68. FR. JUAN SEVERINO MALLARI...A CRIME MASTERMIND OR VICTIM OF INJUSTICE?

 

Details of Calligraphic Works of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari
(Archdiocese of Manila Archives)

Questions lingering on your mind regarding Fr. Juan Severino Mallari? Or curiosities arose regarding to the celebrated priest of Magalang, Pampanga? In my last post in this blog entitled, "The Serial Killer Priest of Magalang", you already read about the life of Fr. Mallari based on the initial documentation done by the late Dr. Luciano P.R. Santiago and later by Mr. Robby P. Tantingco. This post will provide perspectives to the different circumstances surrounding the life of Fr. Mallari especially during the killings that occurred in Magalang and his execution using different historiographical materials culled from archives and libraries in the Philippines. 

1. When Fr. Mallari was born?

Fr. Mallari was born on January 8, 1785, in Macabebe, Pampanga and he belonged to the ancient Kapampangan family from Macabebe and Guagua. His family is said to be religious and major benefactors of the church. 

2. Where Fr. Mallari took his education?

He obtained his philosophy degree from the University of Santo Tomas around 1800 and his theology degree from San Carlos Seminary in 1805. He was the classmate of another accomplished Kapampangan priest, Fr. Anselmo Fajardo. He was ordained in 1809 by Archbishop Juan Antonio Zulaybar. 

3. Where he was assigned?

Based on the records culled from the Archdiocese of Manila Archives, Fr. Mallari was assigned as coadjutor (assistant parish priest) in the towns of Gapang, Lubao, and Bacolor. He initially competed for Port of Cavite but the position went to Fr. Thomas Aquino Suares. He later competed for the curacy of Mariveles, Bataan however, the position was granted to Fr. Gregorio de Aragon. Finally, on March 26, 1813, Fr. Mallari was finally granted to him the curacy of Magalang, Pampanga beating two other candidates in terna, Fr. Leoncio Tionson and Fr. Julian Francisco Gavino. He succeeded Fr. Atanacio Mariano. 

4. What is the description of Magalang in 1813?

Magalang in those times was larger in terms of land area including the present town of Concepcion, Tarlac. The town center was located in barrio San Bartolome with lush and green scenery due to the presence of several trees and in addition to the irrigated rice lands. It was surrounded by several small creeks and it was approximately nearer to the larger Parua River. Mt. Arayat or Bunduc Alaya as mentioned by Fr. Mallari on his planes de almas is visible from the midst. There are no available records pertaining to the structure of the church but a pastoral visit report in 1827, a year after the arrest of Fr. Mallari provided some details pertaining to the church structure. The church was made up of tabique pampango bamboo and sawali. Its roof was made up of anahao leaves. It has one retablo mayor and retablo menor located in the baptistry. The church was later renovated by the successive priests until its abandonment in 1863 when the colonial government ordered the eventual transfer of Magalang to the present site and the formal creation of the new town of Concepcion (Tarlac). The former site was later known as balen melacuan (forsaken town) and it was reestablished as barrio San Bartolome, now part of Concepcion, Tarlac.  

5. What are the activities of Fr. Mallari in Magalang?

Aside from serving his parishioners, Fr. Mallari is also a talented calligrapher. His calligraphic works in annual planes de almas show his artistry through his sketches of different objects such as flowers, birds, angels, and other reliefs. Fr. Mallari is very close to his mother and he allowed his immediate family members to stay in Magalang. In those times, the immediate family of the cura are also considered members of the local elite. Later, his brother was elected as gobernadorcillo (mayor) of Magalang. 

6. What really happened on the bloodiest day of 1825? 

On December 4, 1825, the mother of Fr. Mallari died. However, prior to the death of Fr. Mallari's mother, there are already reported mysterious cases of murders in the town. In a report dated December 20, 1825, the families of the five victims pinpointed the crime to the Mallari brothers and their accomplices because the victims were accused by the alleged perpetrators of cursing their ailing mother. As result of this bloodbath, the alcalde mayor ordered the arrest of two brothers and their accomplices. It also ordered the relieving of his gobernadorcillo brother from the post and will conduct new elections for the gobernadorcillo post. The report also mentioned that the authorities further implicated Fr. Mallari in different crimes such as theft and concealment of other criminals. In 1826, Fr. Mallari, his brother, and other accomplices were arrested and they brought to carcel or jail in Bacolor. In 1840, Fr. Mallari was executed by hanging in Manila. 

Conclusion

In 1771, the Augustinian friars were expelled from their parishes in Pampanga and they were replaced by the secular Kapampangan priests. As mentioned by Santiago in his other works there are already native priests specifically from Pampanga are competent enough to assume church responsibilities. When the native clergy assumed the vacant parishes, they also realized not only wider responsibilities but also expanded power and influence over the pueblos. In the case of Fr. Mallari, wherein he wields power and influence over the town of Magalang, it also extended to his immediate family wherein they are had a say in terms of church and political affairs. In an article written by the Spanish chronicler Sinibaldo de Mas he made the case of Fr. Mallari sensational as he exaggeratedly claimed that he murdered 57 of his parishioners. In the reports of the vicar forane and alcalde mayor of Pampanga didn't specify of what method of killings was done to the five victims. It is possible that the crime wasn't directly done by Fr. Mallari or his brother, but probably they employed henchmen from their accomplices to execute the killings.  However, the standing issue of secularization is still lingering in those times. The regulars particularly the Augustinians wanted their parishes back from the native priests and possibly the case of Fr. Mallari was sensationalized because they wanted to show that the native priests were incompetent to run the parishes. It is possible that the killings were intentionally done by Fr. Mallari and his family to become richer and powerful? Or the cases filed against him and his family are politically motivated to give chance to the Augustinians to bring back their lost parishes? 

Primary Sources:

Asuntos del Cabildo Eclesiastico, Ternas (1806-1824), Archdiocese of Manila Archives. 

Pampanga, (1826) Sobre las violentas muertes de cinco individuos ocurridas en el pueblo de Magalang. Philippine National Archives. 

Sta Visita de las Iglesias y Casas Parroquales, (1812, 1816, 1827-1828), Archdiocese of Manila Archives. 

Secondary Sources:

Santiago, Luciano P.R. (2022) The Ascent of Mount Arayat, P. Anselmo Jorge Faxardo, The Father of Kapampangan Literature and Trailblazer of the Filipino Theater, Angeles City, Holy Angel University Press, pages  75-77. 

Santiago, Luciano P.R. (2002) The Kapampangan Pioneers, Angeles City, Holy Angel University Press. 

27. TWO SPANISH CURA PAROCCOS OF MAGALANG WHO EXPERIENCED HARDSHIPS

Magalang was initially mentioned as visita of Arayat in 1598. However, in April 30, 1605, the Augustinian chapter was officially declared Magalang as independent town separating from Arayat. It comprises the present town of Magalang, and the city of Mabalacat in Pampanga; plus, the present towns of Concepcion, Capas, Bamban, San Jose and city of Tarlac in neighboring province of Tarlac. Magalang was administered by the Augustinian friars since 1605 until 1771, when the parishes were brriefly secularized. It is only in 1849 when Magalang was given back to the Augustinians. In 1863, Magalang was relocated to the present town proper due to large flood from rampaging waters of Parua River. Interestingly, Augustinian friars are not only engaging in religious service in their respective parishes; but they also has huge influence over local government affairs. They also protecting the parish and the town from bandit attacks, and giving warnings to upcoming natural calamities. In Magalang, there are two Augustinian friars who experienced hardships during their tenure in Magalang. 

Fr. Ramon M. Sarrionandia- native of Yurreta (Vizcaya), son of Juan Sarrionandia and Juliana Magunagoicoechea. He took his solemn profession in Valladolid in 1854. Four years later, he arrived in Manila in May 26, 1858; and he became a zealous missionary in Pidigan, Ilocos (1862), Tarlac (1863), Magalang (1866), Minalin (1873) and Angeles (1877). He also became active in Tagalog missions where he was remembered for his good tenure. He built the magnificent church of Magalang in 1866, however, in 1868, bandits robbed Magalang and they attacked the church. Fr. Sarrionandia attempted to save the town by offering the bandits of two hundred pesos. But the bandits shoot him and he was slightly wounded. The bandits kidnapped a Spaniard, Don Carlos Vega and he was brought to Mt. Arayat. However, he was saved by the townspeople who valiantly pursued the bandits. His last assignment was in Angeles, where he built the present stone church, designed by Spanish chief engineer, Don Antonio de la Camarra. He also built three bridges crossing Abacan river. He later retired and he settled in Magalang and he died there on August 14, 1880.

Fr. Pedro Diez Ubierna- a native of Celada de la Torre (Burgos); Fr. Ubierna was born in January 18, 1869. He took his solemn profession in September 19, 1886. He arrived in the Philippines in 1893 and he was assigned in San Simon (1894), Floridablanca (1896) and Magalang (January, 1898). During the revolution, he was captured by the revolutionaries in Magalang convent. He was brought in old tribunal (municipal hall) of Magalang together with two Spanish prisoners. He laid his last wish to have confession to his coadjutor, Fr. Francisco Panlilio. However, while he laid his confession, the revolutionaries maltreated him harshly.  He was the last Augustinian parish priest of Magalang. He was became a friar prisoner until he was able to escape with his companions in 1899. After his captivity, he administered the parishes of Lubao and Floridablanca, where he repaired the cemetery and roofing of the church. He was assigned back in Manila where he was credited for the renovation of the convent. He became Definidor and Procurador of the province in 1926. He also wrote in the periodical, La Estrella de Antipolo. He died in July 12, 1945.

Photo Credit:

www.sacs-stvi.org retrieved, March 4, 2017

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015); Manila, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2016

Perez, Fr. Elviro Jorde, Catalogo de Bio-Bibliografico de los Religiosos Agustinos Provincia del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus de las Islas Filipinas, Manila: Establicimiento Tipografico de Colegio de Sto Tomas, 1901

Rodriguez-Prada, Fr. Jose, Memorias de Un Prisionero Durante La Revolucion Filipina, Madrid, España; Imprenta de la Viuda e Hija de Gomez Fuentenebero, 1901

12. DECEMBER 13 OR APRIL 30? THE TWO IMPORTANT DATES OF MAGALANG

Plaza de la Libertad circa 1963

Since we launched the Magalang Book and this blog, the aims of the book and the blog is not only to promote, inform and educate about the rich local history of Magalang, but also it will promote the historical corrections to our local history. Before we launched this two, we noticed that there are so many historical facts about the town are incorrect, forgotten or unwritten by past studies. One of this is the Magalang's foundation date. Here are some bits of explanation regarding the two foundation dates of Magalang:

APRIL 30, 1605- when Augustinians organized pueblos or towns in Pampanga, one of their mechanisms imposed during the pacification of Pampanga is the reduccion system. In this system, all of the fragmented barangays were abolished and their inhabitants were forced to live near to their missions or within the sounds of the church bells or so called bajo de la campana. Magalang was one of the products of reduccion system. When the Augustinian chapter accepted Magalang in April 30, 1605, it was formally organized as pueblo or town placing all the natives under the organized town of Magalo, (old name of Magalang) and its town proper was located in Macapsa. The town is under the administration of the Augustinians and it was placed under the patronage of San Bartolome Apostol. Fr. Gonzalo de Salazar was appointed first pastor. However, Magalang during that time has large vast territory. The former territories of Magalang which includes the present city of Mabalacat, towns of Concepcion, Capas and Bamban and city of Tarlac all located in Tarlac province. Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin noted that some parts of Zambales mountains and the province are also former territories of Magalang. Mabalacat including Bamban and Capas were seperated from Magalang in 1680; but in 1712, they were turned over to the Augustinian Recollects due to underdevelopment. In 1686, Magalang's territory was reduced again when Tarlac was seperated from Magalang. Magalang was transferred to San Bartolome in 1734 due to natural calamities and series of revolts. Its territory was composed of the present towns of Concepcion and Magalang. In 1858, a Royal Decree was promulgated to establish the town of Concepcion, covering the barrios in the northern bank of Parua River. However, in that same year when a large flood struck the town. It was only in 1863 when Concepcion was formally created, and Magalang once again transferred its town proper from San Bartolome to San Pedro Talimunduc. Thus its former town proper, San Bartolome earned its place name as balen melacuan or forsaken town. 

DECEMBER 13, 1863- when the large flood struck Magalang once again, a disagreement rose on the members of the principalia.  The disagreement was ended when Pampanga alcalde mayor Ramon Barroeta issued a decree on December 13, 1863, it formally transferred the town from barrio San Bartolome to San Pedro Talimunduc and laid the foundations of the new town of Concepcion. When Concepcion was created, it is still depending on Magalang's political and religious affairs. That's why in that time, Fr. Ignacio Manzanares, OSA who facilitated the town's transfer was the parish priest of Magalang, and also of Concepcion. Pablo M. Luciano served as gobernadorcillo of Magalang that time, but his authority was still extended to Concepcion. Until 1864, when Concepcion was politically separated; and in 1866, when Concepcion established its own parish. The concept of celebrating this date was only conceived in 1954. The basis of this celebration concept is the Historical and Cultural Life of the Municipality of Magalang in the Province of Pampanga, written in 1954. This write up is an example of Historical Data Papers or HDPs, written by the public school teachers to write the local history of their towns and their barrios way back 1950s. However, due to lack of primary and secondary sources especially archival resources, they only depended on interviews and oral accounts of different prominent persons in Magalang without credible evidences and sources. HDPs are also used as political tool to give emphasis on local personalities or even their families who may appear important but actually are not. HDPs are not regarded by most historians due to lack of documentation and credible sources. The copies of Magalang HDP is still intact in the National Library of the Philippines and even in the school library of Magalang Elementary School. Without historical verification, research or study regarding this date, "Magalang Day" or "Aldo ning Magalang" was formally commemorated. Former president Ramon Magsaysay eventually signed Proclaimation No. 98 series 1954 declaring December 13 as special public holiday in Magalang. It was signed in December 4, 1954. By then, Magalang started to celebrate its "Foundation" day. This date of commemoration was further strengthened when former president Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclaimation No. 1805 series 1978 on November 23, 1978 declaring December 13 of every year as "Foundation day" of Magalang. The basis of this proclaimation was based again on HDPs; and the first sentence of this proclaimation stated that town of Magalang, Pampanga was "founded" on December 13, 1863. Until present, this proclaimation was still in effect; thus the town still celebrating this date as their "foundation" day.  It is only an act of Congress or another presidential proclamation issuance will supersede the existing proclamation, if they will wish to change the existing "foundation" date. 

We must remember that Magalang is one of the oldest towns in Pampanga. After the transfer of the town in December 13, 1863, it continued its existence as the original town of Magalang when it was established since April 30, 1605. It took only changes in regards of territory and jurisdiction. But, it didn't changed its political, economic and religious status which possessed the town since it was established in April 30, 1605. Commemoration of foundations of the towns is very important to every towns in Pampanga to showcase their historical and cultural treasures but, the date of the commemoration must be historically correct and must be follow religiously.

It is up now to the Magaleños to judge of what is the exact date will be commemorated; and to be folllow as the true foundation date of Magalang.    

Photo Credit: Capagmasusian Qng Aldo Pangasilang Ning Magalang, 1963

Sources:

Apilado, Digna B. 1999, History from the People; Kasaysayan Mula sa Bayan, Proceedings of the 1998 Centennial Regional Seminar-Workshop Series on Oral and Local History; Volume 16, National Historical Institute and Philippine National Historical Society, Paperchase Printing Services, Quezon City, page 104.

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L., and Dizon Lino L.,2016, The Magalang Book; The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015); National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Manila, page 23.

Dizon Lino L., 2008, Alaya, Kapampangan Research Journal; Juan D. Nepomuceno Center of Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City, page 28.

San Agustin, Fr. Gaspar, Conquistas de la Islas Filipinas 1565-1615, San Agustin Museum, Intramuros, Manila pages 1051, 1099-1100.