Ma. Nathalie Claire G.

Gadia

With all the evidences, narration, and people involved, I strongly think that the Cry of
Balintawak is the most convincing cry that happened in the Philippines. As I listen to the topic
being discussed, I started to doubt other versions of the “cry”. I did a few other researches as
well, to further look for more proof of the version I think is the most convincing one. Starting with
the place where it happened, when, and how, makes sense to me.
I have two main basis for my conclusion. First, if the one who wrote his or her version is an
eye-witness and what is their direct connection to the event and with the people involved.
Second, the consistency of data they presented. For this version of cry, it was written by the
Katipunan General Guillermo Masangkay, who is an eye-witness to the said event and a
childhood friend of Andres Bonifacio. He stated that the first rally of the Philippine Revolution
happened on August 26, 1896 at Balintawak. This date and site presented was then accepted by
the preliminary years of American Government, which ignited my conviction more. There’s a big
confusion between this version of cry and the other, which is Pio Valenzuela’s the Cry of
Pugadlawin. But I stand firm to this because Pio Valenzuela wrote his version later in his life with
a fading memory, which is already a big doubt when it comes to credibility. While the Cry of
Bahay-Toro is not convincing enough for me, as the one who wrote it is not an eye witness as
well.