AN ACT OF REVENGE FOR RIZAL


Illustration of the assassination of Canovas by J Passos, J. Cuchy and V. Gines
   .
It was in one mild summer in the spa Santa Águeda, in Mondragón, Guipúzcoa, (the Basque region of Spain) when Prime Minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo met his brutal end.  The assassin,  Michele Angiolillo, an Italian anarchist, posing as a tourist and traveling with a false identity, was able to approach Canovas and shot the Prime Minister point-blank. Angiolillo was subsequently arrested and during the investigation claimed that he acted alone and that the killing was an act of vengeance for the execution and torture of the Montjuich prisoners involved in the Barcelona 1896 Corpus Christi procession bomb attack and for the execution of Filipino patriot Jose P. Rizal.

 Angiolillo was sentenced to die by "garrotte," which was carried out on August 20, 1897. During the execution, he was calm and showed no remorse. Canovas del Castillo would then be succeeded by Manuel Azcarraga -- Born in the Philippines to a Spanish father and Bicolana mother)


Michele Angiolillo

The trial of Angiolillo in a military court.
An artist drawing describing the Corpus Christi bomb attack of 1896
Execution of  individuals involved in the Corpus Christi bomb attack



The execution of Angiolillo in prison in Vergara, Guipúzcoa.

Antonio Cánovas del Castillo- Six term Prime Minister of Spain. His government was in power when Rizal was sentenced to die via musketry. There were attempts in Madrid to lighten the sentence on Rizal. It is said that even Pi y Margall (somewhat a political rival of the Canovas government) even approached Canovas del Castillo to save Rizal and warned the government on the consequences that might happen.


 Philippine-born Marcelo Azcarraga, a UST alumnus, would succeed  Canovas as Prime Minister.
       





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal's Batman

Image
   Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez (1849-1928) Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit, held a special place in Rizal's heart as his favorite teacher at Ateneo, where the priest taught Literature. It was under Fr. Sanchez's guidance that the young Rizal delved into the treasures of Greek and Latin Classics. The priest's encouragement led Rizal to hone his literary talents, engaging in the crafting of essays and poetry. The relationship between mentor and student was characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Father Sanchez even staunchly defended Rizal's work, 'Noli Me Tangere.' However, in a letter to Blumentritt dated May 1890, Rizal shared a nuanced description of the priest: "Father Sanchez is a keen observer, albeit somewhat pessimistic, often inclined to view the darker aspects of life. During our school days, he was often playfully referred to as a 'dark spirit,' and students affectionately nicknamed him 'Paniki,' a
Read more

Jose Rizal's Bomb Plot

Image
Victorian lamp The Plot Long before suicide bombers and bomb couriers were adapted by international terrorist in their campaign of blood and vengeance, our national hero Jose Rizal thought of a plot in his novel that involves blowing a whole town to start a revolution.  In "El Filibusterismo" (Chapters 34-35), Simoun brought along a lamp in the wedding rece ption of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez, a  gift to the newly weds and in it is an explosive compound -- "Nitroglycerin".  The reception takes place at the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was planted with explosives before the reception. According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill everyone inside the house,  mostly the important members of civil society and the church hierarchy. The explosion will be the signal to start a revolt in Manila.  Reading this chapters of the "El Fili
Read more

Pinagbuhatan Fiesta -- San Sebastián

Image
Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali
Read more