Philippine E-Journals

Paging Dato Kalantiao in the New Province of Aklan

Digno Alba

Discipline: History

 

Abstract:

One of Dr. Jose Rizal's epigrams is: "In order to read the destiny of a people, it is necessary to open the book of its past." And so, Dr. Rizal asked his brother Paciano to tell him about the three great Filipino priests - Burgos, Zamora and Gomez. When Dr. Rizal learned of the causes of their martyrdom, and had already finished his studies in Europe he later dedicated to them his "El Filibusterismo" in memory of their sacrifices at the altar of our Country's liberty and freedom, for being the lightbringer of emancipation from tyranny. Of

them, Dr. Rizal exclaimed: "they have suffered so that their ideals may be known and disseminated." And in the dedication to the three martyrs, Dr. Rizal wrote: " .... the Government, by surrounding your trials with mystery and shadows causes the belief that there was some error, committed in fatal moments; and all the Philippines, by worshipping your memory and calling you martyrs, in no sense recognizes your culpability .... And while we wait expectantly upon Spain some day to restore your good name and cease to be answerable for your death, let these pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves over your unknown tombs, and let it be understood that everyone who without clear proofs attacks your memory, stains his hands in your blood."