Mariano Gómez y Guard was a Filipino secular priest, part of the Gomburza trio who were falsely accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century. He was placed in a mock trial and summarily executed in Manila along with two other clergymen.
Early Life
Gómez was born on August 2, 1799 in the suburb of Santa Cruz, Manila. He was a Tornatrás, one born of mixed Chinese and Spanish ancestries. His parents were Francisco Gómez and Martina Guard. After studying in the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, he took theology in the University of Santo Tomás. He was a student preparing for the priesthood in the Seminary of Manila.He was also the uncle of ilustrado nationalist and labor leader Dominador Gomez.
Assignment in Cavite
On June 2, 1824, he was designated the head priest of Bacoor, Cavite. Aside from taking care of the spiritual necessities of the town and the church, he also taught agriculture and cottage industries.[citation needed] Gómez also helped in maintaining a harmonious relationship among his other priests. He fought for equal rights of native priests against the abuses of their Spanish counterparts.
Death
Gómez was accused of treason, sedition, and taking active part in the Cavite mutiny of 1872 and sentenced to death by garrote in a military court. He was sent to jail along with Fray José Burgos, Fray Jacinto Zamora, JoaquÃn Pardo de Tavera, and Máximo Paterno. The three friars were executed on February 17, 1872 at Bagumbayan field; and have been known since then by the acronym composed of their collective surnames – Gomburza. Before his death, Gómez was active in the publication of the newspaper "La Verdad" (Spanish, "The Truth").