Corregidor Sanctuary Shows Redeeming Performance
A summary of the survey of coral reefs by Silliman University and the Australian Research Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Australia, under the “Bohol Sea Marine Reserves and Connectivity Project.”
Coral reefs are natural food factories. With their continued decimation, our fish gets smaller, fewer, and more expensive. Saving strategic reefs could demonstrate the role of conservation.
Sampling surveys were conducted on 30 August to 7 September 2006 at 11 reefs in Surigao del Norte: 2 in Dinagat, 4 in Siargao, 5 in Surigao City. Target reef fish biomass, or the collective weight of fishes per unit of area of coral reef, ranged from 10 tons per sq km at Union (Dapa) and Corregidor in Casulian Island, Dapa.
The biomass values found in Surigao del Norte reefs were a small fraction of the biomass recorded for areas that have benefited from a significant duration of protective management using no-take marine reserves as in the case of Corregidor Marine Sanctuary, which was established in 1998.
Surigao del Norte reefs had less than 3% of the target fish biomass recorded for Balicasag Marine Reserve in Bohol, a reserve established for 21 years. At best, the reefs in the province had only 18% of the target fish biomass recorded for Bil-isan Reserve in Bohol, a relatively young marine reserve established 4 years.
The low biomass found for Surigao del Norte reefs was considered as not the result of poor habitat condition, but rather, of overharvesting.
Overfishing. Predatory reef fishes belonging to the families of groupers (baghak, pugapo), jacks (langog) snappers (maya-maya), emperors, (dugso) contribute significantly to the standing stock on healthy coral reef. Top predators are the first to disappear from an overfished reef.
In the reefs of Surigao del Norte, this group of fishes was practically absent, indicating overharvesting. There are however, indications of potential recovery of these important target fish in some areas if protective management is enforced.
Destructive fishing. Blast fishing was actually noted at the time. In the surveys in Casulian Island (Dapa) an average of 1 blast every 15 minutes during the dive. Anecdotal information revealed fishers now employ regular household bleach to catch octopus from reefs.
Options. Numerous studies have shown that with effective, long–term protection from fishing, populations of exploited species can recover dramatically inside a no-take marine reserves (Russ 2002). Increased abundance of target species inside marine reserves is expected to benefit fisheries outside reserves through the net export of adult fish or spill over, and larvae recruitment subsidy, expected to occur within hundreds of meters of reserve boundaries within the barangay or municipality, while recruitment subsidy could occur over tens to hundreds of kilometers within the province and beyond.
Local spillover benefits may prove important in convincing communities to support establishment and protection of marine reserves.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Readings on Siargao Islands_2 of 4
INTO THE DYNAMICS OF THE MOLUCCAS
The island had always been named “Isla de San Juan” as shown in “Map of South Philippines and Maluku” by Nuno Garcia (Italy,1523) taken from Magellan’s Italian chronichler Pigafetta, “Les Isles Philippines” Sanson d’Abbeville (1652), and those by Dampier (1686), Murillo de Velarde (1760, Belgium). The name no longer appeared in later maps. In “The Philippine Islands” (British, 1857) the islands are named Siargao and Bucas.
Mindanao, and inevitably Siargao, is more intertwined with the dynamics of the Moluccas, or Maluku, the “Land of Kings.” This is located about 250 km below the eastern sector of Mindanao, perhaps the distance from Surigao to Masbate. Bornean Sultans of Moluccas named Mindanao Maluku Besar or Greater Moluccas. Velarde’s map on Moluccas did not include Visayas and Luzon. With a few island hops, trade passed thru Saranggani. The Sultan of Ternate once aided the Sultan of Maguindanao against Spaniards, showing the close ties.
Karaga, became the eastern corridor of the conquistadores.
Magellan’s voyage in 1521 captained by Sebastian del Cano, the ships of Garcia Jofre de Loaisa (1527) piloted by Captain Garquizano, and Alvaro de Saavedra (1528), charted and passed by the Hinatuan Passage and Bucas Grande, southward to Moluccas.
When the Portuguese, settled in Moluccas since 1512, noticed Spain’s positioning in their claimed territory, Karaga became the staging point their rivalry.
The Portuguese made their presence felt. Joao de Canha Pinto reconnoitered in Sarangani, Surigao, Butuan and Camiguin. To assert their legal rights thru baptism, Francisco de Castro sailed from Ternate and baptized Soligano, the Chief of Surigao in the name of the Governor of Moluccas, Don Antonio Galvano.
COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
Evangelization of the Distrito de Caraga and Siargao started in 1622. Schreurs says that the people of Siargao lived in real Paradise, the natives living in houses on trees. From their abode, they warded off conquering Spaniards, killing, or dying, when necessary. Siargao became an encomienda of Sargento Martin dela Cuesta in 1655.
By 1855, four Pueblos had established civil governments under the Gobierno Militar y Political de Surigao. Caolo, the capital of the island with the Visita of Pamosaingan in north Bucas Grande, the Pueblo of Sapao with the Visita of San Isidro, the Pueblo of Cabuntog, the Pueblo of Dapa with the Visitas of Pilar, Cambasag, and Socorro.
THE MANDAYA REVOLT OF CARAGA
The Mandaya live at the southern part of Karaga, while the northern coast is populated by the Manobo. And Mamanwa. The Mandaya were the first natives who settled in Siargao, particularly, Sapao.
The Mandaya were also the first to struggle against the Spaniards. Balintos, one of the Chiefs, attacked Cabuntog in July 20, 1631 with eleven boats. The priest Fray Lorenzo de Facundo fled to Placer. Sapao escaped their fury at the intervention of the brother-in-law of the Mandaya Datu of Tago.
THE MORO WARS: AN EXTENDED WAR IN HOT SPICE
Siargao Islands underwent depredations of Moro warfare, losing thousands of inhabitants as slaves 1644 to 1754.
It was an imported war. Spain and Portugal had a consuming hatred of the Moors of North Africa who subjugated them for 700 years. Thus, their overwhelming objective was to control the spice and ship routes to upstage Mecca and India. From the other side of the globe, warfare was brought to the Islamic Malayan Archipelago
As soon as our natives joined the colonizers in the war against them, the Moros counted them as enemies. In 1604, the battles in Mindanao began.
The most disastrous attacks were made in Numancia and Sapao in 1749. In October 1752, Moros from Jolo ransacked and burned the convent and church of Caolo, killed priests, and kidnapped locals.
LIFE IN THE LIVING ISLAND
Siargao Islands has a moderate rolling topography. The highest point is Mt. Sibonga in Middle Bucas known locally as Alimbongog (291masl). Others notable are Mt Baliuku (Burgos, 184m), those between Pilar and Del Carmen (226m), those feeding the waterways of Del Carmen and Dapa (185-274m), and the rest at Bucas Grande.
Leading rivers that feed the fields are the Lumaton and Bagacay Rivers of Del Carmen, and the Coconut River of Pilar.
Reefs are inexhaustible goldmines of the inhabitants. This is where our fishermen get their catch each morning when the fish feed. Most of these are located at the western and southern side of the islands. Most critical ones are Seco Reef of Pansukian Cay, Barrabas and Quico. The biggest reef assemblies are the Sugbuhan and Malayo.
TREASURES OF NATURE: DIVERSE ADVENTURE.
The east and north sides have the big swells from the Pacific, that surges upon contact at the reef base. The western and southern sides of the island being leeward, have 5,000 ha of mangrove and broad reef flats, attributed to lesser turbulence and, directions of waterflows from the uplands of the central part of the Island.
There are also inland activities that can be done like caving.
SOURCE: PAG-ASA Surigao City Metreological StationFlora and Fauna : Include flowering plants, orchids ferns, magcono, black kamagong, ornamentals, pitcher plants, Surigao dendrobium and fire orchids mostly in Caub and Bucas Grande. Terrestrial and wetland birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, 105 species of butterflies, 137 species of marine mollusks, 38 genera of corals of which 106 species have been recorded from a single reef. Endangered and Rare Species: Green Turtle (chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Erethmochelys imbricata), the rare whale shark, Rhincodon typus.
The island had always been named “Isla de San Juan” as shown in “Map of South Philippines and Maluku” by Nuno Garcia (Italy,1523) taken from Magellan’s Italian chronichler Pigafetta, “Les Isles Philippines” Sanson d’Abbeville (1652), and those by Dampier (1686), Murillo de Velarde (1760, Belgium). The name no longer appeared in later maps. In “The Philippine Islands” (British, 1857) the islands are named Siargao and Bucas.
Mindanao, and inevitably Siargao, is more intertwined with the dynamics of the Moluccas, or Maluku, the “Land of Kings.” This is located about 250 km below the eastern sector of Mindanao, perhaps the distance from Surigao to Masbate. Bornean Sultans of Moluccas named Mindanao Maluku Besar or Greater Moluccas. Velarde’s map on Moluccas did not include Visayas and Luzon. With a few island hops, trade passed thru Saranggani. The Sultan of Ternate once aided the Sultan of Maguindanao against Spaniards, showing the close ties.
Karaga, became the eastern corridor of the conquistadores.
Magellan’s voyage in 1521 captained by Sebastian del Cano, the ships of Garcia Jofre de Loaisa (1527) piloted by Captain Garquizano, and Alvaro de Saavedra (1528), charted and passed by the Hinatuan Passage and Bucas Grande, southward to Moluccas.
When the Portuguese, settled in Moluccas since 1512, noticed Spain’s positioning in their claimed territory, Karaga became the staging point their rivalry.
The Portuguese made their presence felt. Joao de Canha Pinto reconnoitered in Sarangani, Surigao, Butuan and Camiguin. To assert their legal rights thru baptism, Francisco de Castro sailed from Ternate and baptized Soligano, the Chief of Surigao in the name of the Governor of Moluccas, Don Antonio Galvano.
COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
Evangelization of the Distrito de Caraga and Siargao started in 1622. Schreurs says that the people of Siargao lived in real Paradise, the natives living in houses on trees. From their abode, they warded off conquering Spaniards, killing, or dying, when necessary. Siargao became an encomienda of Sargento Martin dela Cuesta in 1655.
By 1855, four Pueblos had established civil governments under the Gobierno Militar y Political de Surigao. Caolo, the capital of the island with the Visita of Pamosaingan in north Bucas Grande, the Pueblo of Sapao with the Visita of San Isidro, the Pueblo of Cabuntog, the Pueblo of Dapa with the Visitas of Pilar, Cambasag, and Socorro.
THE MANDAYA REVOLT OF CARAGA
The Mandaya live at the southern part of Karaga, while the northern coast is populated by the Manobo. And Mamanwa. The Mandaya were the first natives who settled in Siargao, particularly, Sapao.
The Mandaya were also the first to struggle against the Spaniards. Balintos, one of the Chiefs, attacked Cabuntog in July 20, 1631 with eleven boats. The priest Fray Lorenzo de Facundo fled to Placer. Sapao escaped their fury at the intervention of the brother-in-law of the Mandaya Datu of Tago.
THE MORO WARS: AN EXTENDED WAR IN HOT SPICE
Siargao Islands underwent depredations of Moro warfare, losing thousands of inhabitants as slaves 1644 to 1754.
It was an imported war. Spain and Portugal had a consuming hatred of the Moors of North Africa who subjugated them for 700 years. Thus, their overwhelming objective was to control the spice and ship routes to upstage Mecca and India. From the other side of the globe, warfare was brought to the Islamic Malayan Archipelago
As soon as our natives joined the colonizers in the war against them, the Moros counted them as enemies. In 1604, the battles in Mindanao began.
The most disastrous attacks were made in Numancia and Sapao in 1749. In October 1752, Moros from Jolo ransacked and burned the convent and church of Caolo, killed priests, and kidnapped locals.
LIFE IN THE LIVING ISLAND
Siargao Islands has a moderate rolling topography. The highest point is Mt. Sibonga in Middle Bucas known locally as Alimbongog (291masl). Others notable are Mt Baliuku (Burgos, 184m), those between Pilar and Del Carmen (226m), those feeding the waterways of Del Carmen and Dapa (185-274m), and the rest at Bucas Grande.
Leading rivers that feed the fields are the Lumaton and Bagacay Rivers of Del Carmen, and the Coconut River of Pilar.
Reefs are inexhaustible goldmines of the inhabitants. This is where our fishermen get their catch each morning when the fish feed. Most of these are located at the western and southern side of the islands. Most critical ones are Seco Reef of Pansukian Cay, Barrabas and Quico. The biggest reef assemblies are the Sugbuhan and Malayo.
TREASURES OF NATURE: DIVERSE ADVENTURE.
The east and north sides have the big swells from the Pacific, that surges upon contact at the reef base. The western and southern sides of the island being leeward, have 5,000 ha of mangrove and broad reef flats, attributed to lesser turbulence and, directions of waterflows from the uplands of the central part of the Island.
There are also inland activities that can be done like caving.
SOURCE: PAG-ASA Surigao City Metreological StationFlora and Fauna : Include flowering plants, orchids ferns, magcono, black kamagong, ornamentals, pitcher plants, Surigao dendrobium and fire orchids mostly in Caub and Bucas Grande. Terrestrial and wetland birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, 105 species of butterflies, 137 species of marine mollusks, 38 genera of corals of which 106 species have been recorded from a single reef. Endangered and Rare Species: Green Turtle (chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Erethmochelys imbricata), the rare whale shark, Rhincodon typus.
The Aftermath of the Colorum Uprising
Details on the Military-Side On the Cofradia Uprising of 1924
BUCAS GRANDE ISLANDS
The armed forces during the US colonial period starting in 1899 consisted of regular American soldiers – from the US Army Philippine Department, Navy and Marines. These were coordinated with their involvements in China and Japan as well.
In 1900, to supplement the American forces, the Philippine Scouts (PS) was organized, officered by Americans. The Philippine Scouts lasted up to 1946, and the latter generations fought the Japanese. Those involved in the Philippine Insurrection, as the US Government calls it, from 1900 to 1937 thereabouts, were referred to as the ‘old Philippine Scouts’.
By 1919-1920, the Philippine Scouts were organized in Batallions and Regiments namely: the 43rd, 45th, and 47th Infantry Regiment PS; the 24th, 25th, Artillery Regiment PS, the 26th Cavalry Regiment PS. Later, there were Service and Support Formations such as the Coast Artillery, Medical Quartermaster, and the Fil-Am MP Company.
The Philippine Scouts is not to be confused with the Constabulary, which was basically a police force consisting of locals, officered by Americans, and later, including Filipinos . At the time of the conflict in Bucas, they were also in charge of health measures (Hurley) to cut down the outbreak of cholera in those times.
The Patrol Gunship USS (PG-19) Sacramento was a brand-new acquisition of the US Navy manufactured 10 years earlier. It saw action in China and the WWII, until finally decommissioned and sold. The designation PG-19 distinguishes her from other ships of the same name. She was supported by the Coast Guard Cutter Polillo.
The ship Commander was FRANK JACK FLETCHER, reporting to the Commander in Chief of the US Asiatic Fleet. The Sacramento fired 148 rounds of 4-inch battery. Fletcher became famous as Admiral of the USS Midway in WWII.
Lt. Col. Clarence H. Bowers led the assaulting team of with 100 elements, aided by a Marine machinegun team. Accordingly, many lives were saved because of “the terror inspired in the colorums by their machine guns”. Bowers was a veteran of the campaigns of Cuba, Jolo and Samar. While major, he was Superintendent of the School for Police Officers, now the Philippine Military Academy.. He retired as Brigadier General and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in California. His wife and daughter in Manila has not been heard of.
The Governor General, Major General Leonard Wood, a doctor by profession, became a veteran scout of the Indian campaigns with his superior Theodore Roosevelt who was President of the United States in 1902. Wood was the first Governor of Mindanao and Sulu – the only area consistently governed by a military governor since 1578. To implement the Residence Tax, he attacked the Moros in the slope of the volcano Bud Dajo in Jolo, killing 600 on record – men, women, children. Today, by a law sponsored by Senator Pimentel, 1000 of those dead are declared Martyrs. Wood prohibited the display of heroes in Mindanao after the Bucas event. He established the Culion Leper Colony. He died shortly in the US of brain cancer to the relief of Filipino officials.
Other elements involved were: the 15th Constabulary Coy, and Col. Ole Waloe, Major Stevens of the Sulu Expeditionary Force boarding the Presidential Yacht “Apo..”
BUCAS GRANDE ISLANDS
The armed forces during the US colonial period starting in 1899 consisted of regular American soldiers – from the US Army Philippine Department, Navy and Marines. These were coordinated with their involvements in China and Japan as well.
In 1900, to supplement the American forces, the Philippine Scouts (PS) was organized, officered by Americans. The Philippine Scouts lasted up to 1946, and the latter generations fought the Japanese. Those involved in the Philippine Insurrection, as the US Government calls it, from 1900 to 1937 thereabouts, were referred to as the ‘old Philippine Scouts’.
By 1919-1920, the Philippine Scouts were organized in Batallions and Regiments namely: the 43rd, 45th, and 47th Infantry Regiment PS; the 24th, 25th, Artillery Regiment PS, the 26th Cavalry Regiment PS. Later, there were Service and Support Formations such as the Coast Artillery, Medical Quartermaster, and the Fil-Am MP Company.
The Philippine Scouts is not to be confused with the Constabulary, which was basically a police force consisting of locals, officered by Americans, and later, including Filipinos . At the time of the conflict in Bucas, they were also in charge of health measures (Hurley) to cut down the outbreak of cholera in those times.
The Patrol Gunship USS (PG-19) Sacramento was a brand-new acquisition of the US Navy manufactured 10 years earlier. It saw action in China and the WWII, until finally decommissioned and sold. The designation PG-19 distinguishes her from other ships of the same name. She was supported by the Coast Guard Cutter Polillo.
The ship Commander was FRANK JACK FLETCHER, reporting to the Commander in Chief of the US Asiatic Fleet. The Sacramento fired 148 rounds of 4-inch battery. Fletcher became famous as Admiral of the USS Midway in WWII.
Lt. Col. Clarence H. Bowers led the assaulting team of with 100 elements, aided by a Marine machinegun team. Accordingly, many lives were saved because of “the terror inspired in the colorums by their machine guns”. Bowers was a veteran of the campaigns of Cuba, Jolo and Samar. While major, he was Superintendent of the School for Police Officers, now the Philippine Military Academy.. He retired as Brigadier General and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in California. His wife and daughter in Manila has not been heard of.
The Governor General, Major General Leonard Wood, a doctor by profession, became a veteran scout of the Indian campaigns with his superior Theodore Roosevelt who was President of the United States in 1902. Wood was the first Governor of Mindanao and Sulu – the only area consistently governed by a military governor since 1578. To implement the Residence Tax, he attacked the Moros in the slope of the volcano Bud Dajo in Jolo, killing 600 on record – men, women, children. Today, by a law sponsored by Senator Pimentel, 1000 of those dead are declared Martyrs. Wood prohibited the display of heroes in Mindanao after the Bucas event. He established the Culion Leper Colony. He died shortly in the US of brain cancer to the relief of Filipino officials.
Other elements involved were: the 15th Constabulary Coy, and Col. Ole Waloe, Major Stevens of the Sulu Expeditionary Force boarding the Presidential Yacht “Apo..”
WHAT WAS THE COLORUM, REALLY
Joselito Monzon Ramirez Jr.
In the Philippine Revolution, there were five fronts waged by Filipinos - that of the filibusteros with the likes of Rizal, del Pilar, the insurectos of Bonifacio, the Masons, the Moro, and the colorum. Side by side the Moro, the colorum fought the longest starting from 1848 up to 1899, then joined the War of Independence, and resumed the struggle after Aguinaldo. They supplied manpower and substantial financing to Gen. Malvar, and continued on their struggle from 1903 to 1913. in Mindanao, the known battles of this period are those in the volcanic mountains of Jolo-Bud Dajo, Bud Bagsak, and Bud Tumatangis, and Macahambus in Cagayan de Oro. In Surigao, the colorum extended the fight in 1924.
This was not the only uprising in Surigao. Capt Adriano Concepcion, probably a descendant from Leyte or Bohol, with 23 men, and later assisted by harbor hands, in 1903 captured the Provincial Constabulary command, killed the provincial commander, and controlled the town.
The colorum was a derisive call to the Cofradia de San Jose founded by Apolinario de la Cruz in 1831, a Brother of the Hermanos de San Jose, lay workers of the Hospicio de San Juan de Dios where he worked.
When Cofradia teachings evoked Filipino aspirations in their worship, the curate charged them with state and ecclesiastical crimes. The engagement with the military in 1848 killed 800 members and Apolinario. Now , his writings constitute our Filipino religious literature.
The term while a misnomer, intended to refer to the religious-political organizations that eventually became the country’s major revolutionary front starting with the uprisings in 1848,climaxing in 1896. The Colorum Society, as groups in Luzon were called, fought side by side with other fronts in the Philippine Revolution, namely the insurrectos, the Moros, the filibuster, and Masons. In this country, they, and the Moros, carried Philippine War of Independence from 1899 up to 1913. Colorums provided money and manpower to the last Filipino Generals.
The Cofradia of Surigao, rose suddenly in 1924.
“Colorum” is derived from the phrase saecula saeculorum from Latin prayers used in the Mass, the Psalms and the Rosary, translated “forever and ever, ” prayers used fervently by the pious Cofradia in their worship and devotion to the Sagrado Corazon.
Cofradia are confraternities, or associations in parish work. Members attended funerals to wean people away the babaylan, to minister the sick, keep away from too much alcohol. Cofradias also managed the obras pias or funds contributed by rich Spaniards lent out by the religious.
Cofradias proliferated in the whole country and are existent until now, called deboto. Prominent were the Guardia de Honor of Pangasinan and Ilocos charged to escort the Virgin Mary for the Santacruzan, The Cruz na Bituin of Pampanga, the Santa Iglesia of Bulacan and Tarlac.
Eventually, enmities grew between the Cofradia and the very ecclesiastical authorities that organized them. By today’s language, colorum would be the organized masa. These groups were either excommunicated, or were never recognized by government and the curate. Of course. No colonial government recognizes autonomic entities.
Albeit of the same genre, the groups in Western Visayas were called baylan, for their struggle was led by the village spiritual leader.In the hinterlands of Samar-Leyte, the Cazadores, called pulajans due to their red garments, wrought havoc to American forces long after Aguinaldo surrendered. The pulajanes in particular resented the landed lowlanders, who cheated them with highhanded means.
Fanaticism attributed to the – well, colorum, is not cultic in nature, or exclusive to the society. Supernatural powers, healing methods, oils, chants, Rizalism, New Jerusalem, intercession of parted relatives called anito- characteristic of this society - were spiritual practices carried over by Filipino since time immemorial from Asia-n-Malayan ancestors, alongside their newly embraced faith, only changing in form from time to time.
Conclusion: In the Department Order No 93-693 Series of 1992 entitled Fines and Penalties For Violations of Land Transportation Laws issued by the DOTC, in Section “F” subtitled “Prohibited of Illegal Operation of Motor Vehicles, Number 40 - 41” penalizes the Driver and Owner respectively for “Colorum Operation. ”
As explained, there is no rhyme or reason to use the word colorum to denote a criminality. The Order should be revised so as not to denigrate the pious and nationalistic Filipino mass organization that fought our longest wars for freedom.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son and the Holy Spirit:” (GLORIA Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto). As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.” Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen....
Some Sources: Constantino, Ileto, Guerrero. Interact at josef_ramzi@yahoo.com mob 0919 724 2055
In the Philippine Revolution, there were five fronts waged by Filipinos - that of the filibusteros with the likes of Rizal, del Pilar, the insurectos of Bonifacio, the Masons, the Moro, and the colorum. Side by side the Moro, the colorum fought the longest starting from 1848 up to 1899, then joined the War of Independence, and resumed the struggle after Aguinaldo. They supplied manpower and substantial financing to Gen. Malvar, and continued on their struggle from 1903 to 1913. in Mindanao, the known battles of this period are those in the volcanic mountains of Jolo-Bud Dajo, Bud Bagsak, and Bud Tumatangis, and Macahambus in Cagayan de Oro. In Surigao, the colorum extended the fight in 1924.
This was not the only uprising in Surigao. Capt Adriano Concepcion, probably a descendant from Leyte or Bohol, with 23 men, and later assisted by harbor hands, in 1903 captured the Provincial Constabulary command, killed the provincial commander, and controlled the town.
The colorum was a derisive call to the Cofradia de San Jose founded by Apolinario de la Cruz in 1831, a Brother of the Hermanos de San Jose, lay workers of the Hospicio de San Juan de Dios where he worked.
When Cofradia teachings evoked Filipino aspirations in their worship, the curate charged them with state and ecclesiastical crimes. The engagement with the military in 1848 killed 800 members and Apolinario. Now , his writings constitute our Filipino religious literature.
The term while a misnomer, intended to refer to the religious-political organizations that eventually became the country’s major revolutionary front starting with the uprisings in 1848,climaxing in 1896. The Colorum Society, as groups in Luzon were called, fought side by side with other fronts in the Philippine Revolution, namely the insurrectos, the Moros, the filibuster, and Masons. In this country, they, and the Moros, carried Philippine War of Independence from 1899 up to 1913. Colorums provided money and manpower to the last Filipino Generals.
The Cofradia of Surigao, rose suddenly in 1924.
“Colorum” is derived from the phrase saecula saeculorum from Latin prayers used in the Mass, the Psalms and the Rosary, translated “forever and ever, ” prayers used fervently by the pious Cofradia in their worship and devotion to the Sagrado Corazon.
Cofradia are confraternities, or associations in parish work. Members attended funerals to wean people away the babaylan, to minister the sick, keep away from too much alcohol. Cofradias also managed the obras pias or funds contributed by rich Spaniards lent out by the religious.
Cofradias proliferated in the whole country and are existent until now, called deboto. Prominent were the Guardia de Honor of Pangasinan and Ilocos charged to escort the Virgin Mary for the Santacruzan, The Cruz na Bituin of Pampanga, the Santa Iglesia of Bulacan and Tarlac.
Eventually, enmities grew between the Cofradia and the very ecclesiastical authorities that organized them. By today’s language, colorum would be the organized masa. These groups were either excommunicated, or were never recognized by government and the curate. Of course. No colonial government recognizes autonomic entities.
Albeit of the same genre, the groups in Western Visayas were called baylan, for their struggle was led by the village spiritual leader.In the hinterlands of Samar-Leyte, the Cazadores, called pulajans due to their red garments, wrought havoc to American forces long after Aguinaldo surrendered. The pulajanes in particular resented the landed lowlanders, who cheated them with highhanded means.
Fanaticism attributed to the – well, colorum, is not cultic in nature, or exclusive to the society. Supernatural powers, healing methods, oils, chants, Rizalism, New Jerusalem, intercession of parted relatives called anito- characteristic of this society - were spiritual practices carried over by Filipino since time immemorial from Asia-n-Malayan ancestors, alongside their newly embraced faith, only changing in form from time to time.
Conclusion: In the Department Order No 93-693 Series of 1992 entitled Fines and Penalties For Violations of Land Transportation Laws issued by the DOTC, in Section “F” subtitled “Prohibited of Illegal Operation of Motor Vehicles, Number 40 - 41” penalizes the Driver and Owner respectively for “Colorum Operation. ”
As explained, there is no rhyme or reason to use the word colorum to denote a criminality. The Order should be revised so as not to denigrate the pious and nationalistic Filipino mass organization that fought our longest wars for freedom.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son and the Holy Spirit:” (GLORIA Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto). As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.” Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen....
Some Sources: Constantino, Ileto, Guerrero. Interact at josef_ramzi@yahoo.com mob 0919 724 2055
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)