MGA GUNITA NG HIMAGSIKAN

(EMILIO AGUINALDO)
First volume of his memoirs “ Mga Gunita ng
Himagsikan” (1964). Translated from the original
tagalog “Memoirs of the revolution” (1967)

In the preface Aguinaldo says the memoirs

were based:
1. On diary he kept.
2. Documents he preserved
3. Family lore gathered from his elders.

All we have is an account from his birth and

early years, ending with the 1897 Treaty of
Biak na Bato
It was at the end of 1963 that Aguinaldo after
much deliberation, decided to publish his
memoirs.

Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan was officially

released to the public in 1967.
It was presumed by Ambeth Ocampo (2017) that
a second volume was also drafted by Aguinaldo,
which could have covered the resumption of the
Philippine revolution against Spain and Philippine
-American war

Until now no one knows whether it was actually written

Ocampo hints that it might hidden in a secret compartment
drawer or passageway in the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit,
Cavite.
 Background of the Author

Emilio Famy Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869

In Kawit, Cavite

The seventh children of Carlos Jamir Aguinaldo

and Trinidad Famy-Aguinaldo.
Aguinaldo’s family was well off since his father
was the community’s gobernadacillo of their
pueblo.

Emilio attended high school at the Colegio de

San Juan de Letran but has to stop on his
fourth year because of his father’s death.

He then took the responsibility of helping his

mother run their farm.
In 1895 at the age of 25 he became Kawit’s first
“gobernadorcillo capitan municipal”

Aguinaldo became a freemason, joining Pilar

Lodge No.203, Imus Cavite with the
codename “Colon”
He also joined the Katipunan and used the
nom de guerre “Magdalo” in honor of Mary
Magdalene.
Aguinaldo would later become the first and
youngest president of the First Philippine
Republic.
 His presidency was cut short when he
was captured by the American soldiers
in Palanan, Isabela.

He pledged his loyalty to the American

government thus dissolving the First
Republic .
He tried to rejoin politics by challenging
Manuel L. Quezon in the 1935 presidential
elections.

He lost, leading him to retire from public

life President Elpidio Quirino appointed him as member
of the Philippine Council of State in 1950.
Emilio Aguinaldo died of coronary thrombosis
on February 6, 1964. he was 94 years old.
In his lifetime he was able to witness the administration of succeeding presidents of the
Philippines until the term of President Diosdado Macapagal.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF
MGA GUNITA NG HIMAGSIKAN

Aguinaldo produced the first volume of

his memoirs between 1928 and 1946.

The signing of Biak na Bato Treaty in

1897.
 3 REASON WHY GUINTA NG HIMAGSIKAN IS IMPORTANT
NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY

1. History is about learning the truth, therefore

studying every angle of historical evidence helps in
proving which event is factual.

The Gunita ng Himagsikan can provide clues or

hints for historians
2. Gunita ng Himagsikan is looking at Philippine History through
the eyes of Emilio Aguinaldo. It gives Aguinaldo perspective on
Treaty of Biak na Bato.
 3. Gunita ng Himagsikan is still part of
Philippine History

It gives us an insight into the personal

thoughts and feelings of Aguinaldo which will
help in a deeper understanding of Philippine
• It is an attempt of Emilio Aguinaldo to wash his
hands on the tragic death of Andres Bonifacio.

• This a way of vindicating himself from negatives

aspersions against him.
 CONTRIBUTIONS

Aguinaldo’s memoirs which is a first

hand narrative of the first Philippine
Republic.

Offers a different perspective and provides

basis for corroboration of other historical
sources.
 LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Proves that we need to

study the past.
The document teaches us more about
history that encourages our mind to read
more about our history.

How our heroes have changed our

lives today.
 ACTIVITY
An Open Letter to the First President

Write an open letter addressed to the

President of the First Philippine Republic,
EMILIO AGUINLADO

If you were to talk to Aguinaldo, what would

you like to tell him?

What would you ask him?

 NEXT LESSON MODULE 4 :
FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD BY
MAGELLAN