6. Monday.

April 1 — Magellan sent men ashore to help with the harvest, but no work
was done that day because the two kings were sleeping off their drinking bout the night
before.

7. Tuesday. April 2 and Wednesday. April 3 — Work on the harvest during the next to
dsys. i.e.. Tuesday and Wednesday. the 2nd and 3rd of April.

8. Thursday, April 4 — They leave Mazaua, bound for Cebu.

Using the primary sources available. Jesuit priest Miguel A. Bernad in his work Butuan
or Limasuwa.’ The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination of
EL’idence (I941) lays down the argument that in the Pigafetta account, a crucial aspect
of Hutuan was not mentioned- -the river. Butuan is a riverine settlenwot. situated on the
Agusan River. The beach of Masao is in the delta of said river. It is a curious omission
in the account of the river, which makes part of a distinct. characteristic of Butuan’s
geography that seemed to be too important to be missed.

It must also be pointed out that later on, after Magellan’s death, the survivors of his
expedition went to Mindanao, and seemingly went to Butuan. In this instance, Pigafetta
vividly describe. a trip up a river. But note that this account already happened after
Magellan. death.

Case Study 2: What happened ¡n the Cavite Mutiny?

The year 172 is a historic year of two events: the Cavite Mutiny and the martyrdom of
the three priests. Mariano Gomez. Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, later on
immortalized as GOMBURZA. These events are very important milestones in Philippine
history and have caused ripples throughout time. directly influencing the decisive events
of the Philippine Revolution toward the. end of the century. While the significance is
unquestioned. what made this year controversial is the different sides to the story, a
battle of perspectives supported by primary sources, in this case study, we zoom in to
the events of the Cavite Mutiny, a major factor in the awakening of nationalism among
the Filipinos of that time.
Spanish Accounts of the Cavity Mutiny

The documentation of Spanish historian Jose Montero y VidaI centered

on how the event was an attempt in overthrowing the Spanish government in
the Philippines Although regarded a a historian, )js account of the mutiny was criticized
as woefully biased and rabid for a scholar. Another account from the official report
wrùten b then Governor General Rafael izquierdo implicated the native clergy, who
were then, active in the movement toward secularization of parishes. These two
accounts corroborated each other.

Primary Source: Excerpts from Montero’s Account of the Cavite Mutiny

Source: Jose Montero y Vidai. ‘Spanish Version of the Cavite Mutiny of 1M72.” in
Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide, ¡k,eumentary Sources of Philippine History. Volume 7
(Manila: National hook Store, 1990). 269-273.

The abolition of privileges enjoyed by the laborers of the Cavite arsenal of exempLion
from the tribute was, according to some, the cause of 11w insurrection. There were,
however, other causes.

The Spanish revolution which overthrew a secular throne; the propaganda carried on by
an unbridled presa against monarchical principles, attentatory Isic) of the most sacred
respects towarth the dethroned majesty; the democratic and republican books and
pamphlets, the speeches and preachings of the apostles of these new idea’i in Spain:
the outbursts of the American publicists and the criminal policy of the senseless
Governor whom the Revolutionary government sent to govern the Philippines. and who
put into practice these ideas were the determining circumstances which gave rise,
among certain Filipinos. To the idea of attaining their independence. It was towards this
goal that they started to work, with the powerful assistance of a certain section of the
native clergy, who out of spite toward friars, made common cause with the enemies of
the mother country.

At various times but especially in the beginning of year 11472, the authorities received
anonymous communications with the information that a great uprising would break out
against the Spaniards. the minute the fleet at Cavite left for the South. and thin nfl would
hc tlsz.a5sinated, including the friars. Hut nobody gave importance to these notices.
The conspiracy had been going on since the days of La Torre with utmost
secrecy. At times, the principal leaders met either in the house of Filipino Spaniard. D.
Joaquin Pardo de Tavera. or in that of the native pnest, Jacinto Zamora. and these
meetings were usually attended by the curate of Bacoor, the soul of the movement,
whose energetic character and immense wealth enabled him to exercise a strong
influence.

Primary Source: excerpts from the Official Report of Governor Izquierdo on the
Cavite Mutiny of 1872

Source: kaf,jel Izquierdo “Official Report on the Cavite Mutiny.” In Gregorio Zaidt and
Sonia Zaide. l*wunarnturv Sources nf Philippine’ Hiato,,, Volume 7 Manila; National
Hook Store. 199O, 281-286.

... It seems definite that the insurrection was motivated and prepared by the native
clergy, by the mestizos and native lawyers, and by those known here us abogadillos.

The instigators, to carry out their criminal project. protested against the injustice of the
government in not paving the provinces for their tobacco crop, and against the usury
that some practice in documents that the Finance depart ment gives crop owners who
have to sell them at a loss. They encouraged the rebellion by protesting what they
called the injustice of having obliged the workers in the Cavite arsenal to pay tribute
starting ‘January 1 and to render personal service, from which they were formerly
exempted...

Up to now it has not been clearly determined if they planned to establish a monarchy or
a republic. because the Indios have no word in their language to describe this different
form of government, whose head in Tagalog would he called han: but it turns oui that
they would place at the head form of government a priest., that the head selected
would b I). Jose Burgos, or D. .Jacinto Zamora,

Such is... the plan of the relx’)s. those who guided them. and the means counted upon
for its realization.

it is apparent that the accounts underscore the reason for the “revolution”: the abolition
of privileges enjoyed by the workers of the (‘avite ¡arsenal such as exemption from
payment of tribute and being employed in Polos y Servicios, or force labor. They also
identified other reasons which seeming is’ made the issue a lot more serious, which
included the presence al the native clergy, who, out of spite against the Spanish friars,
conspired and supported” the rebels. Izquierdo, in an obviously biased report,
highlighted that attempt to overthrow the Spanish government in the Philippines, to
install a new “hari” in the persons of Fathers Burgos and Zamora. According to him.
native clergy attracted supporters by giving them charismatic assurance that their tight
will not fail because they have God’s support. aside from promises of lofty rewards such
as employment. wealth, and ranks in the army.

In the Spaniard’s accounts, the event of 1872 was premeditated, and ¡s part of a big
conspiracy among the. educated leaders. mestizos. lawyers, and lawyers of Manila and
Cavite. They allegedly plan to liquidate high-ranking Spanish officers, then kill the friars.
The signal they identify among these conspirators of Manila and Cavite was the rockets
fired from Intramuros,

The accounts detail that on 20 January 1872. the district of Sampaloc celebrated the
feast of the Virgin of Loreto. and came with it were some fireworks display The
Caviteños allegedly mistook this as the signal to commence with the attack, The 200-
men contingent led by Sergeant lamadrid attacked Spanish officers at sight and seized
the arsenal. Izquierdo, upon learning of the attack, ordered the reinforcement of the
Spanish forces in Cavite to quell the revolt. The “revolution” was easily crushed, when
the Manileños who were expected to aid the Caviteños did not arrive. Leaders of the
plot were killed in the resulting skirmish, while Fathers Gomez. Burgos.
and Zamora were tried by a court-martial and sentenced to be executed. Others who
were implicated such as Joaquin Pardo de Tavera. Antonio Ma Regidor, .Jose and Pio
Rasa, and other Filipino lawyers were suspended from the practice of law, arrested, and
sentenced to tile imprisonment at the’ Marianas Island Izquierdo dissolved the native
regiments of artillery and ordered the creation of an artillery force composed exclusively
by Peninsulares,

On 17 Februarv 1872, the GOMBURZA were executed to serve as a threat to Filipinos

never to attempt to fight the Spaniards again,

Differing Accounts of the Events of 1872

Two other primaty accounts exist that seem to counter the accounts of Izquierdo and
Monten). First, the account of Or. Tnnidad Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera. a Filipino
scholar and researcher, who wrote a Filipino version of the bloody incident in Cavite.
Primary Source: Excerpt from Pardo de Tavera’s Account of the Cavite Mutiny

Source: Trimdiid Pardo de Tavera. Fitipino Version of the Cavite Mutiny,” in Gregorio
Zaide and Sonia Zaida,, Lìocumentarv Sources of Philippine history, Volume 7 (Manila:
National Book Store, j9qfl), 274—280.

This uprising among the soldiers in Cavite was used as a powerful level by the Spanish
residents and by the friars., the Central Government in Madrid had announced its
intention to deprive the friars in these islands of powers of intervention in matters of civil
government and of the direction and management of the university. it was due to these
faci.s and promises that the Filipinos had great hopes of an improvement in the affairs
of their country, while the friars, on the other hand, feared that their power in the colony
would soon be complete a thing of the past.

Up to that time there had been no intention of secession from Spain. and the only
aspiration of the people was to secure the material and education advancement of the
country...

According to this account, the incident was merely a mutiny by Filipino soldiers and
laborers of the Cavite arsenal. Soldiers and laborers of the arsenal to the dissatisfaction
arising from the draconian policies of izquierdo. Such as the abolition of privileges and
the prohibition of the founding of the school of arts and trades for Filipina. which the
General saw as a smokescreen to creating a political club.

Tavern is of the opinion that the Spanish friars and Izquierdo used the Cavite Mutiny mv
as a way to address other issues by blowing out of proportion the isolated mutiny
attempt. During this time, the Central Government in Madrid was planning to deprive the
friars of all the powers of intervention in matters of civil government and direction and
management df educational institutions. The friars needed something to justify their
continuing dominance in the country, and the mutiny provided such opportunity.

However, the Central Spanish Government introduced an educational degree fusing

sectarian schools run by the friars into a school called the Philippine Institute. The
decree aimed to improve the standard of education in the Philippines by requiring
tcachlng positions in these schools to be filled by competitive examinations, an
improvement welcomed by most Filipinos.

Another account, this time by French writer Edmund Plauchut. complemented Tavera’a
account and analyzed the motivations of the 187 Cavite Mutiny.

Primary Source: Excerpts from Plauchut’s Account of the Cavite Mutiny

Source: Edmund Plauchut, ‘The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and the Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-
Za.” in Gregorio Zaide and Soma Zaide, Documentary Sources of Philippine History.
Volume 7 (Manila: National Book Store, 1990). 251—268.

General La Torre... created a junta composed of high officials... including some friars
and six Spanish officials.... At the same time there was created by the government in
Madrid a committee to investigate the same problems submitted to the Manila
committee. When the two finished work, it was found that they came to the same
conclusions. Here is the summary of the reforms they considered necessary to
introduce:

1. Changes in tariff rates at customs, and the methods of collection.

2. Removal of surcharges on foreign importations.

3. Reduction of export fees.

4. Permission for foreigners to reside in the Philippines, buy real estate, enjoy freedom
of worship, and operate commercial transports flying the Spanish flag.

5. Establishment of an advisory council to inform the Minister of Overseas Affairs in

Madrid on the necessary reforms to be implemented.

6. Changes in primary and secondary education.

7. Establishment of an Institute of Civil Administration in the Philippines. rendering

unnecessary the sending home of short- term civil officials every time there is a change
of ministry.
8. Study of direct-tax system.

9. Abolition of the tobacco monopoly.

...The arrival in Manila of General Izquierdo... put a sudden end to all dreams of
reforms.., the prosecutions instituted by the new Governor General were probably
expected as a result of the bitter disputes between the Filipino clerics and the friars.
Such a policy must really end in a strong desire on the part of the other to repress
cruelly.

in regard to schools, it was previously decreed that there should be in Manila a Society
of Arts and Trades to be opened in March of 1871... to repress. the growth of liberal
teachings, General Izquierdo suspended the opening of the school... the day previous to
the scheduled inauguration.

The Filipinos had a duty to render service on public roads construction and pay taxes
every year, Hut those who were employed at maestranza of the artillery. an the
engineering shops and arsenal Cavite. were exempted from this obligation from time
immemorial Without preliminaries of any kind, a decree by the Governor withdrew from
such old employees their retirement privileges and declassified the into the ranks of
those who work on public roads.

The friars used the incident as a part of a larger conspiracy to cement their dominance,
which has started to show cracks because of the discontent of the Filipinos. They
showcased the mutiny as part of a greater conspiracy in the Philippines by Filipinos to
overthrow the Spanish Government Unintentionally, and more so, prophetically, the
Cavite Mutiny of l8’ resulted to the martyrdom of GOMBURZA. and paved the way to
the revolution culminating in 1898

Case Study 3: Did Rizal retract?

Jose Rizal is identified as a hero of the revolution for his writings thai center on ending
colonialism and liberating Filipino minds to contribution to creating the Filipino nation.
The great volume of Rizal’s lifework w committed to this end, particularly the more
influential ones. NoIi Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His essays vilify not the Catholic
religlion but the friars, the main agents of injustice in the Philippine society.

It is understandable therefore, that any piece of wanting from Rizal ti recants everything
he has written against the friars and the Catholic Church in the Philippines could deal
heavy damage to his image as a prominent Filipino revolutionary Such document
purportedly exists, allegedly sign by Rizal a few hours before his execution. This
document, referred to “The Retraction, declares Rizal’s belief in the Catholic faith, and
retraction everything he has written against the Church.

Primary Source: Rizal Retraction

Source: Translated from the document found by Fr. Manuel Grrí CM. on 18 May 1935

I declare myself a catholic and in this Religion in which I was born educated I wish to
live and die.

The retraction of Rizal remains to this day, a controversy: many scholars.

however, agree that the document does not tarnish the heroism of Rizal remain
relevance remained solidified to Filipinos and pushed them to continue the revolution,
which eventually resulted to independence in 1898.
Case Study 4: Where did the Cry of Rebellion happen?

Momentous events swept the Spanish colonies an the late 19th century, including the
Philippines. Journalists of the time referred to the phrase El Grito de Rebelion” or “Cry
of Rebellion” to mark the start of these revolutionary events, identifying the places
where it happened. In the Philippines. this happened in August 1896. northeast of
Manila, where they declared rebellion against the Spanish colonial government. These
events are important markers in the history of colonies that struggled for their
independence against their colonizers.

The controversy regarding this event stems from the identification of the date and place
where the Cry happened. Prominent Filipino historian Teodoro Agoncillo emphasizes
the event when Bonifacio tore the cedula or tax receipt before the Katipuneros who also
did the same. Some writers identified the first military event with the Spaniards as the
moment of the Cry, for which. Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned a “Himno de Balintawak
to inspire the renewed struggle after the Pact of the Biak na Bato failed. A monument to
the Heroes of 1896 was erected in what ¡s now the intersection of Epifanio de lo. Santo.
(EDSA) Avenue and Andres Bonifaco Drive. North Diversion road, and from then on
until 1962, the Cry of Balintawak was celebrated every 26th of August. The site of the
monument was chosen for an unknown reason.

Different Dates and Places of the Cry

Various accounts of the Cry give different dates and places. A guardia civil. IA. Olegano
Diaz. identify the Cry to have happened in Balint.awak on 25 August 1896. Teodoro
Kalaw, Filipino historian, marks the place to be in Kangkong, Balintawak. on the Last
week of August 1896. Santiago Alvarez, a Katipunero and son of Mariano Alvarez,
leader of the Magdiwang faction in Cavite, puta the Cry in Bahay Toro in Quezon City
on 24 August 1896. Pio Valenzuela. known Katipunero and privy to many events
concerning the Katipunan stated that the Cry happened in Pugad Lawin on 23 August
1896. Historian Gregorio Zaide identified the Cry to have happened in Balintawak

on 26 August B496. while Teodoro Agoncillo puts it at Pugad Lawin on 23 August l96.
according to statements by ho Valenzuela. Research by historians Milagros Guerrero,
Emmanuel Encarnacion, and Ramon Villegas claimed that the event took place in
Tandang Sora’ barn in Gulod, Barangay Banlat, Quezon City, on 24 August 1896
Primary Source: Accounts of the Cry

Guillermo Musungkay

Source: Guillermo Masangkay, “Cry of Balintawak’ an Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Ziude.
I)ocuŸnentary Sources of Philippine History, Volume 8 (Manila: National Hook Store,
1990). 307—309.

On August 26th. a big meeting was held in Balintawak. at the house of Apolonio
Samson. then the cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan. Among those who attended. I
remember, were Bonifacio. Emilio Jacinto. Aguedo del Rosano. Tomas Remigio. Hnccio
Pautas, Teodoro Plata. ho Valenzuela. Ennque Pacheco, and Francisco Carreon. They
were all leaders of the Katipunan and composed the board of directors of the
organization. Delegates from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite. And Morong were also
present.

At about nine o’clock in the morning of August 26. the meeting was opened with Andres
Bonifacio presiding and Emilio Jacinto acting as secretary, The purpose was to discuss
when the uprising was to take place. Teodoro Plata. Briccio Pantas. and ho Valenzuela
were all opposed to starting the revolution too early... Andres Bonifacio. Sensing that he
would lose in the discussion then, left the session hail and talked to the people, who
were waiting outside for the result of the meeting of the leaders. He told the people that
the leaders were arguing again a starting the revolution early, and appealed to them in n
fiery speech in which he said: “You remember the fate of our countrymen who were shot
in Bagumbavan. Should we return now to the towns, the Spaniards will only shoot us.
Our organization has been discovered and we are all marked men. If we’ don’t start the
uprising, the Spaniards will get us anyway. What then, do you say’”

“Revolt” the people shouted as one.

Bonifacio then asked the people to give a pledge that they were to revolt. He told them
that the sign of slavery of the Filipinos were (sic) the cedula tax charged each citizen.

“If it is true that you are ready to

revolt... I want to see you destroy your cedulas. It will be a sign that all of us have
declared our severance from the Sparnards
Pio Valenzuela

Source: Pio Valenzuela. ‘Ury ol Pugad Lawin, in Gregorio Zaide and Sonia Zaide.
Documentary Sources of Philippine History. Volume 8 (Manila: National Book Store.
1990). 301—302.

The first place of refuge of Andrea Bonifacio. Emilio Jacinto. Procopio Bonifacio.
Teodoro Plata. Aguedo del Rosario, and myself was Balintawak, the finit five amving
there on August 19. and 1. on August 20, 1896. The first place where some 500
members of the Katipunan met on August 22. 1896, was the house and yard of
Apolonio Samson at Kangkong. Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those
who were there were Briccio Pantas, Alejandro Santiago. Ramon Bernardo. Apolonio
Samson. and others. Here, views were only exchanged, and no resolution was debated
or adopted. ¡t was at Pugad L.awin, the house. store.house. and yard of .Juan Ramos,
son of Melchora Aquino. Where over 1.000 members of the Katipunan met and carried
out considerable debate and discussion on August 23. 1896. The discussion was on
whether or not the revolution against the Spanish government should be started on
August 29. 1896... After the tumultuous meeting, many of those present tore their
cedula certificates and shouted long live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines

From the eyewitness accounts presented above, there is indeed, marked disagreement
among historical witnesses as to the place and time of the occurrence of the Cry. Using
primary and secondary sources, four places have been identified: Balintawak.
Kangkong. Pugad Lawin. and Bahav Toro, while the dates vary: 23, 24. 25. or 26
August 1896.

Valenzuelas account should be read with caution: He once told a Spanish investigator
that the ‘Cry” happened in Balintawak on Wednesday, 26 August 1149(1 Much later, he
wrote in his Memoirs of the Revolution that it happened at Pugad Lawin on 23 August
1$96 Such inconsistencies in accounts should always be seen as a red Hag when
dealing with primary sources

According to Guerrero, Encarnacion, and Villegas. all these places are in Balintawak.
then part of Caloocan. now. in Quewn City. As for the dates. Bonifacio and his troops
may have been moving from one place to another to avoid being located by the Spanish
government, which could explain why there are several accounts of the Cry.