Gomburza: The Execution of Filipino Catholic Priests
Gomburza, alternatively stylized as GOMBURZA or GOMBURZA, is the collective name of three Filipino Catholic priests (Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora) who were executed by Spanish colonial authorities in 1872 for allegedly orchestrating the Cavite Mutiny.
Falsely Accused and Martyrdom
Known for their passionate campaign for secularization and equal rights among native priests, they were falsely accused of a mutiny in Cavite and put to death by garrote on February 17, 1872. Their deaths ignited a movement in the Philippines that would eventually culminate in the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the country's declaration of independence.
Legacy and Controversies
The three priests were buried in unmarked graves in Paco Park Cemetery in Manila. While some historians believe that the inscription in a photograph used on a 10-peso banknote is the same as the three's actual bodies, there are still doubts about their identities.
They were 73, 35, and 30 years old when they died, according to Rizal. They were not the only Filipinos to be killed by the Spaniards in the years before and after the Revolution.
Their martyrdom was a catalyst for nationalism, especially among the ilustrados. It was a turning point in Filipino history and inspired many Filipino national heroes, including Dr. José Rizal, who dedicated his second novel El Filibusterismo to their memory.
It was also a catalyst for the establishment of a wholly Filipino church, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
Commemoration and a Film
Jesuit Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, announced on Thursday that a film about three Gomburza priests who were murdered by Spanish authorities in 1872 will be released this year. The film will star veteran and award-winning actor Dante Rivero as Padre Mariano Gomez, theater artist Cedrick Juan as Padre Jose Burgos, and Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee as Padre Jacinto Zamora.
The film will be directed by Venice International Film Festival Orrizonti Prize winner Pepe Diokno and written by writer Rody Vera. It will be produced by JESUIT Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines and the company behind the 2016 action-drama biopic Ignacio de Loyola.
Commemoration of Their Sacrifice
The 151st anniversary of the Gomburza martyrs' death will be commemorated on March 2. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, will hold events in all parts of the country to commemorate their sacrifice and the nation's heritage.
