Hermano Pule

Apolinario de la Cruz (July 22, 1814 - November 4, 1841), known as Hermano Puli or Pule ("Brother Puli"), led a major revolt against Spanish rule of the Philippines based on a struggle for religious freedom and independence.

Early life

Hermano Pule was born on July 22, 1814 in Barrio Pandác in the town of Lucban in Tayabas province (now Quezon). In 1829, he decided to become a priest and tried to join the Dominican Order in Manila. During these times, Roman Catholic religious orders were closed for native people (indios), thus Hermano Pule's application was rejected for the sole reason of being a native. Apolinario decided to work at San Juan de Dios Hospital. During this time, he studied the Bible and other religious writings.

Cofradia

In 1832, de la Cruz founded the Cofradia de San José (Confraternity of St. Joseph), composed of indios. He was known to his followers as Hermano Pule. The Filipino brotherhood fostered a practice of Christian virtues, and most of its adherents were from Tayabas,Laguna and Batangas. The Cofradia prohibited Spaniards and mestizos from joining without de la Cruz's permission, and can be seen as a retaliation for the unfair treatment of the Spaniards to the natives in church.The members of the Cofradia gave monthly contributions to defray the cost of monthly mass in Lucban, and the monthly fiestas of his followers.

Suppression

Authorities, including Spanish Governor-General Marcelino Oraá and Roman Catholic Archbishop José Segui regarded the brotherhood as heresy and an abomination of universal Christian values, ordering its dissolution. Despite its religious prohibition, the botherhood's numbers continued to grow. In addition to the fact that the Cofradia only accepted natives, it was highly suspected that religion was used as a blind for political design and potentially insurgent against Spanish authorities.

Feeling an attack on their religious freedom from Catholic authorities, de la Cruz rallied 4,000 followers at Barrio Isabang on the slope of Mount Banahaw and was able to resist an attack by Alcalde-mayor Joaquín Ortega and his 300 men on October 23, 1841. Ortega was killed in the battle, prompting the Spanish authorities to send reinforcements from Manila. On November 1, the government forces led by Colonel Joaquín Huet annihilated the Cofradia militia, allegedly massacring hundreds of old men, women, and children who joined Hermano Pule in Alitao in defying the Catholic leaders of the Church.

Death

Pule fled to Barrio Gibanga but was captured by authorities the following evening. On November 4, 1841, after a brief trial held at the present Casa Comunidad, he was executed by a firing squad at the town of Tayabas, at the age of 27. After he was killed, the authorities "quartered" his body, cut off his head and placed it on a stake as a warning to those who are similarly inclined. A monument in his honor now stands in Tayabas City, and his death anniversary is a holiday in Quezon Province. Hermano Pule may have influenced secular priest José Burgos - who was executed in 1872 - to demand for racial equality in the clergy.

See also

• Philippine revolts against Spain
• Thomism

References

Bibliography

• Zaide, Sonia M. The Philippines, a Unique Nation, page 199

Renato Constantino A past revisited, page 139