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Andres Malong was the maestro-de-campo (master of camp) of Pangasinan during the
1600’s and was also known as the leader of a bloody revolt against the Spaniards that lasted from
1660-1661 in Pangasinan. He originally hailed from Binalatongan, now San Carlos City,
Pangasinan. Malong is also as the self-proclaimed “King of Pangasinan” (fil Hari ng Pangasinan).
Although there were many identified reasons why the Pangasinense wanted revolution, the
prevalent reason why revolution was heavily wanted was the maltreatment of Filipino laborers
included in the polo y servicio by the Spaniards. More than a thousand natives of Pangasinan,
Ilocos, Cagayan, and Bataan were employed to render labor by cutting timber for ships. Salaries of
the laborers were not given despite having worked for many months, which caused the agitation of
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the natives against the Spaniards. However, Malong had a different perspective when it came to
revolution. Malong’s revolt only targeted the Spaniard officials, not the priests.
Early Revolution
Malong’s first campaign for revolution occurred in Malangue (Malunguey according to
other accounts). By the time Malong attempted to stir the people of Malangue into revolution,
news of another failed revolution that occurred in Pampanga under the leadership of Maniago
(who had already surrendered at the time) had already reached Spanish officials. Taking
precautionary measures, Governor Francisco Amaya quickly sent reinforcements to Malong’s area
in order to aid in quelling possible revolts by the natives. Since the Spanish officials have been
expecting another spark of revolution, the Spanish troops caught Malong’s forces off guard and
overpowered them. With this failed attempt, Malong was willing to take other measures.
Overwhelmed with the feeling of triumph, Malong celebrated with his troops, overlooking
the fact that Juan Camacho, a frayle living in a convent that was burnt down in Dagupan, was left
alive and served as a key to countering Malong’s troops. While Malong was busy celebrating and
organizing his continually growing army of natives, the Spanish were already devising a plan to
bring down Malong’s forces. Malong sent two thirds of his forces to Ilocos and Pampanga,
diminishing his army greatly in Pangasinan. The Spanish also intercepted Malong’s letter to
Maniago about the revolution. This gave the Spanish officials more hints on where revolutions
might take place. With the warfare expertise of Governor De Lara, a plan that would lead to
Malong’s downfall was materialized.
army was vulnerable in their homeland. Governor de Lara planned to attack Malong’s troops
through all sides of the Pangasinan province. January 6, 1661 was the day Malong’s troops were
not expecting a counter attack from all sides of Lingayen. With the expertise of the generals
overseeing the counter attack –namely General Felipe Ugalde, Captains Cristobal Romero, Juan
Diaz Yanez, Nicolas Blanco, and Lorenzo Coronado, the Spanish forces successfully drove
Malong’s army out of Lingayen, forcing Malong’s forces to return to Binalatongan.
Malong had ordered to set Binalatongan on fire since (1) Binalatongan was already a
poverty stricken area and there would be no difference if it would be set on fire, (2) the Spanish
forces might be able to track them down. A final stand off occurred in Binalatongan. More than
500 natives of Malong’s army were killed while the very minuscule number of Malong’s forces
successfully hid in the jungle. Shortly thereafter, Malong’s troops surrendered and pointed out that
Malong was hiding in a hut along with a 10-year old female captive, daughter of Francisco Pulido,
whom Malong wanted to wed in the far future. Malong was captured by the Spaniards on February
6, 1661 and was held captive in Binalatongan. Andres Malong was shot in 1661 (exact date in
1661 is unknown), according to many Dominican friars. The Dominican friars had also mentioned
that he died a good Catholic, hinting that despite his acts in the bloody revolution, he never
renounced his faith. This served as the end of the Pangasinan revolts.
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Malong’s Legacy
After being the site where the “King of Pangasinan” was at his prime, the city of Lingayen
soon flourished, along with Dagupan. These two cities have remained one of the prime cities of
Pngasinan even in the present day, with Lingayen as the capital. Binalatongan (San Carlos)
remained stagnant but eventually flourished, but not as much as the Lingayen and Dagupan.
Present day San Carlos City. Courtesy of San Carlos City local government tourism
Andres Malong’s Revolt was also placed as a mural in Corregidor’s Filipino Heroes
memorial, where he is considered as one of the few brave souls who dared go against the
tyrannical Spaniards.
Bibliography
Blair, E.H. & Robertson, J. The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898. 1903
Cortez, R.M., “Pangasinan 1572-1800,” Quezon City: New Day Publishers, 1990
Simeon R. (n.d.). “Andres Malong: Worthy of Being the King of Pangasinan. A response towards
the misleading story of the Spaniards.” (Dissertation). Retrieved from Academia Database
http://www.academia.edu/13834699/Andres_Malong_Worthy_of_Being_the_King_of_Pangasina
n
Andres Malong, 1660. ‘Ang Hari Ng Pangasinan’. (n.d.) Retrieved from Mga Kasaysayan ng
PINAS: Pundar Pang-Pilipino database http://www.elaput.org/chrmlong.htm
History of Pangasinan. (n.d.) Retrieved from The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan
and its People http://pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/history/
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