HIST 614: CONTENT ANALYSIS

CRY OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

BY JOVEN M. JALBUNA
According to Aurelio Tolentino (former katipunero) that the first cry of the Philippine revolution
was held not in Balintawak but in Pamitinan cave of Mount Tapusi in Montalban during Holy week
around 1894 or 1895. He said that during Holy week, Andres Bonifacio and other katipuneros explored
Mount Tapusi in search of a strategic hide out and has discovered the cave. Upon entering the cave,
Tolentino picked up a piece of charcoal and inscribed on its wall the historic words “Vival la
independencia de Filipinas!” Belowe this words, he wrote his name and date, April 10, 1895. They had a
two-day meeting there, and before leaving for Manila, they wrote their names on the walls as well as the
date, April 11, 1895. This claim was verified by Don Teodoro Kalaw, Director of the National Library,
when they went there together with Masangkay.
After the event in Paminitan cave, it was followed by the controversial “The Cry of Pugad

m
er as
Lawin,” told by Dr. Pio Valenzuela. He claimed that this cry was the first staging point of the Philippine
revolution. When the Governor-General Ramon Blanco proclaimed the amnesty to the revolutionists,

co
eH w
Valenzuela returned to Manila and surrendered. He confessed during the investigation by Francisco Olive
that the “cry” was staged at Balintawak on Wednesday, August 26, 1896. However, the exact place and

o.
date were not really considered as vitally important due to the changes of Valenzuela’s version, instead
rs e
August 23, 1896 was considered as its staging date. There were around 1000 of them who affirmed their
ou urc
decision by tearing their cedulas, symbols of the enslavement of the Filipino people.
Then, besides the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” of Pio Valenzuela, another version of the “cry” was
o

launched according to the account of Santiago Alvarez (a prominent Katipunan warlord of Cavite, son of
Mariano Alvarez). This version was not considered as of equal weight than of those of the eyewitnesses,
aC s

basically because Alvarez was not an eyewitness. According to him, the Katipuneros gathered around 10
vi y re

in the morning of August 23, 1896 at the Barn of Melchora Aquino, a place called Sampalukan, barrio of
Bahay Toro where around 500 had arrived to join the Supremo. Then the next day, there were around
1000 katipuneros decided to hold a meeting under Bonifacio’s leadership. The other version of the “cry”
ed d

was of Gregoria de Jesus, the wife of Bonifacio, who was the custodian of the secret documents, seal and
weapons of the Katipunan. According to her, the first “cry” occurred near at Caloocan on August 25,
ar stu

1896. Also, another version was presented by the Guardia Civil Captain Olegario Diaz where in his
report, he claimed that the “cry” occurred at Balintawak on August 25, 1896 because they attacked the
katipuneros on the 24th. Then on the 25th, they held a meeting again with around 5000 in attendance who
is

supported Bonifacio to pursue the revolution towards liberation. While the version Guillermo Masangkay
claimed that the first “cry” occurred at a barrio of Balintawak, a few kilometers north of Manila on
Th

August 26, 1896 where a big meeting was held at the house of Apolonio Samson. There were discussion
on what would be the next move; Tedoro Plata, Briccio Pantas and Pio Valenzuela were strongly opposed
on the idea of starting the revolution too early, when Bonifacio sensed he would lose the argument over
sh

other members of the cabinet, he went outside the session hall and talked to the people, recalling to them
the ill-fate of the fellow countrymen who were shot at Bagumbayan. And that if they will surrender, they
will just be imprisoned and executed. And so, he got the support of the majority by tearing their cedulas.
Meanwhile, the account of Don Vicente Samson, a native of Balintawak, confirmed the version of
Masangkay.

This study source was downloaded by 100000836506147 from CourseHero.com on 11-26-2021 04:46:21 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/64057780/HIST-614-Cry-of-the-Phil-Revdocx/
 HIST 614: CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
CRY OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

BY JOVEN M. JALBUNA
There were five versions or accounts on how, when and where was the first cry of
revolution occurred. Historians has tried to close the discussion about the date and location of the
first cry by studying the accounts presented in order to construe which is which. Based on the
geography of Caloocan in 1896, there were ten barrios in it – Baesa, Bagobantay, Bahay Toro,
Banlat, Culiat, Kangkong, Loma, Marulas, Talipapa and Tangke. However, there was no
surviving map of the municipality which led the issue more difficult to address. Apart from that,
historians were also triggered with the exact definition of “cry” – the term has been applied to
three related events; pasya, pagpupunit and unang labanan. Pasya was refered to the decision to
revolt, Pagpupunit was referred to the tearing cedulas, while unang labanan was referred to the
first encounter with the Spanish forces.

m
er as
The first accepted account by the government was of Masangkay, then and in-depth study

co
was done by Agoncillo where he construed that the term of the first “cry” should be the “Cry of

eH w
Pugad Lawin.” Then its location and date as recognized by the Philippine Historical Committee

o.
is in Pugadlawin on August 23, 1896 instead of Balintawak.
rs e
ou urc
It can be drawn from the accounts presented that although Rizal and others would say
that the Filipinos were not yet ready for the revolution, they were somehow had long preparation
already through consultative meetings. Yes, they had agreed to revolt and that they were ready,
o

however, they were still incapable of acquiring armaments as well as they lack the discipline and
aC s

military training. But with regards to deliberation either to pursue the anticipated revolution or
vi y re

not, they had enough. In fact, even before the organization was discovered, there were secret
recruitments happening already until the exile of Rizal. Per speech of Bonifacio, he said, they
were left out of choice because if they will recant, they’re names were already listed. So if they’ll
ed d

go home, they will be arrested, tortured and executed. And so, they must fight in the name of
justice and freedom.
ar stu

Lastly, although few accounts of the “cry’ was presented, it has only one accurate
message that it had happened. That the people had enough already against the oppressive and
is

draconian rule of Spain, usurping their talents and resources, leaving them suffer in labor and in
poverty like slaves in their own land. This first stage of uprising and awakening can only be
Th

credited to one person, Andres Bonifacio who was a charismatic man and the Supreme Head of
the first Philippine government. With his effort for self-education, he became a practical man and
acted as a man equal with his subjects because of his consultative style of leadership.
sh

This study source was downloaded by 100000836506147 from CourseHero.com on 11-26-2021 04:46:21 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/64057780/HIST-614-Cry-of-the-Phil-Revdocx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)