Agustín Sumuroy

Agustín Sumuroy (better known as Juan Sumuroy) was a Filipino hero and Waray leader of the Sumuroy Revolt, a rebellion of native Filipinos against colonial Spanish forces that occurred in eastern Visayas in 1649–1650. He is referred to by many as the Waray hero of the Palapag rebellion during the Spanish time around 1649 to 1650.

There were several personalities in the said uprising: Don Juan Ponce, the leader of the group; Don Pedro Caamug, the second leader; Agustín Sumuroy. The name Juan Ponce Sumuroy is sometimes given to Agustín usually as the result of confusion between Juan Ponce and Agustín Sumuroy. Sumuroy Revolt (1649–1650) A map of the Sumuroy Revolt at its greatest extent on 7 January 1650, fought between the Spanish East Indies (yellow) and the rebels of Palapag and its allies (red) under the leadership of Agustín Sumuroy. In 1649, Governor-General Diego Fajardo ordered men to be sent to the Cavite shipyards. This caused resentment and, eventually, under the leadership of Sumuroy, the people of Palapag rose in arms. The curate of the town was killed on 1 June of the same year and hostilities ensued the next day after the house and furniture of the Palapag Church were destroyed. On the 3rd, Sumuroy announced that he was the one who killed the friars and destroyed the church in Palapag completely. The towns of Palapag and Catubig began to revolt and renounced Christianity. The towns of Pambujan, Bayugo, Catarman, Bonan followed the rebels.

Within the month of June, the revolt then spread to Albay and Camarines followed the rebels. Masbate also revolted and they killed the friar of Masbate, Father Alférez Torres. In Caraga, the town of Tinao/Linao (inner Agusan) revolted, where they killed the Augustinian friar there. The town of Iligan also revolted, followed by the Manobos of Cagayan de Oro. Those from Cebu attempted to revolt, but this attempt was quickly extinguished by the authorities. In Leyte, the town of Bacor (Bacol) was the first to revolt and left their town to join the people of Palapag. Bohol remained loyal to the Spaniards. Afterwards, the people of Paranas also rebelled.

Legacy Sumuroy is commemorated in the scientific name of species of gecko, Cyrtodactylus sumuroi, which is endemic to Samar.

In 2008, the National Historical Commission installed a historical marker in the town of Palapag, Northern Samar for Agustín Sumuroy.

Palapag observes Sumuroy Day annually on 1 June to commemorate Agustín Sumuroy's heroism during the 1649 uprising against Spanish rule.