Dagohoy's real name is Francisco Sendrijas. He is a native of Inabanga, Bohol. Historians believe that his alias was derived from a belief that he had an amulet or “anting-anting” in the Tagalog language and “dagon” on the Cebuano dialect, that protected him from being harmed by his enemies. The people believed that he possessed the charm of a gentle wind or “hoyohoy” in the Cebuano dialect that allowed him to jump from one hill to another and from one side of the river to the other. He was believed to have a clear vision inside dark caves and be invisible whenever and wherever he wants to. The Dagohoy surname was derived from his local alias “Dagon sa hoyohoy.”

He led the longest revolt against the Spaniards. His struggle against the Spaniards was provoked when his older brother named Sagarino, who was then working for the church authorities, was asked to accompany a fugitive from the mountains. Sagarino failed to return. His body was recovered by Dagohoy in the mountains after a few days. The priest, who was Sagarino’s employer, refused to give Dagohoy’s brother a proper burial because he did not receive the sacrament of extreme unction prior to his death.

Dagohoy vowed to exact revenge on his brother’s untimely death. He did not obey the forced labor law implemented during the Spanish period. He encouraged the people to fight for their rights, defeat oppression and walk to the path of freedom. He was able to convince about three thousand Boholanos to stand up for their rights. The three thousand or so freedom fighters went to the mountains and launched surprise attacks against the Spaniards.

They assaulted the garrisons and looted churches and in the process, Dagohoy fulfilled his promise and was able to exact revenge on the priest who refused to give his brother the proper burial rites.

The freedom fighters built a virtual ecosystem in the mountains. It could probably be the reason why they were able to sustain the revolutionary movement for so long. Other natives of Bohol contributed to the revolt in other ways, some supplied weapons, money and food.

The Spaniards were able to suppress the revolt in 1828. They flexed their muscle and sent a great number of troops to eliminate the rebels. The Spaniards hired other natives to increase the number of “pacifiers” and subdue the rebels for a shorter period of time.

Francisco Dagohoy, (born Francisco Sendrijas) is a Bol-anon who holds the distinction of having led the longest revolt in Philippine history, the famous Dagohoy Rebellion. This rebellion against the Spanish colonial government took place in the island of Bohol from 1744 to 1829, roughly 85 years.

Francisco Dagohoy
(c. Mid-18th century)

He led the longest revolt in Bohol against the Spaniards. The immediate cause of the revolt was the refusal of a Jesuit priest to give a Christian burial to Dagohoy's brother. The Spaniards needed 85 years before they were able to suppress the rebellion. It was only in 1829 that they finally succeeded in bringing to end the revolt started by Dagohoy.