’s mule pack train crossing the Agno River in Northern Luzon (1902)
The originator of this method was supposedly none other than US General John “Black Jack” Pershing, the first and only man to have ever been promoted to General of the Armies during his lifetime (Washington was promoted posthumously). Although the method is unsubstantiated, many books and websites regularly quote it as one way to fight Islamic terrorists.
6. The Jabidah Massacre Never Happened.
While we may all be familiar with the alleged massacre of disenchanted Muslim recruits in Corregidor in 1968, many historians have disputed as to whether the massacre really happened at all.
Contrary to popular belief, then-Senator Benigno Aquino did not believe Jibin Arula who claimed to be the massacre’s sole survivor. For him, the massacre reeked of a hoax. However, he did accuse President Ferdinand Marcos of plotting to build up a personal elite force for his “garrison state,” as well as planning for the takeover of Sabah. Rigoberto Tiglao even states that the Jabidah Massacre was, in fact, a brilliant propaganda campaign pulled off by Malaysia, a belief accepted again by Ninoy.
Also Read: 13 Curious Facts About Ninoy Aquino
Supposedly, a number of the recruits were, in fact, Malaysian counter-agents tasked to foment dissent among the members, thus ensuring that Marcos’ plan would never go off. In a way, the alleged plan to sow chaos in Sabah boomeranged right back into the Philippines’ own backyard—Mindanao.
5. A Filipino Helped Found Los Angeles.
While not directly concerning the country, this little historical controversy is somewhat of a heated issue especially within the Fil-Am community of Los Angeles.
Although there is no doubt given to the eleven founding settlers who helped to found Los Angeles in 1781, the same cannot be said for Antonio Miranda Rodriguez. Supposedly, he was a skilled gunsmith from Manila who journeyed there with his daughter via the galleon trade but arrived much later after suffering from smallpox. Later, he came to be feted as the 12th settler of Los Angeles.
Did you know?A Filipino dwarf became a famous figure in 19th-century Britain.
However, some historians have disputed that recognition on the argument that Rodriguez never actually reached the settlement. Upon arriving in California, he was reportedly sent to Sta. Barbara instead as an armorer due to his skills as a gunsmith and was said to have died in that place after only eight months. Also, his name cannot be found in any of the plaques and markers honoring the founders of LA.
4. Gregorio del Pilar Was Aguinaldo’s Assassin.
Admittedly, most of del Pilar’s fame comes from his death defending Tirad Pass from advancing American forces during the Philippine-American War. Yet for all his bravery (or foolhardiness, depending on one’s view), del Pilar also has his own plethora of controversies.
Also Read: Gregorio del Pilar’s famous last words.
Aside from the controversy of reportedly indulging in a drinking spree and an orgy the night before his big battle, it is alleged that del Pilar was also Emilio Aguinaldo’s “hatchetman.” As someone who reportedly exhibited sad*stic tendencies on captured friars (he made one clean the toilet with his bare hands according to one story) and with his unwavering loyalty to the president, del Pilar was the ideal “berdugo” for Aguinaldo.
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Accordingly, it is believed that del Pilar and his men were behind the killing of Antonio Luna after being ordered by Aguinaldo to eliminate him. By extension, del Pilar was also said to have personally conducted the arrests, torture, and execution of many of Luna’s officers.
3. Bonifacio ‘Acted Like A King’ In Cavite.
Although many would undoubtedly choose Bonifacio over Aguinaldo as their hero, the former does deserve his fair share of criticism, mainly because he was said to have “acted like a king” upon his arrival in Cavite after being invited to mend the growing rift between the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions.
According to Nick Joaquin, Bonifacio turned off the Caviteños when he showed up and began barking orders and behaved like “Caesar without the crown.” He adds that instead of capitalizing on the golden opportunity to stop the infighting among the revolutionaries who were at the time facing a Spanish offensive, Bonifacio just added more fuel to the fire by openly taking sides.
Also Read:7 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Andres Bonifacio
After the Tejeros Convention, he nullified all appointments and had Artemio Ricarte intercept Magdalo reinforcements to Pasong Santol, resulting in the death of Aguinaldo’s brother Crispulo who was defending that area. At that point, Aguinaldo and the rest of Cavite must have decided Bonifacio was too dangerous to leave alone.
2. Miguel Malvar, Not Manuel Quezon, Should Be The Second Philippine President.
On par with the perennial argument of whether Andres Bonifacio should be recognized as the country’s first president is the question of whether Miguel Malvar, and not Manuel Quezon, rightfully deserves the title as the country’s second president.
According to his supporters (Jejomar Binay is one of them), Malvar deserves to be recognized as such in line with the natural order of succession. With the capture of Aguinaldo and the surrender of Mariano Trias, his designated successor and Malvar’s direct superior, it fell upon the general from Batangas to lead the remnants of the revolutionary forces.
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His presidency was also recognized as legitimate by members of the “Hong Kong Junta,” the overseas council which procured arms and campaigned for foreign recognition of Philippine independence. During his period of resistance up until his surrender, Malvar ran the fledgling republic as a chief executive and as head of the armed of forces—just as a real president would.
1. An Ancient Family Owns The Entire Philippines.
Did an ancient family rule the Philippines before the coming of the Spaniards? According to the modern-day descendants of the Tagean-Tallano clans, their ancestors used to rule over a land called “Maharlika,” an empire which consisted of the Philippines, the rest of Southeast Asia, the Marianas Islands and even Hawaii.
The clan counts Lapu-lapu, Soliman, Lakandula, and other prominent Filipino rulers as their descendants. Under the rule of Luisong Tagean Tallano, Maharlika was said to have been one of the most prosperous countries in Asia. The clan also claims that their sovereignty over the Philippines was recognized by the different colonial powers (Spain, Britain, and the US) through the issuance of three documents, all of which were unfortunately thrown out by the Court of Appeals in 2002 for being “spurious.”
READ:13 Intriguing Facts You Might Not Know About Ferdinand Marcos
However, that hasn’t stopped some members of the family from showing up in the news from time to time. In 2012, Salam Lacan Luisong Tagean—who claims to be from the clan—made headlines when he filed his candidacy for senator while proclaiming he was the rightful ruler of the country.
References
Arguelles, M. (2012). Hundreds turn up in rally to back ‘Ako Bicol’ party-list group. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/sVwmHW
Escobar, A. (2014). Groundbreaking Filipino American Art Exhibit “The Arrival of the 12th Poblador” at the El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument – Closes May 25th. FilAm Arts. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/U7gjFv
GMA News Online,. (2008). General Goyo: The Gregorio del Pilar story. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/7E4Oyj
Joaquin, N. (2005). A Question of Heroes (pp. 86-108). Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines,. (2013). The Hong Kong Junta. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/cHbDbh
Official Website of the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines,. (2015). VP Binay To Historians: Help Rectify Oversight In Recognizing General Malvar As 2nd President. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/q7mqIb
Paredes, J. (2013). Bonifacio Remembered: Divisive and a hero downgraded, what, finally, is Supremo’s place in history?. InterAksyon.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/de04a6
Pimentel, J. (2008). The Enclave of Our Roots. The Asian Journal MDWK Magazine, 2. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/2OATMf
Snopes.com,. Pershing the Thought. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/7P8Xab
The ProPinoy Project,. (2011). Was Jose Rizal anti-Chinese?. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/Q85ylv
Tiglao, R. (2013). Malaysia’s masterstroke that buried our Sabah claim. RigobertoTiglao.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/OcLR5U
Tiglao, R. (2013). Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.’s Jabidah speech 1968. RigobertoTiglao.com. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from http://goo.gl/6SYiRp
Additional Sources:
Swish of the Kris, the Story of the Moros, Authorized and Enhanced Edition by Vic Hurley
Pershing: A Biography by Jim Lacey
The Army of the First Philippine Republic and Other Historical Essays by Luis Camara Dery
The Los Angeles Plaza: Sacred and Contested Space by William David Estrada
The Great Gold Swindle: Yamash*ta’s Gold by Phoenix Powers
Rizal and the Development of National Consciousness, Second Edition by Ma. Corona Romero, Julita R. Sta. Maria, Lourdes Y. Santos
In Our Image: America’s Empire in the Philippines by Stanley Karnow
Going to School in East Asia by Gerard A. Postiglione, Jason Tan
