5TH GRADE

FIRST CRY OF
REVOLUTION
August 26, 1896

By: Rey Mark Prucia

The “First cry of revolution” was an
event that officially marked the start of
the Philippine Revolution against Spain.
The revolt later grew in strength and
spread to 8 provinces including Manila,
Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac,
Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija —
which were eventually represented by
the eight rays of the sun in the present
Filipino flag.
 THE HISTORY
• In August 1896, in the sitio of Pugad Lawin
in Balintawak, now part of Quezon City, the
Katipuneros led by Andrés Bonifacio rose up
in revolt by tearing up their “cedulas” which
became a sign of enslavement of the
Filipinos. This event called the “Cry of
Pugad Lawin,” officially regarded as the start
of the Philippine Revolution against Spain
with the use of violence and arms.
DEFINITION OF THE CRY

The word “cry” comes from the Spanish el grito

de rebelion (cry of rebellion) or el grito for
short. Thus the Grito de Balintawak is similar to
the Grito de Dolores of Mexico (1810). But the
“el grito de rebelion” strictly refers to a decision
or call to revolt. It doesn’t necessarily mean
shouting, unlike the Filipino term Sigaw or
Sigao.
Originally the term “cry” referred to the first clash
between the members of Katipunan and the Civil
Guards (Guardia Civil).

The cry can also be referred to in the inscriptions of

“Viva la Independencia Filipina” which was literally
accompanied by patriotic shouts.
 THE KATIPUNAN
The Katipunan was an
offshoot from the La Liga
Filipina, a movement that
sought to bring about
political reform in the
Spanish colonial
government led by José
Rizal (Philippines’ national
hero).
• Founded by Bonifacio,
Ladislaw Diwa, Deodato
Arellano, and others on July
7, 1892, the secret
organization consisted of
both male and female
patrons, including
Bonifacio’s wife, who led
the female faction.
 TEARING OF CEDULA
• Not all statements describe the tearing of cédulas in the last days of August but the
version of Agoncillo, which was based on the later statements of Pío Valenzuela
including the others who insisted that the cry happened in Pugad Lawin instead of
Balintawak, was the source of the current stance of the Philippine government
official commemorations.
• Bonifacio and many others had escaped to Pugad Lawin.

• The revolt eventually increased in strength and spread to eight provinces –Manila,
Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija — which
were subsequently represented by the eight rays of the sun in the present Filipino
flag.
 DEATH AND LEGACY

The Cry of the Rebellion • After Bonifacio’s • He declared the

in Pugad Lawin marked
the beginning of the
Philippine Revolution in
1896 which ultimately led
to Philippine Independence
in 1898.
death on May 10, independence of the
1897, in country from Spain
Maragondon, Cavite, on June 12, 1898, at
General Emilio Kawit, Cavite.
Aguinaldo continued
the revolution.
 Cry of Pugad Lawin Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the
Cry of Pugad Lawin across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Cry of
Pugad Lawin worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the
“Cry of Pugad Lawin” which was an event that officially marked the start of
the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The revolt later grew in strength
and spread to 8 provinces including Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga,
Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija — which were eventually
represented by the eight rays of the sun in the present Filipino flag.
 OUR TEACHERS

Andres Bonifacio Emilio Jacinto

Leader of the Katipunan Brain of the Katipunan