1

HISTORY 201
Modern Approaches to History
2nd Semester 2023-2024
Professors: Dr. Jes B. Tirol and Dr. Janice Aurora Tirol-Namoc

WORK SHEET NO. 1

POSITION PAPER
REGARDING THE CORRECT SITE OF THE
BLOOD COMPACT BETWEEN CHIEF SIKATUNA
AND GENERAL MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI

BY: JES B. TIROL, Ph.D.

VIEWPOINT: The site was Hinawanan (now: Villalimpia), Loay,

Bohol.
(Presented during the Round Table Conference held by the National Historical Institute
(NHI), on September 17, 2003 at the Audio-Visual Room of the NHI Building, T.M. Kalaw St.,
Ermita, Manila.)

Introduction
We have many traditional beliefs that we accept without proofs. Legends and
informations are handed down from generation to generation and embellished through the years.
Eventually, without knowing why or how, these stories are accepted.
Now we are meeting on the question of the correct site of the famous Blood Compact
between the Boholano Chieftain Sikatuna and the Spaniard, General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
As of now, the traditional belief is that the site of the event is Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City. As
tradition goes, there is hardly any proof to support this belief.
Since the later part of the 1960s, there became available some evidences regarding the
Blood Compact. In particular, there are already books available that contains the compilation of
the original reports of the participants of the Legazpi Expedition. When these eyewitness
accounts are evaluated, the facts and informations do not seem to indicate Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City
as the site. Rather, the data would point to Hinawanan (Now Hispanized to “Villalimpia”), Loay,
Bohol.
This paper will try to show why Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol is the only place that can
satisfy the descriptions given by the evidences.

The References
The books used by this proponent as main references are:
1. “Coleccion De Documentos Ineditos Relativos Al Descubrimiento, Conquista Y
Organizacion De Las Antiguas Posesiones Españolas De Ultramar”. Segunda Serie,
Publicada Por La Real Academia De La Historia. Tomo Num. 2, I, De Las Islas
Filipinas. Madrid, 1886.
2. “Coleccion De Documentos Ineditos Relativos Al Descubrimiento, Conquista Y
Organizacion De Las Antiguas Posesiones Españolas De Ultramar”. Segunda Serie,
Publicada Por La Real Academia De La Historia. Tomo Num. 3, II, De Las Islas
Filipinas. Madrid, 1887.
3. “The Colonization and Conquest of the Philippines by Spain”. Filipiniana Book
Guild, VIII. Manila, 1965.
4. Emma Blair and James Robertson, Eds. “The Philippine Islands”, Cleveland: A.H.
Clark, 1903-1909. Vol. 2.
 2

The National Historical Commission (NHC) reprinted the references 1 and 2 in Manila,
in 1969.

Contents and Reliability

The “Coleccion De Documentos…” series are usually referred to as “Ultramar De
Filipinas”. The two volumes contain forty-seven (47) documents written by people who were
participants or somehow connected with the Legazpi Expedition from Navidad, Mexico to the
Philippines. It is published in its unedited form in the Spanish language.
The book “The Colonization and Conquest of the Philippines by Spain”, contains an
English translation of document number 33 of the Ultramar de Filipinas. It is found in pages 41-
73 as Document VII of the book. Since it is already the translation of experts, we will rely on the
English translation.
The National Historical Commission (NHC) was the government entity incharge of
verifying historical facts. Since the NHC (now: NHI) reprinted the Ultramar De Filipinas, it
means that these books are not forgeries. Therefore the authorities in history accepted the books
as reliable.

Inaccuracies of Tradition
On June 12, 1898, Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read at Kawit, Cavite the
proclamation of independence of the Philippines. As a rallying point for patriotism, he cited the
Blood Compact between General Legazpi and Chief Sikatuna. However, his data was in error
when he said;
“…Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi que continuando el rumbo seguido por su
predecesor Hernando de Magallanes que arribó a las playas de Cebu y ocupó esta Ysla por
medio de pacto de amistad que celebro con su Rey Tupas aunque fue muerto en el combate
habido en dichas playas a que le provoco el Rey Kalipulako de Maktan receloso de sus malas
intenciones desembarco en Ysla de Bohol haciendo tambien el celebro pacto de sangre de
amistad con su Rey Sikatuna para despues de tomar por fuerza a Cebu, porque el sucesor Tupas
no le consintio ocuparlo, venir á la capital de Manila como asi hizo…”.1
Translation: “Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who, continuing the course followed
by his predecessor Ferdinand Magellan who landed on the shores of Cebu and occupied said
island by means of a Pact of Friendship with Chief Tupas, although he was killed in battle that
took place in said shores to which battle he was provoked by Chief Kalipulako of Mactan who
suspected his evil designs, landed on the Island of Bohol by entering also into a Blood Compact
with its Chief Sikatuna, with the purpose of later taking by force the Island of Cebu, and because
his successor Tupas did not allow him to occupy it, he went to Manila…”.2
The above statements were the best historical knowledge in 1898 as cited by Don
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. The traditional belief was that General Legazpi followed the route
of Ferdinand Magellan. So Don Rianzares Bautista stated that General Legazpi was first in Cebu
then went to Bohol to have a Blood Compact with King Sikatuna. Thereafter, General Legazpi
went to Manila.
Modern reliable historical data indicates that the historical knowledge of Don Ambrosio
Rianzares Bautista was not accurate. No history textbook in the Philippines accepts this
viewpoint.
However, even the above statements of Don Rianzares Bautista did not specify the
particular place in Bohol where the Blood Compact between Si Katuna and Legazpi was held.
In 1915 the organization of Boholano students in Cebu City called “Circulo Boholano”
published a souvenir program. In page 83 are the following statements regarding the
“Kahimtang Sa Bohol (Situation in Bohol)”: “Kaniadto sa tuig 1521 maoy pagkakaplag ni
Magallanes niining puloa ug dinha siya mahitumod sa usa ka balangay sa Tagbilaran nga
ginganlag Boow. Kining pulonga maoy ngalan sa usa ka kahoy nga miturok sa maong dapit ug
gilayon ginganlan ni Magallanes ug Bohol ang tibuok pulo: Kini ginasunod sa mga katsila nga
hangtud karon ginadala ang maong ngalan.”3
1
Sulpicio Guevara, “The Laws of the First Philippine Republic (1898-1899), (National Historical Commission,
Manila, 1972).
2
Loc. Cit.
3
Olegario Clarin, editor-in-chief, “Circulo Boholano”, (Imprenta Rosario, Cebu, Cebu, I.F., 1915), p.83.
 3

Translation: “The year 1521 was the time when Magellan discovered this island. He
landed in a barrio of Tagbilaran that was named Boow. This word is the name of a tree that grew
in the place and immediately Magellan named the whole island as Bohol. This (name) was
followed by the Spaniards and until now this (name) is carried.”
The members of the “Circulo Boholano” were the most brilliant Boholano students who
were studying in Cebu City. In fact Olegario Clarin, the Editor-in-Chief, of the souvenir program
also named “Circulo Boholano” became a lawyer and future Senator of the Philippines. One
member of the group, Carlos P. Garcia, became a lawyer and a future President of the
Philippines. Many of the members became prominent professionals and future leaders of note.
Nonetheless, their knowledge of history was very meager.
According to the souvenir program, it was Ferdinand Magellan who landed in Bool,
Tagbilaran, Bohol in 1521. It should be noted that in 1915, the Boholanos did not mention or did
not know yet of the Blood Compact between Dato Sikatuna and General Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi.
In 1936, the Boholano’s knowledge in history was enhanced. An American Division
Superintendent of Schools was interested in the Blood Compact between Sikatuna and Legazpi
that he read in the books written by Emma Blair and Dr. James Robertson. This American was
probably Mr. Albert Haynes (Superintendent 1936-1939).4 He searched for a place called “Bo-
ol” and found that there was a barrio of that name in Tagbilaran, Bohol. He did not know that the
name was a remnant of the Bool Kingdom destroyed by the Portuguese and Ternateans in 1563
and it applies to the whole island. He inquired whether there was a freshwater supply at the place
and found a spring, which is a very common occurrence in the shorelines of Bohol. The
American Superintendent concluded that it was the site of the Blood Compact. He then
proceeded to have his students and teachers improve the site by enclosing the spring to become
like a well. Actually he missed the old shoreline water-well at Guiwanon, Baclayon which is
only about 500 meters away. Maybe he did saw it but he did not know that it was part of the
original boundary of Tagbilaran before Major Manuel Sanz, the conqueror of Dagohoy
transferred the boundary, in 1832.5
After the work was finished, a four-sided pedestal was erected at the site. The pedestal
still exists but unfortunately the top portion is already removed. What remains of the pedestal
have the following markings: a.) The side facing the sea is blank. b.) Next side going counter-
clockwise, “…is SEP 3 1936”. c.) Next side, opposite the sea, “SARMIENTO, S.VIRADOR,
J.GALIA, A.MEDINA”. d.) Next side, “…AND CHIEF KATUNA 65 A.D.”
Obviously the year Sept. 3, 1936 was the year when the improvement of the place was
finished. The names Sarmiento, S. Virador, J. Galia, A. Medina were the names of
schoolteachers.
In the culture of the 1930s, nobody would argue with an American Superintendent of
Schools. In fact the people were happy for the new knowledge introduced by the American
Superintendent. The selected site at Bo-ol, Tabilaran City, can satisfy the statements available in
the books “Philippine Islands” by Blair and Robertson. From thereon the people accepted the
selected site without question.
In 1941, a representative of the Philippine Historical Committee, a certain Mr. Binay
from the National Library (Note: Father of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay –JBT), came to
Tagbilaran, Bohol to erect the Blood Compact marker. The Provincial Librarian of Bohol, Mr.
Cirilo Darunday Sr, assisted him.6 The site selected was beside the highway at Bo-ol, Tagbilaran,
Bohol (Now: Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City). The marker has the following inscriptions:

4
Mr. Bruce M. Bayers was Superintendent from 1934 – 1936 and Mr. Albert Haynes was Superintendent from 1936
– 1939. Reference: Dr. Lumin Tirol, “History of Bohol, Pre-Hispanic up to 1972”, Unpublished Doctoral
Dissertation, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, 1975. p.292.
5
This story about an American Superintendent was personally heard by this writer (Jes Tirol) from Mr. Isabelo
Sarmiento when he was talking with the writer’s father in the ‘60s. This writer was already a high school student. He
was the Sarmiento in the marker and a former student of the writer’s father.
6
Information given by Mrs. Salome Darunday-Ramos, now a retired Bohol Provincial Librarian. She is a daughter
of former Provincial Librarian Cirilo Darunday Sr. She remembered Mr. Binay because he stayed at their house in
Tagbilaran.
 4

BLOOD COMPACT BETWEEN

SIKATUNA AND LEGASPI

ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF MARCH 1565, CAPTAIN

GENERAL MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGASPI’S FLEET
ANCHORED ALONG THIS SHORE. SHORTLY THERE-
AFTER, LEGASPI, MANIFESTING TRUST AND
CONFIDENCE IN THE ISLANDERS, ENTERED INTO A
BLOOD COMPACT WITH DATU SIKATUNA, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF INSURING FRIENDLY RELATIONS
BETWEEN THE SPANIARDS AND THE NATIVES. A
FEW DROPS OF BLOOD DRAWN FROM A SMALL IN-
CISION IN THE ARM OF EACH OF THE TWO CHIEFS
WERE PLACED IN SEPARATE CUPS CONTAINING
WINE, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FOLLOWERS
OF BOTH, EACH CHIEF DRANK THE POTION CON-
TAINING THE BLOOD OF THE OTHER. THUS, DURING
THIS PERIOD OF COLONIZATION, A BOND WAS
SEALED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATIVE PRACTICE,
THE FIRST TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND ALLIANCE
BETWEEN SPANIARDS AND FILIPINOS.
1941

The marker was placed at Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City. It is now the claimed site because in
1941, the Philippine Historical Committee erected the marker at the site. However, no historical
record can support that it is the site.
In the Spanish language, the letter “H” is not pronounced. The best guess is that
“BOHOL” and “BO-OL” are the same words. Hence, the marker was erected at “Bo-ol”, thereby
reinforcing the traditional belief that the Blood Compact happened at the place.
The situation has become like the paradox of the “Hen and the egg”. Which came first,
the hen or the egg? The marker was erected at the place because of traditional belief, and the
traditional belief is claimed to be true because the marker is there.

Inaccuracies in the Marker

The Philippine Historical Committee, in its published books containing the marker
statements at different sites in the country does not make any explanation why the marker was
erected at Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City. It did not also cite the references of the statements contained in
the marker. At best, we can say that the statements in the marker are approximations based on
insufficient data. This will be the conclusion based on the following analyses:
1.”ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF MARCH, 1565, CAPTAIN GENERAL MIGUEL
LOPEZ DE LEGASPI’S FLEET ANCHORED ALONG THIS SHORE”

This is a very general statement without any specific date and place. This statement will
legitimize any shoreline as the site of the Blood Compact especially if erected by the Philippine
Historical Committee. Its moral ascendancy has already legitimized Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City as the
Blood Compact site for the simple reason that the marker is found there. But you can transfer the
marker, and the above statement will equally legitimize the new place.
One indication that the references used by the Philippine Historical Committee were far
removed from the original records is the spelling of the name “LEGASPI”. General Legazpi
never used the spelling “LEGASPI” with an “S”. Even Dr. James Robertson, in Volume 2, “The
Philippine Islands”, 1905, page 196, use the spelling “LEGAZPI” with a “Z”.
This observation may seem trivial, but it is an indication that the research done was not
thorough enough.

2. “A FEW DROPS OF BLOOD DRAWN FROM A SMALL INCISION IN THE ARM

OF EACH OF THE TWO CHIEFS WERE PLACED IN SEPARATE CUPS…”
 5

This description is not accurate. General Legazpi did not use this description; neither did
Fr. Andres de Urdaneta or any member of the expedition.
In Volume 2, “The Philippine Islands” by Blair and Robertson, page 201, the description
by General Legazpi is recorded as follows:
“This is observed in this manner: one from each party must draw two or three drops of
blood from his arm or breast and mix them, in the same cup, with water or wine. Then the
mixture must be divided equally between two cups, and neither person may depart until both
cups are alike drained.”
General Legazpi described two alternative procedures. How and why the Philippine
Historical Committee concluded that the blood was taken from the arm, is not revealed. Also it is
clear in the description of General Legazpi that the blood was placed in a single cup and later on
divided. This does not agree with the statement of the marker that says that the blood was placed
in separate cups.
Document 27 of Coleccion de Documentos de Ultramar (Reference No. 1 cited in this
paper), page 297 has the following description of the Blood Compact:
“Llegado el Zicatuna á la Capitana, el General le rescivio graciosamente con las
muestras de amistad y halago posible: el Principal dijo, que queria sangrarse con el General,
porque ansi se zelebra su verdadera amistad, lo qual se hizo, sacandose de los pechos cada dos
gotas de sangre revolviendolas con bino en una taza de plata, y despues devidido en dos tazas,
tanto el uno, como el otro, ambos a la par bebieron cada uno su mitad de aquella sangre y
bino…”
Translation: “Sikatuna arrived at the flagship. The General received him with
graciousness and acts of friendship. The Chief said, I want to have a Blood Compact with the
General. Because we will celebrate a true friendship, we do it this way: we extract two drops of
blood from the breast, mix it with wine in a silver cup, then divide the mixture in two cups, one
for each party. Both will drink his share of the mixture of blood and wine…”
So we have two records that show that the blood was not taken from the arms and that the
blood and wine were first mixed in a single cup before it was divided. The record of Document
27 is very specific that the blood was taken from the breast.

3. “THE FIRST TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND ALLIANCE BETWEEN

SPANIARDS AND FILIPINOS”.

This statement is a conjecture. Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 had a Blood Compact with
Raja Colambu. He called it casicasi. Even the Blood Compact described by General Legazpi was
the Blood Compact at Cibabao, Leyte and not at Bohol. 7 In Bohol, the son of Sikatuna and a
certain Spanish sailor named Santiago had an earlier Blood Compact. 8 So how could the Blood
Compact between Sikatuna and General Legazpi be the “First”?
All the aforementioned analyses clearly indicate that in 1941, the knowledge of the
Philippine Historical Committee was not entirely accurate. Hence, in the light of new available
references it becomes necessary to reevaluate the accuracy of the present claimed site of the
Blood Compact at Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City.

The Site According to Accurate Evidences

The most accurate evidences are the eyewitness accounts of the event. The two volumes
of the Coleccion De Documentos Ineditos Relativos Al Descubrimiento… contain the eyewitness
accounts of the participants of the Legazpi Expedition. Let us follow the facts stated in the
different documents compiled in these two volumes. It will enable us to pinpoint the actual
location of the site of the Blood Compact between Chief Sikatuna and General Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi.

NARRATION OF FACTS

7
“The Colonization and Conquest of the Philippines by Spain”, p.93.
8
“Coleccion De Documentos…”, Doc. No. 27, p.296.
 6

The Legazpi Expedition started from the port of Navidad, Mexico. We will omit the other
facts and start our presentation from the island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte.

From Limasawa to Camiguin:

Document 27, p.277:
Domingo á 11 de Marzo de 1565 años en la tarde tomó la Armada la costa de
Camiguinin y surgio en ella.
Translation: Sunday, March 11, 1565, in the afternoon, the fleet occupied (reached) the
coast of Camiguin and anchored there…

Document 33, p. 405:

…preguntamos a los Indios que traimos de Cabalian que á donde estava la Isla de
Canela, y ellos señalaron acia el Sudueste de aqui de Mazagua, y que se decia Cameguen; ansy
fuymos para ella…
Translation: We asked the natives whom we brought with us from Cabalian to indicate
where the cinnamon island was located. They pointed towards the southwest, and said that the
island was called Cameguen. We therefore proceeded towards that island.

At Camiguin
Document 41, p. 253. Written by Notary of the Fleet Hernando Riquel:
… junto a la ysla de Camiguinin a trece del mes de marzo de mill y quinientos sesenta y
cinco años su señoria del dicho señor governador mando juntar en la nao capitana al padre
prior fray andres de Urdaneta e al maestre de campo mateo del sanz e a los capitanes martin de
goyte, joan de la ysla, joan maldonado, e a los oficiales de su Magestad el thesorero guido de la
bacaris, el contador andres de cauchela, el fator andres de mirandola, y el alferez maior andres
de ybarra y el sargento maior luis de la haya, y el alguacil maior gabriel de rribera…
Translation: … near the island of Camiguin, 13th day of March 1565, the officials were
commanded by the Governor (Legazpi) to gather at the flagship. They were Fr. Andres de
Urdaneta, Master of the Camp Mateo de Sanz, Captains Martin de Goite, Juan de la Isla, Juan
Maldonado, and the Royal Officials; Treasurer Guido Lavezares, Auditor Andres Cauchela,
Agent Andres Mirandola, and Chief Ensign Andres de Ibarra, Sergeant Major Luis de la Haya,
and Chief Constable Gabriel Rivera. (Note: The officials had a meeting as to what to do because
the people deserted the island of Camiguin. It was decided to go to the nearby Butuan in
Mindanao.)

Document 38, p. 85:

En la nao capitana a catorce dias del mes de marzo de mill y quinientos y sesenta y cinco
años estando surta el armada en la ysla de Camiguinin el muy yllustre señor miguel lopez de
legazpi governador y capitan general por su mag. d de la gente y armada que va al
descubrimiento de las yslas del poniente, por ante mi hernando Riquel scrivano de
governacion…
Translation: In the flagship, 14th day of March, 1565, while the armada was anchored in
the island of Camiguin, the Very Illustrious Sir Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Governor and Captain
General of His Majesty and the men of the fleet that went to discover the island of the west,
before me, Hernando Riquel, Notary of the government…

Document 27, p.279:

Miercoles 14 de Marzo en la tarde partio el Armada de Camiguinin para ir a Butuan
conforme á lo que se acordo.
Translation: Wednesday, 14th of March in the afternoon, the fleet left Camiguin for
Butuan in accordance to the agreement.

Upon Leaving Camiguin:

Document 27, p.279:
…Anduvieron toda la noche con viento contrario que era brisa, y fue de manera que la
contrariedad del viento y fuerza de corrientes derribaron el Armada muy a sotavento, y otro dia
se hallaron costa á costa de una isla que se dice Bohol.
 7

Translation: … traveled the whole night with the wind going contrary to the northeast,
and going in this manner, that is contrary to the wind and force of the currents, the fleet was
blown very much to the leeward. The next day, we found ourselves along the coast of an island
called Bohol.

Document 33, p. 407:

(Doc. 33 is translated into English by the Filipiniana Book Guild, VIII, p. 61. This
document was written by Chief Pilot Esteban Rodriguez)
…de aqui se volbieron a la Nao trayendo lo que pudieron. Llegados a la Nao determinó
el Señor General de ir a Betuan, que es una Isla muy rica a donde se saca mucho oro, y nos
hecimos a la vela prolongando de Baxo arriba dicho, y des que lo pasamos metimos de lo para
ir á betuan; havia mucha brisa y corria el agua para sotavento, y no podimos barloventear
nada, fuymos a dar á la Isla de Bojo: es una Isla grande y de muchas zabanas: está de Leste
Ueste: en ella surgimos en un ancon que se hacia un poco desabrigado de la brisa:
Translation: … From there they returned to the galleons taking with them all they could
carry away. As they reached their ship, the General decided to go to Betuan, a very rich island
with much gold. We set sail, avoiding the deep shoals above mentioned as we proceeded to
Betuan. The breeze was strong, but the current was running leeward, so we could not sail with
the favorable wind. We tried the Island of Bojo. It is a big island with many plains and extends
from east to west. We anchored in this island in a harbor (bay) which was somewhat exposed to
the wind.

Arrival at Bohol
Document 27, p. 279:
… El General viendo ser viento contrario para la navegacion de Butuan mando se
llegase al Armada a esta Isla para reconocerla, y ansi se surgio en la misma costa en quinze
brazas: parecian en la isla muchas palmeras de cocos y algunas casas por la tierra adentro
desviadas de la mar, y en toda la costa hicieron los naturales muchos humos luego que vieron
los Navios, aunque no se vio Indio ninguno.
Translation: The General, seeing that the wind was contrary for sailing to Butuan,
commanded that the fleet would stay and reconnoiter the island. We anchored at the coast at 15
fathoms deep. We can see in the island many coco trees and some houses on land away from
shore. In the entire coast the natives made many smokes immediately upon seeing the ships
although we did not saw any native.

Document 27, p. 279:

Luego el General despacho la Fragata con Juan de la Isla que fue costeando la Isla acia
la parte del Poniente a ver si havia algun Puerto, o Poblacion, o Rio de agua donde pudiesen
estar las Naos, y al Capitan Martin de Goyte en otro batel que reconosciese por la parte de
Levante, y el Maese de Campo saltó en tierra en de derecho de las Naos para ver si hallaria
agua ó algun Pueblo…
Translation: Thereafter, the General dispatched the frigate with Juan de la Isla which
sailed along the coast of the island towards the western part to determine if there is any port or
settlement or river where the ships could stay. Captain Martin de Goite, in another poop-boat
reconnoitered to the east. The Master of the Camp disembarked on land to the right (or straight
ahead) of the ships to see if he can find water or any town…

Document 33, p.407:

(English translation by the Filipiniana Book Guild.)
…de aqui mandó el Señor General al Capitan Juan de la Isla, que fuese a descubrir la
Isla a la vanda del U-este donde aqui; y al Capitan Martin de Guiete, que fuese a la parte de
Leste; Juan de la Isla fué en la Fragata, y Martin de Guiete fue en el Batel de la Capitana;
Translation: …from here, the General commanded Captain Juan de la Isla to go and
discover the island towards the west from where we were, and Captain Martin de Goite was to go
towards the east. Juan de la Isla went on the frigate and Martin de Goite went on the poop-boat
of the flagship.
 8

Discovery of the Bay

Document 27, p.281:
…Juan de la Isla que fue acia el Poniente volvio y dijo, cinco leguas de alli habia una
caleta en la qual podian estar las Naos surtas en quatro brazas muy á placer, y que solo el
Sudueste es el que les podria hacer mal, que era trabesia, y que en la misma Caleta junto al
agua habia quinze ó veinte casas, y habia visto Indios, aunque no le quisieron aguardar para
hablarles, y que dos leguas mas abajo estaba otra Poblazon de casas, sino que no tenia donde
estubiesen las Naos.
Translation: Juan de la Isla, who went towards the west, returned and said that five (5)
leagues farther is a small bay where the ships can anchor at four (4) fathoms. It is a very
agreeable place. The only disadvantage it has for anchorage is that it is exposed to side winds. In
the particular small bay, near the water, there are 15 or 20 houses. We saw some natives,
although we were not able to talk to them. About 2 leagues nearer is another settlement of houses
but the ships can not stay there.

Document 33, p.408:

(Translated by the Filipiniana Book Guild.)
En esto vino el Capitan Juan de la Isla, y dixo que havia hallado un Puerto y un pueblo
bueno: determinaron de ir allá: lavamonos este dia y fuymos á entrar en el Puerto temprano.
Translation: Captain Juan de la Isla arrived and informed that he had discovered a port
and a good village. Having decided to go there, we departed this day and reached that port early.

Arrival at the Small Bay

Document 27, p.284:
Este dia Lunes 19 de Marzo a las 10 de la mañana surgio el General en la Caleta de
Bohol y las casillas que estaban en ella junto a la mar estaban despobladas sin haber cosa
alguna en ellas y sin que se viese un solo Indio…
Translation: This day, Monday the 19th of March (1565) at 10:00 o’clock in the morning,
the General anchored at the small bay of Bohol. The small houses near the sea were deserted. We
do not know where the natives went, nor did we saw any native…

Description of the Small Bay

Document 33, p.408: (Translated by the Filipiniana Book Guild.)
…havia de aqui al Puerto quatro leguas. Era el Puerto una Bahia pequeña y baxa, tiene
buenos palmares de cocos, y obra de veinte casas, y un estero de agua salada, entrando por este
estero un tiro de arcabuz se acaba el agua salada, y veine un rio de agua dulze, buena agua; y
de aqui de este estero arriba cortamos para un baupres, y para una mesana, y una verga mayor
para la Capitana, porque la otra traia quebrada…
Translation: It is some four leagues from the place we came from. It is a small and
shallow bay. There are good palms of coco trees and some twenty houses and an estuary of salt-
water. (Note: The footnote of the Filipiniana Book Guild translation in page 61 says that the
place was Loay, Bohol.) Beyond the range of an arquebus shot from the entrance of this port is
the end of the salt-water estuary. Thence begins a good fresh-water river. In the upper portion of
the estuary, we hewed timber to replace the bowsprit, mizzenmast and main yard of the flagship
because they were broken…

Document 33, p. 408:

En este Puerto havia muchos corrales hechos en el mar en una y dos brazas para
pesquerias, todos de cañas partidas, y hincadas en el suelo; en entrando el pexe dentro no podia
salir sino por un cavo angosto que tenian hecho, y alli tenian una nanza grande, que en saliendo
el pexe del corral por fuerza entraba en la nanza..
Translation: In this port there were many corrals at a depth of one to two fathoms and
used as fishing devices. All were made of split bamboos and planted in the bottom of the sea.
 9

When the fish gets inside the corral, it could not get out except through a narrow outlet and into a
trap.

Location of Other Islands

Document 33, pp. 408-409:
De aqui de este Puerto me embió el Señor General á descubrir unas Islas que parecian
de aqui, fuymos en la Fragata quinze hombres y un Indio que sabia la lengua, que era Piloto de
un Junco tomó el Maese de Campo, y el Capitan Martin de Guete: …y este se fue con nosotros
en la Fragata á descubrir las Islas que arriba tengo dichas: fuimos de las Naos governando con
la Fragata al Sudueste; dimos en una Isla pequeña despoblada que esta de las Naos dos leguas,
pasamos adelante y dimos con una Isla grande, llamase Licoyon,…De aqui atravesamos á otra
Isla grande llamada Binglas, que nos decian que havia aqui muchos negros…
Translation: From this port I (Esteban Rodriguez ---JBT) was sent by the General to
explore some islands which are visible from the port. I went aboard the frigate with fifteen (15)
men and a native guide who knew the language of the people. He was the pilot of the Junk that
was captured by the Master of the Camp and Captain Martin de Goite. …This native went with
us in the frigate to discover the above-mentioned islands. We sailed from the galleons leading the
frigate to the southwest. We came across a small island that was uninhabited, two leagues from
our ships. We proceeded and reached a big island named Locoyon… From here we crossed to
another big island called Binglas where, they told us, lived many Negroes.

PARTIAL ANALYSIS OF FACTS

To simplify our discussion, let us first make a partial analysis of the facts so far
stated.
The facts presented are from different documents and started from the island of
Limasawa going to the island of Camiguin. These islands are located at the northern part
of the big island of Mindanao.
After a meeting of the officials, it was decided that the fleet would sail for Butuan in
Mindanao. In the afternoon of March 14, 1565, the fleet left Camiguin for Butuan. The
wind and the currents were contrary to the direction of sailing. We are informed later on
why the flagship could not sail against the wind. Its bowsprit, mizzenmast and main yard
were broken. The other ships had no choice but to follow the flagship as it was blown by
the wind.
The next day, March 15, 1565, the fleet was drifted to the island of Bohol. Chief
Pilot Esteban Rodriguez, as recorded in Document 33, said that “it was a big island with
many plains and extends from east to west. We anchored in a harbor which was somewhat
exposed to the wind.” The depth of anchorage was 15 fathoms or approximately 90 feet
(approx. 27.44m) deep. (Note: 1 fathom is 6 feet).
Since the houses, trees and smokes on land could be seen, it indicated that the
anchorage was very near the shoreline.
There are two places in Bohol that can satisfy the description. One is the harbor at
Jagna, Bohol and the other is the nearby harbor near Canayaon, Garcia-Hernandez,
Bohol. These places have harbors and the coastlines are oriented east to west. They are also
somewhat exposed to the wind and you can anchor near the shore at a depth of
approximately 15 fathoms or 90 feet (See accompanying map).
When the flagship was anchored at the place, General Legazpi ordered Captain
Juan de la Isla to investigate the shorelines towards the west. In the present day situation, it
is towards Tagbilaran City. Captain Martin de Goite was sent to investigate towards the
east (towards Guindulman) and the Master of the Camp was ordered to investigate the
land near the ships.
A few days later, Captain de la Isla who investigated towards the west (direction of
Tagbilaran), came back to the flagship and made a report. He said that five (5) leagues
away to the west was a small bay where the ships could anchor at 4 fathoms. It was also a
place somewhat exposed to the wind.
 10

Five (5) leagues is approximately 20 miles or 32 kilometers. Both Jagna and

Canayaon ports can satisfy the description but Canayaon is better especially that the
measure taken by the flagship were only 4 leagues to the small bay.
Looking at a map of Bohol, and taking a distance of 32 kilometers to the west from
Canayaon, Garcia-Hernandez, we find a small shallow bay near the mouth of the river at
Loay. It is also somewhat exposed to side winds. If we consider the site at Bo-ol, Tagbilaran
City, it would be too far away, about 16 kilometers more to the west.
Chief Pilot Esteban Rodriguez said: “There are good palms and coco trees and some
twenty houses and an estuary of salt-water. Beyond the range of an arquebus shot from the
entrance of this port is the end of the salt-water estuary. Thence begins a good freshwater
river.” (Note: The present outlet of the Loboc River was deepened and widened by the
Americans. A steel swing-bring was constructed. The job was finished on June 9, 1914. 9 The
existing small river at Hinawanan, Loay was an important outlet of the Loboc River before the
present river outlet was improved.)
Captain De la Isla said that the ships can anchor at four (4) fathoms and the place
was somewhat exposed to winds. However, the description of Chief Pilot Rodriguez only
indicated the bamboo fish corrals at 1 or 2 fathoms. But the maps can show that the deep of
four (4) fathoms is available.
Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City can satisfy the good palms, coco trees, twenty houses, fish
corrals at one or two fathoms and an estuary of salt-water. However, it could not satisfy the
data of a freshwater river. There is no freshwater river in or near Tagbilaran City. It could
not also satisfy the statement of Captain De la Isla that the place was somewhat exposed to
the wind. Bo-ol Bay is too sheltered.
The small bay at Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol can satisfy all the above descriptions. In
fact, the translation of Document 33 by the Filipiniana Book Guild stated in its footnote
that the place is Loay, Bohol.
Chief Pilot Esteban Rodriguez said that he was ordered by General Legazpi to
investigate the islands, which could be seen from the small bay. On board the frigate, he
sailed in a southwest direction from the small bay where the galleons were anchored. Two
leagues away from the galleons he reached a small uninhabited island. Continuing farther
on, he reached the island of Licoyon and proceeded to the big island of Binglas or Negros.
In the southern and eastern sides of Bohol there is no other small island except the
island of Pamilacan. Its location is southwest of Hinawanan, Loay (from near the mouth of
the river) and has a distance of 2 leagues. Continuing in the same direction you will reach
the island of Siquijor or Licoyon. Farther on is the big island of Negros.
From Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City, the island of Pamilacan has a distance of 2 leagues but
the direction is southeast. If you continue in the same direction, you will reach the island of
Camiguin and farther on the island of Mindanao. It is very clear in the records (Documents
No.27 & No.33) that Esteban Rodriguez sailed around the island of Negros. Therefore they
were not in Mindanao, which the Bo-ol based argument will indicate. So the site at Bo-ol,
Tagbilaran City can not satisfy the data given in the records.
Even this partial analysis can already show that General Legazpi anchored at the
small bay of Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

There is an argument that since the Blood Compact was held on board a ship, maybe
Sikatuna was brought towards Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City. Let us look at the facts to determine if this
argument is possible.

Where Was Sikatuna?

Document 27, p. 295:
…el Moro dijo que el conocia en un Rio dos leguas desta Caleta un Indio Principal que
se dice Cicatuna, y que el iria a rogarle que viniese, y asi se metio en una Canoa para el
efecto…

9
Olegario Clarin, ed., “Circulo Boholano”, (Imprenta Rosario, Cebu, Cebu, I.F., 1915), p.82.
 11

Translation: The Moro (Tuasanmalea ---JBT) said that he knew, in a river, two leagues
from the small bay, a native chieftain called Sikatuna. It is possible to go to him and invite him
to come. And he boarded a canoe to do the mission…

Comment: The contents of Document 27 further shows that it took Tuasanmalea two
attempts to convince Sikatuna to come to the seashore. During the first attempt, Sikatuna told
Tuasanmalea that it should be the General who must come to him in Loboc. The next day
Tuasanmalea returned to the galleons and reported.
General Legazpi would not go to Loboc. Instead a Spanish soldier named Santiago was
sent with Tuasanmalea. The next day Tuasanmalea and Santiago went to Loboc. Upon knowing
that Santiago was not the leader of the Spaniards, Sikatuna let his son have a Blood Compact
with the Spaniard named Santiago.
Sikatuna promised that the next day he would go ashore in order to have a Blood
Compact with General Legazpi.

Document 27, pp. 296-297:

Otro dia el Principal vino por tierra á la marina á vista de las Naos, y envio a decir
como estaba alli, y los Moros fueron a él, los quales digeron que no querian venir a las Naos:
que fuese el General solo alla y que se sangraria con él, y que ansi se asegurarian los Indios, y
que no fuese nayde con el General si no solo él, y volviendo los Moros con este recabdo les dijo
el General que no se sufria ir él solo á este efecto, y que…(p.297) el General embiase dos
Españoles y dos Moros de los Borneos, y que con este seguro el vernia, y para hacer este siguro
su Señoria embio dos gentiles hombres de su compania, y el Principal se vino con los Moros en
su Canoa, con el qual venian otros quatro ó cinco Indios…
Translation: The next day the Chief went by land to the shoreline to see the ships. He
extended an invitation by telling the Spaniards to come. The Moros came. The Chief told them
that he does not want to go to the ship. Let the General come alone so we can have a Blood
Compact. The Moros returned to the ships and reported to the General. But the General did not
want to risk being alone… The General sent two Spaniards and two Bornean Moros as hostages.
Upon seeing that the General sent two of his men as hostages, the Chief went with the Moros in a
canoe with four or five natives…

The Blood Compact

Document 27, p. 297:
Llegado el Zicatuna a la Capitana, el General le rescivio graciosamente con las
muestras de amistad y halago posible: el Principal dijo, que queria sangrarse con el General,
porque ansi se zelebra su verdadera amistad, lo qual se hizo, sacandose de los pechos cada dos
gotas de sangre revolviendolas con bino en una taza de plata, y despues devidido en dos tazas,
tanto el uno, como el otro, ambos a la par bebieron cada uno su mitad de aquella sangre y
bino…
Translation: Sikatuna arrived in the flagship. The General received him with graciousness
and acts of friendship. The Chief said, I want to have a Blood Compact with the General.
Because we will celebrate a true friendship, we do it this way: we extract two drops of blood
from the breast, mix it with wine in a silver cup, then divide the mixture in two cups, one for
each party. Both will drink his share of the mixture of blood and wine…

Comment: There is no date in the record as to the date of the Blood Compact. But from
the arrival on March 19, 1565, the mention of “the next day” can be counted. It would give the
date March 25, 1565. Also, on March 25, 1565, Notary of the Fleet Hernando Riquel took the
testimony of Sikatuna (Document 43, p. 284, p.286).
The event of the Blood Compact was the only time possible for Hernando Riquel to take
the deposition of Sikatuna. So it can be concluded that the date of the Blood Compact must be
March 25, 1565 as gleaned from the notarized testimony of Sikatuna.

Ahead was Another Town

Document 27, p. 301:
 12

De alli a dos dias volvio el Zicatuna a la Nao en una Canoa, y dijo, que pasaba a un
pueblo que estaba mas adelante dos leguas de alli, mas quando vino, el General estaba en tierra
que habia salida a oir Misa: el Zicatuna se fue al Parao con los Burneos donde estubo poco y
luego pasó su camino.
Translation: Two days later, Sikatuna returned here at the ship in a canoe. He said that
when we will go we can pass by a town two (2) leagues distance ahead. The General, however,
was on land in order to hear a Holy Mass. Sikatuna went with the Borneans to the Parao where
he stayed for a while and thereafter went on his way…
ANALYSES OF FACTS

The Bornean Pilot, Tuasanmalea, said that Sikatuna was inside the river, two (2)
leagues (approximately 8 kilometers) distance from the ships. There is no other river
navigable for a distance of two leagues, from Tagbilaran to Jagna, Bohol except the Loboc
River.
From Hinawanan, Loay, up to the end of the navigable portion of the Loboc River,
the distance of two leagues is satisfied. At Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City, the distance of Loboc,
inside the river, is more than two leagues away.
The records say that Sikatuna walked by land from Loboc to the seashore. There is
no outlet path from Loboc to the seashore except at Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol. In 1596, the
first Jesuit Missionary entered Loboc, Bohol through Hinawanan, Loay. 10 If there were a
path from Baclayon or Tagbilaran, Bohol to Loboc, the missionary Father Juan de Torres
would have taken it because it would be shorter in distance. Even today, there is no direct
road from Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City to Loboc, but there is a direct road from Hinawanan,
Loay to Loboc.
Document 27 said that Sikatuna went on board the flagship to perform the Blood
Compact. If the ship had sailed to Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City, the native Boholanos at the
seashore holding the hostages would have been suspicious and would have killed the
hostages. Since it did not happen, then we can say that the ship did not sail away. In fact
the flagship was under repair. It was not capable of sailing during that time.
The record also said that two days after the Blood Compact, Sikatuna returned to
the flagship. He was looking for General Legazpi, but the General was not there. Sikatuna
then told the Spaniards that two (2) leagues ahead was a town.
We know that the Spanish ships came from the direction of Jagna, Bohol. The
statement, “two leagues ahead” must therefore refer to a direction to the west -- towards
Tagbilaran.
If the place was Hinawanan, Loay, the town of Baclayon verifies the “two leagues
ahead”. It was already a big town. In 1596 the population of Baclayon was estimated to be
10,000.11 In fact in 1596, the first Jesuit Missionaries, Fathers Juan de Torres and Gabriel
Sanchez, opted to start the evangelization of Bohol from Baclayon.
If the place was Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City, the statement “two leagues ahead” is not
satisfied. The seawaters of Tagbilaran Strait were not, and is not navigable by ship. In fact
the boat used by Fathers Sanchez and Torres carrying only about seven persons run
aground at Tagbilaran Strait. How much more a galleon? The site at Bo-ol from the
direction of Jagna is a dead end. Why would Sikatuna advise the Spaniards to sail “two
leagues ahead” if it was not achievable?

CONCLUSION
After analyzing the records written by the participants of the Legazpi Expedition, the
indication is that the place now called Villalimpia (Hinawanan), Loay, Bohol is the only place
that can satisfy the facts regarding the site of the Blood Compact.
The pertinent written facts and comparison of existence of data are the following:

10
Teresita Roble Rosales, “Conquista Espiritual de Bohol”, Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, (Universidad de
Madrid, 1971), p.95. As cited from Colin-Pastells, S.J., Labor Evangelica, Tomo II, Lib. III, Cap. XII, pgs. 153-155.
11
Fr. William Repetti, S.J., “History of the Society of Jesus In the Philippine Islands”, (Manila Observatory, Manila,
1938), p.72. This statement was attributed to Father Pedro Chirino, S.J., the Father Superior of the Jesuits in Cebu
and Bohol in 1596.
 13

FACTS HINAWANAN BOOL

1. The distance is 4 or 5 leagues from Jagna or Canayaon YES NO
harbor. It was at Jagna or Canayaon where the
Spaniards first anchored offshore at 15 fathoms on
March 15, 1565 after being drifted from Camiguin
Island.

2. There was a small, shallow bay (Spanish: Caleta). YES YES

3. The small bay is somewhat exposed to the wind. YES NO
4. At the small bay, it was possible to anchor at 4 fathoms. YES YES
5. At the small bay, there was a saltwater estuary. YES YES
6. At the small bay, there were fish corrals, houses, and YES YES
coco trees.
7. At the small bay, beyond the range of an arquebus shot YES NO
was a freshwater river.
8. The navigable distance from the galleons at the small YES NO
bay to Loboc, inside the freshwater river are two
leagues.
9. The direction from the small bay was SOUTHWEST YES NO
towards Pamilacan Island, Siquijor Island, and Negros
Island.
10. Two leagues ahead from the small bay was a town. YES NO
From Hinawanan, Loay it is satisfied by the town of
Baclayon, Bohol. Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City is a dead-end.
11. It was possible to walk from Loboc to the shoreline. In YES NO
1597, Father Juan de Torres, S.J., entered Loboc from
Baclayon, Bohol by walking through Hinawanan, Loay.
It was an indication that there was no direct land route
from Bo-ol, Tagbilaran to Loboc. Bo-ol, Tagbilaran
City is very near Baclayon, Bohol.

All of the above cited facts are satisfied at Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol. Bo-ol, Tagbilaran
City can satisfy only some of the facts. Therefore there is no other conclusion but to say that the
site of the Blood Compact between Chief Sikatuna and General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was at
Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol. (Note: Part of “Hinawanan” is now Hispanized as Villalimpia. The
Bisayan word “Hinawanan” means a clean place in English or villalimpia in Spanish.)

INDIRECT EVIDENCE

Jesuit Records
William C. Repetti, S.J., published a book entitled “History of the Society of Jesus in the
Philippines.” This book was based on the “Annuas Cartas” or “Yearly Report” of the Jesuits. The
Manila Observatory published it in 1938. In page 239 it mention of a Boholana who married a
soldier of General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Catalina Riquel
Hernando Riquel was the Notary of the Fleet of the Legazpi expedition. While in Bohol,
he obtained a muchacha or a young girl in English. She was born near the river of Iguaheg (now
called wahig near the town of Pilar, Bohol). The muchacha became a Christian and baptized as
Catalina and given the family name of her master, Riquel.
The Boholana, now called Catalina Riquel was brought by his master to Manila.
Eventually, Catalina honorably got married to one of the soldiers named Vicente Martin. The
soldier Vicente Martin gave Catalina a home in Manila and a means of support for two daughters
 14

and a son. Vicente died in Manila some years later. Catalina became a good Christian widow and
always went to church and became a good benefactress.
Having heard that the Jesuit Fathers were making journeys throughout Bohol, she
requested her confessor to write the Jesuit Fathers in Bohol and look for a person named Tohog,
the mother of Catalina. Tohog lives in Iguaheg (now called wahig) and if possible to catechize
and baptize her.
On March 25, 1602, Fr. Gabriel Sanchez replied from Iguaheg that the old lady Tohog
was found and the venerable woman was baptized coram populo (in front of the people). She
was so devout that she attended church twice a day.

Analysis
It is very clear in the Jesuit records that Hernando Riquel, the Notary of the Fleet of the
Legazpi expedition obtained a young Boholana girl during the fleet’s stay in Bohol.
It is also very clear that the girl, eventually named Catalina Riquel, was from Iguaheg. In
fact, Fr. Gabriel Sanchez found her mother named Tohog at Iguaheg.
There is no doubt that Iguaheg is the present day Wahig. The most prominent feature of
Wahig is the Wahig River. The Wahig River is now dammed to provide irrigation in the central
part of Bohol. The outlet of Wahig River is the large Inabanga River. The whole length of
Wahig River until its outlet in the town of Inabanga, Bohol (northern part of Bohol) is navigable
by bamboo raft throughout its length.
However, the headwaters of Wahig River and Loboc River are near each other. The outlet
of the Loboc River is the town of Loay, Bohol.
If a person from Iguaheg desires to go to Inabanga, all he would do is ride a bamboo raft
until the town of Inabanga. In the same manner, if that person desires to go to Loay, Bohol, all he
would do is also ride on a bamboo raft and eventually he would reach the town of Loay, Bohol
which is the outlet of the Loboc River.
There are only two outlets from Iguaheg, to Inabanga to the north of Bohol or to Loay, to
the south of Bohol. Since the Legazpi expedition was at the east and south sides of Bohol, then
there is no other conclusion but to say that Catalina Riquel was obtained by Hernando Riquel at
Loay, Bohol.
Therefore we can conclude that the Legazpi expedition stayed at Loay, Bohol. How else
could we explain the presence of Catalina Riquel who was from Iguaheg in the fleet of Legazpi?
If the fleet of Legazpi stayed at Loay, Bohol, then it follows that the Blood Compact
between Chief Sikatuna and General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi happened at Loay, Bohol,
particularly at Hinawanan, Loay that was the old natural outlet of the Loboc River.

PRAYER

After analyzing all the facts and data and having shown that Hinawanan, Loay,
Bohol is the correct site of the Blood Compact, it is therefore prayed that the proper
correction be made by the authorities.
It is our prayer that correct historical facts be disseminated to all and sundry so that
posterity will know that the Blood Compact took place at Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol.
It is further prayed that the proper government authorities will erect a marker at
the site. This marker will declare that Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol was the site of the Blood
Compact between Chief Si Katuna and General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and that of Chief
Si Gala and General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi that occurred three (3) days later.

The data and facts contained in the above position paper was approved by the History
Adjudication Panel created by the National Historical Institute on the controversy as to the
correct site of the famous BLOOD COMPACT between General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and
the Boholano Chieftains Sikatuna and Sigala.

Assignment:
Make at least three (3) Lesson Plans for a High School or College class to show that the
Blood Compact was held at Hinawanan, Loay on March 25, 1565 for the Legazpi-Sikatuna
 15

Blood Compact and on March 28, 1565 for the Legazpi-Sigala Blood Compact. Submit you
results on line or during class.

WORK SHEET NO. 2

SUNDRY CHRONICLE
By: Jes B. Tirol
March 21, 2021

The Rape of the 50 Dalagas and the Massacre

of the Spaniards in Cebu on May 1, 1521
Proem
During the so-called “Battle of Mactan”, on 27 April 1521, Ferdinand Magellan and 7
other Spaniards were killed. Four (4) Cebuanos were also killed due to “friendly fire” from the
mortars from the boat, and fifteen (15) Opongánons (people of Mactan) were killed.
The newly baptized Christian Rajah Humabon of Cebu and about 600 to 900 Cebuanos
were also there but did not participate during the battle.
Given this scenario, why would Rajah Humabon massacre the Spaniards, including the
priest Fr. Pedro Valderrama, four (4) days later on May 1, 1521?

Pigafetta’s Record
The account of Antonio Pigafetta as found in Vol. 33, “Philippine Islands” by Blair and
Robertson, do not mention of rape of the women of Cebu. The only statement that indicated that
something went wrong was “On Saturday, the day on which the captain was killed, the four (4)
men who had remained in the city to trade, had our merchandise carried to the ships. Then we
chose two commanders, namely, Duarte Barboza, a Portuguese and a relative of the captain, and
Johan Seranno, a Spaniard”. (B.&R., Vol. 33, Phil. Islands, p.183).
The end-note of Vol. 33, p.342, mentions of a certain Spanish writer Peter Martyr
asserting that the violation (rape) of the women by the sailors was the cause of the massacre.
Dr. Gregorio Zaide in his book, “Phil. History and Government (1980, p. 98)” said,
“Saavedra carried a letter from the Cortes to the Cebuano King apologizing for the rude conduct
of Magellan’s men in 1521.” These records indicated that the Spanish authorities in Spain knew
that “violation of the women” of Cebu occurred.

Dr. Luengo’s version

Rev. Dr. Jose Ma. Luengo in his book “A History of the Philippines with Focus on
Bohol” (Mater Dei Pub., 1991) and citing Dr. Zaide and a certain Leandro Tormo Sanz,
Entrevista en el Insituto de Cultura Hispanica, Madrid, España, said that the real reason was the
rape of fifty (50) Cebuano maidens (dalaga) by the Spaniards who did not went to Mactan to
fight.
The sixty (60) Spaniards in three (3) boatloads left Cebu on the midnight of April 26. The
battle at Mactan Island started at sunrise and ended before noon of April 27, 1521. In the
afternoon the Spaniards and Rajah Humabon and the Cebuanos were back in Cebu.
If 50 dalagas were raped, it must have been a massive undertaking done by the Spaniards
to be accomplished in so short a time. It was possible because the Cebuanos that were left behind
were women, children, and the old. The able bodied Cebuanos were in Mactan Island.

Avellana’s Version
In 1952, long before the history book of Dr. Zaide was written (1980), Mr. Jovito S.
Avellana wrote his local version entitled “Aginid, Bayok Sa Atong Tawarik (Glide On, Ode to
Our History)”. The book is written in the old Bisayan Script now called “badlit” with Latin
letters equivalent. It is said to be based on old traditional written and oral records in Cebu.
 16

The story of the rape of the Cebuano women was mentioned by Avellana as the main
cause of the massacre.
In the afternoon of April 27, Rajah Humabon, his men and the Spaniards returned. They
were busy in the burial of the dead Spaniards. Rajah Humabon was secretly told by some
Cebuanos what transpired in his absence. Rajah Humabon then decided to plan for revenge.
Meanwhile, he pretended to be busy with the negotiation to retrieve the body of Magellan that
Lapulapu kept as a trophy.

Standard Spanish Version

As a conquered people, our previous historians followed the official version imposed by
the conquerors.
As conquerors, you would not expect the Spaniards to reveal that the Spaniards under
Magellan committed rape in Cebu. The conquerors only emphasized Christianity and the
advancement in civilization.
The official Spanish version for the reason of the massacre was to put the blame on
Enrique (Bis: Makiyong) the slave of Magellan. It was supposed to be Enrique who told
Humabon when the Spaniards will leave and help plan how to capture the ships and seize the
goods in the ships.
The banquet that was prepared and given in the morning of May 1, 1521 was emphasized
as a treacherous plan of the Cebuanos.
Since the Spaniards on the ships, who did not attend the banquet, hurriedly lift anchor
and fled, the only recorded that all the 27 Spaniards who went down were killed. In fact they
have no way of knowing what really happened.

Something to Ponder
In saying or recording that the Spaniards were massacred, the Spaniards are telling
everybody that the Cebuanos were savages and did not have an ounce of chivalry.
If you will think about it, why would the Cebuanos kill the Spaniards who were with
them in Mactan? For sure the Cebuanos would know that those Spaniards in Mactan could not be
the rapists. Only the rapists were killed. According peripheral records the other Spaniards were
only taken as slaves. The Cebuanos could profit if the Spaniards will be sold into slavery.
Bear in mind that slaves in the Visayas were not tied in chains. They were free to
accompany their master in raids and can buy-out their freedom.
One strange information that I have found in my research is that when Legazpi arrived in
1565, Tupas, who was yet a young prince when Magellan arrived and the Chief of Cebu when
Legazpi arrived, still performed the “challenges” or rituals that Magellan used when he
(Magellan) initiated Humabon into the Knight of St. James of Compostela.
It is an indication that a kind of “Masonic Lodge” was organized in Cebu by the
Spaniards that were left behind. The gap of 44 years (1565 – 1521) could make Tupas forget
what Magellan did to Rajah Humabon. When Legazpi arrived, Tupas, as well as the other
Cebuanos, made challenges or give passwords in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry.
(To be continued).

SUNDRY CHRONICLE
By: Jes B. Tirol
March 28, 2021

The Rape of the 50 Dalagas and the Massacre

of the Spaniards in Cebu on May 1, 1521
Part 2. The names of the casualties
Proem
The available records accessible to us regarding the Spanish casualties during the Battle
of Mactan and the Cebu Massacre on May 1, 1521 are the Documento Num. 117, 1522,
“Coleccion General De Documentos Relativos A Las Islas Filipinas Existentes En El Archivo
De Indias De Sevilla”, Publicada Por La Compania General De Tabacos De Filipinas, Tomo III
 17

(1519-1522), Barcelona, 1920 and “The Philippine Islands”, by Blair and Robertson, Volume
33.
Document No. 117 is difficult to decipher because it is written in old Spanish and full of
abbreviations. Vol. 33, “Philippine Islands” has the English translation from the Italian, and
sometimes it will differ when you will “googol” the Italian words.

Casualties in Mactan
Document No. 117, Coleccion General De Documentos... have the names of the
Spaniards who died in the Battle of Mactan. They are 1.) Capt. Gen. Fernando de Magallanes, 2.)
Cristobal de Rabelo, the illegitimate son of F. Magallanes and captain of the ship Victoria. 3.)
Franco de Espinosa, mariner. 4.) Juan de Torres, soldier. 5.) Rodrigo Nieto, a servant of Juan de
Cartagena. 6.) Anton Gallego, seaman. 7.) Pedro Gomez, a servant of constable Gonzalo de
Espinosa. and 8.) Anton de Escobar, died on April 29 from wounds suffered from the battle on
April 27.

Casualties in Cebu
In page 342 of Vol. 33, “Phil. Islands” by Blair and Robertson is a list of the twenty-
seven (27) casualties in Cebu. Also in pages 291-293 of Documento Num. 117, “Coleccion
General de Documentos..” is the list of casualties in Cebu.
The two lists have slight differences. We will write the list in Vol. 33 in the normal print
and followed by that in Document 117 in italics.
The supposed casualties are: 1.) Duarte Barbosa, captain of the “Trinidad”. 2.) Juan
Serrano, captain of the “Concepcion” (pilot and captain of the ship Concepcion). 3.) Luis
Alfonso de Gois, captain of the “Victoria” (Luis Alfonso de Goys, sobresaliente, presently the
captain of the ship Victoria). 4.) Andres de S. Martin, pilot of his Majesty (pilot). 5.) Sancho de
Heredia, notary (notary/ scribe). 6.) Leon de Ezpeleta, notary (Espeleta, notary/ scribe). 7.)
Pedro de Valderrama, priest. 8.) Francisco Martin, cooper (barrel maker or cooper). 9.) Simon
de la Rochela, calker. 10.) Cristobal Rodriguez, steward.
11.) Francisco de Madrid, sobresaliente and soldier (soldier). 12.) Hernando de Aguilar,
servant of Luis de Mendoza (soldier, servant of captain Luis de Mendoza). 13.) Guillermo Fenesi
or Tanagui, gunner of the “Trinidad” (Guillermo, gunner of the ship Trinidad). 14.) Anton
Rodriguez, sailor (mariner). 15.) Juan Sigura, sailor (Juan de Segura, mariner). 16.) Francisco
Picora, sailor (mariner). 17.) Francisco Martin, sailor (mariner)[Note: repeated name No.8, but
one is a cooper and the other is a mariner]. 18.) Anton de Goa, common seaman (shipmate). 19.)
Rodrigo de Hurrira, common seaman (de Herrera, shipmate of the ship Concepcion). 20.) Pedro
Herrero, sobresaliente.
21.) Hartiga, sobresaliente (extra soldier). 22.) Juan de Silva, Portuguese, sobresaliente
(Portuguese, sobresaliente). 23.) Nuño, servant of Magallanes (servant of Ferdinand Magellan).
24.) Henrique, from Malaca, servant of Magallanes and interpreter (Henrique, lengua, servant of
Ferdinand Magellan). 25.) Peti Juan, French, servant of Magallanes (Peti Juan, servant of
Ferdinand Magellan). 26.) Francisco de la Mezquita, servant of Magallanes (servant of
Ferdinand Magellan). 27.) Francisco, son-in-law of Juan Serrano (Francisco Ante, servant of
pilot Juan Serrano).

Different Opinions
When the shouting and killings begun the Spaniards on the ships immediately lift anchor
and sailed away. They also fired their mortars and cannons not minding whether they will hit the
Spaniards or Cebuanos. Those who returned to Spain did not really know what happened to the
above listed names. For example, why would Enrique (Bis: Makiyong) the slave of Magellan be
listed as among those killed? He was supposed plan the massacre together with Rajah Humabon.
Peter Martyr, a Spanish writer, places the number of the slain at twelve (12). The others
were made into slaves.
There are many versions as to how many Spaniards came ashore and how many were
killed. However, endnote 378 of Vol. 33, at page 348 says, in Bohol (most probably Maribojoc,
Bohol) the ship Concepcion was burned and only one hundred fifteen (115) men were left to
managed the two ships Trinidad and Victoria.
 18

Assignment:
Make at least a 700 words reaction paper why this fact or information is not taught in our
history classes. You you think it should be taught to the students?

WORK SHEET NO. 3

DR. JOSE RIZAL'S VISIT IN BOHOL

By: Dr. Sir Jes B. Tirol, K.R., Ph.D. (Major in History)
Director, Planning and Research
University of Bohol, Tagbilaran City
Lectured June 18, 2006 at 6:00 P.M. at Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, to the members of
the Knights of Rizal during the national launching of its project "Rizal is Alive". National and
regional representatives of NHI, NCCA, and DepEd were present.

Introduction
In the Province of Bohol there is folklore about the visit of our national hero Dr. Jose
Rizal. This is intriguing because in the mainstream literature about the life of Dr. Jose Rizal,
there is no mention about a visit in the island Province of Bohol. What seems strange is that the
stories are contradictory.
It is an accepted concept in historiography that legends have always some factual bases.
The question is --- can we isolate the facts from the jumble of informations?

The Clue
On May 15, 1976 this writer had a six (6) hours interview with a man who said that he
met Dr. Jose Rizal in Bilar, Bohol. This town is at the central part of the island and 41 kilometers
from Tagbilaran City, which is the capital of the province of Bohol.
This man was Mr. Felipe Dolotina. He was born on September 13, 1877 (died June 12,
1977). He was a retired church organist and a former revolutionary soldier. During the
Boholano-American War, he was the bugler of General Pedro Samson, the over-all leader in
Bohol.
He claimed that he met Dr. Jose Rizal because Rizal stayed in their house in Bilar, Bohol.
In fact he was the one tasked to pursue our national hero in order to return his coat that was left
behind. He was able to return the coat at Jagna, Bohol before Dr. Rizal sailed back for Dapitan.
He remembered it well because he was already about 18 years old.
This writer was in a quandary whether to believe the story of an almost 99 year old man.
With my knowledge of Bohol history, I queried him about incidents during the Boholano-
American war in the 1900s, particularly the battle at Campo Verde on March 10, 1901.
The questions were purposely made at random and out of order. All his responses were
accurate when compared to historical facts. The old man was sensible even though purblind. He
talked clearly and cited the correct order of events. 12 So there was a great probability that the old
man was telling the truth about the visit of Dr. Jose Rizal.
That conversation goaded this writer to research in earnest regarding the visit of our
national hero. Why, of all places, did Rizal come to Bilar, Bohol?

Exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo in Tagbilaran

While Dr. Rizal was on his second trip to Spain and Europe in 1887 to 1892, the Spanish
authorities persecuted Rizal's family in Calamba, Laguna. As a consequence, Dr. Rizal's brother-
in-law, Don Manuel T. Hidalgo, was exiled to Tagbilaran, Bohol. Don Manuel T. Hidalgo was
the husband of Dr. Rizal's sister Saturnina.

12
Engr. Liberato Lupot, Jr., now Dean, College of Technology, University of Bohol, was present during the
interview. He was very delighted to hear the conversation. It was as if Mr. Dolotina and I were together in the battle
at Campo Verde.
 19

For about six months (Oct. 10, 1888 to April 1889), Don Manuel T. Hidalgo lived in the
house of Don Eduardo Calceta in what is now Sitio Ubos, Tagbilaran City. 13 It would be natural
for Don Manuel Hidalgo to live in the house of Don Eduardo Calceta because it was the only
boarding house cum hotel in Tagbilaran at the time. The house was also near the headquarters of
the Guardia Civil and the wharf was situated beside the house.14
Don Eduardo Calceta, the owner of the boarding house, was a Tagalog. He was a native
of San Francisco de Malabon, Cavite (Now: General Trias). He came to Bohol as a schoolteacher
and got married to Doña Januaria Mendoza of Tagbilaran and decided to stay. Being a Tagalog
himself, Don Manuel Hidalgo would be comfortable living with a fellow Tagalog in a place of
exile.
The exile of Don Mauel Hidalgo to Tagbilaran would be enough reason for Dr. Jose Rizal
to harbor a desire to visit Tagbilaran, Bohol. It would be heightened by the fact that Dr. Rizal
himself soon became an exile in a nearby place.

The Patient from Tagbilaran

When Dr. Jose Rizal returned from his sojourn in Europe, the Spanish authorities arrested
him a few days after his arrival. He was exiled to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte in the island of
Mindanao on 7 July 1892. It is a place relatively near and accessible from Tagbilaran, Bohol. In
fact the original settlers of Dapitan were the people of the Bo-ol Kingdom of Tagbilaran and
Dauis that was destroyed by the Portuguese and Ternateans in 1563.
While in Dapitan, Dr. Jose Rizal practiced his medical profession and treated many
patients. His reputation as an eye doctor soon spread to the neighboring islands.
Sometime in 1895, a patient by the name of Gregorio Peñaflor went to Dapitan to seek
treatment for his eye ailment.15
Gregorio Peñaflor was born in Tagbilaran, Bohol on November 27, 1872 to Don Andres
Peñaflor and Doña Agustina Castillo.16 Don Andres Peñaflor was a sea-voyaging trader who
owned three (3) trading "bancas". Those bancas were relatively large with passenger capacity
from 30 to 50 persons aside from the cargo.
Later in life, the son, Gregorio Peñaflor became a Councilor (1908-1910), Vice Mayor
(1917) and Mayor (1918-1919) of Tagbilaran, Bohol. With his reputation, it would be
unthinkable that he would lie about his eye ailment treated by Dr. Jose Rizal in Dapitan.

In Search of an Agricultural Colony

When Dr. Rizal was still new in Dapitan he nurtured a desire to leave the place. Later on,
after winning money in a lottery, his attitude changed. He invested his money on land purchases.
When Josephine Bracken came into his life in Dapitan, Dr. Rizal desired a sedentary life.
On May 8, 1895 Dr. Jose Rizal wrote a letter to Governor General Ramon Blanco asking
permission to open an agricultural colony near Sindangan, Zamboanga. 17 On June 1, 1895
Governor General Blanco answered Dr. Rizal that he (Blanco) had no objections provided the
Governor General will be informed of the particulars. Gov.-Gen. Blanco even said, "Just show
this letter to those who cross your path."18
Regarding this incident, Leon Ma. Guerrero wrote in his book "The First Filipino" the
following; "... The object of all this frenzied plotting by friends and foes had his (Rizal) own
plans. In June 1895 Blanco had given him permission to open a settlement along Sindangan
Bay."19

13
Interview by the writer with Arturo Fortich, 86 years old, on June 10, 1992. He was a retired Provincial Treasurer
of Misamis Occidental, a 32nd degree Freemason and belonged to the old prominent families of Tagbilaran. He
obtained his information from his elders. A Freemason at 21 years old, he became interested with anything
connected with Dr. Jose Rizal.
14
The house is still existing but with minor modifications. After undergoing changes in ownership and use, it is now
owned and used as a residential home of the family of the Late Judge Antonio Beldia.
15
Interview with Jose Ma. Rocha on May 1, 1992. Rocha was a two term Mayor of Tagbilaran City (1981-88; 1993-
95). It was Gregorio Peñaflor himself who told Mayor Rocha that Dr. Rizal treated his eye ailment in Dapitan.
16
"Libros de Bautismo, 1872", Saint Joseph Parish, Tagbilaran City. Entry: Gregorio Peñaflor.
17
Teodoro M. Kalaw, "Epistolario Rizalino", (Manila Bureau of Printing, 1931), Vol. IV, Letter No. 660.
18
Op. cit. Letter No. 662.
19
Leon Ma. Guerrero, "The First Filipino", (National Historical Commission, Manila, 1974), p. 382.
 20

It was in the nature of Dr. Jose Rizal to exhaust all possibilities before making a definite
move. With the letter of authorization from the Governor General, Dr. Rizal investigated other
places as possible sites for an agricultural settlement aside from Ponot, near Sindangan,
Zamboanga.
Knowing the nature of Spanish politics, Dr. Rizal had to make his move immediately to
avail of the effectivity of the letter of authorization. It was possible that Governor General
Blanco might be replaced and the authorization revoked by the new Governor General.
On 6 December 1896, during his trial, Dr. Jose Rizal wrote some additional facts for his
defense. His fourth reason was, "Fourth. -- At Dapitan I had vessels and I was permitted to go
on excursions along the coast and in the settlements, which lasted as long as I wished,
sometimes a week....".20 This is an indication that Rizal did occasionally sailed away from
Dapitan for short periods of time.
There was no hindrance on the part of Dr. Jose Rizal because he was still living alone. On
March 14, 1895, Josephine Bracken was still in Manila and did not return to Dapitan until the
month of September.21

Sailed for Tagbilaran, Bohol

Fortunately for Dr. Jose Rizal, the eye ailment of Gregorio Peñaflor was already healed.
Don Andres Peñaflor, the father of Gregorio, arrived with one of his seagoing banca to take
Gregorio home to Tagbilaran. When Dr. Rizal inquired from Don Andres Peñaflor about a
possible site of an agricultural colony in Bohol, Don Andres informed Dr. Rizal that somewhere
in central Bohol was a good site.22
Since Dr. Rizal had a long-standing desire to visit Tagbilaran, he decided to join the
Peñaflors on their return trip. It must be recalled that it was in Tagbilaran, Bohol that Don
Manuel Hidalgo was exiled a few years back.
We could not pinpoint the actual date when Dr. Rizal sailed for Tagbilaran, Bohol. But
we can estimate it to be a few days after Dr. Rizal received the authorization letter of Governor
General Blanco dated June 1, 1895.
We know that a regular mail-boat will arrive in Dapitan every two to three weeks. So if
the letter of Gov.-Gen. Blanco were mailed on June 1, it would have arrived in Dapitan between
June 15 to June 21, 1895. The birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal is June 19, and it would be unlikely that
he would sail before that date if it could be helped. We can therefore estimate that Dr. Rizal
sailed for Tagbilaran during the last week of June 1895.
The trip would not last long because during this time of the year the wind was already
favorable from Zamboanga to Tagbilaran. Very soon the banca of Don Andres Peñaflor berthed
at Tonggo, Taloto, Tagbilaran. It is a place near the house of Don Andres and the usual mooring
place of Don Andres' bancas.
Dr. Jose Rizal stayed in the house of Don Andres Peñaflor that was large enough,
befitting the residence of a rich trader.

Treatment of Filomena Mag-aso

While staying in the house of Don Andres Peñaflor, Dr. Rizal treated the eye ailment of
Filomena Mag-aso (later married to a Taguenca). She was a relative of Don Andres Peñaflor.
This writer interviewed MSgt Galicano Taguenca, a grandson of Filomena. Sergeant
Taguenca manifested that Filomena insisted that Dr. Jose Rizal treated her in Taloto, Tagbilaran.
She (Filomena) had never been to Dapitan, Zamboanga. She insisted that Dr. Rizal was in Bohol
to look for a certain place. She could not follow the conversation because she only knew a little
Spanish.
If Filomena Mag-aso Taguenca never went to Dapitan, Zamboanga, then who was that
eye doctor who treated her eye ailment? There was no eye doctor in Tagbilaran, Bohol during
that time. In all indications it was Dr. Jose Rizal.
20
National Heroes Commission, "Political and Historical Writings of Jose Rizal 1872-96", Vol. VII. (The Bureau of
Printing, Manila, Centennial Edition), 1964, p.352.
21
Philippine Historical Society, "One Hundred Letters of Jose Rizal", 1956. Letter No. 56.
22
Interview with MSgt Galicano Taguenca on July 16, 1989. He was 68 years old, a retired enlisted man of the
Philippine Coast Guard and Barangay Captain of Taloto, Tagbilaran City. He was a grandson of Filomena Mag-aso-
Taguenca. Filomena would insist to her grandson that she was treated by Dr. Rizal at Taloto, Tagbilaran and not in
Dapitan. She knew that Dr. Rizal came from Dapitan to look for a certain place in Bohol.
 21

Start of the Tour

Using the horse-drawn carriage of Don Andres Peñaflor, Dr. Rizal embarked on his trip.
It is not known who was his guide. Most likely it was Don Andres Peñaflor himself. At 23 years
old, Gregorio Peñaflor, the son, would not have the experience and prestige to guide and provide
convenience to a prominent visitor.
At the start of the trip, it was already planned that Dr. Rizal would leave for Dapitan,
Zamboanga from the town of Jagna, Bohol. A banca of Don Andres Peñaflor was ordered to wait
at Jagna, Bohol.

Visit at the House of Exile

First on the itinerary of the trip was a visit to the house where Don Manuel Hidalgo was
exiled. The house is still existing until today (year 2006). It is located at the center of the town of
Tagbilaran and four kilometers to the south from the barrio of Taloto where the Peñaflors lived.
There was no problem with the Spanish authorities because Dr. Rizal had a letter of
authorization from Governor General Blanco. Since it was yet early in the morning, there were
yet few people around to know that Dr. Rizal was visiting the town of Tagbilaran.

Trip to Baclayon and Dimiao, Bohol

Dr. Jose Rizal proceeded to Baclayon, Bohol about 7 kilometers from Tagbilaran and
along the route towards central Bohol. News had already traveled ahead that the famous doctor
would pass through Baclayon. Dr. Rizal was persuaded by the prominent people to tarry awhile
in Baclayon. He treated some patients at Panas, Baclayon, Bohol.23
It was already afternoon when Dr. Rizal was able to proceed on his trip. There was still
enough time to reach the town of Dimiao, 37 kilometers to the east from Tagbilaran. Folklore in
the town of Dimiao says that Dr. Rizal had been there but nobody could tell where he stayed for
the night. Members of the old elite families, especially those with relatives in Tagbilaran and
Baclayon are no longer residing in Dimiao. These were the people who would be the friends of
Don Andres Peñaflor.
Dr. Jose Rizal must have stayed for the night in Dimiao because it was not advisable to
travel towards the interior of Bohol during the night. The road was difficult. It is still difficult
even until today (year 2006). (Note: The present road from Loboc to Bilar was not yet passable
by carriage during that time. It became passable only in 1934. -- JBT.)24

Trip to Bilar and Sierra-Bullones

The next day Dr. Rizal and party proceeded to the interior town of Bilar, Bohol. In Bilar,
Dr. Rizal stayed with the Dolotina Family. Mrs. Dolotina was a member of the Usaraga clan of
Loay and Dauis, Bohol and a friend of the Peñaflor Family.25
Since Bilar, Bohol was the end of the horse-carriage road, the carriage was left behind.
Dr. Jose Rizal and his companions proceeded on horseback to Candagaz, Sierra-Bullones town
to view the wide plane that was suitable for an agricultural colony. 26 An indication that the
viewed area was suitable as an agricultural colony was that in 1914, the Americans made the
area as an agricultural colony.

Treating Patients in Bilar, Bohol

23
Interview with Professor Reinerio Real, 45 years old on June 20, 1990. He is an English Professor at the
University of Bohol, Tagbilaran City. He relayed the story told to him by his granduncle Mr. Pantaleon Real that Dr.
Rizal was in Baclayon, Bohol and treated some patients.
24
Information from Engr. Pedro Formilleza, he was project engineer of the Loboc-Bilar Road in 1934. He was the
Dean, College of Technology, University of Bohol and professor when this writer (Jes Tirol) was studying civil
engineering from 1962 to 1967.
25
In the "Libros de Casamientos (Book of Weddings)" of St. Joseph Parish, Tagbilaran City, there are many records
of weddings where the Usaraga, Clarin, and Peñaflor are the wedding sponsors.
26
The folklore of the Eskaya of Bohol say that their leader, Mariano Datahan met Dr. Jose Rizal at Sierra-Bullones.
 22

When Dr. Rizal came back from Sierra-Bullones, Bohol he treated some patients in Bilar.
One of his patients was a young boy named Cayetano L. Salvatierra. Dr. Jose Rizal sewed his
harelip. Unfortunately the wound did not heal well.27 That was the reason why the children of
Cayetano Salvatierra knew of Dr. Rizal's visit because their father keeps on complaining. The
children attributed the incident of re-opened harelip to the talkativeness of their father.
In Bilar, Bohol people still remember the story that one of Dr. Rizal's methods of
examining patients was to let the patient spit and Dr. Rizal examined the sputum. We know that
Dr. Rizal was an expert in treating tuberculosis and the aforementioned procedure was the
standard examination during Dr. Rizal's time.

The Coat That Was Left Behind

The most remembered incident of Dr. Rizal's visit in Bilar, Bohol revolved around his
coat that was left behind.
Mr. Felipe Dolotina, the son of the landlord where Dr. Rizal stayed in Bilar told this
writer during an interview on May 15, 1976 that it was he who was tasked to return the coat of
Dr. Rizal. He pursued the group of Dr. Rizal and was able to return the coat at Jagna, Bohol
before Dr. Rizal sailed for his return trip to Dapitan, Zamboanga.
During that interview, Mr. Felipe Dolotina's daughter, an only child, was present and
already in her 60's in age. She was a public school teacher. She manifested that ever since she
was a small child she had been hearing the same story again and again. She was inclined to
believe the story because her father was a sincere man and was not afraid to lose his reputation as
choirmaster and church organist to stand by the truthfulness of his story. Also, when she was
younger there were still people alive who would corroborate the story.
When asked during the interview if it was a different person he had encountered, Mr.
Felipe Dolotina said that the pictures of Dr. Jose Rizal found in books was the same person he
saw in their house in Bilar, Bohol. We know that Dr. Jose Rizal died the following year (1896)
so the face would not differ very much.

The Other Dr. Jose Rizal Story

The visit of Dr. Jose Rizal in Bohol is not recorded in history because among the
recovered letters of Dr. Jose Rizal there is no mention of a visit to Bohol. There is only a slight
indication because among his miscellaneous notes that could not be dated there is a description
of a shoreline in Bohol. The notes said, "At this part of Bohol there are many fish-corrals built in
the sea, the small ones being one or two fathoms, made of split bamboo and driven into the
bottom...".28 It could not be determined whether this is Dr. Rizal's description of the shoreline at
Tonggo, Taloto, Tagbilaran because it also fit the area. However, it is also possible that these are
just notes copied elsewhere through his research. Nonetheless, it is an indication that Dr. Jose
had an interest in the island of Bohol.
In Bohol the visit of Dr. Jose Rizal remains only in folklore because it is muddled by
another Dr. Jose Rizal story that was propagated by an impostor.
Don Vicente Elio of Mambajao, Camiguin Island, and a contemporary of Dr. Jose Rizal
at Ateneo de Manila, in his letter to his friend Felipe Calderon on January 31, 1901 said;
"... Because of the good civic organization of our town, no other rebel group came here.
Not even another party led by a criminal who pretended to be Dr. Jose Rizal resurrected, and
styling himself as a 'saint', but also perpetrated crimes in Bohol, where he was eventually
captured and executed..."29

27
Interview with Mrs. Cecilia Salvatierra-Plaza, 74 years old on June 26, 1997. She was the 9th child of Cayetano L.
Salvatierra. She always heard his father complaining why Dr. Jose Rizal did not properly operate his harelip.
28
National Heroes Commission, "Political and Historical Writings of Jose Rizal 1872-1896", Vol. VII, (The Bureau
of Printing, Manila, Centennial Edition), 1964, Appendix B, p. 392.
29
Vicente Elio, "News Sent to The Press and Published From 1887 to 1928", (The Local Historical Sources of
Northern Mindanao, Chap. 14), Francisco Demetrio, S.J. (ed.), Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, 1995,
p.552.
 23

The impostor was known in Bohol as Amoy or Pareng-Pareng. He was eventually

captured and killed in Calape, Bohol by the Armed Forces of Bohol during the revolution under
Boholano General Braulio Flores.30
In 1895 and during the first phase of the Philippines Revolution, the Spaniards were in
control of Bohol, except maybe for the interior towns of the island. During that time it would be
hazardous for a Boholano to claim that he knew Dr. Jose Rizal. So the friends of Dr. Jose Rizal
kept silent. When the Boholanos were in control in 1898, during the second phase of the
revolution, most of the leaders were non-Boholanos or Boholanos who were outside the province
in 1895 when Dr. Rizal visited Bohol.
When the leaders encountered a Dr. Jose Rizal in 1898, he was already the impostor
called Pareng or Amoy. The impostor claimed that it was he who made the previous visit. He
resurrected and came back after his death at Bagumbayan.
Among the Dr. Jose Rizal legends in Bohol, the story of a resurrected Dr. Rizal are
plentiful. It is particularly plentiful in the religious cult called “Rizalian”.

The Difference
However, the stories of Dr. Jose Rizal's visit persisted. This writer was lucky to have
encountered someone who actually saw Dr. Jose Rizal in Bilar, Bohol and who knew the
difference between the real Dr. Jose Rizal and the impostor.
From gathered informations the route traveled by the real Dr. Jose Rizal was from
Dapitan; then Taloto, Tagbilaran; then Baclayon, Bohol; then Dimiao, Bohol; then Bilar, Bohol;
then Sierra-Bullones, Bohol; then Bilar, Bohol; and finally Jagna, Bohol. He had a dignified
travel and he treated patients along the route. Most distinguishably, he wore a coat.
The route traveled by the impostor was from Cebu, then Inabanga, then Jagna, Bohol;
then along the coastal road to Dimiao, Bohol; then Loay, Bohol; then Tagbilaran, Bohol; until he
was captured and killed in Calape, Bohol. He had a small army and committed atrocities like
robbing, mauling, burning, and killing along the route. He wore a kind of uniform.
In Loay, Bohol, Pareng or Amoy mauled Don Aniceto Clarin, a prominent resident of the
town. Don Aniceto Clarin was later on appointed Governor of Bohol by the occupying American
forces.

Epilogue
From the difference of the routes taken, it can be discerned that there were really two Dr.
Jose Rizal's that came to Bohol --- the real one and the impostor. More significantly, Mr. Felipe
Dolotina would not have risked being ridiculed by the people of Bilar, Bohol if he had not
actually met the real Dr. Jose Rizal.
It is just unfortunate that among the records so far recovered, there is no definite mention
of Dr. Jose Rizal making a visit to Bohol.31 Nonetheless, the investigations of this writer indicate
that Dr. Jose Rizal was here in Bohol sometime at the end of June 1895. The length of time could
fit the allotted time of one week stated by Dr. Rizal that he was allowed to be away from
Dapitan. The testimonial and circumstantial facts gathered fits very snugly that there is no other
way but to conclude that it is true.
There was a motive and occasion to come to Bohol. There was an authorization. It also fit
the wanderlust nature of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Therefore Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, made a visit to Bohol!!!

PAGTUKIB
Ni: Jes B. Tirol
Himaboyan (May) 30, 2021
Pamantaláan sa Bohol sa Tuig 1899
Pasiuna
30
The other personage who led the group styled himself as "General Tomas Mascardo". --JBT.
31
This writer had read somewhere regarding a letter of Dr. Rizal to a sister about "thanking the Tagalog who took
care of Manuel Hidalgo". I remembered it well because the author said that the place of exile was Mindoro, which
was wrong. Those exiled in Mindoro were Paciano, Antonino, Dandoy, Silvestre, and Teong but not Maneng
(Manuel). Unfortunately I could not find again the book where it was written. Don Eduardo Calceta, the landlord of
Don Manuel Hidalgo in Tagbilaran, Bohol was a Tagalog. If Rizal thanked the Tagalog, then it would clinch the
viewpoint that Rizal was in Bohol.-- JBT.
 24

Sa panahon sa kagubot o rebulosyon batok sa mga Katsilà, ang Bohol nakabaton ug

kaugalingong Pamunóan Lalawigan. Ang Pamúnò Lalawigan mao si Don Bernabe “Nyor Abe”
Reyes.
Niadtong panahona dinhà nay pamantalaan sa Bohol nga gihinganlan og “La
Oportunidad”. Gimantálà kadto sa pinulongan nga Binisayà inubanan sa diyotay nga Kinatsilà.
Ang pagtitik pinasubay pa sa pamaagi sa Kinatsilâ. Ang Kinatsilâ way titik “W” ug “K”.
Ang gigamit mao ang mga titik “U” ug “C”.
Hinaya lang pagbasa aron nimo masabot ang mga nahitabô sa Bohol sa Mayo 16, 1899.

Ang Gulâ
Suplemento de La Oportunidad
----------000----------
TAGBILRAN 16 DE MAYO DE 1899

MANGA CASAMUCAN
------000------
Dili na cami mahingadto sa mga casamucan nga nahimo tungod sa mga pagbutyag nga
pagtagna niadto nga sa ualay caulao nga nag paca José Rizal (ngalan quini nga canato labing
mahal) nagapatauag ug Pareng ug sa catapusan Amoy ug nasosi nga sia mao si Lucio Lampuyao
anac matud pa sa usa ca tagalog ug sa usa ca babaye nga moros; dili na cami mahingadto sa mga
cagubut nga guihimo niadtong nagpaca Tomas Song nga nasosi nga mao si Melecio Cañeda nga
taga Talisay provincia sa Cebu, cun dili anhi na lamang quita sa mga casamucan nga guinahimo
sa mga lungsod sa Tubigon ug sa Inabangan nga maoy mga tuburan nga dinha gomican ang mga
tapuc-tapuc sa pila ca mga Sugbuanon nga nangabuta ug mga matuod nga tomoto-o sa mga
anting-anting nga sugod sa “Jesus Lamuroc” ug natapus sa “Panes Tiorum” ug sa mga hapas o sa
mga lana nga guinamutan; tapuc-tapuc nga guicuyugan sa pila ca mga Bol-anon nga bag-o nga
nadani sa pagto-o sa anting-anting. Quini pila ca mga Sugbuanon nga gui-ingon namo, sa
pagsabut nila nga ang Libertad ug Independencia maoy ma-ayong ocasion sa pagminaldito naga
patuyang sa pagpanulisan nga madali ug madugay muabut sa catapusan sa angay nga
pagpahamtang; ug quining pila ca mga Bol-anon naga pasagad sa paghimo sa labing dautan nga
veaganza contra sa pila ca tao; tungud lamang sa ilang pagbinquil-bingquil.
Sa tungud ni-ining mga butanga, ang Consejo provincial ug ang tibuoc nga Bool dili na
lamang tungud sa ilang cagahum, cun dili tungud na lamang sa ilang pagcama-ayo nga
lungsuranon, dili macatugot nga ang cahinlo ug himaya sa bandera sa Nacion pagahugauan sa
madiotay na lamang, ug nagausa sa paghupot sa mga lalang nga labing mapiot, apan labing
matarong sa pagcastigo ni-ining mga tulisan nga maingon ug bahin nga dunot ug ualay
capuslanan sa usa
(next page)
ca lauas, guipacaputol ug guipacabíya sila sa Republica Filipina.
Sa mga Bol-anon nga sa ualay duha-duha diriot da sila ca-ayo nga hintacdan sa dautan
nga pagto-o sa anting-antíng, canila cami nagapadulong sa pagsambag nga tamayon nila, tungud
cay uala may virtud ang anting-anting ug tungud sa iyang catao-anan nga cahimo, ug biya-an
quining pagto-o nga ualay lain patic, cun dili mao quini: Capildihon ug cabungcag.
Ang “Jesus Lamuroc, Milam” ¿nacasalipod niadto ug caron ug macasalipud ba sa ulahi,
sa gutom? Dili; ang tomoto-o sa “Jesus Lamuroc, Milam” naquita niadto, naquita caron ug
maquita pa sa ulahi nga gutom ca-ayo hasta nga mingabut, guican sa pagbandoy-bandoy, sa
pagsacmit sa can-on sa usa ca pobre nga uala nay sinaligan.
Ang triangulo nga sinulatan, ambut cun mga latin ba, ni-ining mga polong nga niyamá-
yamá ug quinatha-catha: “Davidem de manibus santis, Morteque crudite ita ut liberatis, Domine
Deus meus liberame de justicia” ¿Macaloas caha, tungud ni-ining pinolongana nga calandracas,
sa tinga nga naga uit-uit? Macahimo caha, cun ang pagtiro halayo ug dili muabut ang bala; ug
labi na, cun dumagan ang titirohan, antes sa pagtiro ó halayo ca-ayo ang magatiro.
Ang camisolin, uban sa “Panes Tiorum”, sa mga masas ug sa mga hapas, ¿macasalipod
ba caha sa dolot sa pinuti, terciado ug puñal? Dili himbaloan, cun muaguanta ba caha ang hapin
 25

nga panit ug hoja de lata; cay cun dili man ugaling, macadaog ang may anting-anting nga
dumadagan matolin maingun sa magagocod cania nga hinay.
Camong mga pobre nga nilimbongan nga nagapacaisog, tungud sa butang nga pagto-o sa
alipat-pat nianang anting-anting nga tinocod lamang sa pagcaignorante nga dacu, guinatinguha
niño ang usa ca butang nga dili gayud mahimo, nagatucod camo ug mga cota-cota sa hangin,
guibiya-an niño ang labing pinalanga nga mga guinicanan, mga asawa ug mga anac, ug
nagpasagad camo sa paglayao-layao, sa catapul ug sa catapusan sa cahugauan sa mga vicio hasta
sa pagdangat, maingun nga dadangaton niño madugay ug madali, ang lugos nga camatayon,
macau-ulao ug uala nay handumanan cun dili cadtung dautan nga mga paghisgot. Bumalic camo
sa iñong mga da-an ug nabatasan nga buluhaton nga iñong guibiya-an; ug sa maingun ni-ini
mabaui niño ang iñong guipilde, ug cuyog ang cacugui, canunay ug catarong mahimuyo camo sa
calinao ug magapulos sa pagtahud, pag-amoma ug sa ngatanan nga mga ca-ayohan, sa luyo sa
usa cacaraghanan nga mabuot ug matarong nga, mientras dili camo manag-usab nianang iñong
pagpangibuhi nga layao-layao ug dulumtanan, nagayubit caniño ug guipacauala camoy laquip sa
caubanan.
Omoyon camo canamo nga camo caron nanagpuyo hangul uyamut ug dili mahaluna hasta
aburrido na, tungud sa anting-anting nga maoy nacapaestar caniño sa tun-og ca ualay catolog,
nacapaloroy-loroy caniño, nacapahimo caniño sa mga buhat nga tinulisan, ug nacapadumot
caniño sa tibo-oc nga cataohan, quini ngatanan sa una niño nga pagpangibuhi, bisan pobre apan
dunganan, uala niño mahuna-huna, bisan sa damgo lamang.
Sa tingub nga sulti; magpuyo camo sa minatarong; dili magdaut sa bisan can-cansa; ug
ihatag sa tagsa-tagsa ang iya. Mao quini ang mga ma-alam nga solondon sa catarungan nga
nagasa-ad caniño ug calinao sa conciencia, pagdaet, causuag ug ma-ayong pagpuyo.

PAGTUKIB
Ni: Jes B. Tirol
Kabay (June) 6, 2021
Ang Orasyon ni Pareng

Pasiuna
Niadtong niági nga pitlaw, atong gipatik ang gulâ sa pamantalaan sa Bohol nga La
Oportunidad sa ika-16 sa Himabuyan (May) 1899.
Niining maong hulad, atong mabasa ang mga patuo-túo nga pagtulon-an sa usa ka taga-
Sugbó nga si Lucio Lampuyao nga siya kuno usa ka “Pareng” o “Amoy” (saint) tungod kay siya
man si bayani Jose Rizal nga nabanhaw.
Kadto siya nitumaw sa lungsod sa Tubigon, ngadto sa Talibon, ngadto sa Loay, ug
nadakpan ug napatay sa mga kasundalohan sa Bohol, pinangulohan ni Don Braulio Flores, didto
sa Calape, Bohol.

Orasyon ni Pareng
Si Pareng o Amoy nagpatuo nga aduna siyay orasyon o hurímhurim nga makapawâlà sa
kagutom ug kaluya. Ang ngalan o ulohan sa iyang hurimhurim mao ang “Jesus, Lamuroc,
Milam”. Iyang giingon nga makagagahom kini nga pulong linatin. Apan sa pagkatinuod dili natò
matínò kun linatin ba gayod kini. Mga tumùtúmò lang kini nga mga pulong apan mahimo og
buhatan og kahulogan.
Kun ang “Lamuroc” mao ang Latin nga “La Muro (The wall; fortress)” o sa Binisayâ
“ang búngbong/ kútà” ug ang “Milam” mao ang Latin “milium (food grain)” o “bugas nga
makaon” sa Binisayâ, nan atong mahubad sa Binisayâ ang ulohan sa hurímhurím nga “Jesus, ang
kútà sa among bugas nga makaon”.
Matod pa sa pamantalaan, ang yamyamónon nga pangadyé mao ang “Davidem de
manibus santis, Morteque crudite ita ut liberatis, Domine Deus meus liberame de justicia.” Dili
natò matinò unsa ang ipasabot sa mga pulong apan atong mabanàbánà ang hubad sa Binisayâ nga
“Hatagi kami sa matag adlaw sa imong balaan nga dugô nga maoy moluwas kanamo, akong
Balaan nga Ginoo, luwasá ako nga may kaangáyan”.
Ang kataposan nga pulong “Panes Tiorum (God’s bread)” mao ang “Tinapay sa
Ginóo”.
 26

Ang Sangpotanan
Gawás sa hurímhurím, si Amoy aduna usab ing gipangbalígyà nga anting-anting, hapas
nga lana nga adunay gamot sa tanom, ubp.
Sa sinugdan daghan ang nidapig ni Amoy o Pareng. Apan sa dihang ang walâ modapig
kaniya iya nang gipang-ilogan sa pagkaon, milikáy na kaniya ang katawhan. Busà misamot si
Amoy sa mga buhat nga tinulisan aron mabuhì siya og ang iyang mga kauban.
Ang pamantalaan nagahisgot lamang sa dapit sa Tubigon ug Talibon. Adunay lain nga
kasulatan nga si Amoy ug ang iyang hut-ong miabot sa Loay, Bohol. Matod pa sa sinulat ni
kanhi Senador Olegario Clarin, and iyang amahan nga si Don Aniceto Clarin, nakaágom og
pagbún-og gikan ni Amoy ug ang iyang hut-ong.
Si Don Aniceto Clarin usa ka talahoron ug dungganan nga tawo sa Bohol. Busà ang bag-
ong napilì nga pangagamhanan sa Bohol nakahukóm sa pagdakop ni Amoy.
Ang bag-ong natukod nga kasundalohan sa Bohol, pinangulohan ni Don Braulio Flores,
isip heneral sa kasundalohan, nakaapás ni Amoy ug ang iyang hut-ong didto sa Calape, Bohol.
Nabuntog ang hut-ong ni Amoy, ug napatay siya. Aron sa pagpasidaan sa katawhan sa
dangatan sa mga tulisan, gituhog ang ulo ni Amoy sa usa ka tukon ug gisuroy sa sawang sa
Calape ang maong pinúnggot nga ulo.

Natapos ang Orasyon

Ang kamatayon ni Amoy ug pipila sa iyang mga kauban, maoy nakapaundang sa mga
paglingla ug tinulisang buhat sa Bohol.
Ang mga pamunò sa Bohol nga napili sa ika-2 nga Gobierno de Canton hapsay nga naga-
dumalà sa Bohol hangtod nga miabot ang mga Amerikano sa ika-19 sa Marso 1900. Ngani,
dinhà pay panag-alayon sa pamunohan sa Bol-anon ug Amerikano hangtod sa Septiyémbre 1,
1900 nga maoy pagsugod sa gubat dinhi sa Bohol nga didto magsúgod sa Calape, Bohol.

Assignment
The visit of Dr. Jose Rizal to Bohol is not included in standard history books. Now that
we know the name of the impostor who claimed to be Dr. Rizal resurrected, make a position
paper how to include the visit of Dr. Rizal in Bohol to become part of our lessons in history.

WORK SHEET NO. 4

The Republic of Bohol
By: Jes B. Tirol, M.A.(History)

Director, Research and Development

University of Bohol, Tagbilaran City
Awarded by PERAA and FAPE :
Most Outstanding Teacher of the Philippines (1994, 1st Place)
Proem
Boholanos always hear the statement “Republic of Bohol”. Speakers and listeners alike always
assume that it refers to the Dagohoy government in Bohol which lasted for 85 years from 1744-1829.
Everybody knew that the Dagohoy government was not a representative form of government –
How could it be a republic? Because of this incongruous situation, the term “Republic of Bohol” became
a joke.
Now we would no longer laugh, when we know that there was a real “Republic of Bohol”.
Instead of laughing, we should be proud because during the Philippines Revolution, the Boholanos were
able to govern themselves well by declaring a “Republic of Bohol”.
First Phase of the Philippines Revolution
Whether the start of the Philippines Revolution against Spain was the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” on
August 23, 1896 or the “Cry of Balintawak” on August 26, 1896 does not matter because the Boholanos
did not participate during the first phase of the revolution. But there is no controversy that the first phase
of the revolution ended with the “Pact of Biak-na-bato” on December 14-15, 1897.
Impetus for Action
The impetus for action in Bohol was not the revolution in Luzon but the events which happened
in the nearby province of Cebu.
 27

On April 3, 1898 the Cebuanos revolted against the Spanish government. After an initial success,
the Cebuanos were later defeated by the Spanish authorities after Spanish reinforcements arrived. Some
of the Cebuano fighters escaped to Bohol.i
In order to survive, the Cebuanos who escaped to Bohol, began to collect taxes from the
Boholanos. Some towns in Bohol, especially those in the eastern part of the province, welcomed the
Cebuanos. In other towns, especially those well under control by the Spaniards, the local residents were
mobilized into volunteer militias.
In Tagbilaran, Bohol, which is the capital town of the province, Don Salustiano Borja was made
the Captain of the mobilized volunteers. Their primary purpose was to guard the people of Tagbilaran
against the predatory activities of the Cebuanos.ii
Second Phase of the Philippines Revolution
On May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey of the United States Navy, defeated the Spanish
fleet of Admiral Patricio Montojo during the Battle of Manila Bay. Thereafter, the Americans fetched
General Aguinaldo from Hong Kong and he arrived in Cavite on May 19, 1898, ushering in the second
phase of the Philippines Revolution.
On June 12, 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines. On
June 18, 1898, he issued a decree prescribing the manner of establishing municipal governments. On
August 14, 1898, the Spaniards in Manila surrendered to the Americans. On September 15, 1898, the
Malolos Congress was convened at the Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan. iii
Last Ditch Efforts of the Spaniards
When the Spaniards were cornered in Manila by the Americans and Filipinos, Spain tried to made
a hold in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Gen. Diego de los Rios was appointed Governor-General of the Philippines. So, from his
Mindanao command, Gen. Rios transferred to Iloilo to make it the seat of Spanish government. On June
30, 1898, Gen. Rios was instructed by the Madrid government to do all he could to maintain the
sovereignty of Spain.iv
When the Spaniards surrendered in Manila, Gen. Rios tried to maintain the Visayas and
Mindanao. On October 1898, he called for a Council of Reforms. However, the Filipinos in the Visayas
were not in the mood for appeasement. They decided to form their own Federal Government of the
Visayasv or Gobierno de Canton in Spanish. On November 17, 1898, the different representatives met at
Santa Barbara, Iloilo. It is not known whether or not Bohol sent a representative, but for certain, a
Boholano was there. He was lawyer Don Gabriel Oppus from Baclayon, Bohol. He represented the
province of Leyte.vi
Organization of Municipal Governments
On November 25, 1898, after the meeting at Santa Barbara, Iloilo, Don Luis Flores, the
revolutionary president of Cebu, ordered his Cebu appointed Lt. Gen. Emilio Verdeflor to organize
revolutionary governments in the towns. vii Some towns in Bohol, especially those that welcomed the
Cebuanos, must have responded because by November 30, 1898, some Augustinian Recollect priests
from Bohol escaped to Mambajao, Camiguin and embarked on the ship Salvadora for Manila.viii
Gobierno de Canton In Bohol
On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris between Spain and the United States was signed
whereby the Philippines was sold by Spain to America for US$20 million. Upon receipt of the news,
Gov.-Gen. Rios ordered the Spaniards in Cebu and Bohol to prepare for withdrawal slated on December
24, 1898.
Anticipating Spanish withdrawal, Cebu revolutionary General Emilio Verdeflor came to
Tagbilaran to establish a revolutionary government. ix This time there was no opposition from the people
of Tagbilaran because the Spaniards were no longer around. What was left was only a caretaker
government made up of Tagbilaran officials.
The following officials were elected:x
President (Presidente) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Salustiano Borja
Deputy for Justice (Delegado de Justicia)- Margarito Torralba
Deputy for Police (Delegado de Policia) - - Macario Sarmiento
Deputy for Finance (Delegado de Rentas) - Mariano Parras
Even though the elected officials swore allegiance to President Emilio Aguinaldo, they chose to
be part of the Gobierno de Canton. On December 25, 1898, the newly elected officials took over the
reigns of government not only for Tagbilaran but for the whole province of Bohol because they were
representatives of the Gobierno de Canton.
The Second Gobierno de Canton
Don Eduardo Calceta, the Capitan Municipal (now: Mayor) of Tagbilaran was the one who
turned over the local government from Spanish administration to the Gobierno de Canton. He had doubts
as to the legality of the Gobierno de Canton in Bohol.
 28

First, they were elected only by the people of Tagbilaran because no representatives from the
towns were present during the December 20, 1898 election. Therefore they could not act for the whole
province.
Secondly, it could not claim direct link to the Philippines Revolutionary government. The
authority for election came from Don Luis Flores, the President of the Cebu Council. His connection to
President Aguinaldo was vague.
Thirdly, the Boholano government and force would be under Cebu, a situation that was not very
pleasing to the Boholanos.
Being a Caviteño, from the town of San Francisco de Malbon, Cavite, Don Eduardo Calceta
endeavored to enhance the legality of the government in Bohol.
Another person was recently arrived from Cebu. He was Don Bernaber Reyes, a rich businessman
from Dauis, Bohol. Before the turmoil in Cebu, he was an Alcalde de Ayuntamiento of the Province of
Cebu or equivalent to today’s Provincial Board Member . His father and his wife were from Cavite.
The two of them planned to obtained an authority from President Emilio Aguinaldo. Don Bernabe
Reyes went to Cebu and through Mr. Florentino Torres, sent a request to President Aguinaldo for an
authority to organize a government in Bohol.xi
On January 8, 1899, President Aguinaldo issued a decree for the election of officers and the
organization of the Armed Forces in Bohol. The decree was officially released by Secretary Apolinario
Mabini on January 16, 1899 and sent to the Navy for transmittal to Bohol. The decree authorized Don
Bernabe Reyes to act as temporary Provincial Head and Don Eduardo Calceta as Chief of the Army in
Bohol.xii The decree was received in Bohol on the last week of January 1899.
With an authorization from President Aguinaldo, Don Bernabe Reyes proceeded to reorganize the
government in Bohol. The existing Gobierno de Canton did not object because they swore allegiance to
obey President Aguinaldo.
The Municipal Presidents of the different towns and the qualified electors were summoned to
Tagbilaran for an election of officers.
The following were the elected officers:xiii
Bernabe Reyes - - - - - - - - - - - - Gobernador
Salustiano Borja - - - - - - - - - - - Vice Gobernador y Presidente de Tagbilaran
Rafael Reyes - - - - - - - - - - - - Consejero de Hacienda Publica
Eduardo Calceta - - - - - - - - - - - Consejero de Justicia
Braulio Flores - - - - - - - - - - - - General de Division de toda la Provincia
During this time the Gobierno de Canton de Visayas or the Federal Government of the Visayas
was still in existence. The Boholanos decided to retain its connection with the Gobierno de Canton and
hence it retained the name.

Dispersal of the Iloilo Gobierno de Canton

The government in Bohol was well administered. It functioned very well under the able
leadership of Don Bernabe Reyes who was a lawyer and a former Provincial Boardmember of Cebu
Province. General Braulio Flores who was from Inabanga, Bohol, was also a very effective military
commander. He was able to disperse the bandits in Bohol and maintained peace and order.
However, by February 4, 1899, the Philippines-American war had erupted in Luzon. On February
11, 1899, the headquarters of the Gobierno de Canton at Santa Barbara, Iloilo was attacked and dispersed
by the Americans.
There arose a problem in Bohol. What will the Boholanos do, now that they were isolated? How
can they maintain peace and order when its source of authority was already fighting for its own existence?
It was already difficult or even impossible to obtain instructions from higher authorities. How would the
Boholano officials know that their actions were still legal or not?

The Republic of Bohol

In a meeting of the Provincial Junta, it was decided that Bohol would convert itself into an
independent republic. It was to be only a provisional republic until the Boholanos can again integrate
itself into the main government of the Republic of the Philippines.
It was thought to be a good solution because Bohol would no longer wait for instructions from
above and it can act or react immediately to local situations. With their own laws, the Boholanos would
know what was legal or not. It was not a secession from the Philippines Republic but a unique situation of
an autonomous republic within a republic.
The planned convention for the Republic of Bohol was scheduled on June 11, 1899 xiv while the
proposed constitution was prepared and election of delegates would be held.

The Power Struggle

 29

As Governor of the Gobierno de Canton of Bohol, Don Bernabe Reyes made a tour around the
province to supervise the election of Municipal Presidents who in turn will become the delegates to the
constitutional convention.
But to the viewpoint of General Braulio Flores, it was he, being the military commander, who had
a higher authority because it was a time of war. He ought to supervise the elections. So there existed a
power struggle because both sides knew that he who can supervise the election would surely become the
President of the Republic of Bohol, because he controls the delegates.

Killing of Gen. Braulio Flores

The Provincial Junta, which was headed by the elected provincial officials, decided to dismiss
General Flores from his command. But first they must find someone who could enforce the order of
dismissal. Governor Bernabe Reyes decided to invite to Bohol, his friend in Cebu, Don Pedro Samson
who was a veteran soldier. He attained a rank of Sergeant, the highest that could be attained by a Filipino
in the Spanish Army. He served in the Davao area in Mindanao. Don Pedro Samson was also a Caviteño
like Governor Reyes. Don Pedro Samson with Don Ambrosio Sandoval and some men came to Bohol.
General Flores knew of the plan to dismiss him from his command. He also made his own plan to
challenge the authority of the Provincial Junta and if possible to kill the members. However, General
Flores underestimated the determination of the Provincial Junta. Mid-morning of May 20, 1899, General
Flores and his two sons, named Pedro and Diosdado, arrived at the Provincial Tribunal (note: The present
Provincial Capitol building), all on horseback. The trio did not knew that the Provincial Junta was already
informed that they were coming.
When General Flores reached the patio of the building, his path was blocked by Don Pedro
Samson and Don Ambrosio Sandoval. Immediately Don Pedro Samson presented the order of dismissal
and asked General Flores to surrender. Instead of surrendering, General Flores drew his sword and thrust
it on Don Pedro Samson. The thrust was parried and with his left hand, Don Pedro drew his gun and fired
at General Flores, which killed the general. When the sons, Pedro and Diosdado, drew their guns, they
were also shot by the men of Don Pedro Samson.xv
With the elimination of General Flores, there was no longer any hindrance for Governor Bernabe
Reyes to proceed with the planned Republic of Bohol.

Constitutional Convention
On June 11, 1899, the delegates gathered at the Provincial Tribunal. Even though the purpose was
to approve the constitution of the Republic of Bohol and elect the officials, Don Salustiano Borja, in his
biography, called it only as an “important meeting”. xvi The delegates proceeded to approve the
constitution and the election of officers. Plans of action for emergencies were also approved during the
convention. The term of office of the elected officials was fixed at four (4) years.
The same officials of the second Gobierno de Canton were elected. But the titles were now
Presidente Bernabe Reyes, Vice Presidente Salustiano Borja, and still Conjeros Rafael Reyes, Eduardo
Calceta, and Macario Sarmiento. Don Pedro Samson was appointed Sargento Mayor.xvii It means over-all
commander and in a regimental level of Spanish military organization, it is equivalent to the rank of
Major.xviii

Source of Information
Our main source of information of the existence of the Republic of Bohol is George Percival
Scriven. Even though the Constitution and the Budget of the Republic of Bohol is already missing in his
record, his diary is still existing. In his diary, he made many mentions regarding the Republic of Bohol.
George Percival Scriven was a Chief Signal Officer of the U.S. Signal Corps, attached to the
invading Amerian 44th Volunteer Infantry Battalion composed of the companies B and C commanded by
Major Henry C. Hale. George Scriven was writing first hand because he was actually present in Bohol
and wrote his observations in his diary. As a senior military officer, he was always beside Major Hale
during the latter’s dealings with President Bernabe Reyes.

Some Constitutional Provisions

The constitution of the Republic of Bohol was patterned after the National Constitution but with
suitable modifications for Bohol to make the island self sufficient and progressive.
In the Republic of Bohol, there was no separation between church and state. The Church was part
of the State and the Roman Catholic religion was the official religion. xix The priests were under the
payroll of the Bohol Republic, and aside from administering to religious needs, the priests were also in-
charge of the education department.
The Bohol Republic had its own government, its own laws, its courts, its police, a postal service
which actually functioned and issued stamps, and its church. xx Due to the choice of the Roman Catholic
religion, the Eskaya of Bohol which sided with the Philippines Independent Church or Aglipayan were
 30

isolated. The Eskayas came in mass to Tagbilaran or “invaded” Tagbilaran, Bohol but to no avail. Father
Mariano Baluyot, the Parish Priest of Tagbilaran was the head of the Republic of Bohol Church. xxi
The Bohol Republic had a budget based upon estimated income, and a system of taxation.
Government employees and workers were given salaries which was standardized. The President was to
receive two hundred eight (P208) pesos per month; the Advisers or Ministers were to receive P100 per
month; the priest, P60 per month; the teachers at P60 per month.xxii
A kind of Department of Public Works was organized that was in-charge of construction and
maintenance of roads and buildings. It is worth noting that G.P. Scriven described the roads in Bohol as
“almost perfect” due to good maintenance.
To finance the governmental operation, a huge amount of money (P150,000) was invested in
foreign establishments in Cebu. Most probably it was the British firm Smith, Bill @ Company. Its
shipping department managed the steamships “Bohol”, “Rosa”, “Jaime Vaño”, and “Cebu”. xxiii By its
name alone, it indicate that three steamships “Bohol”, “Rosa”, and “Jaime Vaño” were owned by the
Boholano leaders. “Bohol” and “Jaime Vaño” were owned by Jaime Vaño who was a brother-in-law of
President Bernabe Reyes. The Bohol’s military commander Pedro Samson had a daughter named “Rosa”.

The Seal
Upon entering the entrance of the Provincial Tribunal on the day of his arrival, George Percival
Scriven noticed the escutcheon or seal hanging over the portal. He described it as follows: “the
escutcheon was an ellipse bearing a sun rising above three mountain peaks and with three stars above,
surrounded by the legend Gobierno Republicano de Bohol (Republican Government of Bohol), the whole
was bordered by the colors red, white and blue from inside out.xxiv

The Flag
G.P. Scriven said that he did not saw any flag at the flagpole. However, President Bernabe Reyes
asked the invading American commander Major Henry C. Hale whether Bohol’s flag could also be flown.
Major Hale replied, there is but one flag now in the island and that is the flag of the United States.
So we do not have a description of the flag of the Republic of Bohol. However, the flag of the
Eskaya of Bohol, that was the radical group, had the concept of the three stars rising above three
mountain peaks. They claim that it was the concept of the flag of the Republic of Bohol, but of different
color arrangement and interpretation of significance.

Protest Against the Invading Americans

The invading Americans arrived at Nagtubô, Dauis, Bohol (now: Miyacabac, Dauis) on the early
morning of March 17, 1900. There were 200 soldiers and 9 officers, on board the transport ship Elcano
escorted by the gunboat Panay.xxv
When Major Hale waded ashore he was met by the Boholano delegation bringing the protest to
the American invasion. Major Hale was invited by the Boholano delegation to ride in their carriage to
Tagbilaran. Since Major Hale refused the Boholanos left “amidst numerous hand shaking and salaams
which, however, did not convey any great amount of credibility.”xxvi
Major Hale with some escorts together with Chief Signal Officer G. P. Scriven and another
officer walk from Dauis, Bohol to Tagbilaran about five kilometers away by road. Upon reaching the gate
of the town of Tagbilaran, they were met by President Bernabe Reyes who disembarked from an horse-
drawn carriage.
The President escorted the Americans to the Provincial Tribunal. They were saluted by uniformed
Boholano honor guards when they passed in. At the second floor of the building around 40 to 50
Boholanos were gathered, all standing. The American officers were also standing in front of President
Reyes as the President translated the Spanish text of the protest into pidgin English. The Americans could
hardly follow the speech but at least they understood the content of the protest.
The two sides had different viewpoints of the situation. The Americans demanded surrender. So
even though the Boholanos protested the Americans viewed the occasion as a surrender. To the
Boholanos, since they filed a protest, it was just a toleration of an unavoidable situation, but it was not a
surrender. The Boholanos promised not to make any provocation for a fight, so they have to take extreme
tolerance which the Americans abused.

American Sponsored Constabulary

The Americans endeavored to establish a local constabulary or police. Sargento Mayor Pedro
Samson volunteered his services and that of his men. They were armed by the Americans and given
training. Thus, the Boholanos obtained arms (40 rifles) through the courtesy of the Americans.

Planning for Resistance

 31

The American soldiers in the field soon became abusive. The Boholanos could no longer tolerate
the situation. From August 10 to 20, 1900, the Boholanos planned for armed resistance against the
invaders. The cover for the planning sessions was a nightly novena imploring God to stop the cholera
epidemic. The novena was held at the house of Don Fernando Reyes. [Note: The house still exist in front
of the Matig-a Hotel, at V. Inting St.]
On the night of August 20, the final organization was held. President Bernabe Reyes and Adviser
Eduardo Calceta were present to approve the plan and gave the final ranks of the chosen military officers.
Sargento Mayor Pedro Samson was made a Colonel. Don Luis Toribio was made a Lieutenant Colonel
and Don Manuel Miñoza was the Chief of Staff.xxvii

First Battle
Colonel Pedro Samson brought his men to Calape, Bohol. On September 1, 1900, the first battle
between the Boholanos and Americans occurred at the sugarcane field at Mandaug, Calape, near Kugaw,
Tubigon (now: Kahayag, Tubigon). The Boholanos were defeated. The Boholanos went to the mountains
through Agbonan (now: San Isidro, Bohol) then to Catigbian, Bohol. The Americans pursued. The
Boholanos withdrew to Balikwing, Carmen, Bohol. Here, the Americans were ambushed and suffered
their first defeat.
The Continuing Struggle
The Boholano-American war was a hard fought war. The Boholanos won some and lost some
battles. The Americans could not defeat the Boholanos at the forested hills of Bohol’s hinterlands. So the
Americans employed the “scorch-earth” policy which was, to burn and kill anything and everything on
sight.
The Americans tried to appoint civilian officials in the province and the towns. The Boholanos
countered by appointing their own officials.
On July 5, 1901, a major battle occurred at Cambaligâ, Carmen, Bohol. It was a full scale battle.
Around 2,000 Boholano soldiers were arrayed against a battalion of Americans. The Battle lasted the
whole day and the Americans were defeated.xxviii
On September 15, 1901 General Robert P. Hughes, the American Commanding General of the
Visayas came to Tagbilaran bringing with him the bulk of the 19 th Regular Infantry Regiment. They
immediately commenced action against the Boholanos with the same “scorch-earth” policy.
However, on September 13, 1901, at Cambaligâ, Carmen, Bohol, Colonel Pedro Samson
reorganized the Boholano Army because the civilian officials of the Republic of Bohol no longer
functioned. Colonel Samson took the rank of General and assumed responsibility for the Republic of
Bohol.xxix

End of the Republic of Bohol

By the middle of December 1901 the Americans learned that the command post of General
Samson was in the mountains of Dimiao, Bohol.
General Hughes sent for Major Pantaleon E. Del Rosario and Fiscal Gavino Sepulveda from
Cebu to negotiate for the surrender of General Samson. These two were friends of General Samson in
Cebu. Major Del Rosario was closer because both he and General Samson were from Imus, Cavite.
The surrender was slated on December 23, 1901 with the condition that the Boholano soldiers
will be given amnesty.
On the morning of December 23, 1901, General Samson and some of his officers went down to
the Covent of Dimiao in order to surrender. He was met by the American delegation and told that the
surrender ceremony was to be held at Tagbilaran. He was brought to Valencia, Bohol and boarded a boat
for Tagbilaran.
At 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, December 23, 1901, General Samson took the oath of allegiance
to the United States of America. xxx For all intents and purposes, it marked the end of the Republic of
Bohol.

Endnotes:
i
Gregorio Zaide, “Pageant of Philippine History”, (Philippine Education Co., Manila), Vol. II, 1979, p.261.
ii
E.L. Ragas (ed.), “Handuman Sa Mga Punoan Lungsodnon Sa 1916-1937 Sa Kabisay-an Ug Mindanao”, (Ragas Bros. Publication,
Cebu City, 1937). Entry: Biography of Julian C. Magallanes, p. 108.
iii
Sulpicio Guevara, “The Laws of the First Philippine Republic”, (National Historical Commission, Manila, 1972), p.217.
iv
Evelyn Tan Cullamar, “Babaylanism In Negros: 1896-1907”, (New Day Publishers, Q.C., Phil., 1986), p.33.
v
Ibid.
vi
Municipal Council Minutes, Oct. 24, 1931, and Municipal Council Resolution No.97, S-1951, Baclayon, Bohol.
vii
John Taylor, “Philippines Insurrection Against The United States”, (Eugenio Lopez Foundation, Pasay City, Philippines, 1971), Vol. 3,
p.419.
viii
Vicente Elio, “News Sent to The Press and Published From 1887 to 1928”, (The Local Historical Sources of Northern Mindanao,
Chap. 14), Francisco Demetrio,S.J. (ed.), Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, 1995, p.490.
ix
John Taylor, Op.cit., Vol. 3, p.419.
x
Minutes of the Sanguniang Panlungsod, City of Tagbilaran, September 1927.
xi
According to the diary of George Percival Scriven, Don Bernabe Reyes went to Cavite. But this would be untenable and unbelievable.
If he went to Cavite, why did he not personally went to President Aguinaldo when Don Bernabe was himself a Caviteño? Why was the
decree of authorization sent through channel instead of given directly to Don Bernabe?
xii
Esteban de Ocampo, “Aguinaldo Centennial”, (The Manila Times, Jan. 16, 1969), p.7-A.
xiii
Bernardino Inting, “Bohol Ug Mga Bol-anon”, (Digal Studio, Tagbilaran, Bohol, 1934), p.21.
xiv
Manuel Artigas y Cuerva, “Galeria de Filipinos Ilustre”, (Imprenta de Gabino A. Pobre, Tomo II, Manila, 1918). The date is found in
the “Protest to the invading Americans” which is contained in the biographical entry of Salustiano Borja.
xv
Bernardino Inting, Op. cit., pp.21-22. See also: Severo Pajo Sr., “Bohol Heroes in the Resistance Movement Against the Americans,
1900-1901”. Typescript. University of Bohol Research Center, 1975, p.2.
xvi
Manuel Artigas, Op. cit., Engtry: Biography of Salustiano Borja.
xvii
Ibid.
xviii
“New Revised Velazquez Spanish and English Dictionary”, (Follett Publishing Co., Chicago, U.S.A., 1974). Definition of Sargento
Mayor.
xix
George Percival Scriven, “An American in Bohol, The Philippines, 1899-1901”, An On-line Archival Collection (INTERNET),
Special Collections Library, Duke University, U.S.A. This is a diary of G. P. Scriven who was among the Amrican invaders in Bohol, p.8.
xx
Ibid.
xxi
Found in “Sono”, one of the books of the Eskaya of Bohol, at Biyabas, Guindulman, Bohol. It is a very fragmented account and very
difficult to cite as to page.
xxii
G. P. Scriven, Op. cit., p.49 and p.103.
xxiii
Smith, Bell & Co., “Under Four Flags”, (J. W. Arrowsmith Ltd., Bristol, England, 1972), p.28. This is a company book telling the
story of Smith, Bell & Co. in the Philippines.
xxiv
G.P. Scriven, Op. cit., p.35. Scriven did not describe the colors of the mountain and the sun as well as the markings. From another
source, the author knew that the star was five-pointed and colored red. His first description of the border colors were white, red, and blue.
However, in page 103 of his diary, he changed it to red, white, and blue. This is more logical because if white was first, it could not be
delineated from the inner field.
xxv
G. P. Scriven, Op. cit., p.25; p.27.
xxvi
G.P. Scriven, Op. cit., p.31.
xxvii
Bernardino Inting, Op. cit., p.24.
xxviii
John Foreman, “The Philippine Islands), (The Scribner Book Co. Inc., 1926), p.528.
xxix
Eskaya Manuscript, “Mga Hiyas Ug Ka-agi Ni Mariano Datahan Sumatra”,p.16.
xxx
Norman Cameron (the grandson), “The U.S. Military Occupation of Bohol 1900-1902), c.a. 1948, p.9.
Assignment
On June 11, 1899 the Boholanos declared the Republic of Bohol. Make a lesson plan how to teach this
fact of students in the High School or College in two class meetings. Submit your lesson plan.

WORK SHEET NO. 5

BOHOLANO-AMERICAN WAR (Lecture)
By: Jes B. Tirol
UB Instructional and Media Center, Tagbilaran City
July 28, 2000. Afternoon
University of Bohol Faculty Development Seminar

Introduction
The Boholanos are no strangers to wars. Way back in 1563 the Bool Kingdom between
Tagbilaran and Panglao Island was invaded by Portuguese and Ternateans. The resident Dapitans were
defeated and transferred to the present day Dapitan City but the native Boholanos remained.
In the year 1621, the Boholanos, led by Tamblot, fought against the Spaniards. The Spaniards
were defeated.
In the years from 1744 to 1829, the Boholanos wrested the control of the island Bohol led by
Francisco Sendrijas alias Dagohoy.
What was significant in these wars was that the Boholanos relied only on native leadership and
local resources.
 To a Boholano, it is not surprising to claim a Boholano-American War, separate from the
Philippines-American War even though in the larger context the Boholano-American War was a parcel
of the Philippines-American War. The situation in Bohol was quite different. The people did not react
to the revolution until Bohol was invaded.

Impetus For Action

Bohol did not participate in the first phase of the Philippines revolution against Spain. In the
second phase, it was not inclined to participate except for the fortuitous events in Cebu.
The Cebuanos revolted on April 3, 1898. When they were defeated, some Cebuano fighters
escaped to Bohol and became bandits. Some Boholano towns formed volunteer militias to protect
themselves.
In Tagbilaran, Bohol, Don Salustiano Borja was chosen captain of the mobilized volunteers.
Thus, fighting forces were organized in Bohol not to rebel against Spain but to protect the people
against the Cebuanos who committed crimes.

First Gobierno de Canton

On December 10, 1898, the “Treaty of Paris” was signed. Upon receipt of the news, Gov.-Gen.
Rios ordered the Spaniards in Cebu and Bohol to prepare for withdrawal slated on December 24, 1898.
Anticipating Spanish withdrawal, Cebu appointed General Emilio Verdeflor came to Tagbilaran
to establish a revolutionary government. On December 20, 1898 the Gobierno de Canton was
established in Tagbilaran. It was part of the “Federal State of the Visayas” based in Santa Barbara,
Iloilo.
During the December 10, 1898 meeting, the following were the elected officials:
President (Presidente) ………………… Salustiano Borja
Deputy for Justice (Delegado de Justicia) .. Margarito Torralba
Deputy for Police (Delegado de Policia) … Macario Sarmiento
Deputy for Finance (Delegado de Rentas) .. Mariano Parras

On December 25, 898, the Gobierno de Canton took over the reigns of government not only for
Tagbilaran but for the whole province of Bohol.

Second Gobierno de Canton

Don Eduardo Calceta, the Capitan Municipal of Tagbilaran who turned over the reigns of
government to the Gobierno de Canton had doubts whether the new government was legal or could it
represent the whole province for the following reasons:
First, they were elected only by the people of Tagbilaran.
Second, the approval of the election came from General Verdeflor who got his authority from
Don Luis Flores, the President of Cebu. The connection between Cebu and the Government of
President Aguinaldo was vague.
Third, the Boholano government and force would be under Cebu, a situation that was not
pleasing to the Boholanos.
Being a Caviteño who got married in Tagbilaran, Eduardo Calceta, in consultation with another
Boholano Don Bernabe Reyes, whose father and wife was from Cavite, together they requested
President Emilio Aguinaldo to organize an provincial government in Bohol.
On January 8, 1899 President Aguinaldo issued a decree for a provincial government in Bohol
authorising Don Bernabe Reyes as temporary Provincial Head and Don Eduardo Calceta as temporary
Chief of the Army.
Thereafter, Don Bernabe Reyes called for a provincial election. The following were elected for
the Second Gobierno de Canton:
Bernabe Reyes …………. Gobernador
Salustiano Borja ……….. Vice Gobernador y Presidente de Tagbilaran
Rafael Reyes …………… Consejero de Hacienda Publica
Eduardo Calceta ……….. Consejero de Justicia
Macario Sarmiento …….. Consejero de Policia
Braulio Flores …………. General de Division de toda la Provincia

These officials functioned very well led by Don Bernabe Reyes who was a lawyer and a former
Alcalde de Ayuntamiento or City Councilor of Cebu in 1898.
Dispersal of the Gobierno de Canton de Visayas
The headquarters of the Gobierno de Canton de Visayas at Santa Barbara, Iloilo was dispersed
by the Americans on February 11, 1899. This created a problem in Bohol.
What would the Boholanos do, now that they were isolated? How would the Boholano officials
know that their actions were still legal?

The Republic of Bohol

In a meeting of the Provincial Junta, it was decided that Bohol would convert itself into an
independent republic. It was to be a provisional republic. It was thought to be a good solution because
the Boholanos could base their decisions on laws.
The planned convention for the Republic of Bohol was scheduled on June 11, 1899 to allow the
preparation of the constitution and election of delegates.

The Power Struggle

Governor Bernabe Reyes made a tour around the province to supervise the election of the
Municipal Presidents who in turn will become the delegates to the constitutional convention.
But to the viewpoint of General Braulio Flores, it was he, being the military commander, who
had a higher authority because it was a time of war and ought to supervise the elections. There existed a
power struggle. Eventually, General Flores was killed and thereby eliminated in the power struggle.

Constitutional Convention
On June 11, 1899, the delegates gathered at the Provincial Tribunal and approved the
constitution and therewith elected the officials. The same persons from the Gobierno de Canton were
elected but the titles were now changed to Presidente and Vice Presidente. Don Pedro Samson, the
person who eliminated General Braulio Flores was appointed Sargento Mayor.
So from June 11, 1899 to March 17, 1900, Bohol was a independent republic with its own laws,
officials, and official religion.

Arrival of the Americans

The American soldiers that first invaded Bohol was the 44 th Volunteer Infantry that came from
California, USA. It was composed of the B and C Company. They were on board the transport ship
Elcano escorted by the gunboat Panay. They left Cebu about midnight of March 16, 1900 and arrived
at Nagtubô, Dauis, Bohol in the morning of March 17, 1900. The American troops numbered 200
soldiers with nine officers under the over-all command of Major Henry C. Hale.
Upon their arrival at Dauis, Bohol, the invaders were met by a Boholano delegation to protest
the invasion.

The Meeting
One day before the arrival of the Americans, the Boholanos already knew of the coming
invasion. President Bernabe Reyes convened the Provincial Council and prominent people to consult
what to do upon the arrival of the Americans. The decision was to issue a written protest but offer no
armed resistance.
When the marching Americans reached the gate which marks the confines of the town of
Tagbilaran, they were met by a carriage and from which disembarked a tall man wearing an opera hat,
and a formal dress with a red sash around the waist. He had a dignified bearing and carried a dandified
cane. There in the middle of the road, under the blazing sun, he introduced himself to the Americans as
Governor Bernabe Reyes, the President of the Provisional Republic of Bohol.
After an exchange of greetings, the group proceeded to the Provincial Tribunal. At the second
floor, with around forty to fifty people, President Reyes translated the protest into his pidgin English.
The Americans could hardly follow the speech but they understood the meaning.

Uneasy Peace
From March 17, 1900 to August 31, 1900, there was uneasy peace prevailing in Bohol. The
Boholanos had to exercise maximum tolerance in order not to provoke any untoward incidents.
However, the Boholanos were at a disadvantage because the Americans had no scruples to maintain the
peace.
This was due to the different viewpoints; Major Hale demanded surrender. In his point of view
he was “receiving the surrender of the provisional government which the leading natives of Bohol had
instituted to take charge of affairs after the Spaniards left..”.
To the Boholanos, it was not a surrender but a matter of tolerating an unavoidable misfortune.
To them, it was because of “the complete defenselessness of the province of Bohol, we see it as our
obligation to open up, even though against our principles and our political faith.”

American Sponsored Police

The invading Americans were not enough for posting garrisons in every town to control the
whole population. To solve the problem, Major Henry Hale endeavored to organize a local
constabulary to help the Americans. Sargento Mayor Pedro Samson volunteered his services and that
of his men. Major Hale made Pedro Samson “Chief of Police for the island and get together an armed
constabulary supposedly to assist the American troops but took his men and rifles they received to the
hills…”
Pedro Samson received training for his 570 men and were issued 40 rifles.

Co-Existence
The invading Americans stayed at Tagbilaran, Dauis, and Baclayon. From March 17, 1900 to
August 31, 1900 there was co-existence. The American medical officer tried to control the cholera
epidemic. The Americans tried to respect Boholano laws by delivering the mails with Boholano issued
postage stamps. However, the hubris of the American patrols became very irritating that it became
intolerable.

Planning for Resistance

Two weeks after the arrival of the American invaders, a cholera epidemic struck in Bohol. The
peak period was the month of April 1900 and continued into the succeeding months.
The prominent people of Tagbilaran decided to hold a novena honor of San Roque whose feast
day falls on August 16. San Roque is the second Patron Saint of Tagbilaran and believed to intercede in
times of pestilence and epidemics.
On the eve of August 10, 1900, some prominent Boholanos met in the house of Fernando Reyes
and decided that a nightly novena will start the next night. The nine nights of prayer was a good cover
for Sabas Ligones to secretly sound off the anti-American elements.
The plotters agreed that on August 20, 1900, the night after the end of the novena they would
again meet to finalize the plan of resistance. It was held at the same house of Fernando Reyes.
Thus, from August 10 to 20, 1900 the “First Boholano Patriots” were able to accomplish their
plan to organize. Also, at that time, Pedro Samson was already the Chief of the American sponsored
constabulary that was armed and trained by the Americans.

The Military Organization

( overhead projector)

Areas of Responsibilities
(overhead projector)

Administrative Situation
When the Boholano Army was reorganised, the Officials of the Republic of Bohol did not
anymore functioned properly. President Bernabe Reyes stayed in his hometown of Dauis. Vice
President Salustiano Borja went on self-exile to Hong Kong. The Adviser for Finance, Don Rafael
Reyes went back to Mambajao, Camiguin. Don Eduardo Calceta and Don Macario Sarmiento stayed in
Tagbilaran.
The burden of coordinating the civilian government in towns, raising funds, and obtaining
supplies for the war effort fell on the shoulders of Chief of Staff Manuel Miñoza and Lt. Col. Luis
Toribio and ably aided by Captain Bartolome Doria who was the supply officer.

Preparing for Battle

After the reorganization, Col. Pedro Samson brought the Boholano Army to Calape, Bohol in
such a way that the Americans were mislead that the army was in Ubay, Bohol.
In Calape, the rich haciendero Don Jayme Vaño gave the provisions. He was the father of
Captain Juan Vaño. Also, the wife of Chief of Staff Manuel Miñoza was from Calape.
The initial plan was to give resistance at the Desamparados Bridge near the Poblacion.
However, the Parish Priest, Fr. Pedro Nolasco Vehemently objected. Even if the plan was good, the
Boholano patriots had to transfer to another site.

The First Battle

The first battle of the Boholano-American War occurred on September 1, 1900 at Kugaw,
Calape, Bohol. It was a sugarcane field. It was not a good site for the ill-armed Boholanos but ideal to
the artillery of the Americans.
The American report said, “in the first attack, 100 out of 120 bolomen were killed.” How the
Americans were able to count 120 bolomen is questionable but at least we can say that the Boholanos
suffered many casualties.
Most of the Boholano bolomen ran towards Tubigon town while the main force of Col. Samson
took the trail from Kugaw to the hills of Agbonan (now: San Isidro town) and Catigbian. The
Americans chose to pursue the Boholanos to the hills.
The invaders were unfamiliar with the forested hills and it was a place where artillery support
was not effective because of forest cover.
On September 2, 1900, the Boholano patriots had an encounter with the pursuing Americans at
Catigbian. The inexperienced American Volunteers suffered many casualties. Fighting in guerilla style,
the Boholanos withdrew towards Carmen, Bohol.
In their frustration, the Americans burned the whole town of Catigbian and killed all living
animals and people they could find.

First Defeat of The Americans

The withdrawing Boholano patriots made contact with the 3 rd Zone army under Miguel
Balmoria of Talibon. Balmoria immediately rushed to reinforced Col. Samson’s troops.
The Boholanos prepared to ambushed the Americans at Balikwing, Carmen, Bohol. It was a
good ambush site. The main troops under Col. Samson was made to pass through the place while
Balmoria and some men of Col. Samson armed with the rifles supplied by the Americans waited in
ambush.
On September 3, 1900, the ambushed occurred. The unsuspecting Americans fell into the trap
and suffered many casualties. The Americans were defeated.
The Americans withdrew, bringing along their dead and wounded towards Catigbian. Later on
they withdrew to the town of Antequera and made the church convent as a garrison. Here the
Americans left behind about one hundred soldiers and the others returned to Tagbilaran. Upon reaching
Tagbilaran, the apprehensive Americans called for reinforcement from Cebu.
It must be noted that this incident was reported by the Americans as a victory even if they were
the ones who withdrew and called for reinforcements.

Second Defeat of The Americans

Upon the arrival of the reinforcement, the Americans decided to pursue the Boholano army via
the eastern side of the island. The move was understandable because beyond the mountains at
Balikwing, Carmen, Bohol are the eastern towns of the province. Col. Samson went to the mountains.
However, he stayed in the mountains and did not cross over to the eastern towns.
On the morning of September 14, 1900, Captain Martin Cabagnot received a message at his
headquarters that the Americans will leave Jagna, Bohol at 12 noon the next day. Immediately, Capt.
Cabagnot informed his soldiers to gather at the Kabantian Pass, Guindulman, Bohol.
By 8:00 A. M. of September 15, 1900, around 200 Boholano patriots were gathered at the
Kabantian Pass. It was a ragtag group of ill-armed men. However, they were at a place were bolos and
spears were superior weapons.
The Kabantian Pass was a stretch of narrow road about 100 meters long and 3 meters wide. On
one side of the road was a cliff about 4 to 5 meters high and on the other side about 3 to 4 meters high.
The plan was to jump on the Americans who will be riding on horses. To divert the attention of the
Americans, 3 patriots were designated as decoys.
About 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the Americans arrived. The designated decoys stood up,
shouted as if surprised and ran towards the opposite exit of the pass. The Americans started shooting
and rushed into the Kabantian Pass. When they were directly below, the Boholanos jumped and hacked
the Americans.
In a crowded, close quarter battle, the bolos and spears proved superior. The Americans did not
shoot for fear of hitting their companions. However, those Boholanos who hesitated to jump were easy
targets for American rifles.
 The fight lasted from 3 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. When darkness came, the Boholanos withdrew.
Captain Cabagnot counted his casualties: 16 dead and 76 wounded. They were able to capture 25 guns
and boxes of ammunitions and war materials.
Civilian witnesses estimated the American casualties with the following description: Two
wagons were full of dead soldiers, ten horses were carrying 2 dead each, a long vine was pulled with
dead Americans tied to it. Most of the Americans walking were wounded.
This estimate of American casualties is believable because the Boholanos captured 25 guns. So
at least there were 25 dead Americans. We know that the Americans were trained not to let go of their
guns, but still 25 guns were captured by the Boholanos.

American Retaliation
The next day, Sgt. Juan Beronilla and some Boholano patriots dressed themselves in American
uniforms and taking some of the captured rifles, marched towards the town of Duero. Along the way
they encountered the American reinforcement. The untrained Boholanos were no match for the
Americans. So the Americans recovered most of the rifles they lost the previous day.
In a state of rage and anger, the Americans made a foray towards the town of Guindulman,
burning and killing along the way. When the Americans reached the Poblacion of Guindulman, they
were placated by the Municipal Captain Alipio Libres, to spare the Poblacion, including the church and
convent, from being burned. When the Americans reached the Boholano camp at Katungawan, the
patriots were no longer there. In frustration, the Americans burned the barrios including the ricefields
and killed all living animals on sight and persons captured.
Patrols were sent by the Americans to the neighboring towns of Candijay and Anda. When they
reached Candijay, the town was already deserted. The Americans burned the houses that their guides
indicated to be owned by Boholano patriots.
In Anda, Bohol, the town was deserted except for the Parish Priest who was able to convince
the Americans to spare the church, convent, and Municipal building from being burned.

Continued Harassment
On September 30, 1900, a Sunday, an American patrol was at Batuan, Bohol. The people were
still preparing for Church Mass when the Americans arrived. The Americans took representatives from
the huddled groups and subjected them to torture to extract information as to the whereabouts of the
Boholano Army. Since the Americans could not get any information, they executed the hostages.
Towards the end of September 1900, the American garrison at Antequera, Bohol attacked the
Boholano encampment at Campagao some 12 kilometers from the Poblacion. The Boholanos were
dispersed but the Americans suffered some casualties on those who fell into pits implanted with stakes
of sharpened bamboos.
On November 2, 1900, the Americans decided to pursue the Boholano patriots who were
regrouping in the town of Balilihan, Bohol. When the Americans arrived the patriots were no longer
there. The Americans arrested the town officials and burned the town to the ground. What was left
standing was only the belfry on top of a hill.
The Americans decided to pursue the Boholano patriots who were retreating towards the town
of Sevilla. While making retrograde movements, the patriots took pot shots at the Americans.
Upon reaching the town of Sevilla, the patriots had already vanished. In retaliation, the
Americans burned the town of Sevilla and retraced their path to Antequera, Bohol while performing
Juez de Cuchillo.
Before the event in Balilihan and Sevilla, the Americans in Tagbilaran made a foray into the
town of Corella on October 1900. Many civilians were arrested and tortured by “water cure”.
In all, the Americans burned to the ground twenty (20) of the thirty-five (35) towns in Bohol.

The Interlude
In Bohol the Taft Commission did not immediately made any election and induction of local
officials during its southern tour. The official explanation was the reluctance of the prominent men to
cooperate.
However, on April 20, 1901, the Americans tried a civilian government in Bohol. Aniceto
Clarin of Loay, Bohol was appointed civil governor of the province. Since the Boholano patriots chose
to continue their heroic struggle rather than be enticed to the American fold, on July 17, 1901, the
province was returned to full military control.
When news of the organization of the Federal Party on December 23, 1900 was known in
Bohol, some members of town councils joined the new political party. The Americans tried to exploit
the situation. As much as possible the Americans appointed as Capitan Municipal or town Mayors,
persons who were sympathetic to their cause. However, the Boholanos tried to counter the move of the
Americans by also appointing their own Capitan Municipal to rival those appointed by the Americans.
In this kind of situation, charges and countercharges of disloyalty were aired by both sides.
President Bernabe Reyes did not escaped suspicion because he stayed in his hometown of Dauis and
pretended to favor the Americans even though in reality he favored the patriots.

Lonoy, Jagna Debacle

The town of Jagna, Bohol organized its own local militia under the leadership of Captain
Gregorio Caseñas.
On March 6, 1901, Major Balmoria sent a message to Captain Caseñas that the people must be
informed if and when an ambush would be conducted against the Americans.
Politically it was a good move but for military purposes it eliminated the element of surprise in
an ambush. As a consequence, instead of the Americans being surprised, it was the Jagna militia that
was surprised with an American attack on March 8, 1901, a Good Friday. It was practically a slaughter
because a Boholano traitor guided the Americans towards the Boholano encampment.
Even with the debacle, the Boholano resistance inflicted some casualties on the Americans. In
their anger, the Americans went to the poblacion of Jagna, Bohol and burned the town.
After burning the town, the Americans decided to attack the stronghold of Major Balmoria at
Campo Verde on March 10, 1901 and the Americans were repulsed.

The Struggle Continued

The town of Loon, Bohol had organized a guerilla force under a certain Capitan Dinlok. It was
these Boholano patriots that was the first object of attack of the newly arrived 19 th Regiment of Regular
American Infantry. By May 10, 1901, the Americans were already in the town of Loon. After offering
a spirited resistance, the guerillas fled to the hills. As punishment, the Americans burned the whole
town of Loon except the church which made as a garrison by the Americans.

Battle At “Campo Verde”

The Campo Verde is located at a precipice some 4 kilometers from the town of Jagna, Bohol. It
was a real stronghold of the Boholanos. It resisted eight (8) attacks by the Americans and the Regular
American Infantry conquered it on the 9 th attack from July 1 to July 4, 1901. The Boholanos regrouped
at Mayana, Jagna, Bohol and proceeded to Cambaligâ, Carmen, Bohol.

Victory At Cambaliga, Carmen

At Cambaligâ, Carmen, Bohol, the whole Boholano Army of about 2,000 soldiers were
assembled. Colonel Pedro Samson was the over-all commander. At 9:00 A.M. of July 5, 1901, the large
scale battle between the Americans and the Boholanos occurred and lasted up to around 5 o’clock in
the afternoon. The Americans withdrew bringing along their dead and wounded. The Boholanos
suffered two (2) dead and fourteen (14) wounded.
After the defeat of the Americans, the province of Bohol was returned to full military control on
July 17, 1901.

Beginning of The End

On September 13, 1901, Colonel Pedro Samson reorganised the Boholano government at
Cambaligâ and he assumed the rank of General. It was necessary because the government of the
Republic of Bohol was in disarray.
On September 15, 1901, General Robert P. Hughes of the Americans his headquarters to Cebu.
By the last week of September 1901, massive American troops were sent to Bohol. It was a bulk of the
1st and 2nd Battalions of the 19th Infantry Regiment of regular American troops. General Hughes himself
came to Bohol on October 11, 1901.
On November 4, General Hughes landed 400 soldiers at Loay, Bohol. The Americans met some
resistance and they burned the town.
A patrol was sent towards the town of Loboc which did not offer resistance and it was spared
from being burned.
The next shoreline town from Loay is the town of Lila. It was burned to the ground by the
Americans such that it ceased to be a town.
Battle At “Punta Gorda”
The last known stronghold of the Boholano patriots was in the forested mountains of the town
of Duero. The invaders continued their march along the coastal road towards Duero. On September 27,
1901 the path of the Americans was blocked by the Boholano patriots at Punta Gorda, a place located
at the boundary of the towns of Valencia and Garcia-Hernandez. The road was cut from the side of the
cliff.
While the Americans were travelling along the road, large stones were suddenly thrown from
the top of the cliff accompanied by gunfire from the few rifles of the patriots. Since the path was
blocked, the Americans withdrew to take stock of the situation.
After bombarding the Boholanos with artillery fire, the Americans attacked but were repulsed.
The position held by the Boholanos was impregnable. For five (5) days the Americans tried to take the
Boholano position. On October 7, 1901, the Boholanos were finally defeated.
In their anger, the Americans did not bury the Boholanos but instead threw them over the cliff
and holes. The Americans immediately proceeded to the next town of Garcia-Hernandez. To extract
vengeance, the invaders killed all living things and burned every structure in sight including the new
municipal building. During the burning, Cabeza Canong Jamero refused to evacuate and he was burned
to death inside his house.

More Burning
From Garcia-Hernandez, the Americans proceeded to the town of Jagna, Bohol. The Americans
burned again the town of Jagna.
On October 11, 1901, General Hughes arrived in Tagbilaran bring with him more troops. The
General ordered an all out offensive and a scorch-earth policy.

Surrender of General Samson

By the middle of December 1901, the Americans learned that the command post of General
Samson was in the mountains of Dimiao, Bohol. His hideout was a huge cave at the Malapok forest, at
sitio Canlambong, Canhayupon, Dimiao.
General Hughes sent his emissaries Major Pantaleon E. del Rosario, and Fiscal Gavino
Sepulveda who surrendered in Cebu but persons known to General Samson.
By the beginning of the 3rd week of December 1901, General Hughes was in the town of
Dimiao. The negotiating party was sent to the hideout of Gen. Samson. Another date was set to allow
Gen. Samson to consult his officers.
As a demonstration of American determination and superiority, Gen. Hughes ordered the
burning of the houses in Dimiao. This action was designed to intimidate Gen. Samson and his men.
On December 21, 1901, the American negotiating party went back to the hideout of General
Samson bringing along with them a written warning that if Gen. Samson and his officers will not
surrender by December 27, 1901, the whole town of Tagbilaran would be burned.
In the face of the demonstrated barbarity of the Americans, the military officials convinced
General Samson to surrender. He acceded to the request on condition that the Boholano patriots be
given amnesty and be treated well. The condition was accepted and the formal surrender was slated on
December 23, 1901 at the ground floor of the Dimiao convent.
On the morning of December 23, 1901, General Pedro Samson, together with some of his
officers came down to the Dimiao Convent with intention to surrender. With fanfare, they were met by
the American delegation. General Samson was informed that the formal surrender would be at
Tagbilaran. The Boholano Officials were brought to Valencia, Bohol to board a “big boat” for
Tagbilaran while the local musical band played a march- music. The ordinary soldiers walked from
Valencia, Bohol to Tagbilaran a distance of 41 kilometers to surrender.
On the afternoon of December 23, 1901, “at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the former policeman
and now a General, signed an armistice at Tagbilaran and swore allegiance to the United States
government.” The next day, each of the 175 insurrectos took the oath of allegiance.
Officially the war was over in Bohol on December 23, 1901 even though there were still some
groups which offered some resistance in isolated places in Bohol.

Assignment
The American soldiers first to arrive in Bohol was the 44 th Californiz Volunteers, composed of
Companies B and C. They were hurriedly trained soldiers and then sent to battle. No wonder that they were
always defeated by the Boholanos.
 When the regular U.S. Army arrived, they did not want to face the Boholanos in a frontal battle. What
the employed was the Scorch-Earth policy or “Juez de Cuchillo”. They just walk along the road and kill every
living thing they encounter and burn everything.
If you were General Pedro Samson, the commander of the Boholano forces, you continue the fight
knowing that the forest in Bohol can supply your needs? Make a reaction paper as to the atrocities done by the
Americans.

WORK SHEET NO. 6

HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION:

Spanish and American Period

By: Dr. Jes B. Tirol, Ph.D.

May 20, 2016

Proem
The group of islands now called the Philippines was already inhabited by people living in
organized communities before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century.
The people were already in contact with other civilizations like China, Thailand, Borneo,
Indonesia, and even as far as India and Egypt.
The people had already their own system of writing. They already know the art of building
large ships and sail them to far away places. They already know how to navigate by the stars and the
compass. They already have a calendar that was accurate and based on the stars. Their mathematics
was fairly advanced. The Bisayans have already counting words from zero (sip), hundred (gatos),
thousand (libo), million (yukót), and billion (wakát). They already had a fairly advanced knowledge in
warfare. In fact they were able to defeat the Spanish adventurer Fernando Magallanes.

I. SPANISH ERA

The Jesuit Fr. Pedro Chirino wrote in 1601 “that you can hardly find a man or woman who did
not know how to read and write using their letters.” Dr. Antonio Morga, a former Spanish Governor
General wrote in 1605 that the natives knew how to read and write in their own language.
All these things could not be learned and transmitted through the different generations without a
school system.

Colegio de Loboc
On November 17, 1596 two Jesuits Priests, Fathers Gabriel Sanchez and Juan de Torres arrived
in Baclayon, Bohol. They were met by two couples whose wives were already Christians.
On June 1597 Fr. Juan de Torres went to tubód Loboc. His first convert to Christianity was the
wife of the school teacher. Fr. Torres cured the illness of the child of the school teacher and his wife.
If there was a school teacher, then it follows that there was a school. That school would be like
the school operated by Confucius, Socrates, Plato, etc. It was a one teacher school with multi-grade
pupils.
The situation encouraged the Jesuits to start a school of there own. In the year 1602, the
Colegio de Loboc was started in Loboc, Bohol. That college existed until 1768 when the Jesuits were
expelled from Bohol and all other Spanish dominions.
It is clear from the records that the Colegio de Loboc used Binisayâ and Spanish as the medium
of instruction. There is a 1709 record that says that Father Visitor Pablo Clain scolded the Jesuits in
Loboc for singing in binisayâ the religious songs, including the “Gloria Salve”.
The courses offered at the Colegio de Loboc were, a.) Seminary; the graduates became
catechists and deacons. b.) Normal school; the graduates became school teachers. c.) Music; the
graduates were up to minstrel level or professional music practitioners. d.) Agriculture; the graduates
became gardeners and agriculturists. and e.) Military science; the graduates became soldiers serving the
Spaniards.
The three recorded first graduates of the Colegio de Loboc were Miguel Ayatomo, Miguel dela
Pangâ, and Hijo (son) de Dumagan.They were 14 years old when they graduated in the Seminary.
When St. Pedro Calungsod finished his schooling and joined the Jesuit Mission to Guam, he was also
14 years old. He was martyred at 17 years old.
 If a student will start at 7 years old, then apparently he will undergo seven (7) years of
schooling to graduate at 14 years old.
The students at the Colegio de Loboc were children of the native nobility. The Jesuit method of
converting the natives was known as the “cacique” method. The method was anchored in the principle
that if you can convert the Chief or Datu, all the followers will follow. The best way to convert the
chiefs was to educate their children and convert them to Christianity and the children were the best
evidence of the virtues of an educated Christian.

Dagohoy Period
Francisco Sendrijas, alias “Dagohoy” was a Cabeza de Barangay in Inabanga, Bohol. He
started his revolution on July 4, 1744 when he was twenty (20) years old. That revolution ended on
August 30, 1829.
When the Spanish and Cebuano forces from Bolhoon, Cebu attacked the settlement of the
followers of Dagohoy at Agbonan (now: San Isidro, Bohol) one of the buildings destroyed was the
school building. It means that Dagohoy established a school system for his followers. The settlement at
Agbonan was under the leadership of Gaam, a sector leader of Dagohoy.
The Eskaya of Bohol claims that their school system and system of writing came from the
school system of Francisco Dagohoy.
The language known as TIMORI (BINALI) must have been taught in the school system of
Dagohoy because it was the “code” language used during the Dagohoy revolution. There are still many
people today who can speak the TIMORI, especially in the town of Candijay, Bohol. Some people in
Cordova, Cebu and in the island of Mindanao can still speak the TIMORI.

Augustinian Recollects
When the Jesuits were expelled from the Philippines in 1768, their mission fields were taken
over by the Order of the Augustinian Recollects (OAR).
The Recollects had another idea about education. Whereas the Jesuits educated the elites up to
professional level, the Recollects offered only the primary grades, but to all children in Bohol. These
schools were supervised by the Parish Priest and held at a building near the convent.

Situation in 1785
Most historical data deals with the beginning or the end of significant events. Our history books
will miss the “normal” situation between these significant events.
The year 1785 is one such “normal” year in the province of Bohol. On 19 October 1785, Fr. Ramon de
Santo Tomas de Aquino (1741-1800) wrote a report regarding the “Status of Saint Nicolas Province in 1785” or
the Augustinian Recollect Province. Since Bohol was “managed” by the Augustinian Recollects, it was included
in the report.
It must also be borne in mind that the Dagohoy Revolution started in 1744 and ended in 1829. So in
1785, a large portion of the island of Bohol was still under the control of Dagohoy.
The following towns and population were under the control of the Augustinian Recollects in 1785.
1. Mission of Inabanga. Consist of the town of the same name and that of Talibong. It has 300 Indio
(male) and 320 India (female) tribute-payers. Eighty-four (84) are exempt from tribute. It has 200
schoolboys and 250 schoolgirls. The population is 1,686 souls.
Comment: One full tribute is for husband (male) and wife (female) and children. So a widow or
widower is only a one-half tribute. In counting the tribute take 300 full pairs and 20 of one-half
tributes or equal to ten full. The total tributes will be 310.
2. Mission of Loon. It comprises the town of Loon. It has 480 Indio and 490 India tribute-payers.
There are 170 persons exempted from tribute. There are 400 schoolboys and 450 schoolgirls. The
population is 2,648 souls.
3. Mission of Maribohoc and Malabago. It has 1,150 Indios and 1,170 Indias tribute-payers. Exempt
are 397 persons. There are 856 schoolboys and 878 schoolgirls. The total is 5,070 souls.
4. Mission of Tagbilaran. It comprises the town of Tagbilaran. It has 1,236 Indios and 1,356 Indias
tribute-payers. Exempt are 397 persons. There are 960 schoolboys and 968 schoolgirls. The total is
6,305 souls.
5. Mission of Dauis. It comprises the town of Dauis. It has 810 Indios and 823 Indias tribute-payers.
Exempt are 260 persons. There are 1,500 schoolboys and 1,280 schoolgirls. The total population is
7,371 souls.
6. Mission of Baclayon. It comprises the town of Baclayon. It has 810 Indios and 823 Indias tribute-
payers. Exempt are 204 persons. There are 594 schoolboys and 609 schoolgirls. The total population
is 3,994 souls.
7. Mission of Loboc. It comprises the town of Loboc. It has 1020 Indios and 1,008 Indias tribute-
payers. Exempt are 336 persons. There are 750 schoolboys and 720 schoolgirls. The total population
 is 5,202 souls.
8. Mission of Dimiao and Loay. There are 1,1015 Indios and 1,017 Indias tribute-payers. Exempt are
354 persons. There are 604 schoolboys and 712 schoolgirls. Total population is 5,105 souls.
9. Mission of Jagna. It comprises the town of Jagna. There are 907 Indios and 1,027 Indias tribute-
payers. Exempted are 352 persons. There are 764 schoolboys and 714 schoolgirls. The total
population is 5,040 souls.

The Spaniards called them “rebels” but I would rather call them patriots. Father Aquino said, “In this
island of Bohol there are about 4,000 tributes that are up in arms and are rebels to God and to our monarch. It
has been about 40 years when they started the revolt --- with rather few Indios from the town of Talibong. Until
the expulsion of the extinct regulars (Jesuits), they kept on increasing in number joined by malcontents and
lawbreakers from other towns. Since the religious of my order administered this island, a great number of these
insurgents had been reduced to obedience to God and to our sovereign. However, there are still remaining rebels
who inflict damage against the towns either because they have under their control the most excellent land of the
island or because when criminals and malefactors flee from the towns and seek refuge among the rebels. These
insurgents occupy the coast stretching from the town of Jagna heading towards the north up to the town of
Talibong and, on top of this; they occupy almost all the land area in the central portion of the island.” (Note:
According to generally accepted methodologies, the estimate of the rebel population in 1785 would be 20,000. –
JBT)

Spanish Higher Education

Soon after the conquest of the islands, the Spanish authorities felt sorely the need of training young men,
particularly the sons of the conquistadores. They needed education for the service of the king and the church.
This need led to the establishment of instruction for higher learning.
The Royal College of San Jose was founded in 1601. Santo Tomas began as a college between 1605 and
1610 and was elevated to the category of a university by Papal Bull in 1645. Since the Dominican religious order
were not expelled from the Philippines, we still have today the University of Santo Tomas.
These higher schools of learning were for the Spaniards and the Filipino Ilustrados or elite. The general
mass of the people were educated only in the primary grades.

Royal Decree of 1863

It was not until 1863 that a royal decree provided for a system of primary schools. That education should
be popular and not aristocratic.
This decree provided for the training of school teachers. It was in 1868 when the Normal School, run by
the returning Jesuits was established in Manila. The graduates were divided into three categories. Those who
obtained a grade of “Excellent” were qualified to teach in the Intermediate grades. Those having a grade of
“Good or Fair” were qualified to teach in the Primary grades. Those who obtain the grade of “Approved” were
qualified to be assistant teachers.
Don Fernando Rocha from Tagbilaran, Bohol and who later on became a Provincial Governor,
graduated from the Normal School with a rating of “Excellent”. He returned to Tagbilaran and taught in the
School for Boys. He was popularly known as “Maestro Andoy”.
The Normal School for women as established in Manila in 1868 operated by the Sisters of Charity. A
few years later another Normal School for women was established by the Assumption Sisters.
In the town, the status of the School Teacher was next to the Parish Priest.

Situation in Bohol in 1888

In year 1888 the public schools were only found in the town center and some large barrios. The
schools were divided into school for boys and school for girls.
In 1888 the four years primary education was the end of basic education. At the end of the
school year the pupils are given a final examination and those who pass will be graduated. Those who
learn how to read and write Spanish was already qualified to take the Segunda Enseñanza of five (5)
years and after that earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
If we say that today’s 10 years from elementary to high school graduation is not enough, the
Spanish era education was still shorter. Today’s high school graduate is higher in learning than the
Spanish era Bachelor’s Degree.
Herewith is the report for the public schools in Bohol dated June 16, 1888. During that time, the
Island of Siquijor was still part of Bohol.

TOWNS
Enrolment
Boys Girls

Exam Takers
Boys Girls

1. Alburquerque
216
350
107
236
2. Anda
110
227
103
222
3. Antequera
326
566
200
357
4. Baclayon
649
866
250
230
5. Batuanan (Alicia)
112
139
60
118
6. Balilihan
265
360
214
338
7. Corella
235
400
189
310
8. Candijay
101
117
59
70
9. Calape
201
210
164
189
10. Catigbian
103
180
59
98
11. Canoan
490
610
292
561
12. Carmen
182
172
60
116
13. Dauis
353
280
102
157
14. Dimiao
580
688
540
582
15. Duero
151
407
75
397
16. G-Hernandez
322
459
150
457
17. Guindulman
101
212
91
190
18. Getafe
82
110
43
88
19. Inabanga
212
262
80
95
20. Ipil (Trinidad)
151
117
75
72
21. Jagna
276
286
276
58
22. Loay
352
405
195
286
23. Loboc
782
756
370
430
24. Lila
204
305
150
120
25. Loon
107
600
492
600
26. Lacy
502
791
126
116
27. Maria
447
615
185
561
28. Maribojoc
396
488
120
200
29. Paminuitan (Cortes)
393
463
250
120
30. Panglao
370
768
68
526
31. Sevilla
411
447
162
263
32. Sierra Bullones
91
280
57
99
33. Siqujor
867
1,105
559
799
34. San Juan
521
602
446
311
35. Tagbilaran
279
410
160
230
36. Talibon
200
260
118
203
37. Tubigon
415
434
150
150
38. Vilar (Bilar)
570
674
430
315
39. Valencia
286
442
110
248
40. Ubay
121
239
59
156
Total = 12,528 15,860 8,129 10,674

Results
Of the 8,129 boys who took the finishing examination in the public schools 2,741 were found to
know how to read and write in Spanish. There were 1,692 who knew how to read only and 2,694 were
recommended to be delayed for correction. The others failed.
Of the 10, 674 girls who took the examination, 3,774 knew how to read and write Spanish and
2,460 knew how to read only and 3,450 to be delayed for correction. The others failed.

Comment
Just like today, there were good and bad teachers. For example in the town of Loon, Bohol, of
the 600 girls, all of them took the finishing examination. The teacher for girls must have been good to
have all her girl-pupils qualify to take the examination. In general, we can see that the level of learning
was very low. Only about 30% knew how to read and write.
It is interesting to note that the towns in the Island of Siquijor have bigger enrolment than in
Bohol. In fact the town of Siquijor had the biggest enrolment. There must have been a reason for this
which we could not determine from the records.
For most of the children, their primary education was the end of their schooling. Only very few
could go to Cebu for the Segunda Enseñanza.
(Reference: Varias Papeles de Bohol)

Educational Situation in 1890

On December 26, 1890 Bohol Spanish Provincial Governor Martin de Baños wrote a situational
report regarding Bohol. Here is his report regarding the status of education in Bohol.
“The towns of Tagbilaran, Baclayon, Loay, Dimiao, Jagna, Loboc, Maribojoc, Loon, and Dauis
have their town houses and schools made of stones.”
“Almost all the towns have male and female teachers’ living quarters. Those which have none
has one under construction.”
“In all the towns, there are two schools, one for boys and another for girls. A few of these
schools are being served by teachers of Normal School training, and the other schools are served by
substitutes.”
“In all schools, the lessons differ by sex. For example, the boys and girls both learn writing,
catechism in Spanish and Visayan, grammar, geography, arithmetic and some agriculture, but the girls
are made to specialize in activities fitted for their sex; like sewing, decorative art, embroidery in white
and color, crochet and other types of decoration. Particularly excellent are the schools in Dimiao and
Garcia-Hernandez although lately, it is taught by a substitute female teacher..”
“In all the schools for boys the Spanish language is taught to the pupils. Those who can speak
the language vary from 6 to 60 or more, as what happened in Tagbilaran, Loboc, and Dimiao. In the
schools for girls, only a few can speak Spanish because the majority of the teachers who manage these
schools have little previous schooling.”
“To avoid the decrease in attendance that will lower the viability of schools in the town, schools
of light materials managed by assistants paid by the towns, are established in big barrios. However, the
students from the barrios have to attend classes twice a week in the town school to have their progress
assessed.”

Revolutionary Period
The revolutionary government headed by President Emilio Aguinaldo provided for education. On
October 19, 1898, Pres. Aguinaldo signed the decree creating the Literary University of the Philippines.
The courses offered by this university were law, medicine, surgery, pharmacy, and for notaries public.
There was also another decree creating a Military Academy on Oct. 25, 1898.
The primary schools operated by the Spaniards were allowed to continue. During the revolutionary
government, the women were also allowed to obtain higher education.

II. AMERICAN ERA

In 1901 the Philippine Commission established by the Americans issued Act No. 74 “A law establishing
a Department of Public Instruction in the Philippines Islands.”
This law provided for a Public School system patterned after the school systems in the United States.
This law was immediately implemented in places that were under the control of the Americans.
Since the educated people in the Philippines spoke Spanish, the first teachers were American soldiers
who spoke Spanish. Even though there were lessons to be followed, the greatest emphasis was to teach the
pupils the English language. It was the intention of the Americans to use only English as a medium of instruction
in school.
In 1902 the Bohol Provincial High School and the Bohol Trade School were opened in Tagbilaran as
secondary schools. The Bilar Agricultural High School was established in Bilar, Bohol a few years later.
In 1903 the Silliman Institute was planned to be established at Tubigon, Bohol. The land grant was
already surveyed and monuments were placed. However, when the American missionaries arrived, the Parish
Priest led the people in a violent demonstration against the establishment of the Silliman Institute. The American
missionaries were stoned and vilified. The Americans transferred to Dumaguete where they were kindly received
by the Provincial Governor of Negros Oriental.

1905
In 1905 the Philippine Commission passed a Corporation Law. Among the provisions of this law was to
allow private individuals to form a corporation in order to establish private schools.
As a consequence the following private schools were established: 1.) Jaime Vaño Institue at Tubigon,
Bohol. 2.) Bohol Lyceum at Loay. 3.) Bohol Academy at Dimiao. 4.) St. Joseph’s Academy, at Tagbilaran. 5.)
Southern Academy at Jagna. 6.) Filipino-American High School, at Duero. 7.) Bohol Institute, at Guindulman.
8.) Santo Niño Academy, at Anda. and 9.) Colegio de la Medalla Milagrosa, at Jagna. The Bohol Lyceum and
the Filipino American High School later became the Central Visayon College with its new location at Jagna.
Many of these schools could not compete with the free education in the public schools. Only very few
people in Bohol were affluent enough to pay tuition for the education of their children. Among these schools,
only the St. Joseph’s Academy (now: Holy Spirit School), the Colegio de la Medalla Migrosa, and the Central
Visayan Institure still exists.
In 1928 there was a school in Tagbilaran with the name “Bohol College”. It was operated by Board
Member Bernardino Inting. Even though it carried the name “College”, it was only a secretarial-vocational
school that offered courses in bookkeeping, typewriting, and stenography.

Commonwealth Act No. 180

On November 13, 1936 the Philippine Commonwealth passed a law known as Act No. 180. It provided
for the establishment of corporations that will operate as a private school.
In 1941 the Second World War broke out and until that time no real college was established in Bohol.
After WWII, in 1946, the Rafael Palma College (now: University of Bohol) became the first real college
in Bohol offering collegiate degree courses recognized by the government of the Philippines. The Holy Name
College (now: Holy Name University) started as a real college in 1947.
Nowadays there are already many colleges and universities in Bohol.

Assignment
The Colegio de Loboc existed from 1602 to 1768. It offered courses in Seminary, Music, Normal,
Agriculture, and Military Science.
The medium of instruction was bilingual in Sugboanon Bisaya ang Spanish. In so doing, the graduates
were educated in Spanish and Binisayâ and can teach and work using any of the two language.
It can be analyzed that St. Pedro Calungsod, the 2 nd Filipino Roman Catholic Saint, was educated at the
Colegio de Loboc.
While other countries in Asia that were former colonies of Europeans are now educating their citizens in
either of colonizer’s language or their native language, the Philippines still continue to use only their colonizer’s
language. The result is that of the 119 countries evaluated by PISA, the Philippines ranked 118 th or 119th.
Can you make an educational plan that we can also produce college degree holders that used either the
native language or English?
You can use India and Sri Lanka as your model. Even Hong Kong has dual education language plan.
Pass you proposed plan.