STI College General Santos City

STI Academic Center J. Catolico Avenue, General Santos City, 9500 South Cotabato

Academic Year 2021-2022

Midterm – First Semester

Task Performance

Readings in Philippine History

Team Bonifacio

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (1-1BP)

SUBMITTED BY:

Jastine G. Caber

Vanessa Jean A. Cahatol

Liezl A. Cariaga

Mercenel Ann A. Casinto

Quia B. Castillano

Rona Mae Celestial

Zyra Cena

Riena Rain Cerbito

SUBMITTED TO:

Abusailan Akmad
 POSITION PAPER:

The Controversy of Katipunan’s Cry

Introduction of the Controversy

The Katipunan's Cry is one of the most irrefutable controversies that happened in Philippine
history. In this historical event, the Katipuneros, led by Andres Bonifacio, ripped out their cedulas and tore
them apart, marking the commencement of the Philippine Revolution and their act of rebellion against
the Spanish Monarchs. Generated from various claims by the KKK veterans and imprecise definitions of
what the "cry" meant, such deputies were formed. This paper will also emphasize the main historical
events that occurred, where the event took place, whether in Pugad Lawin or Balintawak, and the
significance of the aforementioned controversy.

To begin, the term "Cry" was translated from Spanish as "el grito de rebellion or el grito," which
means "cry for rebellion" and alludes to the Katipunero's determination or appeal to revolt against the
Spanish colonizers. Along with this, in 1896, Andres Bonifacio and his comrades established the Katipunan
or KKK, a clandestine organization to carry out the Philippine Revolution. This act denoted their initial
action in fighting the Spanish Regime and commemorated its historical relevance in obtaining
independence, sovereignty, and the essence of fighting for Filipino human rights.

Consequently, the significant events that happened in the first cry were classified into two
categories: the tearing up of community tax certificates and the patriotic shouts of 'Viva la Independencia
Filipina'. The Katipunero's termination of allegiance to the Spanish Regime is symbolized by the tearing up
of community tax certificates or cedulas personales. On the other hand, 'Viva la Independencia Filipina',
or 'Long Live Philippine Independence' aims to express the goal of their secret society. These two
significant events exemplified the essence of the first cry, which was to serve as an affirmation of the
Katipunero's outright defiance of their allegiance to Spain.

However, the said revolt stimulated considerable arguments due to the varying accounts of the
dates and locations of the first cry. This controversy has remained unresolved in Philippine history since
some Filipinos have diverse statements of where and when it occurred.
Sides and/ or Evidence of the Controversy

A gathering of Katipunan veterans Illustration of them tearing their cedulas

Photo credit: indiohistorian.tumblr.com Photo credit: philippinefolklifemuseum.org

To address and fully grasp the said controversy, the following are the authors’ claims and sources
regarding the Katipunan’s Cry:

According to Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a Filipino physician, revolutionary leader, and one of the
Katipunan's officials, who was also an eyewitness, the Cry of the Katipunan has two versions. In his initial
account, he asserts that it took place on August 26, 1896, in Balintawak. However, later in his life and with
a fading memory, he wrote in his Memoirs of the Revolution that the "Cry" occurred on August 23, 1896,
in Pugad lawin, at the home of Juan Ramos, a son of Melchora Aquino or formerly known as “Tandang
Sora”. He further emphasized that the gathering was solely to discuss the upcoming revolt and that no
final decision on how the revolution will be carried out has been made. Yet, the said gathering, allows
them to be resolute and determined to begin the revolution.

Similarly, Gen. Guillermo Masangkay, who was Andres Bonifacio's acquaintance and mentor,
contended that there were two variations. In his first version, he dated the First Cry to his interview in the
Sunday tribune on August 26, 1896, during the first decade of American occupation. He dated the second
edition on August 23, 1896, based on an interview he gave to the newspaper "Bagong Buhay."

Moreover, the arguments and claims became pertinent to individuals, as some of them believed
in Teodoro Agoncillo's potential influence as a prominent Filipino historian in the 20th century. According
to his book "Revolt of the Masses (1956)," the first cry took place in the yard of Juan Ramos at Pugad
Lawin, and after the meeting, they began to tear their cedula certificates and shouted, "Long Live the
Philippines." As a result, Teodoro utilized his tremendous influence to advocate and alter the first cry's
date and location to August 23, 1896, in Pugad Lawin. Furthermore, former President Macapagal
addressed the controversy in 1963 by declaring that the balintawak cry be renamed "The Cry of Pugad
Lawin" and that it be commemorated on August 23, 1896.

Positive Stand

Our positive stand is on the statements provided by Dr. Pio Valenzuela, an eyewitness and
associate of Andrés Bonifacio, who claimed that the Cry of the Katipunan happened at Pugad Lawin on
August 23, 1896. Regardless of the inconsistencies in Dr. Pio Valenzuela's remarks, he still contributed to
the history of the Philippines by bridging the gap between these events. He provided Filipinos with
background knowledge on events that took place during his time in the Philippines. He further presented
the captures, escapes, recaptures, and killings of Katipunan members; the interrogation of Chinese spies;
the arrival of arms in Meycauayan, Bulacan; the debate with Teodoro and others; the decision to go to
war; the shouting of slogans; the tearing of cedulas; the sending of letters presidents of Sanggunian and
balangay councils; the arrival of the civil guard; the loss of Katipunan funds during those time. All of these
events, as well as many others, mark the start of a nationwide revolution, which greatly enlightened us.

Negative Stand

There are numerous claims in the article that do not provide concrete evidence, such as the date
August 23, 1896, when Pio Valenzuela tears the cedula, yet the "cry of Pugad Lawin must also be true,"
because the article does not show as much evidence as possible to convince us in the occurrence. And he
has different versions of the Cry, and his version of Pugad Lawin was a little ambiguous since its house
was in Tandang Sora's, not Juan Ramos, and Pugad Lawin's particular location was in Gulod Banlad. The
other statements made by historians and authors just served to divert our attention away from what is
accurate and valid.

Final Stand

Therefore, our concluding stand is that the Philippine Revolution was one of the most significant
events in the country's history, inspiring generations of Filipinos to embrace a passionate sense of
nationalism. During a times of tremendous hardship and war, Filipinos from all walks of life came together
to fight colonialism with a shared aim. To sum up, the term 'Pugad Lawin' was conceived in regard to a
hawk's nest in the backyard of Tandang Sora in Banlat, Gulod, Caloocan, which is thought to have been
one of the revolutionary groups led by Andres Bonifacio's hiding places, the location of which is still a
matter of controversy among historians.
 Reference/s:

https://elms.sti.edu/files/4039736/Ang_Madamdaming_Alaala_ni_Isabelo_de_los_Reyes(2).pdf?lmsaut
h=96a732590e3f6da575cc65a7333cc71fdae5a1da

https://elms.sti.edu/files/4039736/Pio_Valenzuela_s_Controversial_Cry_of_Pugad_Lawin_.pdf?
lmsauth=55c0c1878782ace3ba9f7016a30ff0c9f59a0760

https://pdfcoffee.com/the-founding-of-katipunan-pdf-free.html

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/balintawak-the-cry-for-a-nationwide-
revolution/