Francisco Maniago

(A full-length play)

Synopsis:

This play is about Francisco Maniago, a 17th-century Pampango leader. The play has two parts: the first narrates the events of the Pampango Revolt of 1660, and the second recounts the fortunes of the leader of the revolt while in prison in Manila.

The first part begins with the uprising of the Pampango labor groups against their foremen. The uprising escalates into a revolt. Francisco Maniago, maestro de campo of the Pampango troops, is asked to head the revolt. He refuses, professing his loyalty to the King of Spain, but agrees to present the grievances of the people to the Spanish Governor-General if they will abandon their plans to revolt. The leaders agree, but unknown to him, they plan to use his name to turn what is now just a protest into a war. The Spanish Governor-General, Sabiniano Manrique de Lara, leads the small number of troops available in Manila into Pampanga. He cuts off Pampanga from Pangasinan and Manila and succeeds in persuading the Pampangos to adopt a more peaceful stance. They present their grievances, and he accedes to their requests. When he sends three generals to present his reply, however, the more belligerent leaders of the revolt capture and imprison them. These leaders depose Maniago as the head of the Pampangos.

Manrique de Lara reacts swiftly, surrounding several villages in Pampanga with his troops, ready for war. Once again, the Pampangos panic and release one of the generals. The formerly belligerent leaders ask Maniago to lead them once again. Maniago has them release the other two generals and sends Manrique de Lara an apology. The latter accepts their apology only if all the leaders of the revolt agree to meet him in his camp. They do so. He scolds them and afterwards pardons them. He invites the leaders of the revolt to Manila, promising them important positions in the native army. They go to Manila. The first part ends with Maniago preparing to leave for Manila despite the fears of his wife.

The second part begins with Manrique de Lara receiving news of a new revolt in Pangasinan, two months after the Pampango Revolt has been quelled. He orders Maniago's house arrest. After a few weeks, Maniago is imprisoned. The revolt in Pangasinan is still raging, and news arrives of a third revolt in Ilocos. Maniago is once more accused of treason against the Spanish king. His protestations of innocence are to no avail. Once the revolts in Pangasinan and Ilocos are suppressed, he is executed together with the leaders of these revolts.

This synopsis is from the January 1991 playbill.

An English translation by Dumol exists.

Theatre Productions:

First produced in 1988 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Director: Nonon Padilla

Not published.