Jacinto Zamora | |
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Born | August 14, 1835 |
Died | February 17, 1872 Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
(aged 36)
Occupation | Roman Catholic priest |
Jacinto Zamora y del Rosario (14 August 1835 - 17 February 1872) was a Filipino secular priest, part of the Gomburza trio who were 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.
Born on August 14, 1835 to Venancio Zamora and Hilaria del Rosario, he began his early education in Pandacan and later at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He was classified as an insular under the Spanish caste system prevailing at that time. He later transferred to the University of Santo Tomas after finishing his Bachiller en Artes. Zamora graduated on March 16, 1858 with the degree of Bachelor of Canon and Civil Laws. He became a student preparing for the priesthood in the Seminary of Manila.
After being ordained, Zamora handled parishes in Marikina, Pasig, and Batangas. He was also assigned to manage the Manila Cathedral on 3 December 1864. In league with fellow priests Mariano Gómez and José Burgos, he continued the mission that Pedro Pelaez began, the secularization of Filipino priests.
Zamora had a habit of playing cards after saying Mass. Once, he received an invitation stating that his friend had "Powder and Munitions"; in a gambler's language, "Powder and Munitions" meant that the player had much money to gamble with. This invitation fell into the hands of the Spaniards and worse, it was on the night of the Cavite mutiny led by a Filipino soldier, Sgt. La Madrid. This invitation was used by the Spaniards as evidence against the three priests. The court accused them of inciting the revolt, even though the evidence was not adequate. They were found guilty and sentenced to death by garrote. The execution was carried out on February 17, 1872 at Bagumbayan Field in Manila.