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Masonic Myths and Revolutionary Feats in Negros Occidental

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2011

Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr.
Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr.
Affiliation:
James Cook University
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Abstract

The popular interpretations of the end of Spanish colonial rule in Negros Occidental, Philippines, are closely intertwined with Masonic-related imageries that suffused the colony's export-oriented economy in general and the province's sugar industry in particular. Through an investigation of folklore as a bearer of historical consciousness, it is argued that the elite-led one-day uprising that led to Spain's downfall in the province contained a mythical dimension that helped solidify the dominance of the local sugar planter class.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Southeast Asian Studies , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , September 1997 , pp. 285 - 300
Copyright
Copyright © The National University of Singapore 1997

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References

1 The mythical figure that Araneta is to the Negrenses inspired the character of Magnon in a magical adventure series broadcast over the local radio station, dyRH in the 1970s. Magnon, like Araneta, flies on his white horse and remains a captivating figure in the popular Negrense imagination.

2 Emilio Aguinaldo, who fought the Spaniards and the Americans in Luzon and who established a short-lived revolutionary government, was similarly portrayed in local legends as having magical connections with the spirit-world. This folk understanding of Aguinaldo, however, has been eclipsed by the scholarly and polemical works written about him. See Santos, Alfonso P., “Aguinaldo on Rizal — And ‘Three Aguinaldo Tales’”, Historical Bulletin 3 (1959): 55–60Google Scholar.

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26 The martyrdom of Jose Rizal was first memorialized in the shape of a Masonic-inspired obelisk on which were written the titles of his two great novels. Erected in the throes of the revolution, the monument found in Daet, Camarines Norte does not contain Rizal's image or statue. Anderson, Benedict, “Replica, Aura, and Late Nationalist Imaginings”, Qui Parle 7 (1993): 1–21Google Scholar.

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29 Negros Governor Luis Martinez to the Governor-General, Bacolod 25 Jan. 1897, PNA Guardia Civil, Bundle No. 39 (1897-A). Cf. appended letter of Juan Adarves, Primer Teniente Comandante de Guardia Civil, Hog 22 Jan. 1897.

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31 Jose Ner, “El Porque del Levantamiento de Negros Occidental”, La Republica Filipina (18 Nov. 1898), p. 2.

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34 Anonymous, “Una Interview”, La Republica Filipina (26 Nov. 1898), pp. 1–2.

35 Ner, “El Porque del Levantamiento de Negros Occidental”.

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37 Fuentes, Datos Para la Historia, p. 42.

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41 Stewart, “Agricultural Conditions in the Philippine Islands”, p. 182.

42 Araneta, “Rendicion de Bakolod”.

43 Stewart, “Agricultural Conditions in the Philippine Islands”, p. 198.

44 Interview with Juan Araneta's granddaughter Emma Arguelles, 85 years old, in Bacolod on 25 October 1990.

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48 Ibid., p. 149.

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50 Estadistica de las Causas Criminales, negocios civiles y espedientes de Gobierno, despachados por la Real Audiencia de Filipinas, 1871–87, Archivo Historico National (Madrid), Legajo 2238, Expediente No. 99.

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53 Acta of the Republica Filipina de Negros, Alabhid or Paraizo 2 May 1899, and Filomeno Auit, Comandante del Ejercito, to Arcadio Maxilom y Molero, Jefe de Operaciones en Cebu, Kabalanan 26 April 1901, PIR, PR 91, “Daily Account of Operations in Negros” Folder; Undated and unsigned circular requesting contributions to the revolution (original Ilonggo in the PIR file), PIR, SD 58, Folder 970.11 (also PNL Noble Collection, 14, 2387–2388); and Dionicio Papa to Rufo Oyos, Campamento General 13 June 1901, PIR, SD 58, Folder 970.4–4 (also PNL Noble Collection, 29, 4646–4648).

54 Leandro Fullon to the Ejercito Expedicionario para Negros, San Juan de Buenavista 25 September 1899, PNL Noble Collection, 26, 4299–4300.

55 Dionisio Papa to Jose de la Vina, Paraiso 3 August 1900, PNL Noble Collection, 29, 4669–4670.

56 Acta of the Republica Filipina de Negros, Alabhid or Paraizo 2 May 1899, PIR, PR 91, “Daily Account of Operations in Negros” Folder.

57 Sample pledges in Ilonggo by followers of Dionisio Papa, with Spanish translations, Paraizo 6 April 1901, PNL Noble Collection, 25, 4132–4135.

58 Undated and unsigned circular requesting contributions to the revolution (original Ilonggo in the PIR file), PIR, SD 58, Folder 970.11 (also PNL Noble Collection, 14, 2387–2388).

59 Schurman, J. G. et al. , “Preliminary Report of the Commission, 2 November 1899”, in Report of the Philippine Commission to the President, 31 January 1900, Vol. 1, Exhibit I (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1900), p. 180Google Scholar.

60 Taylor, W. C., “Report of the Third District, Philippines Constabulary, Cebu 11 September 1902”, in Third Annual Report of the Philippine Commission 1902, Part 1, Exhibit G (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1903), pp. 217-18Google Scholar.

61 Ibid., pp. 218–19. The Third District covered the Provinces of Antique, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Doilo, Leyte, Misamis, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Samar, and Surigao.

62 Dionisio Papa to Jose de la Vina, Paraiso 3 August 1900, PNL Noble Collection, 29, 4679; Calistro Segubila to Rufo Oyos, Cartagena 9 November 1900, PIR, SD 58, Folder 970.4–1 (also PNL Noble Collection, 29, 4645–4646).