CRY OF

PUGADLAWIN
Excalibur Ray V. Palacios
■ The Cry of Pugadlawin or Cry of
Balintawak was the beginning of
the Philippine Revolution against
the Spanish Empire. It symbolized the
determination of the Filipinos to fight
for independence even unto death.
■Originally the term cry referred to the
first clash between the Katipuneros and
the Civil Guards (Guardia Civil). The
cry could also refer to the tearing up
of community tax certificates (cédulas
personales) in defiance of their
allegiance to Spain. This was literally
accompanied by patriotic shouts.
■ The Cedula during the Spanish colonial
period was an identification card and
residence tax certificate that had to be
carried at all times. Katipuneros tore
their cedulas, signifying their protest
against Spanish colonial rule. It
signaled the start of the Philippine
revolution against Spain
■ “Cry” took place on August 23,1986; at
a site known as Pugadlawin, situated in
what today is Bahay Toro, Quezon City;
which in 1896 had been the house and
yard of Juan Ramos
■ It’s historic significance to us consists
of the realization that the Filipino
people had finally realized the lasting
value of freedom and independence and
the need to fight in order to prove
themselves worthy to be called a truly
free people.
 PIO VALENZUELA
■ The first Cry of the revolution did not happen in Balintawak
where the monument is, but in a place called Pugad Lawin.
■ The first place of refuge of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto,
Procopio, Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Aguedo del Rosario, and
myself was Balintawak, the first five arriving there on August
19, 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.
■ It was at Pugad Lawin, 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!"
 GREGORIA DE JESUS
■ The first “cry “ happened near Caloocan on August 25, 1896.
■ The activities of the Katipunan reached nearly all comers of
the Philippine Archipelago, so that when its existence was
discovered and some of the members arrested, they can
immediately returned to Caloocan.
■ Bonifacio and his men gathered in the hills of Balintawak for
the war of Liberation.
 GUILLERMO MASANGKAY
■ On August 26, 1896, a big meeting was held in Balintawak, at
the house of Apolinario Samson, then the cabeza of that barrio
of Caloocan.
■ Among those who attended were  Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto,
Aguedo del Rosario, Tomas Remigio, Briccio Pantas, Teodoro
Plata, Pio Valenzuela, Enrique Pacheco, and Francisco
Carreon. Delegates from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite,
and Morong were also present.
 SANTIAGO ALVAREZ
■ On August 23, 1896, as early as 10 o’clock in the morning, at
the barn of Kabesang Melchora, at a place called Sampalukan,
barrio of Bahay Toro, Katipunero’s met together. About 500
katipunero arrived, ready and eager to join the “Supremo”
Andres Bonifacio and his men.
■ On August 24, 1896, there were about 1000 Katipuneros. The
Supremo decided to hold a meeting inside the big barn. Under
his leadership the meeting began at 10 o’clock in the morning.
■ It was 12 o’clock noon when the meeting adjourned amidst
loud cries of “Long lived the sons of the country!” (Mabuhay
ang mga anak ng Bayan.)