Pulajanes flag and Pilipino Popes

The Pulajanes ("those wearing red") of Papa Faustino Ablen of Leyte was part of a revolutionary spiritual movement known as Dios-Dios. Papa Faustino a mystical holy men, proclaimed healer and messiah by his followers. They numbered around 10,000 to 15,000 irregular members whose objective is for Pilipino unity and to fight colonialism, They practice native mythology, folk catholicism, believer of the power of "anting-anting" spiritual amulets, medallions, sacred babaylan (pre-colonial exorcism) and their mystical white flag, that Papa Faustino provided. They are masters of indigenous martial arts called Derobio Eskrima, their weapon of choice was a heavy, crescent-shaped bolo knife which could decapitate a man with a single blow. The Pulajanes main battle tactic was simply to advance upon the enemy, fire a volley, then set aside their guns, attack the enemy and fight in hand-to-hand combat. With their battle cries of "Tad-Tad" ("chop to pieces") brought tremendous terror to the gringos & their Pilipino constabulary.

With the request from General Vicente Lukban, Pulajanes were responsible for plotting the surprise attack against the Americans at Balangiga, that lead to the retaliation of the enemy of the infamous "Balangiga Massacre." This also made Papa Faustino the most wanted "bandolero" to the Americans and their Pilipino constabulary. Aside from Papa Faustino Ablen in Leyte, there was a "Papa Pablo" in Samar, "Papa Fernandez" in Laguna and "Papa King" from Pampanga! The "second wave" of the Philippine Revolution, gave birth to many religious cult revolutionary groups and popes.

# "Papa Isio" (Dionisio Magbuelas), leader of the Babaylanes in Negros and was involved in the revolution of 1896, their battle cry was "Kamatayon sa Kastila!" (Death to the Spaniards). He continue fighting in the Pilipino/American War and surrendered to the enemy much later than the surrender of Miguel Malvar. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, later died in Bilibid in 1911.

# "Apo Ipe" (Felipe Salvador) based in Arayat and was considered a "pope" by his followers. The long hair Apo Ipe was the head of the Santa Iglesia (Holy Church), was a colonel in Aguinaldo's army, did not surrender to the Americans, kept the revolution going, preached socialism and practiced polygamy. He was hanged by the Americans in 1912, two years after his capture.

# "Papa Rios" (Ruperto Rios) in Tayabas, who established the "New Jerusalem" on Mount San Cristobal. Later self-imposed titles like; "Viceroy of the Philippine Archipelago," "Deliverer of the Philippines" and towards the end he gave himself the highest title possible "Son of God." Rios had a magic box marked "Independencia" believed that when he opened this box will release a smoke like genie and will free everyone from jail, hard labor, heavy government taxes, colonialism and from the cruelty of the Philippine Constabulary.

These cults and cultist behavior were referred to as "KOLORUM" (biblical Greek for "from century to century"), usually said by the priest during the mass as "in saecula saeculorum." Witnessing all these sacrilegious beliefs and mambo-jumbo practices by the colonialist Spanish, Americans, their running dogs; Ilustrados and Sajonistas who looked down on these "pobres y ignorantes" (poor and ignorant), the "Katagalugan" refused to be associated with these Kolorums, which the colonialists and elite Pilipino labeled them as "tulisanes" and "bandoleros."

As the struggle continued, on March 24, 1906, Governor George Curry received the surrender of the remaining Pulajanes in Magtaon, Island of Samar. Around 100 Pulajanes presented themselves with fourteen guns, immediately during the surrender was the Pulajanes leader "signal," the Pulajanes opened fire and immediately made an attack. Judge Lominger and a district school inspector, were among Governor Curry's party, escaped to one direction while Governor Curry made a escape by the river, avoiding in the scene. Sixteen constabulary were killed, many were wounded and missing, the Pulajanes lost thirty of their men. Governor George Curry was missing for two days, later found in a road camp and reported the following...

"We had a surprised attack which Captain Jones of the constabulary lost half of his men, but gained victory in the face of overwhelming odds. The Pulajanes, under a "flag of truce" and while promising to surrender immediately opened fire, attacked the constabulary."

According to Governor George Curry and some U.S. officers, the Pulajanes waved a white flag to surrender. As a general rule, waving a "white flag" means to surrender or a truce to talk and stop the shooting. The Pulajanes waved their anting-anting "white flag" to protect and shield them from enemy's bullets. When the Americans stopped firing after seeing the white flag, the Pulajanes honestly believed that their anting-anting white flag was doing its purpose, protecting them and warding off enemies bullets, viciously attacked... "TAD-TAD!!!" with their razor-sharp crescent-shaped bolo knife.

Pulajanes white flag have some babaylan inscriptions or symbols on it, while according to some sources, their flag was all white with a red cross in the middle.
- ka tony
the 22nd of October, '13

Balangiga Massacre and the Bells of Balangiga Church

 

...greedy Roman emperors and senators wanted to expand their empire and because of this, Rome was always involved with endless wars and also have to police their colonies. Roman centurions in order to implement Rome's objective, committed atrocities and war crimes. Same thing what the U.S. is doing for centuries, imposing "God and Democracy" to "liberate" other countries from the faith they believed in for many years, life style that they are used to, food and culture that have been past on from generations, in order to introduce them to the capitalist commercialism of fast food like; McDonald's and Coca-Cola and Hollywood life style American dream.

U.S. armed forces have committed crimes in various wars; Wounded Knee, Balangiga Massacre estimated the figure more than 2,500 Filipinos killed, air raids on civilian population (Manila, Germany, Japan, Korea and Vietnam), Canicatti massacre killing of Italian civilians, No Gun Ri Massacre mass killing of South Korean refugees, My Lai Massacre murder of 504 helpless, unarmed Vietnamese, Agent Orange during the Vietnam War which was a violation of laws in the use of chemical weapons, Abu Ghraib Prison's violation of human rights, all these crimes goes on as the U.S. continue to use "God and Democracy" as an excuse to expand their empire.

General Vicente Lukban had an alliance with the leaders of "Dios-Dios" a religious sect, "second wave revolutionaries" remnants of the old Katipunan. The cult group as the Americans in Balangiga said were "dressed in red" had been founded by a self-styled messiah. Papa Faustino Ablen of the "Pulajanes" ("those wearing red") was part of a spiritual movement known as Dios Dios, a spiritual sect of holy men, proclaimed healers and deliverers of their people. Preaching throughout the land of Filipino unity and the evil of the occupying forces, "Anting Antings" were magical, spiritual amulets, medallions and writings that Papa Ablen provided his people before battle and for healing. Papa Faustino was not only known as a healer but also as a fierce warrior. His army of Pulajan warriors indigenous fighting techniques such as eskrima were also utilized in the elite and ferocious combat style. They practiced a form indigenous martial arts called "Derobio Eskrima" and they specialize using a heavy, razor sharp crescent-shaped bolos with which they could decapitate a man with a single blow and their warrior spirit. The fiercest of warriors of the time matched only by the Moro's of Mindanao, the Pulajanes brought fear to the soldiers with the battle cries of "Tad-Tad" which means "Chop to pieces" as they rushed the regiment lines fearless of the guns knowing of only one thing, drawing blood.

General Lukban employed the Pulajanes as spies and encouraged their cruelties against pro-American real or imagined traitors. In August 11, 1901 Company C, 9th U.S. Infantry (called "Manchus") Regiment, 74 American officers and men arrived in Balangiga, south of Samar heavily armed with Krag-Jorgensens and the most powerful hand gun during that time, the Colt 45 the only handgun capable in stopping a fanatic attacking "Moro Juramentado." The company established a garrison at the request of Mayor Pedro Abayan of Balangiga, whose plea for protection against "pirates" unaware that Mayor Abayan had earlier advised Gen. Lukban of his deceptive plan to lure the U.S. troops to the town and an opportunity launch an attack against them. The mastermind of attack was Valeriano Abanador, a Colegio de San Juan Letran dropout and the local chief of police; he was assisted by five locals and two guerrilla officers under the command of Gen. Lukban.

Captain Thomas Connell, a devout catholic believed that the Filipinos esteemed him because of their common faith. But they actually regarded him with a mixture of indifference and contempt. They could not fathom his disdain for cockfighting, nor did they appreciate his prudish attempt to make their girls exchange their seductive sarongs for more seemly dress. Mayor Abayan however pretended submission, he obeyed Capt. Connell's orders like to clean up garbage, excrement and dead animals that littered the town. Mayor Abayan offered to bring laborers in nearby countryside to do the job and of course they were guerrillas in disguise.

26th of September, Americans learned about the news of Pres. McKinley's assassination and Capt. Connell ordered a mass to be held at the church on Sunday. As the bells of the Balangiga church rang (as a signal to the guerrillas), hundreds of native women, were actually men dressed in women's clothes attended the mass bearing coffins which they claimed contained the bodies of children who died of cholera epidemic, which actually filled with bolos and the priest was in league with Gen. Lukban. About 500 men in seven attack units would take part, represented virtually all families of Balangiga and nearby villages then included the present towns of Lawaan, Giporlos & Quinapundan towns served by the priest in Balangiga. Only 3 American sentries were on duty that Sunday, unaware most of them were preparing for breakfast when the Filipinos attacked and hacked them with their sharp bolos. The only weapons Americans were able to used were baseball bats and rocks, 3 US officers killed and soldiers as well. Sergent Frank Betron took command, while some wounded were able to escape by sea, finally reached safely at Leyte asked for help at U.S. garrison at Basey. When the fresh U.S. detachments arrived in Balangiga, the attacked was over and saw most of their comrade's dead bodies mutilated. Of the original 74 man contingent, 48 died and 26 survived, 22 of them severely wounded. The guerrillas also took 100 rifles with 25,000 rounds of ammunition; 28 Filipinos died and 22 were wounded.

After the Balangiga massacre, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Smith (was dubbed "Hell Roaring Jake" Smith, "The Monster" and "Howling Jake") asked for Marine Corps help to overpower the resistance on the island of Samar. Major Littleton "Tony" Waller and his Marine Battalion were sent. Before this happened, Jacob Smith instructed Major Tony Waller... "I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better it will please me. I want all persons killed who are capable of bearing arms in actual hostilities against the United States" Since it was a popular belief among the Americans serving in the Philippines that native males were born with bolos in their hands, Major Tony Waller asked... "I would like to know the limit of age to respect, sir." Smith said... "Ten years." Major Tony Waller questioned... "Persons of ten years and older are those designated as being capable of bearing arms?" and "Yes." Smith confirmed his instructions. Smith tasked his men to reduce Samar into a "howling wilderness," to kill anyone 10 years old and above capable of bearing arms. Waller largely ignored these illegal orders. Waller and his battalion of 315 Marines departed Cavite on 22 of October 1901 and landed at Catbalogan, Samar, on 24 October.

Continues widespread massacre of Filipino civilians followed. Food and trade to Samar were cut off, intended to starve the revolutionaries into submission. Native houses burned, livestock killed, even carabaos, rice fields and fruit trees were set on fire and poisoned the soil. Search and destroy, strategic hamlet program, body count, guerrilla sympathizers terrorized & tortured, all these counter guerrilla strategies were implemented in Samar even before the Vietnam War. The exact number of civilians massacred by U.S. troops will never be known, but exhaustive research made by a sympathetic British writer in the 1990s put the figure at about 2,500; Filipino historians believe it was around 50,000. After a long march, growing more desperate for food, Marine Lt. A.S. Williams accused the porters of mutinous behavior, hiding food and supplies and keeping themselves nourished from the jungle while the Marines starved. Waller ordered the execution of the porters. Ten were shot in groups of three, while one was gunned down in the water attempting to escape. The bodies were left in the square of Lanang (now Llorente) as an example, until one evening, under cover of darkness, some townspeople carried them off for a Christian burial. General Adna Chaffee decided to investigate these executions, Waller was tried for murder in ordering the execution of the eleven Filipino porters. A court martial began on March 17, 1902 in Manila. The court-martial board consisted of 7 Army officers and 6 Marine Corps officers, led by U.S. Army General William H. Bisbee. Waller confessed to having approved the execution of the Filipinos, but based his defense on the Civil War order that decreed stiff penalties to civilian suspects.

Outcry in America over the brutal nature of the Samar campaign cost Waller his chance as Commandant of the US Marine Corps. Liberal newspapers took to addressing him as "The Butcher Of Samar." Waller was born in York County, Virginia on Sept. 26, 1856. He was appointed as a second lieutenant of Marines on June 24, 1880. He rose to Major General, retired in June 1920 and died on July 13, 1926. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1942, the destroyer USS Waller was named in his honor, while Jacob Smith commanded the Sixth Separate Brigade, was court martial and found him guilty for which he was admonished and retired from the service. He denied his guilt, blamed Tony Waller for Filipino massacre. Gen. Jacob Smith died in San Diego, California on March 1, 1918.

U.S. retaliation as always is the cause of atrocities, massacre of civilians and war crimes. The three Balangiga church bells, used to signal guerrillas to attack U.S. soldiers were taken by the United States Army from the town church of Balangiga, Eastern Samar as war trophies. Deteriorating and exposed to natural elements, one church bell is with the 9th Infantry Regiment at Camp Red Cloud, their base in South Korea. The other two bells are at the former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The people of Balangiga are still fighting to this day, but this time to get these three church bells back where they belong, their church of Balangiga.

...inscription was visible on the back of both bells, reading:
"USED BY PHILIPPINOS TO SOUND SIGNAL FOR MASSACRE OF COMPANY "C" NINTH INFANTRY AT BALANGIGA P.l. 28TH SEPTEMBER 1901"

- ka tony
- the 26th of September, '10

"Kapitan Tiago de los Santos" Rizal's character in "Noli me Tangere"

...Jose Rizal's "Noli me Tangere" character Kapitan Tiago, was a typical figure during the time of Rizal. He is a rich native-born Pilipino who rubbed elbows with the powers that be during that time. He symbolizes the rich Pilipinos who oppress their fellow Pilipinos in exchange for the influence and the riches that they might gain from their powerful associations.

"Kapitan Tiago" actually is a fusion of two persons during Rizal's time. The first half was Hilario Sunico - renowned 19th century bell-caster, metal smith and became the Gobernadorcillo of China Town (Binondo), while the other half was Balbino Mauricio, one of the three Pilipinos (Jose Maria Basa and Manuel Yriarte were the other two) who welcomed him in Hong Kong.

# HILARIO CHANUANGCO SUNICO y SANTOS, was born in 1865 to the Chinese "Chan Uan Co" and his Spanish mestiza wife Trinidad Santos of Gagalangin, Tondo. He was only fourteen years old when he started working in a foundry owned by a Chan Uan Co, the Chinese father of Hilario Sunico, that he eventually took over and at the age of fifteen he married Sergia Litonjua y Pablo, their children were: Dionisia, Tomas, Sebastian and Rosalia. Hilario Sunico the renowned 19th century bell-caster and metal smith, whose formula up to this modern age failed to capture the right mixture of bronze, copper, ore and mineral of iron called stannite, to produce a great sounding bell, in his foundry on # 20 calle Jaboneros, San Nicolas, Manila. He began by casting little bells and metal accessories for the horse-drawn carriages or calesas and the small but growing income helped support his family. Aside from bell casting, Hilario is also responsible for the grill workers of old Spanish churches and some civil works including the Puente Colgante (Ayala Bridge, Quiapo), the first suspension bridge built in Southeast Asia and the Tutuban Railway Station.

By 1890, the couple had a beautiful residence "bahay na bato" at # 3 corner of calle Lara and calle Madrid, a block away from calle Jaboneros, where the foundries of Sunico and other metalworkers stood. By 1872 he had cast the first recorded bell that bears his own foundry's name "FUNDICION DE HILARIO SUNICO." In 1878 he was commissioned to cast the largest bell and recast two other bells in the church tower of Binondo the country's richest enclave, the original/first and biggest China Town in the world. From then on his name was to be inscribed on in numerable church bells all over the country, for a period that stretched to some sixty-five years (1872 to 1937). Hilario's brothers joined the business towards the end of the nineteenth century, as indicated by the marking, "Fundicion de H. Sunico y Hermanos." In 1889, they crafted the elegant wrought-iron fence of the new Jesuit church, which had also commissioned to them for "sonoras y elegantes campanas." They manufactured electric chandeliers designed by Isabelo Tampinco, replacing old oiled chandeliers in San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, the Tutuban Train Station a number of cast and worked metal work, cast a statue of Rizal that was erected in Iloilo and a bust of Marcelo del Pilar in Malolos, Bulacan.

The successful Hilario Sunico became the Gobernadorcillo (Cabeza de Barangay or Capitan del Barrio) of China Town (Binondo). No record on what date and year Hilario Sunico passed away, but was still alive according to a tribute article about him printed in 1907. He passed on the company and all its secret formula of mixing and casting metal to his son Tomas, as manager of the "Herederos de Hilario Sunico." The dawn of the twentieth century and the onset of the American regime saw a slow but steady decline in commissions for church bells. In the 1920s, Sebastian Sunico, son of Hilario, complained... "The demand for bells has almost disappeared."

# BALVINO MAURICIO was with Jose Maria Basa and Manuel Yriarte, who welcomed Jose Rizal when he left the country passing Hong Kong. On March 14, 1872 Balvino Mauricio and other Pilipino patriots sailed on board the "Flores de Maria" bound for the Marianas islands to serve their prison terms for complicity in the Cavite Uprising.

There is an extant "Letras y Figuras" painting of Balvino Mauricio by Jose Honorato Lozano, which depicts his calle Anloague mansion. His house was supposed to have been the model for Kapitan Tiago's residence in Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere. Lozano's painting "Balvino Mauricio" shows the interior of the owner's mansion on calle Anloague (now Juan Luna) in Binondo, a huge house with an inner court and a tower, described in Noli me Tangere as the house of Kapitan Tiago and Maria Clara. The sala, the long and narrow caida and the comedor (with a dining table set for maybe two dozen) are all shown in detail, with their floor planks of alternating light and dark wood, mirrors, chandeliers, and heavy crimson curtains.

Balbino Mauricio y de Jesus was an ancestor of the Roces family.
Alejandro Rozes y Gonzalez (of Gijon, Asturias, Spain) married Florentina de Leon. After Florentina passed away, he married Severa Mauricio y de Jesus (sister of Balbino Mauricio y de Jesus), of Binondo, Manila.

Alejandro Roman Domingo Roces y Mauricio married Maria Filomena Gonzalez and they had 11 eleven children; Filomena (married Benito Legarda), Alejandro (married Antonia Pardo), Rafael (married Inocencia Reyes y Baptista) Marcos; et. al.. Filomena Roces y Gonzalez married Benito Legarda and they had several children: Alejandro Roces y Gonzalez married Antonia Pardo and they had seven children; Rafael; Antonia (married _ Prieto), Ramon, Mercedes, Filomena (married _ Verzosa), Isabel, and Joaquin.

According to Rizal's Noli me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra was staying in a hotel "Fonda Francesca de Lala Ary," which used to be on # 37 calle de la Barraca ("Barracks" the street where China Town's Gobernadorcillo Carlos Palanca "Tan Quien-sien" the Sangley character in Rizal's El Filibusterismo "Quirioga," built housing barracks for the Chinese working for the Manila/Acapulco Galleon Trade), in San Nicolas. On its site now stands Allied Bank, Crisostomo Ibarra had a room overlooking the estero (Muelle de Binondo) and from his window he could hear the sound of Kapitan Tiago's party. Claimed from this room with a view, one could see Kapitan Tiago's house. The building across Allied Bank in Plaza del Conde (formerly Barraca) is the State Investment Building. Kapitan Tiago, a fictional character, the real owner of the house # 175 Juan Luna Street was Balvino Mauricio who later sold it to Don Telesforo Chuidan.

My father and I also recorded the house of "Kapitan Tiago," the setting of Rizal’s Noli me Tangere. It might have existed or might only be a place in Rizal's imagination. I'm not trying to disclaim "the house on Anloague Street" # 175 Juan Luna St. (former calle Anloague) of Balvino Mauricio. But by crossing Muelle de Binondo from Plaza Calderon de la Barca one have to take San Fernando Bridge that connects Binondo & San Nicolas. By crossing the bridge from Binondo, one will find himself in the district of San Nicolas. After the bridge one will cross the first street, the tail of calle Tabora, next street (turning left, south) will be calle Sto. Cristo perpendicular to calle Barraca which the dead end is the Pasig River.

According to previous research revealed that the warehouse # 2 on "calle Barraca" was the site of the hotel "Fonda Francesca de Lala Ary" because according to Rizal's description on the 5th chapter of Noli... "Ibarra returns to his hotel room and looks out the window across the estero into Kapitan Tiago's house where the party in his honor continues without him."

Indeed, if one is in hotel Fonda Francesca de Lala Ary located in San Nicolas, looking beyond Muelle de Binondo you can see calle Anloague (Juan Luna St.). But its too far, your vision have to pass calle Tabora, Muelle de Binondo, then calle Anloague and calle Ingreso, to be able to see # 175 Juan Luna St. without blocking one's view, like buildings, houses, trees, etc… Remember calle Anloague (tagalog word for "builder") was named, because this street was once where one can buy building materials and deal with "carpenteros" had tall buildings and houses.

Now, here's my father's research and claim, the house of Kapitan Tiago which I agree, Rizal's description on the 5th chapter of Noli me Tangere… "Ibarra returns to his hotel room and looks out the window across the estero into Kapitan Tiago's house where the party in his honor continues without him." Remember Rizal stayed in Room # 20 at "Hotel de Oriente" in Binondo before going to Europe, before writing Noli me Tangere. Crisostomo Ibarra walked two blocks (from his hotel and crossed "calle Oriente" and "calle Condesa") to attend mass in Binondo Church located on Plaza Calderon de la Barca.

Hotel de Oriente occupied the whole block from calle Oriente to calle Veronica. Calle Veronica few meters will be the Estero de Reina and taking the bridge, you’ll be at "Meisic" (Ma Insik). Rizal, looking out his hotel window, will have the view of the Plaza Calderon de la Barca on his right is calle Veronica a corner block meeting calle Anloague (Juan Luna). The "bahay na bato" on this corner with a "tisa rojo" was the setting of Rizal's Noli me Tangere. The back of this house is the "Estero de Reina" which Rizal mentioned on his Noli that Kapitan Tiago and his neighbors used the estero to wash their clothes, dishes, drink, bath etc… # 175 calle Anloague (Juan Luna St.), house of Balvino Mauricio does not have a estero at the back.

Don Santiago de los Santos, known by his political title Kapitan Tiago existed in Hilario Sunico and Balvino Mauricio, Rizal blend them together to symbolize another weak Pilipino characteristic in Rizal's imagination, "to ring a bell" for us. 
- ka tony
the 19th of October (the fiesta month of Binondo/San Nicolas), '13  

Jose Rizal incarcerated at Castell de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain, October 6, 1896

During the peak of the Cuban revolution, Jose Rizal offered his services as a military doctor to compromise with the shortage of physicians because of the revolution that was going on that other Spanish Colony. It was his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt who informed him of the situation in Cuba and suggested that he volunteer himself as army doctor. On December 17, 1895, Rizal sent a letter to Governor-General Ramon Blanco rendering his service for Cuba. But for months Rizal awaited for the governor's reply, loss hope that his request will be granted, but on July 30, 1896, Rizal received a letter from Governor Blanco, dated July 2, 1896, accepting his offer. The letter also stated that Rizal will be given a pass so that he can go to Manila, then to Spain where its Minister of War will assign him to the Army of Operations in Cuba.

Governor-General Ramon Blanco letter to the Minister of War, stated that Rizal during his deportation in Dapitan his conduct was exemplary and he had no connection or involvement with the Philippine Revolution. Rizal was granted permission to travel to Cuba, to support in the medical efforts needed to suppress an outbreak of yellow fever and to treat wounded Spanish soldiers.

At midnight of July 31, 1896, Rizal left Dapitan on board the steamer "España" and on August 6, at dawn "España" entered Manila Bay. He was not able to depart immediately for Spain, because the ship "Isla de Luzon" which Rizal was supposed to board left the day before they arrived at Manila. For twenty-seven days, from Thursday, August 6, to Wednesday, September 2, Rizal was kept under arrest aboard the cruiser, Castilla, anchored off Cañacao, Cavite but was free to roam around and allowed to accept visitors. At 6:00 o’clock in the evening Rizal was transferred to the boat "Isla de Panay." He was met by the captain of the boat, Capt. Alemany and was given the best cabin. Later, he wrote a letter to his mother informing her of his good health on board the ship and of his departure for Cuba, comforting her that everybody is in the hands of the Divine Providence. To his sisters, he urged them to take good care and love their parents.

Following day, Rizal was given a new cabin, No. 22, with a divan. The boat anchored near Manila to load passengers, among whom were Pedro Roxas, Maria Tuason and Pedro A. Paterno the boat left Manila. Exactly 30 days of travel, the "Isla de Panay" arrived in Barcelona. The passengers were placed under quarantine for three days.

At three o’clock in the morning of October 6, 1896, a sergeant woke Rizal up in his cabin, ordering him to prepare his baggage. At four o’clock, Rizal was taken away from the boat by one military man and another in civilian clothes. Rizal arrived at the Catalan province of Montjuich, Barcelona at exactly five o’clock, after one-hour walk under heavy guard Rizal was imprisoned in a castle by Spanish authorities. "Castell de Montjuïc" is an old military fortress with a long history closely linked to the city is a municipal facility located on a rocky terrace on top of Montjuïc Mountain, a site where important Catalan dissidents or free thinkers were detained and executed.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, after staying in Castell de Montjuïc for about 8 hours, Rizal was notified by the same officer called Tudela to get his baggage ready in order to board the boat "S.S. Colon." Rizal had to do everything in a hurry under the threats and shouts of the captain. The boat packed with soldiers, departed at eight o’clock in the evening for the Philippines to face trial and his eventual execution.

Rizal condemned the Philippine Revolution by saying...

"On my return from Spain, I learned that my name had been used as a war cry among some who were in arms. From the beginning, when I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it, fought it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. this is the truth, and there are living witnesses of my words. I was convinced that the idea (the revolution) was highly absurd and what was worse, would bring suffering. I did more. When later, in spite of my counsels, the movement broke out. I spontaneously offered not only my services but my life and even my name to be used in any manner thought opportune in order to suppress the rebellion.

Holding this ideas, I cannot do less than to condemn, and I do condemn, this absurd and savage rebellion, plotted behind my back, which dishonors the Filipinos and discredits those who could can be our advocates. I abhor this criminal activities and reject any manner of participation in them, condoling with all heartfelt sadness with those who have been unwary enough to have been fooled. Return then, to your homes, and may God forgive those who have acted in bad faith."

Further on with his defense: "...I know nothing of the Katipunan and have had no relations or correspondence with them. I do not know Andres Bonifacio, even by name. I have absolutely nothing to do with politics from the 6th July 1892 until the 1st of July 1896 when I was informed by Pio Velenzuela that an uprising would be attempted, I advised against it and tried to reason him out of it."

...Rizal passionately defended himself from the charges that he was involved in or even sympathized with the revolution, hardly an attitude we would honor him for. My question is... Was he innocent or guilty? ...If innocent - why is he a hero? ...If guilty - how can he be a martyr?
- ka tony
- the 6th of October, '13