Tamblot
Indigenous religions and beliefs played a huge part behind the revolts' inception as Roman Catholicism spread throughout the Philippine archipelago, a process which many of its inhabitants rejected in favor of their local customs.
Tamblot successfully convinced parts of the Boholano population to revolt against the Spanish Empire, who held full dominion over the island, by informing the residents about a diwata—a localized term for a deity or god—who pledged to aid them in expelling Spain out of Bohol.
Persuaded, people in most of the island's villages began to revolt and wreak havoc, gaining the attention of the nearby province of Cebu and its alcalde-mayor by the name of Don Juan Alcarazo.
Some colonial sources explain that the diwata also promised to grant the Boholanos a joyous future in exchange for their servitude to and construction of a shrine dedicated to the deity in question, apart from their departure from Spain's religion and authority.
Alcarazo subsequently assembled his troops consisting of Spanish and Philippine soldiers then traveled to Bohol, leading the others through the thick, mountainous forests inland in pursuit of the rebels.
[2][3][4] The term babaylan was most often used in the Visayan Islands and described a tradition, common throughout the Philippines, of religious practitioners who led ritual sacrifices and ceremonies, acted as mediums between humans and the supernatural world, and served as folk healers who diagnosed illnesses through séances.
Juan Medina (History of the Augustinian Order in the Filipinas Islands, 1630) Tamblot gained followers when he and his priests showed 'miracles' around the surrounding villages.
He promised them that once a shrine was created in the seclusion of the hills, that he and his followers would be able to lead a life full of bounty thanks to the miracles the diwata would provide.
An account by Aduarte added that the contingent consisted of Cebuanos as well as Kapampangan warriors with a Spanish priest, the total force numbering more than a 1000.
[citation needed] Upon landing in Bohol using four caracoas, they started marching on New Year's Day of 1622 seeking out the mountain stronghold of Tamblot's followers.
As heavy rain started to pour it briefly slowed down their rate of their fire giving a momentary time lapse for Tamblot's men to counter.
Fortunately for the Spanish forces, the shields of the Cebuanos were able to keep the guns dry enough from the rain continuing massive damage against the Boholano counterattack.
[14] Tamblot's insurrections directly influenced another island northeast of Bohol, Leyte, to begin a revolt against Spanish vassalage as well.
[3] Like the Tamblot uprisings, this revolt also involved the construction of a shrine to a local deity and was also put down by the same Don Juan Alcarazo, the alcalde-mayor of Cebu.
The center of the aforementioned flag is charged with the main element of Bohol's provincial seal, with two bolo knives or swords flanking the symbol.
