06/05/2021
During Manila's 400th anniversary as a Spanish city and seat of power in Asia in 1971, historian Nicolas Zafra rectified history of Manila that Soliman, the rajah of Manila, did not lead the Battle of Bangkusay in Manila Bay on 3 June 1571. The event aimed to expel the Spaniards out of Manila. 2,000 Muslim warriors from northern Manila Bay communities of Macabebe (in Pampanga) and Hagonoy (in Bulacan) under the leadership of an unnamed Muslim leader defied the presence of the Spaniards in Manila. "Some scholars claim that the man was none other than Rajah Soliman," Zafra noted. He continued: "The evidence, however, from a highly credible contemporary document, namely, Legazpi’s own account of the Bancusay encounter contained in his letter to the Viceroy of Mexico, 1572… belies that claim." He further argued that "Legazpi was silent on his identity" and that "he knew Rajah Soliman very well having had personal dealings with him." He then challenged those who still purvey the identity switch: "If it was really Rajah Soliman who fell in the battle, Legazpi would surely have so stated in his account." "In the face of these authentic facts of history, the conclusion is positive and incontestable that Rajah Soliman and the Macabebe leader who fell in battle in June 1571 were two distinct persons."
The Ilocano historian who once chaired the UP History Department lamented:
"Just the same, the Macabebe leader is fully deserving of an honored place in Philippine history. For, like Lapulapu of Mactan, he had his own concept of nationalism and an indomitable opposition to alien control of the land of his birth. He laid down his life for a cause that he believed was worth fighting for, the freedom of his people to live and enjoy their own way of life. For sure, he was a man of heroic mould, worthy of respect and remembrance by posterity."
Twenty-one days after the death of the unnamed leader, along with his 300 warriors in Bangkusay, the Spaniards made Manila the capital of the Philippines on 24 June 1571. It is now being commemorated as Araw ng Maynila (turning 450 years this year).
No less than the Philippine Historical Association, which he co-founded in 1955, published his findings "Background of the Spanish occupation of Manila." In 1974, the National Historical Institute (forerunner of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or NHCP) reprinted it under the title "The Colonization of the Philippines and the Beginnings of the Spanish City of Manila." National Artist Nick Joaquin's Manila, My Manila (1990), which was commissioned by Mania Mayor Mel Lopez and distributed to city's schools, supported Zafra's correction, to wit:
"The Battle of Bangkusay was fought on June 3, 1571. It was a Sunday, a great Sunday, in the religion of the Kastila: the Feast of Pentecost.
"For Filipinos, that June 3 is a great day, too. On that day (3 June 1571) fell in battle the nameless king of Macabebe who defied the invader. Among the first of us was he to die for freedom. He should be listed among our heroes as Lakan Macabebe."
In 2016, the NHCP finally rectified the confusion through a historical marker commemorating the unnamed leader who died defending freedom in 1571 (or 50 years since the gallantry of Lapulapu and his men in the Battle of Mactan).
. . . .
Seeing this post? Curious what this is about? 2021 is the Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors by virtue of Proclamation No. 1128, s. 2021. Also in this year, we commemorate the Philippine part in the achievement of science and humankind in circumnavigating the planet for the first time. Central in this commemoration is the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan on 27 April 2021. These and more are collectively known as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order No. 103 (2020). Know more about the event here: 👇
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