The Civil Governor at that time was D. José Centeno y García an active
propagator of freemasonry, holding the 33rd degree. He, together
with Sr. Quiroja, fostered and godfathered the "manifestation". In
this semi-official insult to Archbishop Payo, an insult so ably
analysed by Sr. Retana [15], we have one of the best examples that
could be furnished of the methods adopted by the masonic enemies of
the Catholic faith in this archipelago. This manifestation, fostered
by a governor who drew down upon himself the righteous ire of all
honorable men and women by reason of his protection of the houses
of ill-fame in and about the city, was a truly masonic invention by
which many, in fact some 98% of those who signed it, were grossly
deceived. The following notes taken from the analysis of Sr. Retana,
will give an idea of the real value of the "manifestation" and the
part the people had therein. In the Suburb of Sta. Cruz there were
144 people who signed the document, that is to say there were 144
names. Of these no less than 56 were unknown, 3 were minors and 3 did
not recognize their signatures; 52 were natives and 8 were Chinese
half-castes. In Sampaloc: 61 signatures, all of which were of indians
none of whom followed trades or professions which necessitated the
use of brain power. In Malate: 38 signatures, 31 of indians, only 15
of whom understood Spanish. In Binondo: 41, 31 of whom were indians;
five minors. In Sta. Ana, out of 104, the number of minors was 14,
and 50 did not understand Spanish; 66 were indians. In Caloocan: 80
signatures of which 55 were indians who did not understand Spanish; 38
were laborers, 7 were minors. In Navotas: 140 signatures; 49 laborers,
and 49 fishermen; 127 did not understand Spanish. In Mariquina:
68, 38 of whom were laborers, 51 did not understand Spanish. In San
Fernando de Dilao (Paco): 35; 6 minors and all indians. In San Mateo,
50 signatures; 39 laborers, 45 indians, 41 of whom did not understand
Spanish. In San Miguel 49; and here comes the crowning piece of the
magnificent work, for of these 49 no fewer than 16 had died! yes died
previous to the drawing up of the document and therefore could not
possibly have signed it; moreover 7 did not recognize their signatures,
and all were indians.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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