Module I: Thinking Like a Historian -Worksheet for Primary sources on the Tejeros Convention

Name: Sol-Ah V. Park_________ Section _BSA 1-B_____

Document

Santiago Alvarez’ “Memoir of a General”

Author’s background

What are the significant information about the author that makes his memoirs a primary
source?

- Santiago Alvarez was a revolutionary general and a founder and honorary president of the first
directorate of the Nacionalista Party. He was the son of another Filipino general, Mariano
Alvarez. He bared the name of ‘’Kidlat ng Apoy’’ because of his inflamed bravery and dedication
as commander of Cavite’s famous battles (particularly that in Dalahican).

When did the account took place?

What were the prevailing situations when the account took place?

- A Friar house in Tajeros- venue for the meeting of Lumbreras of the Magdiwang Council;
another meeting was held here after the past tumultuous event

- Catholic church in tanza- Trias, Triona, De Dioss, Rillo, and other were romured they held a
meeting here with Fr. Cenon Villafranca; Meeting held on March 27 (Oathtaking ceremony)

Sequence of events

What are the significant events that provide a picture of the story?

-The assembly was convened in Tejeros on March 25, 1897. Secretary Villanueva received
confidential information. Chairman Lumbreras declared the assembly open and announce the
main topic of discussion.

-They argued about the revolutionary government. Captain General Apoy ordered an arrest for
Maj. Damaso Fojas and Mr. Lumbreras let Supremo preside the assembly.

-The chair proceeded to prepare for an election. Supremo appointed the people who got the
different positions and also he won as the secretary of war. But Mr. Daniel Tirona requested for
restoration of order and elect Mr. Jose Del Rosario.

-In April 3, the Supremo made a bid to recapture Noveleta.

- General Apoy visited Tarike fort to boost the morale of the troops.

- Gen. Pio Del Pilar and his troops, made a withdrawal before the enemy could attack.

-Spanish reinforcements arrived to the west of Bakaw, Noveleta and Salinas. Artillery fire began
battering San Francisco de Malabon, Tejeros to Tarike. The Bloody and miserable battle lost
many gallant troops.

Strengths and weaknesses of the account

What are the statements in the document that could pinpoint the:

a)Strength of the narrative (explain)

-The general strengths of a memoir are that it is written at the time of events and so can be
considered a primary sources, it gives you a good insight to how people were thinking at the
time, for example, are they being swayed by particular opinions that are being circulated or do
they contrast with what is occurring at that period in time.

b) Weaknesses of the narrative (explain)

- The limitation or weaknesses of memoirs could also be the detail and impartiality of each
account. As previously stated many are of personal accounts and will most definitely contain
personal opinions. Some limitations include a lack of authorship in the case of articles written in
journal and newspapers.

Author’s bias

What information about the author could possibly influence his narrative to be biased?

-Alvarez’s bias is more on the election that happened in tejeros convention. Alvarez is just
pinpointing on what certain events and how does the delegation of the people had been done.
The events that is given by Alvarez is more on how the election goes and what happened during
the election day in the given event, Alvarez doesn’t mention any event that happened after the
election was done.

Contribution of the document to the grand narrative of Philippine History

Cite a parallelism of the event in the Tejeros Convention with that of the present political
situation we are experiencing. What lesson in this part of our history can we learn from?
Expound on your answer.
- Primary sources help students relate in a personal way to events of the past and
promote a deeper understanding of history as a series of human events. Because
primary sources are incomplete snippets of history, each one represents a mystery that
students can only explore further by finding new pieces of evidence.