Cry of Balintawak or Pugadlawin: A Historical Analysis

The Cry of Rebellion is an important part of Philippine history. It marks the beginning of
the Philippine Revolution in 1896, which led to the declaration of Philippine independence in
1898. The "Cry" is heavily described as the turning point of history, where Katipuneros cried
their hearts out and teared their cedulas. Though this important piece of history is controversial
in the aspect of when and where it occurred, there are many versions of what happened during
the rebellion. One of the heavily debated versions was from the perspectives of Dr. Pio
Valenzuela, Santiago Alvarez, Gregoria de Jesus, A Guardia Civil’s Report on the Rebellion, and
Guillermo Masangkay.

Analysis of the Different Versions and Sources

Pio Valenzuela's controversial "Cry of Pugadlawin" (August 23, 1896)

The controversial “Cry of Pugad Lawin,” which has been confirmed by no other
eyewitness to 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 that he gave told of the “Cry of
Balintawak” as the first staging point of the Philippine Revolution. 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 Biñan, 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 at Fort Santiago, where,
upon investigation, he told Fransisco Olive, the Spanish investigator, that the “Cry” was staged
at “Balintawak on Wednesday, August 26, 1896.”1 However, much later, Dr. Valenzuela, with a
fading memory and without consulting the written documents of the Philippine Revolution, wrote
his Memoirs of the Revolution. In his memoirs, he claims that the “Cry” was held at Pugad
Lawin on August 23, 1896. (Zaide 8, pp. 301-302)

Pio Valenzuela offered two (2) versions of what happened during the rebellion.
Valenzuela was an eyewitness to the event, and his account provides valuable insight into the
early stages of the revolution. But his credibility is questioned because he gave two different
versions of what truly happened. The question lies in whether or not his information is reliable.
Santiago Alvarez's “Cry of Bahay Toro” (August 24, 1896)

The version according to General Santiago Alvarez, a Katipunero, a member of the Magdiwang
faction where Mariano Alvarez, his father, served as President

Another version of the "Cry,” which launched the Philippine Revolution, is that written 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 to the historic event. Hence, his version cannot be
accepted as equal in weight to that given by the actual participants of the event. (Zaide 8, pp.
303).

Alvarez's perspective might offer additional details on the events surrounding the Cry of
Pugadlawin. He was in Cavite at the time the rebellion happened. His version is different from
the two other versions that Valenzuela gave. Although, yes, Alvarez's background makes him a
credible and reliable source, he did not bear witness to nor experience the rebellion himself,
causing questions to arise about whether or not his information is true.

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 wife of Supremo Andres Bonifacio and the “Lakambini of the Katipunan”. She was
the custodian of the secret documents, seal, and some weapons of the Katipunan, and she
constantly risked her life safeguarding them. After the outbreak of the Revolution in August
1896, she went to live with her parents in Caloocan, while Bonifacio and his men gathered in the
hills 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 the hardships and sacrifices of a patriot’s life with him. According to her version of the
First “Cry,” it occurred near Caloocan on August 25, 1896. (Zaide 8, pp. 305).

Gregoria de Jesus, as the wife of Andres Bonifacio, could shed light on the motivations
and emotions of the revolutionaries. But, at the event of the rebellion where the "cry" happened,
she was not present. So her version does not hold that much weight compared to Valenzuela's
and Masangkay's.

The Guardia Civil’s Report on the “Cry of Balintawak” (August 25, 1896)

Captain Olegario Diaz, Spanish commander of the Guardia Civil Veterana of Manila, who
investigated the discovery of the Katipunan, also included in his official report findings on the
site and date of the first rally of the Revolution. According to his report, the first “cry” occurred
at Balintawak on August 25, 1896 (Zaide 8, p. 306).

The Guardia Sibil's version is highly debated. Although his version aligned with Gregoria
de Jesus's version (i.e., the same date), this official report may provide a contrasting viewpoint,
as it likely represents the Spanish colonial authorities' perspective.

Guillermo Masangkay, The Cry of Balintawak

The historic first rally of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 occurred at the rustic barrio of
Balintawak, a few kilometers north of the city of Manila, on August 26, 1896, according to this
eyewitness account by Katipunan General Guillermo Masangkay, Bonifacio’s childhood friend.
Similarly, this date and site were officially adopted by the government during the early years of
the American regime, after having consulted the surviving katipuneros and prestigious
historians at the time (Zaide 8, p. 307).

This account was debated as the most reliable and credible since he bear witness to the
event without any modifications or changes. The Philippine government acknowledged his
version as the basis of what had truly happened. Masangkay's account, being from the Filipino
side, can provide a counterpoint to the official Spanish report.

Personal Reflection and Conclusion

I believe that the rebellion happened in Balintawak. I support and believe Guillermo
Masangkay that the rebellion happened in Balintawak, regardless of the date it occurred.
Guillermo Masangkay's account and version of the event were, for me, reliable and credible.
Being one of the leaders of the Katipuneros who experienced the event firsthand and did not
have any reservations for changes.

The significance of understanding these controversies lies in gaining a deeper

appreciation of the complexities of Philippine history. It shows that history is not always
straightforward and can be influenced by different viewpoints and motivations. Additionally, it
underscores the resilience and determination of the Filipino people in their struggle for
independence.