First Cry of Revolution

Lesson 4:​
First Cry of Revolution

By Group 5

• Katipunan exposed: August 19, 1896

• Spaniards crack down on suspected rebels

• Bonifacio decides to move outside the city to regroup

• Original plan: Start revolution end of August → changed due to arrests

Historical Context

• First Cry: tearing of cedulas = break from Spanish rule

• 1911: Monument in Balintawak (believed site at the time)

• 1963: NHCP declared Pugad Lawin, Aug. 23, 1896 as official

• Controversy persists among historians and descendants

Historical Context

Multiple Choice

Who was the Supremo of the Katipunan during the time of the First Cry?

• Emilio Aguinaldo
• Andres Bonifacio
• Jose Rizal
• Andres Malong

Multiple Choice

In what year did the First Cry take place?

• 1896

• 1865
• 1848
• 1871

Multiple Choice

What secret society organized the uprising that led to the The First Cry of Revolution in the Philippines?

• La Solidaridad

• Propaganda Movement

• La Liga Filipina

• Katipunan

Multiple Choice

The First Cry marked the beginning of what major event in Philippine history?

• The EDSA Revolution
• The Philippine Revolution
• World War II
• The Spanish-American War

Multiple Choice

Why did Andres Bonifacio decide to start the revolution earlier than planned?

• Because Rizal ordered it

• Because the Katipunan was discovered and members arrested

• He believed the revolution would fail if delayed.
• Because Spain declared war

Pio Valenzuela was a physician and a revolutionary leader, known as one of the founding members of the Katipunan’s inner circle.”

Dr. Pio Valenzuela

Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account

• When/Where: Pugad Lawin, Aug. 23, 1896

• 1,000 Katipuneros gathered at Juan Ramos’ house

• Debate: revolution on Aug. 29?

• Only Teodoro Plata opposed

• Outcome: Tearing of cedulas, shouts of “Long live the Philippines!”

• Visual: portrait of Valenzuela, symbolic cedula tearing

Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account

"It was at Pugad Lawin in the house, over 1, 000 members of the Katipunan met and carried out considerable debate and discussion on August 23, 1896. [...] After the tumultuous meeting many of those present tore their cedula certificates and shouted “Long live the Philippines! Long live the

Phillipines!”"

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s account became the official version of the First Cry?

• It was the most widely accepted and documented account.

• He was the earliest to publish his account.

• It was the only account available at the time.
• He was considered unbiased since he was a Spanish officer.

Multiple Choice

Why did the tearing of cedulas become the most remembered act of the First Cry?

• It was the only act mentioned by all accounts.

• It was a tangible and symbolic rejection of Spanish authority over Filipinos.

• It was recorded by Spanish colonial reports as the cause of the revolt.

• It symbolized the Katipuneros’ loyalty to Bonifacio alone.

• Son of Mariano Álvarez, a prominent Katipunan leader in Cavite.

• "Kidlat ng Apoy"

• The Katipunan and the Revolution

Santiago Alvarez

Santiago Alvarez’s Account

• When/Where: Bahay Toro, Aug. 24, 1896

• Katipuneros moved from Kangkong → Bahay Toro

• More than 1,000 assembled

• Meeting approved uprising on Aug. 29 (alert for earlier if needed)

• Goal: capture Manila

Santiago Alvarez’s Account

“At ten o’clock that Sunday morning, 23 August 1896, we arrived at Bahay Toro… The following day, more Katipuneros came and increased our number to more than a thousand.”
"...meeting at ten o’clock that morning inside Cabesang Melchora’s barn."
"After the adjournment of the meeting at twelve noon, there were tumultuous shouts of “Long live the Sons of the People!”"

Multiple Choice

How does Santiago Álvarez’s account differ from Valenzuela’s?

• Álvarez critiques Valenzuela's methodology, while Valenzuela praises Álvarez's style.
• Álvarez emphasizes personal experiences, whereas Valenzuela focuses on political analysis.

• Both authors share similar perspectives on political issues.
• Valenzuela emphasizes personal narratives, whereas Álvarez focuses on historical context.

Guillermo Masangkay’s Account

• When/Where: Balintawak, Aug. 26, 1896

• Leaders debated timing (Plata, Pantas, Valenzuela opposed early revolt)

• Bonifacio appealed to the masses outside → they voted to revolt

• Symbolic act: destruction of cedulas by the people

Guillermo Masangkay’s Account

"On August 26, a big meeting was held in Balintawak, at the house of Apolonio Samson, then the cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan [...] With tears in their eyes, the people, as one man, pulled out their cedulas and tore them to pieces. [...] And when this was decided, the people outside shouted, “Long live the Philippine Republic.”

Multiple Choice

Why did Guillermo Masangkay’s version (Balintawak, Aug. 26) gain prominence during the early American period?

• It aligned with the American colonial narrative promoting national identity and cultural heritage.
• It was written in a foreign language that few understood.
• It focused solely on American history without cultural context.
• It was the first version published in a major newspaper.

• “Lt. Diaz was a Guardia Civil Veterana stationed in Manila during the 1890s.”

• “He later wrote memoirs about the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution.”

• “Unlike the Katipuneros’ emotional and symbolic accounts, Diaz provided a more administrative and observational view.”

Lt. Olegario Diaz

Lt. Olegario Diaz’s Account

• When/Where: Balintawak, Aug. 25, 1896

• Guardia Civil officer, based on captured rebels’ reports

• 500+ members met; vote approved Bonifacio’s proposal

• Orders for coordinated attack (Aug. 30) sent to Manila, Cavite, etc.

Lt. Olegario Diaz’s Account

On the 23rd, Bonifacio moved to the barrio of Balintawak [...] The Supreme Council called for an important meeting to be held in the neighborhood as mentioned above on August 25. More than 500 members attended it. [...] Orders for the Katipuneros to strike at dawn on Sunday, August 30 were sent to Manila, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, and other provinces.

Multiple Choice

How does Lt. Olegario Díaz’s Spanish report contrast with the Filipino accounts?

• Díaz’s report focuses solely on military strategies, while Filipino accounts ignore these details.
• Both Díaz’s report and Filipino accounts highlight the same events without any differences.
• Díaz’s report is written in Spanish, while Filipino accounts are in Tagalog.

• He focused more on the military logistics and dates of meetings rather than the symbolic meaning of rebellion.

• She was the wife of Supremo Andres Bonifacio,

• Lakambini of the Katipunan.

• Custodian of the Katipunan’s secret documents, seal, and even weapons.

Gregoria de Jesus

Gregoria de Jesus’ Account

• When/Where: Near Caloocan, Aug. 25, 1896

• Wife of Bonifacio, custodian of Katipunan’s secrets

• Said revolution began when Katipuneros left Caloocan

• Fled arrest, later joined Bonifacio in the mountains

Gregoria de Jesus’ Account

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. However, as we were closely watched by the agents of the Spanish authorities, Andres Bonifacio and other katipuneros left the town some days. It was then that the uprising began, with the first cry for freedom on August 25, 1896.

Multiple Choice

Her account describes being rejected by households when seeking refuge. What does this imply about the atmosphere in Manila and surrounding towns after the First Cry?

• The atmosphere was welcoming and friendly.
• Spanish authorities had no influence in Manila.

• Ordinary citizens were indifferent to the uprising.

• The atmosphere in Manila and surrounding towns was one of fear and distrust.

Comparison Chart

A symbol of unity, courage, and the beginning of the Filipino struggle for independence.

The First Cry of the Philippine Revolution

History is not just about facts—it is about voices, perspectives, and the courage of a people to fight for freedom.

💡 Takeaway:
The First Cry reminds us that even in diversity of memory, the essence of freedom remains one.