THE CRY OF BAHAY TORO
the Katipunan, a secret society advocating for
Version by Santiago Alvarez
General 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” as follows:
Sunday, August 23, 1896 As early as 10 o’clock
in the morning, at the barn of Kabesang
Melchora 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)!
Bahay Toro
The "Cry of Bahay Toro" refers to an event in
Philippine history during the Philippine
Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. It
occurred on August 19, 1896, in Bahay Toro,
which is now a part of Quezon City in Metro
Manila, Philippines.
Bahay Toro was a small town where members of
Philippine independence, gathered to plan their
rebellion against Spanish rule. The cry of
revolution, "¡Viva la Independencia Filipina!"
(Long Live Philippine Independence!), was
reportedly heard during a secret meeting held in
Bahay Toro.
Sedula
refers to the cedula personal, which was a type
of identification or residence certificate issued
during the Spanish colonial period in the
Philippines. The
Katipuneros, members
of the Katipunan, a
secret revolutionary
society that fought for
Philippine
independence from
Spanish rule, were required to possess sedulas.
However, they often used these documents as a
means to evade suspicion from Spanish
authorities, as having sedulas provided a
semblance of compliance with Spanish laws and
regulations while secretly being part of a
revolutionary movement.
Tearing the sedula was a symbolic act carried
out by members of the Katipunan during the
Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial
rule. The sedula, or cedula personal, was a
document issued by Spanish authorities for
taxation and identification purposes. Tearing the
sedula was a public declaration of defiance
against Spanish rule and loyalty to the
revolutionary cause.