| Andres Novales | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1800 Manila, Philippines |
| Died | June 2, 1823 Manila, Philippines |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Years of service | 1814-1823 |
| Rank | Captain |
Andres Novales was a creole captain in the Spanish Army in the Philippines. He was considered as the last emperor of the Philippines.[1] His discontentment with the treatment of creole soldiers led him to start a revolt that inspired even the ranks of Jose Rizal.[2]
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His father was a Spanish Army captain and his mother is member of a prominent family in the Philippines. He was a cadet at the age of nine and a lieutenant at fourteen. When he heard of an existing war between Spain and France, he sought his senior's consent to send him to Madrid. Despite being demoted to a volunteer soldier with no rank after arriving at Spain, he returned to the Philippines with a rank of captain.[3] Upon return to the Philippines, his zeal for service had not worn down. That made him be envied by other military officers in which the Governor general Juan Antonio Martinez shall later use against Novales.
Novales later grew discontented with the treatment of Spanish authorities on Creoles. He found sympathy of many Creoles, including Luis Rodriguez Varela, the Conde Filipino. On the night of June 1, 1823, Novales along with a certain sub-lieutenant Ruiz and other subordinates in the King's Regiment, went out to start a revolt.[3][4] Along with 800 Filipinos in which his sergeants recruited, they seized the royal palace, the Manila Cathedral, the city's cabildo (city hall) and other important government buildings in Intramuros. Failing to find Juan Antonio Martinez, they killed the lieutenant governor and former governor general, Mariano Fernandez de Folgueras. Folgueras was the one that suggested Spain to replace creole officers with peninsulars.[1] The soldiers shouted, "Long live the Emperor Novales!" (Viva el Emperador Novales). They eventually failed to seize Fort Santiago because Antonio Novales, his brother who commanded the citadel, refused to open its gates. Novales himself was caught hiding under Puerta Real by Spanish soldiers. At 5:00 pm of June 2, Novales was killed with Ruiz and 21 sergeants by firing squad. At his last minute, he declared that he and his comrades shall set an example of fighting for freedom. Antonio was also included in the execution, since he was the brother of Andres. However, the people pleaded for his freedom for he saved the government from being overthrown. Antonio went mad after the ordeal, receiving a monthly pension of 14 pesos.[3][5]
Novales was a self-proclaimed emperor, and his revolution lasted only a day. His fight for equality and freedom, however, set ablaze a series of other uprisings that eventually led to the formation of the Philippines as a nation.[6]