THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN
Batara, Maxine Irish F. | Martinez, Juliana Beatriz | Buscas, Janea | Caluya, Luisa | Betriolo, Bea Marizze
“…ilabas ang inyong mga sedula at punitin upang patunayan ang ating pasiyang humawak ng sandata!”
-Andres Bonifacio
INTRO
- It is surprising that there are different versions on the dates for the first cry of the revolution as well as its venue. This controversy up to this time remains unsolved. It is believed that the so-called Cry took place in "Balintawak"; but the others would say that it is really happened in Pugad Lawin. Nevertheless, there are different versions to consider in knowing the real date and places of the Cry. These include Pio Valenzuela's Controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin", Santiago's Alvarez's "The Cry of Bahay Toro", Gregoria de Jesus' version of the "First Cry", and Guillermo Masangkay's "The Cry of Balintawak".
- The Philippine Revolution against over 300 years of Spanish rule began with Andrés Bonifacio, leader of the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society that sought independence for the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule.
- 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.
EMILIO AGUINALDO
Founder of KKK or Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK in English: Supreme and Honorable Association of the Children of the Nation; Spanish: Suprema y Honorable Asociación de los Hijos del Pueblo), was a Philippine revolutionary society founded by anti-Spanish colonialist Filipinos in Manila in 1892; its primary goal was to gain independence from Spain through a revolution.
Cry of Pugad Lawin
TOPICS TO DISCUSS:
DIFFERENT
VERSION
"THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN" BY PIO VALENZUELA
- The Cry Of Pugad Lawin (Filipino: Sigaw ng Pugad Lawin, Spanish: Grito de Pugad Lawin) was the beginning of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire.
- At the close of August 1896, members of the Katipunan secret society (Katipuneros) led by Andres Bonifacio rose up in revolt.
CRY MEANS?
- Originally, the term ‘cry’ referred to the first clash between the Katipuneros and Guardia Civils.
- This could also refer to the tearing up of cedulaspersonales in defiance of their allegiance to Spanish government.
- The inscriptions of “Viva la Independencia Filipina” can also be referred as term for ‘cry’.
"THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN" BY PIO VALENZUELA
- 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, and I 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, Caloocan. Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those who were there were Briccio Pantas, Alejandro Santiago, Ramon Bernardo, Apolonio Samson, and others.
"THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN" BY PIO VALENZUELA
- Here, views were only exchanged, and no resolution was debated or adopted. It was at Pugad Lawin (in the house and yard of Juan Ramos, son of Melchora Aquino) on August 23, 1896 where over 1000 katipuneros met and carried out considerable debate and discussion on August 23, 1986. The discussion was on whether or not the revolution against Spanish government should be started on August 29, 1986. Only one man protested and fought against a war, and that was Teodoro Plata (Bonifacio's brother-in-law). Besides the persons named above, among those present at this meeting were Enrique Cipriano, Alfonso Pacheco, Tomas Remigio, Sinfroso San Pedro, and others, After the meeting, many of them tore their cedulas and shouted, “Long live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines!”
"THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN" BY PIO VALENZUELA
- An eyewitness of the event who claimed that the Cry happened at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896.
- Only doctor participating in Cry.
- Not known for having impeccable memory. This is demonstrated with his recollections of his meeting with Rizal at Dapitan, months before the launch of Revolution.
"THE CRY OF BAHAY TORO" BY SANTIAGO ALVAREZ
SUNDAY, 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, Katipuneros met together. About 500 of these arrived, ready and eager to join Andres Bonifacio and his men.
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1896
- There were about 1000 Katpuneros…the “Supremo” (Andres Bonifacio) decided to hold a meeting inside the big barn. It was 12 o’ clock noon when the meeting adjourned amidst loud cries of “Long live the Sons of the Country!” (Mabuhay ang mga anak ng Bayan!)
"THE CRY OF BAHAY TORO" BY SANTIAGO ALVAREZ
- A well-known "Katipunero" from Cavite who claimed that the Cry took place at Bahay Toro on August 24, 1896
- Alvarez is not an eye witness of the historic events. Although he is in Cavite at time, this is the version of the First Cry.
"THE FIRST CRY" BY GREGORIA DE JESUS
- The activities of the Katipunan had reached nearly all corners of the Philippine Archipelago, so that when its existence was discovered and some of the members arrested, we immediately returned to Caloocan… It was then that the uprising began, with the first cry for freedom on August 25, 1896.
- This version was written by no other than the "Lakambini of the Katipunan" and wife of Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus. She has been a participant of this event and became the keeper of the secret documents of the Katipunan. After the Revolution in August 1896, she lived with her parents in Caloocan then fled to Manila when she was told that Spanish authorities wanted to arrest her. Eventually, she joined her husband in the mountains and shared adversities with him, In her account, the First "Cry" happened near Caloocan on August 25, 1896.
"THE FIRST CRY" BY GREGORIA DE JESUS
- He told the people that the leaders were arguing against starting the revolution early, and appealed to them in a fiery speech n which he said: "You remember the fate of our country men who were shot in Bagumbayan. 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 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 the that the sign of slavery of the Filipinos were (sic) cedula tax charged each citizen, "If it is true that you are ready to revolt,"Bonifacio saved, "I want to see you destroy your cedulas. It will be the sign that all of us have declared our severance from the Spaniards.
"THE FIRST CRY" BY GREGORIA DE JESUS
- With the tears in their eyes, the people as one man, pulled out their cedulas and tore them into pieces. It was the beginning of the formal declaration of the separation from Spanish rule. With their cedulas destroyed, they could no longer go back to their homes because the Spaniards would persecute them, if not being Katipuneros, for having no cedulas. And people who had no cedulas during those days were severely punished. When the people's pledged was obtained by Bonifacio, he returned to the session hall and informed the leaders of what took place outside. "The people want to revolt, and they have destroyed their cedulas" "Bonifacio said". "So now we have to start the uprising; otherwise the people by hundreds will be shot." There was no alternative. The board of directors, in despite of the protests of Plata, Pantas, and Valenzuela, voted for the revolution.
"THE FIRST CRY" BY GREGORIA DE JESUS
- And when this was decided, the people outside shouted: "Long live the Philippine Republic!"
- I still remember Bonifacio as he appeared that day. Although a mere bodegero (warehouseman) and earning 25 pesos a month, he was culture man. He always wore an open coat, with black necktie, and black hat. He always carried an umbrella. At the meeting that morning of August 26, Bonifacio took off his coat and was wearing only his shirt, with collar and tie. Bonifacio's hobby was weaving bamboo hats. During his spare time he wove dozens of them and sold them in Manila. Thus, he made extra money. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, while the gathering at the Balintawak was celebrating the decision of the Katipuan leaders to start the uprising, the guards who were up in trees to watch for any possible intruders or the approach of the enemy, gave the warning that the Spaniards were coming.
"THE FIRST CRY" BY GREGORIA DE JESUS
- Led by Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and other leaders of the Katipunan, the men was distributed in strategic positions and were prepared for an attack of the civil guards. I was with the group stationed on the bank of the small creek, guarding the places were the Spaniards were to pass in order to reach the meeting place of the Katipuneros. Shots were then fired by the civil guards, and that was the beginning of the fire which later became such a huge conflagration.
"THE FIRST CRY" BY GREGORIA DE JESUS
- “Lakambini of the Katipunan” and wife of Andres Bonifacio and claimed that the first cry happened near Caloocan on August 25, 1896
- Custodians of secret documents, seal, and weapons.
"THE CRY OF BALINTAWAK" BY GUILLERMO MASANGKAY
- On August 26, 1896, a big meeting was held in Balintawak…They were all leaders of the katipunan and composed the board of directors from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite, and Morong (now Rizal)…The purpose was to discuss when the uprising took place. Teodoro Plata, Briccio pantas, and Pio Valenzuela opposed to start the revolution too early…Andres Bonifacio, sensing that he would lose the discussion then, left the session hall and talked to the people who were waiting outside. He told the people that the leaders were arguing against each other…Bonifacio then asked the people to give a pledge that they were to revolt. He told them that the sign of their slavery were the cedula tax. “If it is true that you are ready to revolt, I want to see you destroy your cedulas. It will be the sign that all of us have declared our severance from the Spaniards” he said. With tears in their eyes, the people as one man, pulled out their cedulas and tore them to pieces. Afterwards, Bonifacio returned inside and informed them of what took place outside…And when this was decided, the people outside shouted, “Long live the Philippine Republic!”.
"THE CRY OF BALINTAWAK" BY GUILLERMO MASANGKAY
- The Katipunan General, a childhood friend of Bonifacio, and an eyewitness who claimed that it was August 26, 1896 at Balintawak when the Cry happened.
- Supporter of the notion of "two cries".
OFFICIAL DATE AND PLACE
DATES
Due to different and confusing claims, the exact date and place of the Cry is disputed.
In 1963, the Philippine government declared the official date and place that the Cry took place was in Pugad Lawin, Quezon City on August 23, 1896.
DIFFERENT DATES AND PLACES
SUMMARY
- Several accounts provide differing dates and places for the Cry of Pugad Lawin.
- Olegario Diaz, who was an officer of the Spanish Guardia civil stated that the Cry happened in Balintawak on August 25, 1896.
- Historian Teodoro Kalaw wrote in his 1925 book entitled The Filipino Revolution that the Cry took place during the final week of August 1896 at Kangkong, Balintawak.
- Santiago Alvarez, a Katipunero and son of Mariano Alvarez who was the leader of the Magdiwang faction in Cavite, stated in 1927 that the cry happened at Bahay Toro, now in Quezon City on August 24, 1896.
- Pío Valenzuela, Andrés Bonifacio’s close associate, declared in 1948 that the event took place on August 23, 1896, in Pugad Lawin.
- Some of the apparent confusion about the place where it happened is in part due to the double meanings of the words “Balintawak” and “Caloocan” at the turn of the century.
- However, from 1908 until 1963, this event was officially recognized as having happened on August 26 in Balintawak. Ultimately, the Philippine government declared in 1963 a change from August 26 to August 23 in Pugad Lawin, Quezon City.
- Several events occurred to strengthen the unity of the Filipino people and brought a “thirst” for independence.
- These include the Cavite Mutiny of 1872, Martyrdom of the GOMBURZA, propaganda movements, and different peaceful campaigns for reforms, Dr. Rizal’s exile in Dapitan, and the foundation and the discovery of the KKK or Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (“Supreme and Venerable Association of the Children of the Nation”).
- 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).
- Rizal had been exiled right after his organization was formed with their first meeting.
- After several years had passed with essentially no changes in the constitution, Bonifacio and others lost all hope for some peaceful reform being brought about by La Liga Filipina.
- Spearheaded by Andres Bonifacio, they abandoned the organization and concentrated their efforts on the Katipunan to bring about a revolution with the use of violence and arms.
- 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.
- With aiming the organization’s goal of independence from Spain, the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio started the revolution preceded by the Cry of Pugad Lawin.
- August 19, 1896, the paraphernalia used in printing Katipunan documents and other items was found revealing the existence of the Katipunan.
- Consequently, a series of arrests of Katipuneros in Manila followed, and many Filipinos were jailed or imprisoned.
- As many as five hundred arrests were performed and many escaped the city for fear of been captured, tortured, or killed.
- 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.
- During their meeting at the house of Juan Ramos on August 23, 1896, Bonifacio urged his supporters to tear into pieces their cédulas (residence certificates) as a sign of revolt against the Spanish government.
- Being highly motivated by the killings and arrest of their fellow members in Manila, they tore up their cedulas and let out the cry “Long live the Philippines,” which is known as the Cry of Pugad Lawin in Philippine history.
- He released a manifesto on the 28th for all their supporters in the surrounding towns to take up arms on the impending strike on Manila which would happen on August 29th.
- 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.
THE END
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