Juan Eugenio Rodríguez

Juan Eugenio Rodríguez Mabasa (Manila, September 4, 1581- February 1612 in the Pacific Ocean) was a soldier of the Spanish fleet stationed in the Pacific Ocean. He was one of the first soldiers of the Spanish fleet of Filipino descent.

Biography

Rodríguez Mabasa was born in Manila, Philippines into a well-to-do home, the only son of the Aragonese merchant Diego Rodriguez with a Filipino. Given the situation of racism Juan Eugenio was marginalized as were slaves and natives. His father has to return to Spain after seeing how his family is marked by racism. Juan Eugenio is abandoned at a young age and is raised by his mother. Military career

As he grows, he begins to take interest in a military career. But with his racial condition he would not be able to occupy a high rank. When it reaches the age regulated to join the naval fleet this serves in the charge of cannons and cleaning of the Spanish ship. This one begins to gain reputation with the military rank high of the ship by its hard work. But it continues to fill cannons and clean them after the simple battles against resistance at sea.

For the 1610 Juan Eugenio is located along the coast of Indonesia escorting a mercantile transport. His warning voice about a possible attack of pirates or mercenaries caused that the guns were loaded and prepared for a battle. This prevented the attack from injuring the merchants. This earned him a decoration that would cause conflict in the crew. Death

The crew go to another escort of merchants for 1612. Juan Eugenio is stabbed by one of the other soldiers. Controversy

It is believed that Juan Eugenio was a victim of racism for being one of the first mestizo military to receive a decoration at the time. This decoration could have raised jealousy and envy among the Spaniards in the crew. Enough to justify a hate crime.

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