Mariano Gómez

Mariano Gómez de los Ángeles (Spanish: [ˈmaˈɾjano ˈɣomes]) was a Filipino Catholic priest, who was falsely accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century. He was placed in a mock trial and summarily executed in Manila along with two other clergymen collectively known as the Gomburza. Gómez was the head of the three priests and spent his life writing about abuses against Filipino priests.

This article is about Filipino martyred Catholic priest. For the Argentine footballer, see Mariano Gómez (footballer).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gómez and the second or maternal family name is de los Ángeles.
The Reverend Father

Mariano Gomez
An engraving featuring Fr. Gomez as the central figure, with him are Fr. Zamora on the left, and Fr. Burgos on the right.
ChurchCatholic Church
Personal details
Birth nameMariano Gómez de los Ángeles
Born(1799-08-02)August 2, 1799
Santa Cruz, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines
DiedFebruary 17, 1872(1872-02-17) (aged 72)
Bagumbayan, Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines
NationalityFilipino
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsFrancisco Gomez
Martina Gomez (née Custodio)

Early life

Gómez was born on August 2, 1799 in the suburb of Santa Cruz, Manila. He was a Tornatrás, one born of mixed native (Filipino), Chinese and Spanish ancestries. His parents were Alejandro Francisco Gómez and Martina Custodia. After studying in the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, he took theology in the University of Santo Tomás. He was a student preparing for the priesthood in the Seminary of Manila.

He was also the uncle of ilustrado nationalist and labor leader Dominador Gomez.[1]

Assignment in Cavite

On June 2, 1824, he was designated as the head priest of Bacoor, Cavite. Aside from taking care of the spiritual necessities of the town and the church, he also taught agriculture and cottage industries. Gómez also helped in maintaining a harmonious relationship among his other priests. He fought for equal rights for native priests against the abuses of their Spanish counterparts.

Death

Gómez was accused of treason, sedition, and taking active part in the Cavite mutiny of 1872 and sentenced to death by garrote in a military court. He was sent to jail along with Joaquín Pardo de Tavera, Máximo Paterno, and the friars José Burgos and Jacinto Zamora. The three friars were executed on February 17, 1872 at Bagumbayan field; and have been known since then by the acronym composed of their collective surnames – Gomburza.

Before his death, Gómez was active in the publication of the newspaper "La Verdad" (Spanish, "The Truth").

Gomburza sculpture at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice.

At the age of 72, he was the oldest of the three priests.

See also

References
  1. Raquel A. G. Reyes (2008). Love, Passion and Patriotism: Sexuality and the Philippine propaganda movement, 1882-1892. NUS Press. p. 263.
  • Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.
  • Ignacio, Josefina O. (1979). Biographies of Filipino Heroes. Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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