Gomburza stood for Fathers Mariano Gomez , Jose Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora , three Filipino priests who were executed on February 17, 1873 by Spanish colonial authorities on charges of subversion coming from the 1872 Cavite mutiny . Their unjust execution left a profound effect on many Filipinos, especially on Jose Rizal, the national hero, who, himself, was martyred.

During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, Filipino colonists consisted of three groups: the Insulares (Spaniards born in the Philippines), Spanish Mestizos, Chinese Mestizos, and Indios (Natives). The execution of the three Filipino priests, who came from the insulares and the Spanish and Chinese mestizo classes, caused the groups to think of themselves as one nation.

Although many Spanish friars protested abuses by the Spanish government and military they themselves have commited many abuses. Many Filipinos were enraged when friars blocked the ascent of highly trained Filipino clergy in the Catholic Church hierarchy. Vast lands were claimed as friar estates from landless farmers. There were also sexual abuses. 'Anak ni Padre Damaso' (Child of Father Damaso) has become cliché to refer to an illegitimate child, especially that of a priest.

See also

• Separation of church and state in the Philippines