Visayan heroes

CEBU, Philippines - Most old textbooks on various revolutions in the Philippines have been laden with information exclusive to events in Luzon or within the context of Luzon chronicles. This is because these are mostly written by Tagalog writers, focusing mainly on the national scene.

So rarely have our Visayan heroes figured in the pages of our old history books. This is the reason why those who grew up knowing only Luzon leaders in Luzon uprisings have been handing down information mostly on Luzon events.

However, it’s not too late to delve into the lives of our lolo and lola heroes here in our part of the Philippine archipelago. With today’s overload of information online, we may as well forge within our hearts a Visayan herald for the heroic acts of Teresa “Nanay Isa” Magbanua, Tamblot and Francisco Dagohoy.

Teresa Magbanua: Visayan Joan of Arc

Teresa Magbanua y Ferraris (1868-1947) earned the distinction of being the only woman to lead combat troops in the Visayas against Spanish and American forces. Born in Pototan, Iloilo, to wealthy parents, she earned a teaching degree and taught in her hometown. Having come from a family of revolutionaries, she immediately volunteered her services to the motherland and became a topnotch horseman and marksman. Fifty years later, her heroism was once again displayed when she helped finance a guerrilla resistance movement against the Japanese in Iloilo.

Source: opmanong.ssc.hawaii.edu

Gat Tamblot: Revolutionary leader of Bohol

The new religion (Christianity) was not easily accepted by all. In the year 1621, Tamblot, a native priest or babaylan called upon the people to return to the faith of their forefathers, and to liberate themselves from the Spanish oppression. Around 2,000 Boholanos joined him, and started a revolt when most of the Jesuit fathers were absent, celebrating the feat of the beautification of St. Xavier in Cebu.

Source: www.bohol.ph

Francisco Sendrijas a.k.a. Dagohoy (Talisman of the Breeze)

The so-called oppressive methods of the Jesuits once more led to a serious insurrection against Spain. In the year 1744, Francisco Sendrijas alias Dagohoy (a contraction of “dagon sa huyohoy” or “talisman of the breeze”) started a revolt that was to last more than 89 years. The cause of this was an incident, in which the brother of Dagohoy was killed. Father Gaspar Morales, the Jesuit curate of Inabanga, refused to give a Christian burial.

Infuriated at the priest, Dagohoy organized the people in an armed rebellion. The uprising started on January 24, 1744. The rebellion swept over the entire island. Dagohoy defeated the troops of Spanish and Filipino forces sent to subdue him. He established a free government in the mountains, and with his followers, was able to control much of the island. Even after Dagohoy’s death, his rebellion continued, while the Spanish were only able to maintain their power in some settlements along Bohol’s southern coast.

Source: www.bohol.ph