Myra Nena Carol C.

Eduave IA/MA – 2

THE FIRST CRY OF THE REVOLUTION

On 1896, the Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio and his troops formally launched an
armed revolution against Spain. They tore their resident certificates or cedulas which symbolized
their revolt against the Spanish government. This became known in history as the Philippine
Revolution of 1896 which was later known as the “First Cry” or the initial move of the Filipinos
to begin the revolution for independence. This event happened after the Katipunan was exposed
on August 19, 1896, and when the Spaniards began to crack them down.

Bonifacio was not amongst those captured suspected rebels, however, he and many
others had escaped to Pugad Lawin, and proceeded to their designated meeting place outside the
city to plan on their next move. The original plan was to start the revolution at the end of August
but with the situation where there are many arrested Katipuneros, Bonifacio found it wise to
begin the revolution that day and attack Manila at the end of the month.

The controversy, however is the determination of the official date and place of the First
Cry as there are many claims concerning the official date declared which was on August 23,
1896 where the First Cry happened. Here are some claims from what considered as primary
sources; from Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s account; Santiago Alvarez’s account; and Guillermo
Masangkay’s account.

Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account

Dr. Pio Valenzuela is an official of Katipunan and a friend of Andres Bonifacio and was
present during the revolution. The official date and place of the First Cry were mostly based on
the account of Dr. Pio Valenzuela which was published as the Memoirs of the K.K.K. and the
Philippine Revolution.

According to Dr. Valenzuela, the first five arriving at the first place of refuge was Andres
Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Procopio Bonifacio, Teodora Plata and Aguedo del Rosario on August
19, 1896 and on August 20, Dr. Valenzuela and other Katipuneros arrived. On August 22, 1896
at the house and yard of Apolonio Samson at Kangkong, was the first place where 500 members
of the Katipunan met where they only exchanged views and no resolution was debated or
adopted. On August 23, 1896 Andres Bonifacio immediately called for a general meeting. 1000
members of the Katipunan gathered at Pugad Lawin in the house of Juan Ramos, son of
Melchora Aquino, also known as “Tandang Sora” and was later acknowledged as the “Mother of
the Katipunan."
 During the discussion about whether or not the revolution against the Spanish
Government should be started on August 29, 1896, Bonifacio asked his men whether they were
willing to fight to the bitter end. Everyone shouted their approval, except for Teodoro Plata, who
thought that it was too soon for a revolution. Overwhelmed by his men’s response, Bonifacio
then asked them to tear their cedulas or the residence certificates into pieces, as a sign of their
revolt and uprising against the Spaniards. The men immediately tore up their cedulas, and
shouted “Long live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines!”

Santiago Alvarez’s Account

Gen. Santiago Virata Alvarez was one of the leaders of the Cavite Revolution in which
his Katipunan Memoirs was published in 1927 by a pre-World War II Tagalog weekly magazine
named Sampaguita.

According to Alvarez, on August 22, 1896, Supremo Andres Bonifacio placed

detachment at the Balintawak boundary and another at the backyard to the north of the house of
their Brother Apolonio Samson in Kangkong where they stayed and gathered. There were no less
than 300 members assembled at the bidding of the Supremo Andres Bonifacio and they carried
assorted weapons, bolos, spears, daggers, small revolvers and a rifle. The Supremo Bonifacio
was restless and worried because of fear of a sudden attack by the enemy and over the thought
that the letter sent by Emilio Jacinto could have been intercepted and the enemy will surely know
their whereabouts and attack them. And because of those he decided to move to a site called
Bahay Toro.

On August 23, 1896, they arrived at Bahay Toro with more than 500 members. They
were also welcomed by the generous hospitality of Cabesang Melchora at their house, yard and
warehouse. On August 24, 1896, more Katipuneros came and increased their numbers to more
than 1000. Bonifacio called a meeting inside Cabesang Melchora’s barn. Here are some of the
matters that were approved during their meeting: 1.) Uprising to defend the people’s freedom
was to be started at midnight of August 29, 1896; 2.) To be on state of alert so that the
Katipunan forces can strike when situation arise where the enemy was at disadvantage, and thus
the uprising may start earlier than the agreed time; and 3.) The immediate objective was the
capture of Manila.
Guillermo Masangkay’s Account

Guillermo Masangkay, a friend and fellow Katipunero of Andres Bonifacio and also a
member of the revolutionary movement. In an interview made by the Sunday Tribune magazine,
Masangkay claimed that the First Cry happened in Balintawak on August 26, 1896. It was also
his account that was used by the government and civic officials to find and fix the date and place
of the First Cry of Revolution during the first decade of American rule. However, in an interview
by Bagong Buhay, Masangkay changed his narrative stating that the revolution began on August
23, 1896, similar to Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s assertion. But in the later date it was also changed again
because of his granddaughter, Soledad Borromeo in which she cited sources stating that the
original date was on August 26, 1896.

On August 26, 1896, a meeting was held in Balintawak, at the house of Apolonio
Samson, then the cabesa of that barrio of Caloocan. A meeting was also opened by Andres
Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto acting as secretary to discuss when the uprising was to take place,
however, Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas and Pio Valenzuela were all opposed to starting the
revolution too early.

However, Bonifacio left the session hall and asked the people who were waiting outside
for their stand since some leaders were arguing against starting the revolution early. After his
fiery speech, the Katipuneros shouted “revolt!” Heartened by their response, Bonifacio urged his
followers to tear into pieces their cedulas as a sign of their revolt against the colonizers. Their
men, highly motivated by the killings and arrest of their members in Manila, tore up the
documents and let out the cry. After Bonifacio obtained the people’s pledge, he returned to the
session hall and informed the leaders of what took place outside. Thus the board of directors
voted for the revolution in spite of the protests, and when this was decided the people outside
shouted “Long live the Philippine Republic!”