Unveiling the First Filipino Serial Killer: Fr. Juan Severino Mallari's True History
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We'll dive deep into the real history behind the movie Malyari
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And providing a glimpse into the vivid realities that inspired this award-winning movie
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And to make it simple, today's video is divided into answering the questions what, where, who, when, and why
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So first, let's lay some foundations
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What exactly happened in Magalang, Pampanga back in the 1800s?
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In the serene town of Magalang, Pampanga, the year 1810 marked the onset of a haunting chapter in Philippine history
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A sequence of mysterious murders unfolded, casting a dark shadow over both Spaniards and Filipinos
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This was not a typical crime
01:27.3
It was a mysterious wave of evil
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That swept through colonial era Magalang
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Leaving bodies draped in an inexplicable aura
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That defied all attempts at explanation
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As the colonial police force grappled to unveil the identity behind these heinous acts
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The people of Magalang succumbed to a turmoil of emotions
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A blend of curiosity and anxiety
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Over the span of a decade, approximately 57 strange murders occurred
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Scattered throughout the sprawling colonial town
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Leaving the colonial police, aka the Guardia Civil
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In a state of bewilderment
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With no apparent motive or connection between the gruesome murders
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Amid the absence of clues or suspects
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These cases were reluctantly labeled unsolved
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However, the specter of an unknown killer roaming the streets of Magalang
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Continued to haunt the collective consciousness of the people
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Little did they know that these murders would lead to the revelation of the first documented Filipino serial killer
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And by the way, if you like learning about our people's history, culture, and everything in between
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Okay, now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about the setting
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You know, where exactly did all of these happen?
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What is in Magalang?
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Where is Magalang?
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Located in the heart of Central Luzon, Magalang, Pampanga of the 1800s
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Was a sprawling town
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That also included the present-day municipality of Concepcion, Tarlac
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And it boasted a lush landscape with the majestic Bundo Calaya or Mount Arayat in the background
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It is important to highlight that the old church and the gruesome murders
02:59.1
Actually happened in the abandoned Pueblo or town center of the old San Bartolome de Magalang
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As opposed to the present-day location of the modern-day town of Magalang
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In fact, this old Pueblo or town center of San Bartolome de Magalang
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Is now the present-day barangay San Bartolome in Concepcion, Tarlac
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The historic splitting of the old Magalang into two separate towns
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Happened as a result of the catastrophic flood in 1863
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Decades after the death of Father Malyari
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The unprecedented death of San Bartolome de Magalang
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And the devastation of the once sprawling town of San Bartolome de Magalang
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Led the population to abandon the old Pueblo
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To settle on higher ground
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And as a result, two distinct groups emerged
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One heading north and one heading south
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The one heading north eventually established the present-day town of Concepcion, Tarlac
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And this included prominent families like the Aquinos
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While the other group moving south retained the name Magalang
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And this group included other ancient Kapampangan families
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Like my own ancestors, the Tayags
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Indeed, this old town center or Pueblo of Old Magalang
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Now barangay San Bartolome in Concepcion, Tarlac
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Is still known to the local Kapampangans
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As the Balen Amela Kwan
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Which literally means the abandoned town or the town that was left behind
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It is also important to note that the vast colonial province of La Pampanga
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During this time was among the indispensable regions of the Spanish East Indies
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In fact, it was the agricultural heartland and the breadbasket
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That sustained the survival of the people of La Pampanga
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Especially Manila and its surroundings
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There was even a saying that if the harvest in Pampanga failed
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The city and the people of Manila would for sure face famine
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Indeed, Magalang itself was also home to some of the most profitable plantations in the land
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And you know because of this, any positions of power and influence in La Pampanga
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Like in wealthy towns like Magalang were always highly coveted
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And this was especially true within the Catholic Church
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Which during this time was also the largest land owners
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And the largest land owners in the country
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And most influential landlords in the Philippines
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Which now brings us to the significance of Father Malyari's position and achievements
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So who exactly was Father Malyari?
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How did he end up being the first documented serial killer in the history of what is now the Philippines?
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Father Juan Severino Malyari was a man of many firsts
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Despite taking the center stage in this dark narrative
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Revered historian and psychiatrist Dr. Luciano Pierre Santiago
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Meticulously documented Father Malyari's life and his life in the Philippines
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Laying the foundations, Kapampangan pioneers in the Philippine Church
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Published by the Center for Kapampangan Studies
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And according to Dr. Luciano Pierre Santiago's work
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Father Malyari was a priest from Macabebe
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Who achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming the first, the very first
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Indio or native Filipino priest to preside over this parish of Pampanga during the colonial era
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And beyond his religious duties
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Father Malyari showcased artistic prowess
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As one of the very first native-born Filipinos to master the art of painting and painting
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And as a result, Father Malyari was the first native-born Filipino priest to master the art of painting and painting
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And as a result, Father Malyari was the first native-born Filipino priest to master the art of painting and painting
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And as a result, Father Malyari was the first native-born Filipino priest to master the art of calligraphy
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In fact, he adorned parish annual reports with intricate designs
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Like flowered vines and angels on clouds
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And so in the early 19th century
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Father Juan Severino Malyari was assigned as a coadjutor in various towns of La Pampanga
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Including Gapang or what is now Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Lubau, and Bacolor
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And despite initial competition for prominent positions
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Father Malyari secured the curacy of Magalang on March 26, 1813
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Beating two other candidates
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Father Malyari secured the curacy of Magalang on March 26, 1813
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His activities in Old Magalang extended beyond pastoral duties
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A highly skilled calligrapher
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His annual Planes de Almas showcased artistic sketches
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Unknown to many, Father Malyari's family were considered to be local elites
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And this was also evident in his brother's election as Gobernador Silio
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Or the mayor of Old Magalang
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In fact, the Malyaris are among the most ancient Kapampangan clans
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The name Malyari itself is pre-colonial
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It comes from the sacred name of the indigenous
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One-eyed, fiery, red moon deity of Mount Pinatubo
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Known to us Kapampangans as Apong Malyari
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Or to the Aitas as Apong na Malyari
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The deity who makes things possible
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Who was later adopted in modern day Tagalog mythology
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As the one-eyed moon goddess Mayari
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Nevertheless, the psychological underpinnings of Malyari's descent into darkness
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Are as baffling as the murders themselves
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Dr. Santiago delves into Malyari's motivations
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Revealing that his crimes were rooted in a belief that
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His mother had been bewitched
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Or mekulam in Kapampangan
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According to the narrative, Father Malyari, driven by love and distress
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Embarked on a killing spree
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He was convinced that taking the lives of his parishioners
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Would somehow undo the black magic afflicting his beloved mother
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However, Father Malyari's struggle extended beyond confronting supernatural forces
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You know, in an era where mental health was poorly understood
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Father Malyari battled severe psychosis
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Unfortunately, Father Malyari found himself around the world for a while
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He was arrested in 1826
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And dragged into the prisons miles away in Manila
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He was imprisoned for over a decade
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Rather than receiving care at a mental institution
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You know, despite the fact that
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Spain itself had made remarkable strides in the field of mental health
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For example, Spain was the home of the very first psychiatric hospital in Europe
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Known in Spanish as the Hospital de Inocentes
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Or literally, the Hospital of the Innocents
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Founded in Valencia in the year 1410
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Four centuries before the fall of the Spanish Revolution
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Before Father Malyari was even born
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Indeed, the Philippines saw the establishment of its first psychiatric hospital
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During the Spanish colonial era
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The Hospicio de San Jose in the city of Manila has been in operation since 1810
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Marking a significant milestone in the field of mental health
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16 years before Father Malyari's arrest
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Now, this raises the questions about why Father Malyari upon his arrest
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Was taken into a prison and not into this institution
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As they normally would for someone suffering severely
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From severe psychosis
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Thus, sparking inquiries into the fairness and impartiality of the colonial legal system
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You know, which now brings us to the larger issue
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That was also unfolding in the Philippines during this period
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But before we dig deeper into this dark chapter of Magalang's history
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I just want to give a shout out to all my patrons throughout these years
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Because this video and this channel will not be possible without the love
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And the support of my patrons, subscribers, and viewers like you throughout these years
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That's why, there are so many, so many
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Thank you very much
09:28.4
Or if you're just watching, thank you very much
09:30.2
In Bahasa Malayo, thank you and in Bahasa Sug, please take care of yourselves
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So if you want to help me make more videos like this
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Please be my patron on Patreon or a member of my YouTube channel
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You may also check out my books, coloring books, e-books, and merch
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About the pre-colonial history and culture of the Philippines and Southeast Asia
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So don't miss out and check out the links below
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And I also want to give a special shout out
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A heartfelt shout out to Konglino Dizon of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines
09:56.8
And to our local hirapolitan quebecans, the Argentinian and Filipino
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historians in Magalang like Kamlat Magalenyo.
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Dakal pong salamat kay Hongan
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for everything that you're doing to help preserve
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and promote our people's history,
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including that of Father Malyari.
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Okay, you know, after this video, if you want to dig deeper
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and learn more about Father Malyari and many
10:12.0
others, check out this amazing book,
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Laying the Foundations, Kapampaan Pioneers
10:16.0
in the Philippine Church, written by the late
10:18.1
Dr. Luciano P.R. Santiago.
10:20.0
Okay, now back to our topic, let's talk about when.
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When was all of this happening?
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What exactly was the larger issue that
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Filipinos are facing during this period,
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especially Filipino priests?
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In the context of Father Malyari's
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tumultuous era, the secularization
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movement in the Philippines emerged
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as a pivotal backdrop.
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The movement gained momentum in the 1800s
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and sought to address the
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ecclesiastical control wielded
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by the Spanish friars over Philippine
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parishes. Advocating
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for transferring parishes from white
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Spanish friars to the local secular
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priests fostered a desire for greater
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autonomy within the Filipino clergy.
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The tension between the Filipino
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secular clergy and the Spanish religious
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authorities added complexity
11:01.8
to Father Malyari's narrative.
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This struggle within the Catholic Church
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and the overarching themes of colonial influence
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and indigenous resistance
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played a significant role in shaping
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the events during this tumultuous period
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in Philippine history. Furthermore,
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intertwining the secularization movement
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with Father Malyari's narrative
11:19.7
raises questions about the broader
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social and political landscapes of the time.
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We must ask ourselves,
11:25.9
how Father Malyari's case became intertwined
11:28.0
with the wider push for church reform,
11:29.9
ultimately shaping the perception
11:31.5
of his alleged crimes?
11:33.9
If you think about it, Father Malyari's narrative
11:35.9
gains complexity from the historical
11:37.7
intersection of religious dynamics
11:39.6
and political tensions, emphasizing
11:41.8
the intricate contradictions between
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the colonial powers, local movements,
11:45.9
and individual lives during this tumultuous
11:48.0
period in Philippine history.
11:49.6
In the decades that followed Father Malyari's
11:52.0
death, the Philippines witnessed another
11:53.8
pivotal moment in its struggle for
11:55.7
justice and freedom.
11:57.0
Known to us today as the Gomburza,
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Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos,
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and Jacinto Zamora, the Gomburza
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were Filipino priests who faced persecution
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and execution by the Spanish colonial
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authorities in 1872.
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Their tragic fate became a symbol of the
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growing dissent against the oppressive
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Spanish colonial rule, inspiring future
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Filipino nationalist movements.
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The Gomburza's public execution echoes
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the themes of injustice and prejudice within
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the colonial legal system, mirroring
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Father Malyari's own predicament.
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The shared narrative of trailblazing Filipino
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priests being targets of colonial persecution
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underscores the complexities and challenges
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faced by the individuals who dared to
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challenge the status quo.
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Wait lang, at that Father Malyari was guilty,
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how can a serial killer priest be a victim
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You know, as we dive deeper into Father Juan
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Severino Malyari's alleged guilt, a shadow
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of doubt emerges.
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Regarding whether he truly was the very
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first documented serial killer in the Philippines,
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or if indeed he only became a convenient
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scapegoat for colonial and church authorities.
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The colonial police force grappling with the
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mysterious gruesome murders may have been
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too quick to point fingers at Father Malyari.
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Indeed, they were lacking in conclusive evidence.
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You know, Father Malyari's complex identity
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as an acclaimed Indian priest and artist
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who broke colonial barriers and racial
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stereotypes adds even more complexity to the
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One might ponder whether he fell victim to
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a rushed judgment, whether he served as a
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scapegoat to reinforce colonial authority,
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and perpetuate stereotypes about the
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indigenous population.
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You know, the evidence found against him
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was discovered by the community members
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visiting his home while he was suffering
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from an illness, and this brings up concerns
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about the transparency of the investigation.
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Although blood-stained items might paint a
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gruesome and morbid picture, they do not
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provide a complete understanding of the
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It is also worth noting that Father Malyari
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was not the only individual accused of these murders.
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His own brother, the Gobernador Silio of Magalang,
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also faced the same exact allegations.
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On December 4, 1825, Father Malyari's beloved
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mother passed away.
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However, prior to this tragic event, the town
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of Magalang had already experienced mysterious
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A report dated December 28, 1825 pinpointed
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the Malyari brothers and their associates as
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suspects in these gruesome murders.
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And this was because the victims were accused
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by the alleged perpetrators, aka the Malyari
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brothers, of cursing the ailing beloved mother
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of Father Malyari.
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Consequently, the Alcalde Mayor ordered the
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arrest of the Malyari brothers and their
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And this included the removal of Father Malyari's
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brother from office as the esteemed Gobernador
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Silio of Magalang, leading to new elections
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for the much coveted position of mayor of
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The report also implicated Father Malyari in
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additional crimes such as the murder of his brother,
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such as theft, and aiding other criminals.
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In 1826, Father Malyari, his brother, and their
14:60.0
accomplices were apprehended and taken to the
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jails in Bacolor, the capital of La Pampanga,
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then to the prisons of Manila.
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Sadly, in 1840, Father Malyari met his demise
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through a humiliating public execution by hanging
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in Luneta, Manila, aka Bagumbayan, in the very
15:18.9
same place where the Gumbuza would be executed
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three decades later in 1872.
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And where Dr. Jose Rizal would also face his own
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death in 1896, 56 years after Father Malyari's hanging.
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Okay, let's be honest, as we reflect and truly
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dig deeper into these historical accounts, one
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cannot help but question the motives behind Father
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Malyari's hanging and the removal of his brother
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from power, raising suspicions about the true
15:46.5
agenda that may have influenced these
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consequential events, in dissecting the legacy of
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Father Juan Severino Malyari.
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We must confront the complexities that envelop
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His life and alleged crimes serve as a lens through
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which we can scrutinize not only the historical
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events of the past, but also the systemic issues
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deeply embedded in colonial injustices.
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Father Malyari's tale compels us to re-evaluate
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the narratives constructed by colonialism,
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prompting a critical examination of potential
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biases within the legal proceedings and official records.
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We must also question whether Father Malyari's
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story was manipulated to perpetuate stereotypes
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about the Indios or the indigenous people as
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superstitious and irrational, and thus providing
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inconvenient justification for colonial abuses and
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racial discrimination.
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In contemplating Father Malyari's contradicting
16:42.1
identities as a devout priest and alleged murderer,
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we grapple with the inherent limitations of
16:48.2
historical records and the formidable challenges of
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uncovering the truth amidst a completely different history.
16:52.2
While it may be true that Father Malyari was the very first
16:57.8
documented convicted serial killer in the Philippines,
17:01.3
his story urges us to dive deeper into the colonial
17:04.4
dynamics that likely influenced the case, shedding
17:07.7
light on the broader issues of injustice, mental
17:10.5
health, and the impacts of racial discrimination.
17:13.5
In fact, long before Father Malyari's alleged killing
17:16.6
spree in Magalang, there have already been countless
17:19.8
Spanish friars involved.
17:21.6
The story is also involved in numerous massacres,
17:23.5
murders, and sex scandals and other crimes in the
17:27.2
But none of them face the same fate and public
17:29.8
humiliation as Father Malyari.
17:32.1
In conclusion, the alleged guilt of Father Juan
17:34.9
Severino Malyari adds layers of uncertainty to the
17:39.0
Indeed, his story becomes a rallying point empowering
17:41.9
us to critically examine historical narratives,
17:45.2
interrogate assumptions, and demand a nuanced
17:48.4
understanding of complex human stories and human
17:51.4
experiences, shaped by the intersection of culture,
17:54.9
religion, mental health, racial discrimination, and
17:57.9
the insidious effects of white supremacy and
18:01.3
And if we think about it, Father Malyari's legacy
18:03.9
compels us to strive for justice and a more equitable
18:08.3
world, where the voices of the marginalized are no
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longer distorted by the prejudiced echoes of racism,
18:15.0
white supremacy, and colonialism.
18:17.3
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Father
18:19.6
Malyari was absolutely innocent.
18:21.4
You know, I'm not saying that he wasn't totally guilty at all
18:24.3
But honestly, in this day and age where we take for granted this concept of beyond reasonable doubt
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It's simply impossible for us to fairly convict Father Magliari beyond reasonable doubt
18:35.6
You know, we simply do not have enough evidence to fairly convict Father Magliari beyond the reasonable doubt
18:41.4
There simply was too many factors to consider
18:44.4
From political to mental health to racism to corruption within the church and many more
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In short, it's more complicated than just a horror story of an evil Filipino priest roaming around town
18:56.0
Murdering his own people gruesomely in the dark
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Sadly, we simply do not know and we cannot know for sure whether or not Father Magliari was a victim or a villain
19:04.4
Because history is not black and white
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Anyways, that is it for me today
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So let me know what you think about today's topic in the comments below
19:10.9
And if you like this video or learned a thing or two
19:12.7
Don't forget to like, share this video, comment down below
19:15.4
And please subscribe to my channel for more history, culture, and everything else
19:19.2
Thank you very much!
19:21.2
Thank you very much!
19:23.2
Thank you very much!
19:25.2
Thank you very much!
19:27.2
See you next time on Tagalog Kit na Kits and in Kapampangan,
19:40.0
Okay wait lang, one more thing before I go
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I just found out that I have over 18 scripts written from last year that I've never made into videos last year
19:48.0
Because life of life!
19:49.0
Just got in the way and got too busy for me
19:51.0
But anyways, stay tuned for more videos, more exciting videos this 2024!
