Hermano Pule

Apolinario dela Cruz, popularly known as Hermano Pule, is a Filipino religious leader, founder and leader of Cofradía de San Jose, a religious order exclusive for the natives in the Philippines. He aspired to be a priest and applied for membership in the Dominican order but was denied for the sole reason of his race. It was believed that this was the reason for his decision for his religious reform and the creation of his group even without the ecclesiastical and government authorities' approval. During the peak of the movement, there were estimated 4,500 to 5,000 members in Tayabas, Batangas, and Laguna.

He and his followers were accused of heresy and political conspiracy. On November 4, 1841, after a trial, he was executed by a firing squad in Tayabas. Some leaders and around 200 members were also executed on the same day. The authorities had his body quartered. His dismembered head, hands, and feet were exhibited throughout Tayabas Province.

References:

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermano_Pule data accessed July 25, 2019
• https://peoplepill.com/people/hermano-pule/