Join me, your friendly Pinoy Historian, as we delve into the chilling yet fascinating story of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, the first Filipino serial killer. This video will take you on a journey through the dark corners of Philippine history, unmasking the truth behind the infamous figure. Was he a cold-blooded killer or a victim of injustice and circumstances? Let's dig deeper! 🔔 Subscribe: http://goo.gl/yDgQmK 🎥 Be my Patron: https://www.patreon.com/kirbynoodle 📚 My books, ebooks, coloring books, merch etc. - https://www.kirbyaraullo.com/shop Related Videos & Playlists: 🔥 Philippine Revolutions & Independence: http://bit.ly/KalayaanPH 🇵🇭 Precolonial & Early Philippine History https://bit.ly/EarlyPhilippines 🌏 Demystifying Southeast Asia: https://bit.ly/KnowSoutheastAsia Video Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:06 What? Mysterious Murders in 19th Century Magalang 02:23 Where? Magalang in the Heart of Central Luzon 05:07 Who? Fr. Juan Severino Mallari: A Paradoxical Figure 09:10 Special shoutout

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Father Sibirino Malyari

Ayon sa lumakasap-usapan, ang mga pinatay ni Father ay mga mandarambong

Is it true that the first serial killer in the Philippines was a Catholic priest?

Was Father Malyari guilty of these gruesome crimes or was he simply just a victim of racism and injustice?

Let's dig deeper and find out

Welcome back to my channel, it's me Kirby Aralio, your friendly Pinoy historian

And today's video is all about the first documented serial killer in the Philippines

But in this video, we'll go beyond what is commonly known about Father Malyari

We'll challenge assumptions, we'll question colonial biases, and explore the shadows of injustice

We'll dive deep into the real history behind the movie Malyari

And providing a glimpse into the vivid realities that inspired this award-winning movie

And to make it simple, today's video is divided into answering the questions what, where, who, when, and why

So first, let's lay some foundations

What exactly happened in Magalang, Pampanga back in the 1800s?

In the serene town of Magalang, Pampanga, the year 1810 marked the onset of a haunting chapter in Philippine history

A sequence of mysterious murders unfolded, casting a dark shadow over both Spaniards and Filipinos

This was not a typical crime

It was a mysterious wave of evil

That swept through colonial era Magalang

Leaving bodies draped in an inexplicable aura

That defied all attempts at explanation

As the colonial police force grappled to unveil the identity behind these heinous acts

The people of Magalang succumbed to a turmoil of emotions

A blend of curiosity and anxiety

Over the span of a decade, approximately 57 strange murders occurred

Scattered throughout the sprawling colonial town

Leaving the colonial police, aka the Guardia Civil

In a state of bewilderment

With no apparent motive or connection between the gruesome murders

Amid the absence of clues or suspects

These cases were reluctantly labeled unsolved

However, the specter of an unknown killer roaming the streets of Magalang

Continued to haunt the collective consciousness of the people

Little did they know that these murders would lead to the revelation of the first documented Filipino serial killer

And by the way, if you like learning about our people's history, culture, and everything in between

Don't forget to like, share this video, and subscribe to our channel!

Thank you for watching!

If you liked this video, comment down below, and please subscribe!

Okay, now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about the setting

You know, where exactly did all of these happen?

What is in Magalang?

Where is Magalang?

Located in the heart of Central Luzon, Magalang, Pampanga of the 1800s

Was a sprawling town

That also included the present-day municipality of Concepcion, Tarlac

And it boasted a lush landscape with the majestic Bundo Calaya or Mount Arayat in the background

It is important to highlight that the old church and the gruesome murders

Actually happened in the abandoned Pueblo or town center of the old San Bartolome de Magalang

As opposed to the present-day location of the modern-day town of Magalang

In fact, this old Pueblo or town center of San Bartolome de Magalang

Is now the present-day barangay San Bartolome in Concepcion, Tarlac

The historic splitting of the old Magalang into two separate towns

Happened as a result of the catastrophic flood in 1863

Decades after the death of Father Malyari

The unprecedented death of San Bartolome de Magalang

And the devastation of the once sprawling town of San Bartolome de Magalang

Led the population to abandon the old Pueblo

To settle on higher ground

And as a result, two distinct groups emerged

One heading north and one heading south

The one heading north eventually established the present-day town of Concepcion, Tarlac

And this included prominent families like the Aquinos

While the other group moving south retained the name Magalang

And this group included other ancient Kapampangan families

Like my own ancestors, the Tayags

Indeed, this old town center or Pueblo of Old Magalang

Now barangay San Bartolome in Concepcion, Tarlac

Is still known to the local Kapampangans

As the Balen Amela Kwan

Which literally means the abandoned town or the town that was left behind

It is also important to note that the vast colonial province of La Pampanga

During this time was among the indispensable regions of the Spanish East Indies

In fact, it was the agricultural heartland and the breadbasket

That sustained the survival of the people of La Pampanga

Especially Manila and its surroundings

There was even a saying that if the harvest in Pampanga failed

The city and the people of Manila would for sure face famine

Indeed, Magalang itself was also home to some of the most profitable plantations in the land

And you know because of this, any positions of power and influence in La Pampanga

Like in wealthy towns like Magalang were always highly coveted

And this was especially true within the Catholic Church

Which during this time was also the largest land owners

And the largest land owners in the country

And most influential landlords in the Philippines

Which now brings us to the significance of Father Malyari's position and achievements

So who exactly was Father Malyari?

How did he end up being the first documented serial killer in the history of what is now the Philippines?

Father Juan Severino Malyari was a man of many firsts

Despite taking the center stage in this dark narrative

Revered historian and psychiatrist Dr. Luciano Pierre Santiago

Meticulously documented Father Malyari's life and his life in the Philippines

Laying the foundations, Kapampangan pioneers in the Philippine Church

Published by the Center for Kapampangan Studies

And according to Dr. Luciano Pierre Santiago's work

Father Malyari was a priest from Macabebe

Who achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming the first, the very first

Indio or native Filipino priest to preside over this parish of Pampanga during the colonial era

And beyond his religious duties

Father Malyari showcased artistic prowess

As one of the very first native-born Filipinos to master the art of painting and painting

And as a result, Father Malyari was the first native-born Filipino priest to master the art of painting and painting

And as a result, Father Malyari was the first native-born Filipino priest to master the art of painting and painting

And as a result, Father Malyari was the first native-born Filipino priest to master the art of calligraphy

In fact, he adorned parish annual reports with intricate designs

Like flowered vines and angels on clouds

And so in the early 19th century

Father Juan Severino Malyari was assigned as a coadjutor in various towns of La Pampanga

Including Gapang or what is now Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Lubau, and Bacolor

And despite initial competition for prominent positions

Father Malyari secured the curacy of Magalang on March 26, 1813

Beating two other candidates

Father Malyari secured the curacy of Magalang on March 26, 1813

His activities in Old Magalang extended beyond pastoral duties

A highly skilled calligrapher

His annual Planes de Almas showcased artistic sketches

Unknown to many, Father Malyari's family were considered to be local elites

And this was also evident in his brother's election as Gobernador Silio

Or the mayor of Old Magalang

In fact, the Malyaris are among the most ancient Kapampangan clans

The name Malyari itself is pre-colonial

It comes from the sacred name of the indigenous

One-eyed, fiery, red moon deity of Mount Pinatubo

Known to us Kapampangans as Apong Malyari

Or to the Aitas as Apong na Malyari

The deity who makes things possible

Who was later adopted in modern day Tagalog mythology

As the one-eyed moon goddess Mayari

Nevertheless, the psychological underpinnings of Malyari's descent into darkness

Are as baffling as the murders themselves

Dr. Santiago delves into Malyari's motivations

Revealing that his crimes were rooted in a belief that

His mother had been bewitched

Or mekulam in Kapampangan

According to the narrative, Father Malyari, driven by love and distress

Embarked on a killing spree

He was convinced that taking the lives of his parishioners

Would somehow undo the black magic afflicting his beloved mother

However, Father Malyari's struggle extended beyond confronting supernatural forces

You know, in an era where mental health was poorly understood

Father Malyari battled severe psychosis

Unfortunately, Father Malyari found himself around the world for a while

He was arrested in 1826

And dragged into the prisons miles away in Manila

He was imprisoned for over a decade

Rather than receiving care at a mental institution

You know, despite the fact that

Spain itself had made remarkable strides in the field of mental health

For example, Spain was the home of the very first psychiatric hospital in Europe

Known in Spanish as the Hospital de Inocentes

Or literally, the Hospital of the Innocents

Founded in Valencia in the year 1410

Four centuries before the fall of the Spanish Revolution

Before Father Malyari was even born

Indeed, the Philippines saw the establishment of its first psychiatric hospital

During the Spanish colonial era

The Hospicio de San Jose in the city of Manila has been in operation since 1810

Marking a significant milestone in the field of mental health

16 years before Father Malyari's arrest

Now, this raises the questions about why Father Malyari upon his arrest

Was taken into a prison and not into this institution

As they normally would for someone suffering severely

From severe psychosis

Thus, sparking inquiries into the fairness and impartiality of the colonial legal system

You know, which now brings us to the larger issue

That was also unfolding in the Philippines during this period

But before we dig deeper into this dark chapter of Magalang's history

I just want to give a shout out to all my patrons throughout these years

Because this video and this channel will not be possible without the love

And the support of my patrons, subscribers, and viewers like you throughout these years

That's why, there are so many, so many

Thank you very much

Or if you're just watching, thank you very much

In Bahasa Malayo, thank you and in Bahasa Sug, please take care of yourselves

So if you want to help me make more videos like this

Please be my patron on Patreon or a member of my YouTube channel

You may also check out my books, coloring books, e-books, and merch

About the pre-colonial history and culture of the Philippines and Southeast Asia

So don't miss out and check out the links below

And I also want to give a special shout out

A heartfelt shout out to Konglino Dizon of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines

And to our local hirapolitan quebecans, the Argentinian and Filipino

historians in Magalang like Kamlat Magalenyo.

Dakal pong salamat kay Hongan

for everything that you're doing to help preserve

and promote our people's history,

including that of Father Malyari.

Okay, you know, after this video, if you want to dig deeper

and learn more about Father Malyari and many

others, check out this amazing book,

Laying the Foundations, Kapampaan Pioneers

in the Philippine Church, written by the late

Dr. Luciano P.R. Santiago.

Okay, now back to our topic, let's talk about when.

When was all of this happening?

What exactly was the larger issue that

Filipinos are facing during this period,

especially Filipino priests?

In the context of Father Malyari's

tumultuous era, the secularization

movement in the Philippines emerged

as a pivotal backdrop.

The movement gained momentum in the 1800s

and sought to address the

ecclesiastical control wielded

by the Spanish friars over Philippine

parishes. Advocating

for transferring parishes from white

Spanish friars to the local secular

priests fostered a desire for greater

autonomy within the Filipino clergy.

The tension between the Filipino

secular clergy and the Spanish religious

authorities added complexity

to Father Malyari's narrative.

This struggle within the Catholic Church

and the overarching themes of colonial influence

and indigenous resistance

played a significant role in shaping

the events during this tumultuous period

in Philippine history. Furthermore,

intertwining the secularization movement

with Father Malyari's narrative

raises questions about the broader

social and political landscapes of the time.

We must ask ourselves,

how Father Malyari's case became intertwined

with the wider push for church reform,

ultimately shaping the perception

of his alleged crimes?

If you think about it, Father Malyari's narrative

gains complexity from the historical

intersection of religious dynamics

and political tensions, emphasizing

the intricate contradictions between

the colonial powers, local movements,

and individual lives during this tumultuous

period in Philippine history.

In the decades that followed Father Malyari's

death, the Philippines witnessed another

pivotal moment in its struggle for

justice and freedom.

Known to us today as the Gomburza,

Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos,

and Jacinto Zamora, the Gomburza

were Filipino priests who faced persecution

and execution by the Spanish colonial

authorities in 1872.

Their tragic fate became a symbol of the

growing dissent against the oppressive

Spanish colonial rule, inspiring future

Filipino nationalist movements.

The Gomburza's public execution echoes

the themes of injustice and prejudice within

the colonial legal system, mirroring

Father Malyari's own predicament.

The shared narrative of trailblazing Filipino

priests being targets of colonial persecution

underscores the complexities and challenges

faced by the individuals who dared to

challenge the status quo.

Wait lang, at that Father Malyari was guilty,

how can a serial killer priest be a victim

of injustice?

You know, as we dive deeper into Father Juan

Severino Malyari's alleged guilt, a shadow

of doubt emerges.

Regarding whether he truly was the very

first documented serial killer in the Philippines,

or if indeed he only became a convenient

scapegoat for colonial and church authorities.

The colonial police force grappling with the

mysterious gruesome murders may have been

too quick to point fingers at Father Malyari.

Indeed, they were lacking in conclusive evidence.

You know, Father Malyari's complex identity

as an acclaimed Indian priest and artist

who broke colonial barriers and racial

stereotypes adds even more complexity to the

narrative.

One might ponder whether he fell victim to

a rushed judgment, whether he served as a

scapegoat to reinforce colonial authority,

and perpetuate stereotypes about the

indigenous population.

You know, the evidence found against him

was discovered by the community members

visiting his home while he was suffering

from an illness, and this brings up concerns

about the transparency of the investigation.

Although blood-stained items might paint a

gruesome and morbid picture, they do not

provide a complete understanding of the

crimes.

It is also worth noting that Father Malyari

was not the only individual accused of these murders.

His own brother, the Gobernador Silio of Magalang,

also faced the same exact allegations.

On December 4, 1825, Father Malyari's beloved

mother passed away.

However, prior to this tragic event, the town

of Magalang had already experienced mysterious

murders.

A report dated December 28, 1825 pinpointed

the Malyari brothers and their associates as

suspects in these gruesome murders.

And this was because the victims were accused

by the alleged perpetrators, aka the Malyari

brothers, of cursing the ailing beloved mother

of Father Malyari.

Consequently, the Alcalde Mayor ordered the

arrest of the Malyari brothers and their

accomplices.

And this included the removal of Father Malyari's

brother from office as the esteemed Gobernador

Silio of Magalang, leading to new elections

for the much coveted position of mayor of

this town.

The report also implicated Father Malyari in

additional crimes such as the murder of his brother,

such as theft, and aiding other criminals.

In 1826, Father Malyari, his brother, and their

accomplices were apprehended and taken to the

jails in Bacolor, the capital of La Pampanga,

then to the prisons of Manila.

Sadly, in 1840, Father Malyari met his demise

through a humiliating public execution by hanging

in Luneta, Manila, aka Bagumbayan, in the very

same place where the Gumbuza would be executed

three decades later in 1872.

And where Dr. Jose Rizal would also face his own

death in 1896, 56 years after Father Malyari's hanging.

Okay, let's be honest, as we reflect and truly

dig deeper into these historical accounts, one

cannot help but question the motives behind Father

Malyari's hanging and the removal of his brother

from power, raising suspicions about the true

agenda that may have influenced these

consequential events, in dissecting the legacy of

Father Juan Severino Malyari.

We must confront the complexities that envelop

his story.

His life and alleged crimes serve as a lens through

which we can scrutinize not only the historical

events of the past, but also the systemic issues

deeply embedded in colonial injustices.

Father Malyari's tale compels us to re-evaluate

the narratives constructed by colonialism,

prompting a critical examination of potential

biases within the legal proceedings and official records.

We must also question whether Father Malyari's

story was manipulated to perpetuate stereotypes

about the Indios or the indigenous people as

superstitious and irrational, and thus providing

inconvenient justification for colonial abuses and

racial discrimination.

In contemplating Father Malyari's contradicting

identities as a devout priest and alleged murderer,

we grapple with the inherent limitations of

historical records and the formidable challenges of

uncovering the truth amidst a completely different history.

While it may be true that Father Malyari was the very first

documented convicted serial killer in the Philippines,

his story urges us to dive deeper into the colonial

dynamics that likely influenced the case, shedding

light on the broader issues of injustice, mental

health, and the impacts of racial discrimination.

In fact, long before Father Malyari's alleged killing

spree in Magalang, there have already been countless

Spanish friars involved.

The story is also involved in numerous massacres,

murders, and sex scandals and other crimes in the

Philippines.

But none of them face the same fate and public

humiliation as Father Malyari.

In conclusion, the alleged guilt of Father Juan

Severino Malyari adds layers of uncertainty to the

narrative.

Indeed, his story becomes a rallying point empowering

us to critically examine historical narratives,

interrogate assumptions, and demand a nuanced

understanding of complex human stories and human

experiences, shaped by the intersection of culture,

religion, mental health, racial discrimination, and

the insidious effects of white supremacy and

colonialism.

And if we think about it, Father Malyari's legacy

compels us to strive for justice and a more equitable

world, where the voices of the marginalized are no

longer distorted by the prejudiced echoes of racism,

white supremacy, and colonialism.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Father

Malyari was absolutely innocent.

You know, I'm not saying that he wasn't totally guilty at all

But honestly, in this day and age where we take for granted this concept of beyond reasonable doubt

It's simply impossible for us to fairly convict Father Magliari beyond reasonable doubt

You know, we simply do not have enough evidence to fairly convict Father Magliari beyond the reasonable doubt

There simply was too many factors to consider

From political to mental health to racism to corruption within the church and many more

In short, it's more complicated than just a horror story of an evil Filipino priest roaming around town

Murdering his own people gruesomely in the dark

Sadly, we simply do not know and we cannot know for sure whether or not Father Magliari was a victim or a villain

Because history is not black and white

Anyways, that is it for me today

So let me know what you think about today's topic in the comments below

And if you like this video or learned a thing or two

Don't forget to like, share this video, comment down below

And please subscribe to my channel for more history, culture, and everything else

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

See you next time on Tagalog Kit na Kits and in Kapampangan,

Mickey Tics!

Okay wait lang, one more thing before I go

I just found out that I have over 18 scripts written from last year that I've never made into videos last year

Because life of life!

Just got in the way and got too busy for me

But anyways, stay tuned for more videos, more exciting videos this 2024!