Module 3

One Past but Many Histories

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Module 3 One Past but Many Histories
This module is about one past but many histories. These are the
historical events which are considered as controversies and conflicting
views in Philippine History. These include the a) Site of the First Mass;
b) Cavite Mutiny; c) Retraction of Rizal; d) First Cry of Philippine
Revolution. These are the events in the history with many stories that
created controversies and conflicting views.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should have

 Understood the events and its historical facts contained in

the primary account

 Demonstrated the ability to formulate arguments in favor or

against a particular issue using primary sources

 Made a stand regarding a particular issue considered

controversies and conflicting views in Philippine History

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 Pre-Assessment

Instruction: Choose the BEST answer and write the letter of

your answer on the space before each number. Please refrain
from browsing the text when you answer this part.

_____1. Which of the following places you think the First Mass in the
Philippines happened?
a. Masao c. Limasawa
b. Mazaua d. Butuan

_____2. Which of the following date when the first mass was held?
a. March 16, 1521 c. March 17, 1521
b. March 31, 1521 d. March 30, 1521

_____3. Which of the following places where the Cavite Mutiny happened?
a. Fort Pilar c. Fort Bonifacio
b. Fort San Felipe d. Fort San Pedro

_____4. Who was the lady believed to be married to Jose Rizal hours before
his execution?
a. Leonor Rivera c. Segunda Katikbak
b. O Sei San d. Josephine Bracken

_____5. Who was the Katipunero who testified regarding the place where
the
First Cry of Philippine Revolution happened but later in life he
retracted all information?
a. Santiago Alvarez c. Pio Valenzuela
b. Emilio Aguinaldo d. Andres Bonifacio

********

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 Core Content

The following are the historical events which are considered as

controversies and conflicting views in Philippine History. This includes the a)
Site of the First Mass:Is It in Limasawa or in Masao?; b) Cavite Mutiny: Which
Is True: the Spanish Version or the Filipino Version; c) Retraction of Rizal: Did
Rizal Retract or Did He Not?; d) First Cry of Philippine Revolution: Is It in
Pugadlawin or It is in Balintawak?

Site of the First Mass: Is It in Limasawa or in Masao?

Source: [Link]

On March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered a mass to be

celebrated which was officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama, the chaplain and
the only priest of the fleet. It was said that the First Holy Mass was held near
the shores of the island and it marked the birth of Roman Catholicism in the
Philippines. Rajah Colambu and Rajah Siaiu were the first natives of the
archipelago who attended the mass among other native inhabitants. That
time the archipelago was not yet named Philippines. It was then the Villalobos
expedition led by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543 who gave the name Las
Islas Phelippinas in honor of their newly crowned king, King Philip II.

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 First Holy Mass in the Philippines Landmark
Limasawa, Southern Leyte

Source: [Link]

At present two places are claiming to be the site of the first holy mass
in the Philippines; namely: Masao, Butuan and Limasawa in Southern Leyte.
This is one of the controversies in the history of the Philippines; The site of
the First Holy Mass: Is It in Limasawa or Is It in Masao?

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 First Holy Mass in the Philippines Landmark
Masao, Butuan

Source: [Link]

For the primary account about where the First Mass was held, you may
refer to the readings found in:

a) Biong, Ryan D. and Evelyn J. Grey (2017). Readings in Philippine

History. Iloilo City: Malones Printing Press & Publishing House.

b) Hontiveros, Greg. (2008). A Fire on the Island: A Fresh Look at

the First Mass Controversy. Butuan City Historical and
Cultural Foundation, Inc.

c) Pigafetta, Antonio, (1969). First Voyage Around the World. Manila

Filipiniana Book Guild

d)[Link]
A-Place-of-the-First-Mass-in-the-Philippines

e)[Link]

f) [Link]

**********

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 Cavite Mutiny: Which Is True the Spanish Version
or the Filipino Version

Source: [Link]

Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre is the most liberal and most
loved governor general of the Philippines for he treated the Spaniards and the
Filipinos alike. He was succeeded by Gov. Gen. Rafael de Izquiredo who is his
total opposite.

Gen. Izquierdo as the highest Spanish official in the Philippines ruled

with a cross in one hand and a sword in the other hand. He imposed excessive
taxes to the masses particularly the peasants. In a pay day, the peasants were
surprised receiving their salary in which tremendous amount went to taxes.
So, they protested by initiating the “huelga”. This “huelga” escalated to an
uprising of military personnel at Fort San Felipe which caused the death of
Sgt. La Madrid. Fort San Felipe is the Spanish arsenal in Cavite, Philippines.
This is known as he Cavite Mutiny of 1872 on January 20, 1872. The mutiny
was unsuccessful, and government soldiers executed many of the peasants
and began to crack down on a burgeoning nationalist movement.

It was so timely that when the Cavite Mutiny happened, the three
Filipino priests, namely; Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jacinto Zamora and Fr. Jose
Burgos were campaign for the secularization of the Church and giving the
Filipino priests the chance to be the “ cura paroco” or the parish priest.
Consequently, these three Filipino priests were accused of being the agitators
of the Cavite Mutiny. Because of that, the Spanish colonial authorities charged
them of subversion. They were found guilty and were executed on February
17, 1872 at Bagumbayan in Manila, Philippines. Their execution left a profound
effect on many Filipinos.

The Cavite Munity and the Martyrdom of these three Filipino priests
led to the birth of Filipino Nationalism.

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 This incident the Cavite Mutiny was reported by Gov. Gen. Rafael de
Izquierdo himself and the account was written by Jose Montero Y Vidal
(Spanish Version). On the other hand, Dr. T.H. Pardo de Tavera also wrote an
account about the event (Filipino Version). There are two conflicting versions
of this event “Cavite Mutiny,” and the question remains; Which Is True, the
Spanish Version or the Filipino Version?

For the primary account about this controversy, Cavite Mutiny: Which
is True, The Spanish Version or the Filipino Version , you may refer to the
readings found in:
a) Biong, Ryan D. and Evelyn J. Grey (2017). Readings in Philippine
History. Iloilo City: Malones Printing Press & Publishing House.

b) Scheurs, Peter. (200). The Location of Pigafetta”s Mazaua, Butuan

and Calagan, 1521-1571. Manila: National Historical Institute

c) Schumacher, John. (1992). Readings in Philippine Church History.

Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.

d) Rafael Izquierdo, Official Report on the Cavite Mutiny, (Zaide 7,

pp. 281-286).

e) Jose Montero y Vidal, Spanish Version of the Cavite Munity of 1872

(Zaide 7, pp. 269-273)

f) Jesus Ma. Cavanna, Rizal’s Unfading Glory, (pp. 1-52)

d)[Link]

e)[Link]
1872cavite-mutiny-of-1872

**********

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 Retraction of Rizal: Did Rizal Retract or Did he Not?

Source: [Link]

Jose Rizal belonged to a devoted Catholic family when he secretly left

for Europe. He is really a Catholic. While staying in Europe, he joined the
Masonic Lodge which turned him into a Mason. When he went home in his
Motherland, he was arrested and deported to Dapitan. He was living a rural
life in Dapitan, teaching the young boys in the locality, and practice his
medical profession. Later on, from Dapitan, he was transferred to a prison
cell in Fort Santiago until his execution on December 30, 1896.

Many historians report that a night before Rizal’s execution, he

retracted his anti-Catholic ideas through a document which stated: "I retract
with all my heart whatever in my words, writings, publications and conduct
have been contrary to my character as a son of the Catholic Church."
However, there are doubts of its authenticity given that there is no
certificate of Rizal's Catholic marriage to Josephine Bracken. Also, there is an
allegation that the retraction document was a forgery. So, the question is;
Did Rizal Retract or Did He Not?

For the primary account about this controversial issue,” the

Retraction of Rizal, you may refer to the readings found in:

a) Biong, Ryan D. and Evelyn J. Grey (2017). Readings in Philippine

History. Iloilo City: Malones Printing Press & Publishing House.

b) Garcia, Ricardo. (1964). The Great Debate: The Rizal Retraction.

Quezon City: R.P. Garcia.

c) Pascual, Ricardo. (1950). Rizal Beyond the Grave: A Reiteration

of the Greatness of the Martyr of Bagumbayan. Manila: Luzon Publisher.

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 d) Fernandez, Pablo. (1979). History of the Church in the Philippines,
1521-1898. Manila: National Book Store, 1979.

e) [Link]

**********

First Cry of Philippine Revolution:

Is It in Balintawak or in Pugadlawin

Source: [Link]

News about the discovery of the Katipunan spread to Manila and the
nearby suburbs, and Andres Bonifacio immediately called for a general
meeting for all the leaders of the Katipunan. In Balintawak, Bonifacio hurriedly
changed the Code of the Katipunan, hoping that he could save the society.
With around 500 Katipuneros, they left Balintawak and proceeded to
Pugadlawin. They gathered in the yard of the house of Juan Ramos in
Pugadlawin on August 23, 1896. Ramos was the son of Melchora Aquino,
known as “Tandang Sora” who was later acknowledged as the Mother of the
Katipunan.

In there, Bonifacio asked his men whether they were willing to fight to
the bitter end. Everyone shouted approval, except Teodoro Plata, who thought
that it was too soon for a revolution. With his men’s approval, Bonifacio then
asked them to take out their “cedulas” (residence certificates) and to tear to
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pieces, as a sign of defiance and determination to rise against the Spaniards.
The men immediately tore up their cedulas, shouting, “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas”
(Long live the Philippines): This event is known as the First Cry of the
Philippine Revolution which remain as a question. Is It in Pugadlawin or It is
in Balintawak?

Source: [Link]

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Source: [Link]

For the primary account about this controversial issue, on the First
Cry of Philippine Revolution, you may refer to the readings found in:

a) Biong, Ryan D. and Evelyn J. Grey (2017). Readings in Philippine

History. Iloilo City: Malones Printing Press & Publishing House.

b) Pio Valenzuela, Cry of Pugadlawin, (Zaide 8, pp.301-302)

c) Santiago Alvarez, Cry of Bahay Toro, (Zaide 8, pp. 303-304)
d) Gregoria de Jesus, Version of the First Cry, (Zaide 8, pp. 305-306)
e) Gregorio de Jesus, Mga Tala ng Aking Buhay (Manila, 1932), p.
135
f) Guillermo Masangkay, Cry of Balintawak, (Zaide 8, pp. 307-309)

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 Tasks

Instruction: You are given 3 weeks to do this

tasks.
1. Read the primary accounts regarding the events which are
considered as controversies and conflicting views in
Philippine history found on the sources cited above.

2. Choose ONE (1) out from these events which are considered
as controversies and conflicting views in Philippine history.

3. From the event chosen, make a stand. Write a position paper

of the stand you made. For example, First Cry of Philippine
Revolution: Is it in Pugadlawin or Is it in Balintawak ? You are
asked to observe these following points:

a. Compare the testimonies of the eye witness accounts regarding

the First Cry of the Philippine Revolution.

b. Analyze all the evidences mentioned in the testimonies that

support to the claim that Balintawak is the site where the “First
Cry” happened. Further, analyze all the evidences mentioned in
the testimonies that support to the claim that Pugadlawin is the
site where the “First Cry” happened.

c. Now, make a stand based on the testimonies of the

eyewitnesses. With your chosen stand or position, support it with
the evidences in making a position paper.

4. The same thing you will do if you choose the other events,
the Site of the First Mass, The Cavite Mutiny, or the
Retraction of Rizal.

5. The position paper as an output in this module should be

submitted online via email, or messenger on the 4 th week
from the day this unit is given or r as instructed by your
Professor.

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 Independent Activity

Instruction: Kindly read the succeeding paragraph and do

this activity as directed.

 Several events happened in the history were written by two or more

eyewitnesses and their accounts could only be found in selected
archives and libraries in the country. Though they are all eye
witnesses of the particular events, yet there are some discrepancies
of information or facts stated in their accounts. These discrepancies
of information became the controversies and conflicting views in
history of today’s generation. Similarly, in the present times
especially in this era of pandemic, be it in the local, national and
international scene, we witness the turning out of events. Many of
us are the eyewitnesses of events happening in our society and
these events will be tomorrow’s history.

 Choose one event happening in our society these days which you
have personally witnessed or participated in. The event chosen
should be recorded or written by other two or more eyewitnesses.
Compare these 2 accounts written by these two (2) eyewitnesses
and make your own stand. Your stand should be expressed in the
form of “ Essay.”

 The Essay or position paper as an output in this module should be

submitted online via email, or messenger on the 4th week from
the day this unit is given or as instructed by your Professor.

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 Post Assessment
Instruction: Choose the BEST answer and write the letter of
your answer on the space before each number. Please refrain
from browsing the text when you answer this part.

_____1. The places where you think the First Mass in the
Philippines happened is in
a. Masao c. Limasawa
b. Mazaua d. Butuan

_____2. The first mass was held on

a. March 16, 1521 c. March 17, 1521
b. March 31, 1521 d. March 30, 1521

_____3. The place where the Cavite Mutiny happened

a. Fort Pilar c. Fort Bonifacio
[Link] San Felipe d. Fort San Pedro

_____4. The lady whom Jose Rizal married hours before

his execution
a. Leonor Rivera c. Segunda Katikbak
b. O Sei San d. Josephine Bracken

_____5. The Katipunero who testified regarding the place where the
First Cry of Philippine Revolution happened but later in life he retracted all
information
a. Santiago Alvarez c. Pio Valenzuela
b. Emilio Aguinaldo d. Andres Bonifacio

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 References

Alvarez, Santiago V. (1992). The Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs

of a General. Loyola Heights, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press.

Biong, Ryan D. and Evelyn J. Grey (2017). Readings in Philippine History.

Iloilo City: Malones Printing Press & Publishing House.

Hontiveros, Greg. (2008). A Fire on the Island: A Fresh Look at

the First Mass Controversy. Butuan City Historical and
Cultural Foundation, Inc.

Pigafetta, Antonio, (1969). First Voyage Around the World. Manila

Filipiniana Book Guild

Garcia, Ricardo. (1964). The Great Debate: The Rizal Retraction.

Quezon City: R.P. Garcia.

Pascual, Ricardo. (1950). Rizal Beyond the Grave: A Reiteration

of the Greatness of the Martyr of Bagumbayan. Manila: Luzon
Publisher.

Fernandez, Pablo. (1979). History of the Church in the Philippines, 1521-

1898. Manila: National Book Store, 1979.

Scheurs, Peter. (200). The Location of Pigafetta”s Mazaua, Butuan and

Calagan, 1521-1571. Manila: National Historical Institute

Schumacher, John. (1992). Readings in Philippine Church History. Quezon

City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Rafael Izquierdo, Official Report on the Cavite Mutiny, (Zaide 7, pp. 281-
286).
Jose Montero y Vidal, Spanish Version of the Cavite Munity of 1872 (Zaide
7, pp. 269-273)
Jesus Ma. Cavanna, Rizal’s Unfading Glory, (pp. 1-52)
Pio Valenzuela, Cry of Pugadlawin, (Zaide 8, pp.301-302)
Santiago Alvarez, Cry of Bahay Toro, (Zaide 8, pp. 303-304)
Gregoria de Jesus, Version of the First Cry, (Zaide 8, pp. 305-306)
Gregorio de Jesus, Mga Tala ng Aking Buhay (Manila, 1932), p. 135
Guillermo Masangkay, Cry of Balintawak, (Zaide 8, pp. 307-309)

[Link]

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[Link]
n or Limasawa: The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A
Reexamination of the Evidence

[Link] debates-
continue-on-where-first-mass-was-held

[Link]
claim-it-was-site-first-mass-rp-485-years-ago

[Link]
A-Place-of-the-First-Mass-in-the-Philippines

[Link]
philippines-held/157730/

[Link]
butuan/

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]
history-january-20-1872-the-cavite-mutiny-took-place

[Link]
history-what-happened-in-the-cavite-mutiny

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]
controversy

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