In 1823, Captain Andres Novales got tired of how the Spanish treated the Criollos of the Philippines and revolted against Spain. Novales, sub-lieutenant Ruiz, their soldiers in the King's regiment, and 800 native soldiers seized the Royal Palace, City Hall, and the Manila Cathedral. The soldiers proclaimed Long Live the Emperor Novales as this happened (I'm not sure of Novales actually proclaimed himself Emperor or his men called for it).
However, the rebels failed to seize Manila's Fort Santiago because Novales's brother who was in charge at the fort wouldn't open the gates.
What if Novales's brother had opened the gates, the revolutionaries secured Manila, and they proceeded to establish an Empire of the Philippines under Novales?
However, the rebels failed to seize Manila's Fort Santiago because Novales's brother who was in charge at the fort wouldn't open the gates.
What if Novales's brother had opened the gates, the revolutionaries secured Manila, and they proceeded to establish an Empire of the Philippines under Novales?