One of the best Filipino films in recent memory is GOMBURZA, a biopic about the three Filipino priests, Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, who were executed on February 17, 1872, by the Spanish colonialists after being implicated in the Cavite Mutiny of the same year.
The death of the three priests lit a fire that emboldened their fellow Filipinos like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio to continue the fight for independence from Spain.
Directed by Pepe Diokno, and written by Pepe Diokno and Rodolfo C. Vera, GOMBURZA, starring Dante Rivero, Cedric Juan, and Enchong Dee, was a box office sensation during the 2023 Manila Film Festival. The film also garnered significant festival awards, including second best picture, best director, best actor (Cedric Juan), best production design, cinematography, and sound.
In celebration of this marvelous film, NSFU Records proudly presents a playlist curated by esteemed Filipino record producer and musician Rhany Torres, whose bands The Lost Boys, Ethnic Faces, and Brownbeat All Stars carved their legacies in Filipino music history.
The playlist features music from some of the best NSFU Records artists, such as:
The Borrachos
Siso
Candelabra
The Edralins
Ted Reyes
Bad Omen
Don Ico
Neighbors
Nuklus
Listen to the tracks and feel the intense love Filipinos have for their country and how they are more than willing to give their lives for its freedom and independence.
More About Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora
GOMBURZA, derived from the initials of three Filipino priests—Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—represents a significant chapter in Philippine history during the 19th century. These three priests were pivotal in advocating for reforms and social justice in the Philippines, challenging the oppressive Spanish colonial rule.
Mariano Gomez, born on August 2, 1799, was a parish priest in Bacoor, Cavite. He was an outspoken critic of the abuses committed by the Spanish friars and authorities. Jose Burgos, born on February 9, 1837, was a brilliant scholar and priest known for his dedication to education and reforms within the church. Jacinto Zamora, born on February 1, 1835, was a Filipino priest from Pandacan, Manila, known for his involvement in various charitable and civic activities.
The trio became known collectively as GOMBURZA after they were implicated in the Cavite Mutiny of 1872. The mutiny was a failed uprising of Filipino military personnel and workers at the Cavite Arsenal. While the involvement of GOMBURZA remains a subject of historical debate, they were accused of masterminding the rebellion.
The Spanish authorities used the mutiny to suppress dissent and further tighten their grip on the Philippines. GOMBURZA were unjustly implicated, given a summary trial, and sentenced to death by garrote on February 17, 1872, in Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park). Their execution had a profound impact on the Filipino nationalist movement, catalyzing the fight against Spanish oppression.
The martyrdom of GOMBURZA fueled the flames of nationalism and inspired later generations of Filipinos to seek independence. The unjust execution of these three priests became a rallying point for the Propaganda Movement, a group of Filipino intellectuals advocating for reforms and equal rights.
The legacy of GOMBURZA lives on in the hearts and minds of Filipinos as a symbol of resistance against oppression and a catalyst for the pursuit of justice and independence. Their sacrifice serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and fighting for a better, more equitable future.
Watch the Filipino Film, 'GOMBURZA.'