PART II

Introduction

“Salaysay na may saysay para sa sinalaysayang grupo ng tao”.—Zues Salazar, a quote

that talks about how significant an information is. Just like history, it is an experience in which it
tells something that has relevance to its readers. It is something that happened in the past that
gives great impact of what it is today. A series of previous significant events that molds the thing
called, today.

In this paper, we will be discussing important Philippine histories that have given us ideas
and information about that time; brings us different insights and thoughts about the happenings
in the past; and also left us questions about its importance and value. The paper will discuss the
following topic: first, “The Site of the First Mass”—a historical issue about where did the first
mass happen. Second, “The Cavity Mutiny”—talks about awakening of nationalism by the
execution of GOMBURZA and the abolition of the laborers of the Cavite Arsenal. Next is, “Jose
Rizal’s Retraction”—an issue or controversy for its authenticity. Lastly, “The Katipunan’s
Cry”—historical issue about where did the cry happen.
 PART III

The Jose Rizal’s Retraction

Nowadays the controversy about the document of retraction of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is still fiercely
being debated. The controversy talks about the allegedly retraction of the national hero—Dr. Jose
P. Rizal, from all of his works and accusations against the Spanish friars and the Catholic Church
and the alliance of masonic group, moment ago before his execution. Different historians tackled
about the controversy stating it was true because there are said evidences that verifies the
retraction. But some historian also denied the retraction and laydown evidences that support their
claims.

There are two (2) major arguments that support that Rizal retracted; first is the “Document”
being found by archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia in 1935 is said to be imperative evidence that Rizal
retracted; there were two eyewitnesses that are directly involved during the retraction of Rizal. In
the first argument it refers to the tangible file that being found and alleged as “original” by Fr.
Manuel Garcia, thirty-nine years after Rizal’s death. The second argument according to Ricardo
P Garcia’s “The Great Debate: The Rizal’s Retraction” there were two individuals that are
closely associated in the incident before, during and after the writing of the said document. These
two eyewitnesses are Fr. Vicente Balaguer and Former Lieutenant of the Infantry, Mariano
Martinez Gallegos. According to Fr. Balaguer, Rizal have rude awakening and do prayers,
confession and other catholic practices four times. According to lieutenant Gallegos, he
confirmed that Rizal write and sign a document with key eyewitnesses that reflected also in the
document itself.
There were also new document that had arisen and newly interpreted that gives more idea about
the retraction; these are “The Cuerpo de Vigilencia” and “The La Imitacion de Cristo”. The
Cuerpo de Vigilencia, according to Ricardo P Garcia, is a transcript of record of event during the
day of execution. Prior to the execution actions or movements of Rizal are being stated in this
document. The document states that Rizal had written a document called retraction before he
executed. The La Imitacion de Cristo refers to the book being given my Rizal to his unhappy
wife—Josephine Bracken, an hour before his execution. The book is a religious book about
Catholicism.
There were three (3) major arguments that denied that retraction of Rizal, these are; the retraction
document itself is not original; that Josephine remained unmarried; and that the fallout of pro-
Retraction leads to different points. In the first argument, according to National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Fr. Pio Pi reported that the document itself isn’t
authentic because when it was reproduced verbatim and published in Spain, also that the
document that was being found by Fr. Manuel Garcia is also a copied form. According to some
historians the marriage of Rizal and Bracken is still a mystery. In the point of view of the anti-
retraction Josephine remained unmarried because there was no evidence like marriage contract
that she and Rizal got married.

Reading and understanding both side of the controversy it led me to a point of view. In my
opinion, I am in neutral zone yet believing that he retracted. I can say that he retracted because
of the found document itself. The document itself in my point is a great impact to the issue
because it is tangible; and yes there were allegation that it was being copied or reproduced but if
it is being reproduced it means that there is actually a document that exists about his retraction.
In other words, the document was being reproduced, and because of that reproduction it created
conflict about the authenticity of the document. Not referring to the authenticity, in my opinion,
there is a retraction that happens because how can someone created or reproduce the retraction if
there is no retraction? It would still fall to the bottom line that there is really a retraction, but it
was conflicted due to reproduction.
The Site of the First Mass

Christianity was being brought in the Philippines by the missionaries form Spain to voyage to
find around the world. The voyagers from Spain are Ferdinand Magellan—a Portuguese soldier-
adventurer-seaman employed by Spain, together with Antonio Pigaffeta—an Italian adventurer
who came along in the ride. They discover the Philippines in March 16, 1521. Christianity was
bought by them here in the Philippines during early 16th century.

The site of the first mass here in the Philippines becomes a controversy. Various question had
arisen about where did really the first mass happened. There are two places being debated by
different historians in this issue. These places are the Limasawa or Butuan City.