1896

Aurelio S. Alvero

The Cry awoke Balintawak

And the echoes answered back------
“Freedom!”

All the four winds listened long

To the shrieking of that song --------
“Freedom”

In all the fields of rice and cane

Shook the stalks with that refrain------
“Freedom!”

I heard it from the planters in the vales,--

I heard it from the traders tying bales,---
I heard it where the fishers strike their sails,----
“Freedom!”

All the poets struck their lyre

With those burning notes of fire---------
“Freedom!”

All the women knelt to pray,

In their hearts that frenzied lay -----
“Freedom!”

E’en the children and the old

Took to arms and shouted bold----
“Freedom!”
I heard it from the huskers ‘neath the trees,----
I heard it from the drivers of the seas,----
I heard it from the pounders in the leas,-
“Freedom!”

All the people raised the cry

Fearing not to bleed or die ----

“Freedom!”

All the tombs of slave and sire

Broke to voice that great desire----
“Freedom!”

Up the mountain, down the plain,

Louder, louder rang the strain-----
“Freedom!”

I heard it from the makers of the brooms,,-----

I heard it from the weavers at their looms,------
I heard it in the smoking smithy rooms,--
“Freedom!”

From the temples, from the shrines,

From the bosom of the mines:
“Freedom!”

Muscles stout and spirit strong

Broke the chains with metal song----
“Freedom!”
 I heard it in the bullets’ whine and roar,--
I heard it in the farthest islet shore,-----
I heard it and shall hear it evermore,----
“Freedom!”

In his poem 1896 Aurelio Alvero celebrates the outbreak of the 1896
Katipunan popular revolution against the governing Spanish Authorities
in the Philippines, which was led by Andres Bonifacio.
Alvero's poem has no political or ethical content, it is only a list of all the
various groups of natives and labourers who shout FREEDOM in
support of the popular protest. Alvero probably intended his poem to
suggest that the Katipunan party enjoyed universal and uncritical support
from all Philippinos.
The revolution Alvero celebrates historically transferred the Philippines
from being a de jure Spanish dependency to being a de facto American
colony. (Roosevelt's brutality in the Philippines was so crass even Mark
Twain protested it). Later the islands were handed over to the Japanese
(a process in which Alvero assisted).
The message of the poem is that the 1896 revolutio was a glorious
achievement (because it commanded universal popular support) even
though the freedom it gained for the Philippines was no more than a
change of colonial master.
The poem is grossly sentimental and historically dishonest - two virtues
which have ensured its enduring popularity with forces favouring control
and appeasement in the Republic ever since.
 Criteria for the Speech Choir
(1896 by Aurelio Alvero)

1. Overall Interpretation (40%). The speech choir invokes

thoughts and feelings and initiates a shared experience with
the audience through superior dynamics, unique techniques,
and expressive interpretations of the lines.
2. Delivery (40%). The speech choir demonstrates mastery of
the piece by maintaining vocal unison, stage poise, eye
contact, and other verbal and nonverbal effects.
3. Costume and Props (10%). The speech choir wears costumes
and uses props indispensable in the interpretation of the
piece and shared experience between the choir and the
audience.
4. Audience Impact (10%). The speech choir succeeds in
engaging the audience in the shared experience, hence
communicating the message of the literary piece.