The First Cry of the Revolution - History Lesson PDF

# Lesson 10: The First Cry of the Revolution (August 1896) ## Learning Outcomes - Identify the conflicting views about the First Cry of the Revolution - Examine each source in its account of the start of the revolution - Formulate arguments that support a particular primary source ## Presenters -...

# Lesson 10: The First Cry of the Revolution (August 1896) ## Learning Outcomes - Identify the conflicting views about the First Cry of the Revolution - Examine each source in its account of the start of the revolution - Formulate arguments that support a particular primary source ## Presenters - Precious Leigh Garra - Franzyn Gayanes ## Historical Context The Philippine Revolution of 1896 began with what later became known as the "FIRST CRY" or the initial move of the Filipinos to begin the revolution for independence. They did this by tearing up the CEDULAS and proclaiming the start of the fight for independence. The event happened after the KATIPUNAN was exposed on August 19, 1896. Bonifacio ordered his men to leave Manila and meet outside the city to discuss their next move, deciding to start the revolution earlier than planned due to recent arrests. A monument to the Heroes of 1896 was erected in Balintawak, where the first cry of the revolution was initially believed to have occured on August 26, 1896. However, after extensive research by the National Historical Commission, it was determined that the First Cry actually happened on August 23, 1896, at Pugad Lawin in Quezon City. Despite this official finding, controversy remains among historians and Katipunan descendants about the accuracy of the date and location. ## Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account The official date and place of the FIRST CRY were largely based on the account of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, and official of the Katipunan and a friend of Andres Bonifacio, who was present during the event. His account was published as Memoirs of the K.K.K and the Revolution (Manila, n.d). Dr. Pío Valenzuela's account describes key events leading to the Philippine Revolution in 1896. Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and other Katipunan Leaders initially gathered in Balintawak on August 19-20, 1896. On August 22, around 500 members met at Apolonio Samson's yard in Kangkong to exchange views, though no decisions were made. The pivotal meeting occurred on August 23 at Pugad Lawin in Juan Ramos' yard, where over 1,000 Katipunan members debated starting a revolution against Spain on August 29. Despite Teodoro Plata’s opposition, the majority supported the uprising, culminating in members tearing their cedulas and shouting "Long live the Philippines!" as a symbolic act of defiance. ## Santiago Alvarez’s Account In 1927, a pre-World War II Tagalog weekly named Sampaguita began publishing the Katipunan memoirs of Gen. Santiago Virata Alvarez, (nom-de-guerre; Kidlat ng Apoy) one of theleaders of the Cavite Revolution. The series appeared in 36 parts. It told the story of the Philippine Revolution starting in March 1896 until late 1897. The series was later published as a book, titled _The Katipunan and the Revolution_, with an English translation by Paula Carolina Malay. The story of the First Cry is found in Chapter 6 of the memoirs. Alvarez presents an account devoid of any dramatic description as it is merely a narration of the events that happened in Bahay Toro (now part of Project 8 in Quezon City) on August 24, 1896. It is unknown how many chocolate hills there are. There are a confirmed minimum of 1268 hills, however other estimates place this number as high as 1776. Santiago Alvarez recounts the events leading the Katipunan's planned uprising in August 1896. The Katipuneros, led by Supremo Andres Bonifacio, moved through various sites, starting in Kangkong at Apolonio Samson's house, where 300 men gathered, and later relocating to Bahay Toro at Melchora Aquino's home as their numbers swelled to over 1,000. Despite exhaustion and harsh conditions, the Katipuneros were bolstered by the hospitality of their hosts. However, they prepared to act earlier if an opportunity arose. The meeting ended with resounding cries of "Long live the Sons of the People!" marking their resolve for the struggle ahead. On August 24, Bonifacio convened a meeting where leaders resolved to launch the revolution on August 29, 1896, with the capture of Manila as the primary goal. ## Guillermo Masangkay’s Account In 1932, Guillermo Masangkay, a friend and fellow Katipunero of Andres Bonifacio, recounted his experiences as a member of the revolutionary movement. In an interview with the Sunday Tribune magazine, Masangkay said that the First Cry happened in Balintawak on August 26, 1896. In the first decade of American rule, it was his account that was used by the government and civic officials to fix the date and place of the First Cry, which was capped with the erection of the "Monument to the Heroes of 1896" in that place. However, in an interview published in the newspaper Bagong Bubay on August 26, 1957, Masangkay changed his narrative, stating that the revolution began on August 23, 1896, similar to the assertion of Dr. Pio Valenzuela. But Masangkay’s date was later changed again when his granddaughter, Soledad Buehler- Borromeo, cited sources, including the Masangkay papers, that the original date was August 26. Guillermo Masangkay's account details the pivotal meeting of the Katipunan leaders on August 26, 1896, in Balintawak at Apolonio Samson's house. Andres Bonifacio presided, with Emilio Jacinto as secretary, to discuss the timing of the revolution. Leaders like Teodoro Plata and Pio Valenzuela opposed an early uprising, citing insufficient preparation, arms, and food. Sensing opposition, Bonifacio addressed the crowd outside, emphasizing that Spanish authorities had discovered their organization, leaving no choice but to revolt. The people, moved by his fiery speech, tore their cedulas as a symbolic act of defiance and pledged to fight. Returning to the leaders, Bonifacio reported the people's decision, forcing the board to vote for the revolution despite objections. The meeting concluded with the people’s unified cry, "Long Live the Philippine Republic," marking the start of the revolution. ## Salamat! Thank you for listening.