Jacinto Zamora
Jacinto Zamora y del Rosario (14 August 1835 – 17 February 1872) was a Filipino Catholic priest, part of the Gomburza, a trio of priests who were falsely accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century.
Early life
Zamora was born on August 14, 1835 in Pandacan to Venancio Zamora and Hilaria del Rosario. He went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he finished his Bachiller en Artes. He was classified as a Filipino mestizo under the Spanish caste system prevailing at that time.[1] To prepare for priesthood, he transferred to the University of Santo Tomas, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Canon and Civil Laws on March 16, 1858. He then proceeded to the Seminary of Manila. While student in 1860, he headed a small student protest that resulted in his confinement to his quarters for two months.
After the seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood and was assigned to handle parishes in Marikina, Pasig, and Batangas. He was later connected with the Manila Cathedral on 3 December 1864, serving as an examiner for new priest. While fulfilling his duties to churches, he worked for a doctorate in canon law at the University of Santo Tomas.
Accusation and Death
Zamora had a habit of playing panguigui—a popular card game—after saying Mass. He was implicated in the Cavite Mutiny due to an invitation where the words "Powder and Munitions" was mentioned. The words "Powder and Munitions"—in panguigui players' parlance—actually meant that the player was "armed" with much money to gamble with.[2] This invitation fell into the hands of the Spaniards—at the time the Cavite mutiny led by a Filipino soldier, Sgt. La Madrid, occured. This invitation was used by the Spaniards as evidence for Zamora's involvement in the rebellion. Although the evidence was not adequate, the court found him guilty and sentenced to death by garrote. The execution was carried out on February 17, 1872, at Bagumbayan Field in Manila. According to witnesses, Zamora was disoriented during his last days and, at the day of the execution, had already lost his mind. As a result, the young priest did not give any last words before the garrote took his life.
In popular culture
- Portrayed by Bodie Cruz in the official music video of GMA Network's production of Lupang Hinirang in 2010.
- Portrayed by Dennis Marasigan in the 2014 film, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo.
See also
Reference
- Quirino, Carlos. Who's Who in Philippine History. Manila: Tahanan Books, 1995.
- Ocampo, Ambeth R. "Gomburza." Reform and Revolution. Manila: Asia Publishing Company Limited, 1998
Citation
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