DR. PIO VALENZUELA in 1895 aldrias Mi Document 372 Pio Valenzuela's Controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin" (August 23, 1896) The controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin,* which has been confirmed by no other eyewitnesses of the event than Dr. Pio Valenzuela, is the second and later version of the first rally of the Katipunan by Dr. Valenzuela himself. The first version which he ‘gave told of the "Cry of Balintawak" as the first staging point of the Philippine Revoluton. He related the first version, when events were still fresh in his memory and as he abandoned the revolutionary cause after its outbreak and fled to Bian, Laguna, for safety. Taking advantage of Governor General Ramon Blanco's proclamation of amnesty to the revolutionists, Valenzuela returned to Manila on September 3, 1896, and surrendered to Blanco. He was imprisoned in Fort Santiago, where, upon investigation, he told Francisco Olive, the Spanish investigator, that the "Cry" was staged vat "Balintawak on Wednesday, August 26, 1896."! However, much leter, Dr. Valenzuela, with a fading memory and without consulting the written documents of the Philippine Revolution, wrote tis Memoirs of the Revolution. In his memoirs, he clsims that the "Cry" was held at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896, as follows:* 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 Sam- son at Kangkong. Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those who were there were Briccio Pantas, Alejandro Santiago, Ramon Bernardo, Apolonio Samson, and others. Here, views were only exchanged, and no resolution was debated or adopted. It was at Pugad Lawin, in the house, store-house, and yard of Juan Ramos, son of Melchora Aquinc, where over 1,000 members of the 1 See W. E Retana, Archiso del bilofilo filipino (Madrid, 1897), Vol. TI, pe, + A typescript copy of Dr. Valenzucla’s Memois, together with his autograph and personal photo, was given to me by the author when I visited his hhome in Polo (now Valensuela), Bulacan, on July 4, 1931, while researching for my frst book on the discovery of the Katipunan.Katipunan met and carried out considerable debate and discussion on August 23, 1896. The discussion was on whether or not the revolution against the Spanish government should be started on August 29, 1896. Only one man protested and fought against a war, and that was Teodoro Plata [Bonifacio's brother-inlaw — Z} Besides the persons named above, among those present at this meeting were Enrique Cipriano, Alfonso Pacheco, Tomas Remigio, Sinforoso San Pedro, and others. After the tumultuous meeting, many of those present tore their cedule certificates and shouted "Long live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines!"? ng to General Masanghay thee prominent katipineroscpposad the uly start of the revolution, namely: feodoro Plat Bricco Pantas, and Dr. Plo Wallace. So Document ine 3 Since this particular version of the Fst “Cry” was different from the criginal cow which be gave Spanish autharles saon afer the event, Dr Valerzucla's second (and later) recollecion has been repudiated by ‘most prestigious historians of the Philippines, with tne singular exception of Teodoro ‘Agonalo in hs book, The Rema of Be Masses (Quezon Cyr 1996). Nicolae 2alen, Agencies sector, reviewed and creed the book in Phippine Ste (0956), ‘Vat IV, No induding the {slay of the “Gy of Pugad Lavin” For 2 compiricen of the diferent versions of the Fst Cry of the Philippine Revol.tion, seg ER Dae The Paget of Pobre Hy Gta, 179, VOL I pp A 302 Docurent 373 “The "Cry of Bahay Toro" (August 24, 1896) By Santiago Alvarez Another version of the:*Cry" which launched the Philippine Revolution is that writen by Santiago Alvarez, a prominent Katipunan warlord of Cavite, son of Mariano Alvarez, and relative of Gregoria de Jesus (wife of Andres Bonifacio). Unlike Masangkay, ‘Samson, and Valenzuela, Alvarez was not an eyewitness of the historic event. Hence, his version cannot be accepted as equal in weight to that given by actual participants of the event. Although Alvarez was in Cavite at the time, this is his version of the first "Cry," asfollows:* Sunday, August 23, 1896 As early as 10 o'clock in the morning, at the bam of Kabesang Melchora {Melchora Aquino — Z], at a place called Sampalukan, barrio of Bahay Toro, Katipuneros met together, About 500 of these arrived, ready and eager to join the "Supremo” Andres Bonifacio and his men ..... Monday, August 24, 1896 There were about 1,000 Katipuneros . . . . The “Supremo" decided to hold a meeting inside the big barn. Under his leadership, the meeting began at 10 o'clock in the morning... 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)! * Seo Sanago Alvarez, “Ang Katpunan at Paphimagsk” Serpe Manta, Aug, 27, vue eho re 303,Docurnen: 374 Gregoria de Jesus' Version of the First "Cry" (August 25, 1896) ‘One of the participants in the drama of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 was Gregoria de Jesus, the wile of Supremo ‘Andres Borifacio, and the "Lakambini of the Katipunan’. She was the custodian of the secret documents, seal, and some weapons of the Katipunan, and constantly risked her life in safeguarding them, After the outbreak of the Revolution in August, 1896, she went to live with her perents in Caloocan, while Bonifacio and his men gathered in the hils of Balintawak for the war of liberation. When warned that the Spanish authorities were coming to arrest her, she fled to Manila and later joined her husband in the mountains and shared te hardships and sacrifices of a patriots life with him. According to her version of the First “Cry,” it occurred near Caloocan on Augus 25, 1886, as follows:* ‘The activities of the Katipunan had reached nearly all comers of the Philippine Archipelago, so that when its existence was discovsred and some of the members arres- ted, 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 after some days. It was then that the uprising be- gan, with the first cry for freedom on August 25, 1896. Meanwhile, I was with my parents. Through my friends, I learned that the Spanish were coming to arrest me. Immediately, I fled town at eleven o'clock at night, secretly going through the ricefields to La Loma, with the intention of returning to Manila, 1 was treated like an apparition, for, sad to say, in every house where I tried to get a little rest, I was driven away as if the people therein were frightened for their own lives. Later, I found out that the occupants of the houses which I had visited were seized and severely punished — and some even exiled. ‘One of them was an uncle of mine whom I had visited on that night to kiss his hand, and he died in exile. Gregori de Janse, MgaTal ng Aking Butzy (Marla, 1932), p15.Diaz, Spanish jn Olegario Oe nO ste that Ceptal 7 ‘cuarda Civi Veierana © Mi i ie ‘of the Katipunan (see Oc Lge (oe ings onthe te 3 itis interesting 10 commaree ed the discovery + jestigated the first, Seo ncled ns OF coin to i pat, Te tha tye on aut 25, 1896 38 "room racy having been by town of the conspiracy MEd to the nearby NT 7) is followers Sed fof August, 1896 — 7 Caloocer joved to the barrio of Balintanac nifacio 9 Pe } followed they were attac the said town and th or a bi to be ne Supreme Council called for & bg meting 0 The Sepring, say Waugust 25 71 than 5000 ha the [Porro alintawak — 2. Sith a discussion Fy sould be eae in the’ face of the NEW i ‘the arrests that were de Siuation and in Ve oO Sep fs Sine ites. sth eerie eg opm ed by posed to such a CONSE. 0 cat was apProw ore Put to a vote, ay see how strong an influence gn overwhelming ™2) he wields! Manila, Cavite, ately sent out to Mani orders wee per provinces he Katipaneros wa Bei ; tkeet dawn on Sunday, “August rz t tain VLE A eee Document 376 The "Cry of Balintawak" (August 26, 1896) By Guillermo Masangkay Katipunan General The historic first rally of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 occurred at the rustic barrio of Balintawak, 2 few kilometers north of the city of Manila, on August 26, 1898, accerding to this ‘eyewitness account by Katipunan General Guillermo Masangkay, Bonifacio's childhood friend.’ Similarly, this date and site were cffcialy adopted by the government during the early years of the ‘American regime, after having consulted the surviving katipuneros and prestigious historians at the time. A monument depicting the event was erected near the site financed by funds donated by the people, and was inaugurated on September 3, 1911. In his memoirs, General Masangkay recounts the “Cry of Balintawak," as folows.* ‘On August 26th [1896 — Z], a big meeting was held in Balintawak, et the house of Apolonio Samson, then the cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan Among those who at- tended, I remember, were Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Aguedo del Rosario, Tomas Remigio, Briccio Pantas, Teodoro Plata, Pio Valenzuela, Enrique Pacheco, and Francisco Carreon. They were all leaders of the Katipunan and composed the board of directors of the organization. Deiegates from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite, and Morong (now Rizal), were also present. T Guilemno Masangiay was born at Tondo on June 25, 1857, of Cavieto "Aa a boy, he seed to play with ancther Tondo lad named Andres io. When Bonifacio founded the Keipunan in 1892, Masanghay became & rember and was gvena mission 1 inte embers in Cavite. With the help of Misraio Aivares of Noweet (ance of Bolted’ wife Greporn, he suceeded in Tearing, many habpuneros in Cavite, Snchding "Ageinalde. After Berticpting inthe First Coy he fought in many bates and forunetely survived fhe Revoluson. With the advent of peace he romed private lfe and devoted 1s atention fo meny civie and pattie sites He anisted in holding the Hest Labor Congres # Manila om May 1, 1913. He was also responsible forthe concent of the law in 1920 deciarng the 30th of Noweraber as “Boro Day” Sod the erection ofthe Bonfaco Monument in Caloocan City. He ed at ‘VetoraneMamerilHomptl on May 31,1953 a eager o6 1. "A Katipunero Specks,” The une Magazine, Masa’ Katou. Spe Sandey Tribune Mapex 307e ofdlock in the morning of August 26, the meeting wes opened with "Andres. Bonifacio presiding the Trmilio Jacinto acting as secretary. The Purpose Wi to cae ee when ihe uprising was to take place Teodoro Glut [Bonifacics brother-in-law — Z.], Briceio Pantas, and pn alenzueia were all opposed to starting the revolt Hae, too early. They reasoned thal the people would be in xroase if the revolution were started without adequate preparation. Plata was Very forceful in his argument, Fung that the uprising could not. very well be started Sithout arms and food for the soldiers. Valenzuela used Juza’s argument about the rich not siding with the Kati- punen organization. Andres Bonifacio, sensing that he would lose im the discussion then, left the session hall and talked to the people, who were waiting outside for the result of the reding of the leaders. He told the people that the leaders were arguing against starting the revolution early, and appealed to them in a fiery speech in which he said: "You appember the fate of our countrymen whe Wer shot in Bagumbayan. Should we retum now {6 the towns, the Spaniards will only shoo! us. Ov organization has been ai we are all marked men, If we don't start discovered a) the uprising, the Spaniards will get us anywey 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 them that the sign of slavery Of ihe Filipinos were (sic) the cedula tax charged each Cleon, "If it is true that you are ready '0 revolt,” Bonifacio saved, "T want to see you destroy Yor! cedulas. Tt will be the sign that all of us have declared our severance from the Spaniards.” With tears in their eyes, the people a6 one, mie pulled out their cedulas and tore them 1 pieces. It was Fhe beginning of the formal declaration of the separation from Spanish rule. With their cedulas destroyed, they form ho longer go back to their homes berausy the Spaniards would “persecute | them, if not for being Tetipuneres, for having no cedulas. And people who had see ieylas daring those days were severely punished. At about nin = seats When the people's pl 2's pledge was obtained by Bonifaci be returned fo te setion Pall ord informed the leaders of what took place outside. "The people want to revolt, ard they ave destroyed their cedulas," Bonifacio said. now we have to start the uprising; otherwise the Laan paca will be shot." There was no alter- e board of directors, in spite of the protests of eee an voted for the ann An n was decided, the people outsi ‘Long Live the Philippine Republic er cca See I still remember Bonifacio as he aj A ee oe ecrthosesan and ea P25 (Mex) a month, he was a cultured man. He alway : wore an open coat, with black necktie, and black hat. He aiways carried an umbrella. At the meeting that mornin, of August 26, Bonifacio took off his coat and was aioe oal vs etic, with colar and ie Bonifacio's hobby was wad mboo hal aring his spare time he wove ane Co and sold them in Manila. Thus he made At about 5 otlock in the aft 5 old .e afternoon, whil gothering at Balintawak was celebrating the detsion of the Kaujpunan leaders to start the uprising, the guards who were up in tess to watch for any possible intruders approach of the enemy, gave i oe .y, gave the warning that the et! Bonlfacio, Emilio Jacinto and other leaders of the Katipunan, the an vere, distributed in strategic posi- ean eal prepared for the attack of the civil guards. ‘was with a group stationed on the bank of a small creek, guarding the places where the Spaniards were to pass in order to reach the mesting place of the katipuneros. Shots wert then fs I by the civil guards, and that was the begin- =i "s eel aie which later became such a huge con- 308