Hermano Pule
Encyclopedia
Apolinario de la Cruz known as Hermano Pule or Puli ("Brother Pule"), led a major revolt against Spanish
rule of the Philippines
based on a struggle for religious freedom and independence
.
Pandác in the town of Lucban
in Tayabas province (now Quezon
). In 1829, at the age of 15, 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 (indio
s). Apolinario decided to work at San Juan de Dios Hospital. During this time, he studied the Bible and other religious writings.
of St. Joseph), composed of indios. He was known to his followers as Hermano Pule. The Filipino
brotherhood fostered a practice of Christian virtues. The Cofradia prohibited Spaniards and mestizo
s from joining without de la Cruz's permission.
Marcelino Oraa and Roman Catholic Archbishop
Jose Segui regarded the Cofradia as heresy and an abomination of universal Christian
values, ordering its dissolution. Despite its religious prohibition, the Cofradia's numbers continued to grow.
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 Joaquin Ortega and his 300 men on October 23, 1841. However, reinforcements came on November 1st, with Colonel Joaquin Huet who annihilated the Cofradia forces, allegedly massacring hundreds of old men, women and children who joined Hermano Pule in Alitao in defying the Catholic leaders of the Church
.
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
rule of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
based on a struggle for religious freedom and independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
.
Early life
Hermano Pule was born on July 22, 1814 in BarrioBarrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
Pandác in the town of Lucban
Lucban, Quezon
The Municipality of Lucban is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 45,616 people. It rests at the foot of the prestigious Mt...
in Tayabas province (now Quezon
Quezon
-History:Originally, what now forms Quezon was divided among the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The area was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571-1572, during his expedition from Laguna to Camarines provinces....
). In 1829, at the age of 15, he decided to become a priest and tried to join the Dominican Order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. During these times, Roman Catholic religious orders were closed for native people (indio
Indio
Indio may refer to:* Indio, California* Indio, person of indigenous peoples of the Americas* The Spanish Colonial racial term for the native Austronesian peoples of the Philippines between the 16th and 19th centuriesSpecific people:...
s). 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 (ConfraternityConfraternity
A confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy...
of St. Joseph), composed of indios. He was known to his followers as Hermano Pule. The Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
brotherhood fostered a practice of Christian virtues. The Cofradia prohibited Spaniards and mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
s from joining without de la Cruz's permission.
Suppression
Authorities, including Spanish Governor-GeneralGovernor-General of the Philippines
The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
Marcelino Oraa and Roman Catholic Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Jose Segui regarded the Cofradia as heresy and an abomination of universal Christian
Agape
Agape is one of the Greek words translated into English as love, one which became particularly appropriated in Christian theology as the love of God or Christ for mankind. In the New Testament, it refers to the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term...
values, ordering its dissolution. Despite its religious prohibition, the Cofradia's numbers continued to grow.
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
Mount Banahaw
Mount Banahaw is an active volcano on Luzon Island in the Republic of the Philippines. The three-peaked volcano complex is located between the provinces of Laguna and Quezon and is the tallest mountain in the CALABARZON region dominating the landscape for miles around.The mountain is considered by...
and was able to resist an attack by Alcalde-mayor Joaquin Ortega and his 300 men on October 23, 1841. However, reinforcements came on November 1st, with Colonel Joaquin Huet who annihilated the Cofradia forces, allegedly massacring hundreds of old men, women and children who joined Hermano Pule in Alitao in defying the Catholic leaders of the Church
Apostasy
Apostasy , 'a defection or revolt', from ἀπό, apo, 'away, apart', στάσις, stasis, 'stand, 'standing') is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy is known as an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday...
.