OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga
Readings In Philippine History
Name: Camille Anne Tadeo Rabajante
Program: Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
COMPARING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES
SOURCES Santiago Alvarez
BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR His alias was “Kidlat ng apoy” and he is a general,
honorary president and founder of the first
directorate of the Nacionalista party who he became
famous for his bravery and courage during the
battles in Cavite. Moreover, Santiago Alvarez is the
only child of a revolutionary general named Mariano
Alvarez. His writing is a primary source because he
was there when the incident happened, he is an eye
witness because he personally experienced what
happened at that time.
BACKGROUND OF THE EVENT The Tejeros Convention was the meeting held on
(DATE, PLACE, SITUATION) March 22, 1897 between the Magdiwang and
Magdalo factions of the Katipunan at San Francisco
de Malabon, Cavite, wherein there was a
misunderstanding that arose between Andres
Bonifacio and Daniel Tirono, and those elected in
Tejeros convention knelt before the crucifix, and the
Magdalo troops guard the oath-taking ceremonies
inside the parish in Tanza.
Date: 08/31/2022
Section: 2-A-6
Teodoro Agoncillo
A prominent 20th century earliest Filipino historian
who was known to adopt and was renowned for
promoting a distinctly nationalistic view of Philippine
history. He was also an essayist and a poet, and is
considered one of the most important historians of
our time wherein his works are considered essential
to the study of Philippine history, and have also
transcended to the realm of classic literature. His
writing is considered to be secondary as he is a
prominent 20th century Philippine historian and
reports on the events of the "Tejeros Convention".
The katipunan in Cavite was divided into two
factions: Magdalo and Magdiwang, wherein
Bonifacio was invited by Magdiwang to visit Cavite,
and a misunderstanding existed between the two
rebel groups. Then the convention assembly in Imus,
and the election happened. Bonifacio sent a letter to
Mariano Alvarez his uncle in law and Emilo Jacinto.
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Readings In Philippine History

FACTS/ARGUMENTS This memoir is a product of proximity to the
“major personalities” of the Revolution,
including Andres Bonifacio, Dr. Pio Valenzuela,
and Emilio Jacinto, according to the author, as he was
able to keep notes about the experiences while he
was personally there to witness it. It’s main point is
that in this period of heavy struggle and conflict,
Filipinos of different backgrounds are united with a
common goal, and that is to resist colonialism.
The author tells the story of the Katipunan
movement, using the life and career of Andres
Bonifacio as the center and core of the story. This
characterized the 20th century society as dominated
by masses of mediocre and indistinguishable
individuals, who should surrender social leadership
to minorities of cultivated and intellectually
independent men.

YOUR PERSONAL ANALYSIS In my own opinion, I find Santiago Alvarez to be a bit
prejudiced because as you can see, some of the
events are not as detailed as Agoncillo’s, especially in
line with Bonifacio’s actions. Technically, Alvarez just
described the incidents chronologically without
saying its roots. Santiago Alvarez’ writing is the
primary source, he only mentioned what actually
happened at that time in his point of view, which is
kind of biased, to be honest, because he did not even
try to tell the truth from the point of view of the two
factions, the Magdiwang and Magdalo.
Teodoro Agoncillo is the secondary source who
mentioned the occurrences before and after the
election/convention, as well as relevant information
such as the reason and the background of events
between the two divided factions namely the
Magdiwang and Magdalo. His memoir is very well
written and very detailed compared to Alvarez’, but
since it is only a secondary source, I personally don’t
think we should rely on everything that was
mentioned here, however good it is.

RELEVANCE/IMPORTANCE This is very important because it is the memoir of a This is relevant because it tackles his explanation on
General which narrates his personal experiences and what made “the masses” revolutionary, as well as the
observations during the Philippine Revolution of explosion in the Katipunan’s membership. Moreover,
the dominant characterization of the masses was one
 OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga

Readings In Philippine History

which both the Katipunan and the government that of ignorance, gullibility, impulsiveness, irrationality,
succeeded it championed with great vigor. and treachery. It also explains this contradiction in
light of Agoncillo’s blending of literature and history,
the educated elite’s unquestioned assumptions
about ignorance, and the ethos of the postwar
“proletarian” writer.

1. Who is Santiago Alvarez? How come his writing is a primary source?

Santiago Alvarez’ alias was “Kidlat ng apoy” and he is a general, honorary president and founder of the first directorate of the Nacionalista party who he became famous
for his bravery and courage during the battles in Cavite. Moreover, Santiago Alvarez is the only child of a revolutionary general named Mariano Alvarez. His writing is a
primary source because he was there when the incident happened, he is an eye witness because he personally experienced what happened at that time.

2. Who is Teodoro Agoncillo? How come his writing is a secondary source?

Teodoro Agoncillo is a prominent 20th century earliest Filipino historian who was known to adopt and was renowned for promoting a distinctly nationalistic view of
Philippine history. He was also an essayist and a poet, and is considered one of the most important historians of our time wherein his works are considered essential to
the study of Philippine history, and have also transcended to the realm of classic literature. His writing is considered to be secondary as he is a prominent 20th century
Philippine historian and reports on the events of the "Tejeros Convention".

3. Create a chart comparing in detail the accounts of the two writers regarding the “Tejeros Convention”

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ TEODORO AGONCILLO

Excerpt from the Santiago Alvarez Account - “Katipunan and the Revolution: Excerpt from Teodoro Agoncillo - “The Revolt of the Masses, the story of
Memoirs of a General” Bonifacio and the Katipunan”
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Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga

Readings In Philippine History

Santiago Alvarez was actually at the main incident when it happened, meaning he Unlike Santiago Alvarez, Teodoro Agoncillo is a 20th century historian, which
personally experienced the events at the convention and told everything in his means he is more centered on appraising the story focusing on what
point of view which primarily focused on the occurrence of election which were happened before and after the convention which started by introducing the
made by the two divided factions in Tejeros Convention namely Magdiwang and two divided factions which are the Magdiwang and Magdalo, stating that
Magdalo. Moreover, the flow of the story did not really focus of Bonifacio’s actions there was a misunderstanding between both the factions and that the Tejeros
in a detailed manner, but rather only the relevant ones, like the part when he Convention was created in order to clear the misunderstanding. Compared to
pulled out his revolver and pointed it at Daniel Tirona indicating that he was Santiago Alvarez’ point of view about Bonifacio which only centered on the
offended by what he said. And the part where Trining, the tenth child of Francisco highlights of the things he had done, Teodoro Agoncillo stated clear details
Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda, Dr. Jose Rizal’s sister, and the widow about Bonifacio, indicating that he was expected to be unbiased between the
Josephine begged General Apoy to leave Mr. Montenegro at the mansion instead two factions, however, his actions here were motivated by the respect he has
of arresting him. On top of that, in his memoirs, there was no Edilberto for Mariano Alvarez, his wife’s uncle and the president of Magdiwang. As you
Evangelista. can remember, Edilberto Evangelista was not mentioned in Alvarez’ memoirs,
but here, Agoncillo mentioned him as Bonifacio decided that he would
As a conclusion, you can see that Santiago Alvarez is centered on the objective nominate them becase they are educated. On top of that, Trining and
approach and explained what really happened during the elections of the divided Josephine was not mentioned, as well as the event where they begged general
factions, which is again, the Magdiwang and Magdalo conventionsin Tejeros. As Apoy not to arrest Mr. Montenegro.
well as the delagations of the interested part that took place on the day of the
election, which are very detailed as it was mentioned. As a conclusion, Teodoro Agoncillo’s purpose here is to draw attention and
focus on the events prior to the Tejeros Congress. And also, important dates,
battles and events that were different from what Alvarez knew was
mentioned.

4. Form your internal and external criticisms over the two sources.

SOURCES SANTIAGO ALVAREZ TEODORO AGONCILLO

INTERNAL CRITICISMS Santiago Alvarez’ writing is the primary source, he Teodoro Agoncillo is the secondary source who
only mentioned what actually happened at that time mentioned the occurrences before and after the
 OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga
Readings In Philippine History
in his point of view, which is kind of biased, to be
honest, because he did not even try to tell the truth
from the point of view of the two factions, the
Magdiwang and Magdalo.
EXTERNETAL CRITICISMS Santiago Alvarez is a bit prejudiced because as you
can see, some of the events are not as detailed as
Agoncillo’s, especially in line with Bonifacio’s actions.
Technically, Alvarez just described the incidents
chronologically without saying its roots.
election/convention, as well as relevant information
such as the reason and the background of events
between the two divided factions namely the
Magdiwang and Magdalo.
Teodoro Agoncillo’s memoir is well written and very
detailed compared to Alvarez’, but since it is only a
secondary source, I personally don’t think we should
rely on everything that was mentioned here,
however good it is.
 OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga

Readings In Philippine History