Aguinaldo's Leadership and Philippine Revolution

Aguinaldo's Strategic Decisions

• Strategic defense during the Philippine Revolution involved Aguinaldo's return to Binakayan, where he aimed to protect a vital stronghold to the Spanish.
• Securing Binakayan was critical for sustaining Filipino resistance.

Battle of Binakayan

• A strategic mistake happened as Filipino troops were tricked by Filipino soldiers who were fighting with the enemy.
• The enemy faked a surrender, then unexpectedly attacked the Filipino troops, causing an initial retreat.

Political Rivalry and Execution of Bonifacio

• Aguinaldo was hesitant to approve Andres Bonifacio's execution.
• Aguinaldo was pressured into approving the execution by his generals and Bonifacio's former followers.
• Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were executed and seen as threats to Aguinaldo's leadership.

Significance of National Symbols

• The first Philippine flag symbolizes Filipino unity against Spanish rule.
• The eight rays of the sun represent the eight provinces declaring war against Spain: Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna.

Challenges to Independence

• The U.S. did not recognize the Philippine Declaration of Independence.
• The U.S. had already signed a treaty with Spain to control the Philippines.

Reasons for the Revolution

• The Declaration of Philippine Independence listed many grievances against Spain.
• Economic exploitation by Spanish merchants was not specifically mentioned.
• The abuses of the Spanish Civil Guards, including arbitrary arrests, were the primary cause of the revolution.

Impact of the Malolos Constitution

• The Cabinet Crisis of 1923 was a political conflict.
• Governor-General Leonard Wood refused to suspend of Ray Conley, leading to the crisis.

Political Resistance Through Art

• Filipino artists used satirical cartoons to express political discontent without being censored.
• Political cartoons during the American colonial period in the Philippines often criticized both American and Spanish colonial governments.

Additional Notes

• Antonio Pigafetta recorded the first Mass held in the Philippines on Mazaua Island on March 31, 1521, during Easter Sunday.
• The Butuan tradition claims the first Mass was on April 8, 1521, near the Agusan River; a monument was built later.
• Dr. Resil B. Mojares and the NHCP confirmed the first Mass was on Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte.
• Magellan's expedition first saw "Zamal" (now Samar) on March 16, 1521.
• A monument in Butuan City was built in 1872 honoring Magellan's landing and the first Mass, based on local beliefs.
• The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 was caused by the removal of labor privileges at the Cavite arsenal and by growing nationalist sentiments and Spanish repression.
• Governor-General Rafael Izquierdo accused native clergy of conspiring against Spanish rule during the Cavite Mutiny.
• Spanish friars and colonial officials used the mutiny to reinforce their dominance.
• Spanish authorities banned a school for arts and trades, fueling resentment among Filipinos.
• The execution of GOMBURZA and the Cavite Mutiny inspired the Philippine Revolution of 1896, leading to independence in 1898.
• Debates over Rizal's alleged retraction exist because the original document was difficult to locate in the Catholic Church archives.
• H. Otley Beyer, a historian and handwriting expert, examined the authenticity of Rizal's retraction.
• Guillermo Masangkay recorded the "Cry of Balintawak" as the start of the Philippine Revolution.
• According to Masangkay, revolutionaries gathered in Balintawak on August 26, 1896, to launch the movement against Spanish rule.
• Tearing cedulas at the Cry of Pugad Lawin symbolized Filipino defiance against Spanish colonial authority.
• The Cry of Pugad Lawin represents unity and determination in the Philippine fight for freedom.