GE8: Week 3

First Mass – Editions of Cry to

Balintawak
SITE OF THE FIRST MASS

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 ⦿ Site of the first mass

⦿ The first Catholic mass in the Philippines

has been said to be held on March 31,
1521. There is an issue as to where it was
celebrated. What were the two places?

⦿ Exchange of gifts; provocation

⦿ The value of the coconut fruit
⦿ Closer friendship (?); gold; coral; water
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⦿ commerce, sick men; purpose of
gold (status, value); kind of
farming; hair; naked;
aquaculture; heathen (?)
⦿ He fell and almost drowned
⦿ That same day (March 25, 1521)
we shaped our course towards
the WEST SOUTHWEST
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 WEST HOMONHON

SOUTH

LIMASAWA
WEST
• met another group; gift and
refusal to accept a gold bar
from the king; late
hospitality/presents; slave (?)
• gift-giving; good relations (?);
technological capacities (?);
would send 2 men to see the
king’s country

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⦿ They ate with a king (1st king- Raia
Colambu) in his place; customary
gestures as signs of friendship and
trust.

⦿ Supper with the king and his prince

(son); sleeping in the palace with the
prince; kissing hands and expression
of joy; they left with another king
(the brother of the first king)
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• the 2nd king (king of Butuan- Raia Siaui)
dined with them

• The Spaniards talked with the king of

Butuan and Calagan. He said his dishes were
made of gold and some portion of his
house.

• The 2nd king (king of Butuan) dined and

talked with them.

• The king of Butuan never invited them to go

to Butuan and they never went to Butuan

• HOW COULD THE MASS BE HELD IN

BUTUAN?
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50 men and the 2 kings were in the mass

⦿ After the mass, they talked about a cross

to be set up in a mountain summit;
simple form of worship; would help the
first king defeat his enemies (?)

⦿ the 2 kings were present to erect the

cross in the summit (location?); the first
king asked for men to help in the rice
harvest and volunteered to be a ship pilot
to place/s where to get food.

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⦿ bartering for goods (not a
smooth process)

⦿ How the people dress (?) in

Mazaua; fruit chewing; great
domestication of plants and
animals and mining

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 LIMASAWA

King of Mazaua (first king) guided them to Zubu. The

Spaniards had been to Mazaua.
Mazaua could be Limasawa because of the king’s
familiarity of Cebu which is close to Limasawa.
⦿ In 1996, through a 2 year study, the
NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE (THE
Phil Govt’s Historical Organization)
reaffirmed the popular belief propelled by
Republic Act 2733 that the first Holy Mass
was celebrated in Limasawa Island on
March 31, 1521.The NHI cited the
memoirs of Antonio Pigafetta, as “the
only credible primary source that yields
the best evidence of the celebration of
the first Christian Mass on Philippine soil.”
⦿ Tomas “Buddy” Gomez 3rd, a one-time
press secretary of President Cory,
disagreed with the NHI on naming
Limasawa as the true venue and called for
the correction of this “long-standing
historical error.” 

⦿ “Pigafetta NEVER said that the Easter

Mass in Limasawa was the ‘first.’ Neither
did any of the survivors of Magellan’s
expedition,” Buddy added,
⦿ He wondered if a Mass was celebrated on Philippine shores before the 1521 Easter Sunday. He cited
records showing that Magellan stayed in Homonhon (now a part of Samar Island) for eight days, including
March 24 which was Palm Sunday.

⦿ “Is Easter Sunday Mass ever celebrated without being preceded by Mass on a Palm Sunday,” he asked. He
then argued that the First Mass could actually have been held not in Limasawa or Masau but in
Homonhon. https://www.manilatimes.net/first-mass-philippines-held/157730/
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CAVITE
MUTINY

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⦿ There was a belief that one of the factors that
ignited the 1896 revolution was the Cavite Mutiny.
The Gomburza priests were executed in 1872.

⦿ The Cavite Mutiny happened on January 20, 1872.

⦿ 3 VERSIONS OF THE Cavite MUTINY:

⦿ Spaniards Version
1) Jose Montero y Vidal (Historian)
2) Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo

Filipino Version
3) Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera (scientist, scholar,
historical researcher)

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• What was (historical researcher) Dr. Tavera’s
comment on Vidal’s writing?

• Tavera said that Vidal “does not speak as a

historian; he speaks as a Spaniard bent on
perverting the facts at his pleasure; he is
mischievously partial”.

• Vidal overstated the Mutiny.

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COMPARATIVE
PRESENTATIO
N OF THE 3
VERSIONS

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⦿ SPANIARD’S VERSION (VIDAL) OF THE CAVITE MUTINY

• CAUSES for him: Abolition of exemption from the tribute;

Spanish revolution; propaganda of unbridled press;
democratic books; speeches of new ideas, etc.
(overstatement)

⦿ There was an anonymous communications about the

uprising that all would be killed even the friars

⦿ What were the activities of the conspiracy? There were

secret meetings at the house of Joaquin Pardo de Tavera
and the house of the priest Jacinto Zamora.

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• 200 native soldiers led by sgt. La Madrid mutinied, killed
the commander of the fort and wounded his wife. 2
Spaniards to report to Manila were killed.

⦿ Fernando Rojas sent 2 Spaniards to Manila to report the

incident but were killed by the Guias (natives).
⦿ Arsenal employee Domingo Mijares reached Manila via a
war vessel told the marine commandant who told Gov.
Gen. Izquierdo of the uprising.

⦿ What composed the command of Felipe Ginoves?

Merchant vessels (Isabela 1 and 2) and assaulted and
defeated the rebels as they did not surrender.

⦿ The captured rebels (prisoners) accused the GOMBURZA

as instigators among others.

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 21

⦿ The council of war gave death penalty

to 41 rebels. The Gov. General
commuted the death sentence of 11
rebels to life imprisonment. There was
death sentence for Camerino and 10
years imprisonment for 11 individuals
(of the Guias de la Torre) who were
said to be involved in the death of the
Spaniard messengers.

⦿ What were the sentences to the

GOMBURZA? To die by strangulation

⦿ What was Izquierdo’s request to

Spain? Why? The sending to Manila of
Spanish troops for the defense of the
fort as most were natives.
• TAVERA’S VERSION
⦿ The Filipino version of the mutiny was
written Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo Tavera, a
scientist, scholar, and historical researcher.

• The incident on January 20, 1872 was

simply a mutiny Filipino soldiers and
laborers of the Cavite arsenal who were
dissatisfied by the abolition of the tribute
exemption and forced labor.

⦿ Gov. Gen. Izquierdo announced that he

intended to govern “with a crucifix in one
hand and a sword in the other”.

⦿ What was Izquierdo’s first official act? Why?

prohibit the founding of a school of arts and
trades by the natives as it was seen as
political.

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⦿ What would you be considered if you support
ex-Gov. Gen. Carlos de la Torre? They were
classed as personas sospechosas (suspects)

⦿ What was the origin of the political agitation

which constantly grew for 30 years and
culminated in the overthrow of Spanish
sovereignty? The Cavite Mutiny

⦿ When the news came to Manila, how did Gen.

Izquierdo react? The commanding general was
sent to Cavite to reinforce the natives,
possessed the fort & killed the rebels

⦿ During the time of Gov. Gen. de la Torre

influential Filipinos complained against the friars
and the Central Government listened.

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 ⦿ Who were the conservative elements?

24 ⦿ The conservatives took advantage of the

mutinous event. What did they do? They told
the Spanish Govt the existence of a vast
conspiracy to destroy the Spanish Govt.

⦿ What happened to those who were accused

and those who opposed the friars?
people were accused as conspirators especially
those who opposed the friars
⦿ Was there ever an intention to overthrow the
Spanish sovereignty? NONE

⦿ How did the Cavite mutiny affect the power

of the friars? To strengthen the powers of the
friars.
⦿ What was the effect of the
persecutions by the Spaniards to which
the people were subjected to? A
stimulus to another rebellion w/c
became greater day by day.

⦿ VERSION OF IZQUIERDO
⦿ Who did Izquierdo blame in his report
to the Spanish Ministry of War? The
native clergy, scholars & some
residents of Manila & neighboring
provinces.

⦿ For Izquierdo, who prepared the

insurrection? The native clergy,
mestizos, native lawyers, abogadillos,
some residents of Manila, Cavite, &
nearby provinces.

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• He said that the instigators protested against the injustices by
the government such as Obliging the Cavite arsenal workers to
pay tribute and render personal services; Govt did not pay for
the tobacco crop; Usury of officials

⦿ What were the strategies used by the instigators to convince

others? They used superstitions, the chief/hari would be an
ecclesiastic; they offered the wealth of the Spaniards & regular
clergy & employment.

⦿ What was Izquierdo’s description of the political set-up of the

conspiracy? Head of Govt would be a priest: Zamora, Burgos, or
San Pedro Parish Priest.

• Who would be executed in this uprising? All the Spaniards &

friars would be killed except for the women; the Cavite rebels
and Bacoor native civilians failed because of the Spanish navy &
other military officials
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• According to the plan, how would the revolution be started? Set fire to Tondo district to be put out
by authorities, then they would seize Fort Santiago.

⦿ THE rebels signalled using lanterns (Cavite) but the natives of Bacoor failed bec of the Spanish navy.

⦿ The civil military governor of Cavite and the commanders of regiment 7 took timely precautions.

⦿ What was this junta or center? As a pretext functioned as a society for teaching arts and trades. But
received newspapers from Madrid that went against the Spaniards in the Philippines.
28 JOSE MONTERO Y VIDAL (historian)
CAUSES: Abolition of exemption from the tribute;
Spanish revolution; propaganda of unbridled press;
democratic books; speeches of new ideas, etc.
(overstatement)
They also wanted independence from Spain
(overstatement)
200 native soldiers led by sgt. La Madrid mutinied,
killed the commander of the fort and wounded his
wife. 2 Spaniards to report to Manila were killed.
WHO were involved: native soldiers; civilians who
met in the house of de Tavera or the native priest
Zamora
The native soldiers who became prisoners confessed
that the Gomburza were instigators
DR. TRINIDAD PARDO DE TAVERA
(historical researcher)
Simply a mutiny Filipino soldiers and laborers of the
Cavite arsenal who were dissatisfied by the abolition
of the tribute exemption and forced labor.
The conservative element believed that the mutiny
was a proof of the conspiracy to destroy the Spanish
RULE.
The Madrid Govt came to believe or suspected.
The commanding officer and other Spanish officers
of the fort were killed.
The night of Jan 20, 1872
Thus, people were accused as conspirators especially
those who opposed the friars
The Gomburza were among those accused as
conspirators due to opposing the friars.
GOV. GEN. RAFAEL IZQUIERDO
Obliging the Cavite arsenal workers to pay tribute
and render personal services; Govt did not pay for
the tobacco crop; Usury of officials
(overstatement)
Head of Govt would be Burgos or Zamora
(overstatement)
All the Spaniards & friars would be killed except for
the women; the Cavite rebels and Bacoor native
civilians failed because of the Spanish navy & other
military officials
Involved were the native clergy, scholars, some
residents of Manila and seduced the native troops
that they would have jobs if the revolt won.
CRY OF BALINTAWAK
OR
PUGAD LAWIN
⦿ The First Cry of the revolution

⦿ Until today, the exact date and venue of

the first cry of the revolution have not
been solved.

⦿ 4 versions
⦿ 1) Cry of Pugad Lawin (Pio Valenzuela)
⦿ 2) The Cry of Bahay Toro (Santiago
Alvarez)
⦿ 3) First Cry (Gregoria de Jesus)
⦿ 4) The Cry of Balintawak (Guillermo
Masangkay)
⦿ The controversial CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN (Pio
Valenzuela an eyewitness)

⦿ In his first version, the prime staging point of

the Cry was in Balintawak on August 26,
1896.

⦿ In his revised version (written later in his life

when he already had fading memory), he
said that the first place of refuge was
Balintawak. It was in another place, Pugad
Lawin, in the yard of Juan Ramos (son of
Melchora Aquino) that the debate was held
(on when to start the revolution). They tore
their cedulas and cried, “Long live the
Philippines!”

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⦿ The Cry of Bahay Toro (Santiago Alvarez
a katipunero and a relative of Gregoria
de Jesus, wife of Bonifacio)

⦿ The meeting was held at 10 am on

August 24, 1896 at the barn of Melchora
Aquino in Sampalukan, barrio of Bahay
Toro

⦿ The First Cry of Gregoria de Jesus (wife

of Bonifacio)

⦿ The first cry of freedom happened on

August 25, 1896 near Caloocan
⦿ How was Gregoria treated in every house
when she was running away from the
Spaniards to hide?

⦿ Cry of Balintawak (Masangkay an

eyewitness)

⦿ A big meeting was held in Balintawak

(Apolonio Samson house, cabeza of barrio
Caloocan) on August 26, 1896.

⦿ Why were Plata, Pantas, and Valenzuela

opposed to the starting date of the
Revolution?

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⦿ What was Bonifacio’s reason for the date of the revolution?

⦿ What happened at about 5pm when they were celebrating their decision?

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 P. Valenzuela (eyewitness) Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Katipunan
(not eyewitness Jesus General
& relative of (eyewitness & Guillermo
Gregoria) wife of Masangkay
Bonifacio) (eyewitness)

1st version- 2nd version- Sampalukan, Near Caloocan Balintawak

Balintawak Pugad Lawin barrio of Bahay (Apolonio
(Apolonio (house/yard of Toro (barn of M. Samson house,
Samson Juan Ramos, son Aquino) cabeza of
house) of Melchora barrio
Aquino) Caloocan)

August 26, August 23, 1896 August 24, 1896 August 25, 1896 August 26,
1896 1896

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⦿ Historical records and accounts show that some parts of
Quezon City were once the lair of the Katipunan. Although
much has changed, these historic places still bear the same
name that people knew more than a century ago, such as
Balintawak, Pugad Lawin, Bahay Toro, Banlat, Sitio Kangkong
(now Brgy. Apolonio Samson), Pasong Tamo, Pasong Putik,
etc. These places were all part of Novaliches then.

⦿ Balintawak is said to be the place where Andres Bonifacio

and his men first unfurled the Katipunan flag

⦿ A few kilometers from Balintawak and Pugad Lawin is Banlat

or (Gulod ng Banilad), the birthplace of Melchora Aquino
(Tandang Sora). In Sitio Kangkong, where Apolonio Samson
lived, the Katipuneros hold their meetings.
https://www.facebook.com/qclocalgovernment/posts/apolo
nio-samson-and-katipunan-tales-in-quezon-cityapolonio-sam
son-is-a-member-of/1652010354909752/

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