Mabini's Paralysis: Debunking Myths
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Darry BlanciaMabini's Paralysis: Debunking Myths
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Darry BlanciaControversy about Mabini's paralysis[edit]
Even during his lifetime, there were controversial rumors regarding the cause of Mabini's paralysis.
Infighting among members of the Malolos congress led to the spread of rumors that Mabini's
paralysis had been caused by venereal disease - specifically, syphilis. This was finally debunked in
1980, when Mabini's bones were exhumed and the autopsy proved conclusively that the cause of his
paralysis was polio.[24]
This information reached National Artist F. Sionil José too late, however. By the time the
historian Ambeth Ocampo told him about the autopsy results, he had already published Po-on, the
first novel of his Rosales Saga. That novel contained plot points based on the premise that Mabini
had indeed become a paralytic due to syphilis.[25]
In later editions of the book,[26] the novelist corrected the error and issued an apology, which reads in
part:
I committed a horrible blunder in the first edition of Po-on. No apology to the august memory of
Mabini no matter how deeply felt will ever suffice to undo the damage that I did.... According to
historian Ambeth Ocampo who told me this too late, this calumny against Mabini was spread by the
wealthy mestizos around Aguinaldo who wanted Mabini's ethical and ideological influence cut off.
They succeeded. So, what else in our country has changed?
In the later editions, Mabini's disease - an important plot point - was changed to an undefined liver
ailment. The ailing Mabini takes pride in the fact that his symptoms are definitely not those of
syphilis, despite the rumors spread by his detractors in the Philippine Revolutionary government.
Tributes[edit]
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Shrines[edit]
The Mabini Shrine, now located in the PUP campus in Santa Mesa, Manila
Two sites related to Mabini have been chosen to host shrines in his honor:
o The house where Mabini died is now located in the campus of the Polytechnic
University of the Philippines (PUP) in Santa Mesa, Manila, having been moved twice. The
simple nipa retains the original furniture, and some of the books he wrote, and also contains
souvenir items, while hosting the municipal library and reading facilities. [27]
o Mabini was buried in his town of birth - what is now Talaga, Tanauan City, Batangas.
An interactive museum containing historical artifacts, his personal properties, books he
wrote, and it also provides historical information about him, the Philippines during his time,
and some of his town's historical background was constructed, and was recently renovated
and improved, on this site. It also sells books about him and souvenir items. A replica of the
house Mabini was born in was also constructed on the site.
The BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36).
2014 Philippine stamp showing Mabini
Place names[edit]
Four Philippine municipalities are named after Mabini:
o Mabini, Batangas,
o Mabini, Bohol,
o Mabini, Compostela Valley, and
o Mabini, Pangasinan
The Mabini Academy is a school in Lipa City, Batangas named after Mabini. The school logo
carries Mabini's Image.
Southern Tagalog Arterial Road or Apolinario Mabini Superhighway is an expressway that
connect the province of Batangas to the SLEX.
Apolinario Mabini Bridge, formerly known as Nagtahan Bridge in the City of Manila, was
renamed in his honor.
Mabini reef, also referred to as Johnson South Reef, is a reef claimed by the Philippines in
the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. It is currently controlled by the People's Republic of
China (PRC). In addition to the Philippines and China, its ownership is also disputed by Brunei,
Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
