CRY OF BALINTAWAK OR PUGAD LAWIN

• There are different versions on the dates for the first cry of the revolution as well as its venue. This controversy up to this time remains unsolved.
• It is believed that the so-called Cry took place in Balintawak; but others would say that it really happened in Pugad Lawin.
• There are different versions to consider in knowing the real date and place of the cry.
• Different versions

  • Pio Valenzuela's Controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin"
  • Santiago Alvarez's "The Cry of Bahay Toro"
  • Gregoria de Jesus' version of the "First Cry"
  • Guillermo Masangkay's "The Cry of Balintawak"
• Pio Valenzuela's Controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin"


  Valenzuela claimed the "Cry" took place at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896, despite earlier stating it was in Balintawak on August 26, 1896
• Pio Valenzuela's Controversial "Cry of Pugad Lawin"


  August 23, 1896
• Pio Valenzuela's initial account of the "Cry" taking place in Balintawak


  August 26, 1896
• Pio Valenzuela's later account in his Memoirs of the Revolution claimed the "Cry" was at Pugad Lawin, without consulting written documents
• Santiago Alvarez's "The Cry of Bahay Toro"


  Alvarez was not an eyewitness, so his version is not given equal value as other accounts
• Alvarez's account of Katipuneros meeting at Kabesang Melchora's barn in Bahay Toro


  August 23, 1896
• Alvarez's account of over 1,000 Katipuneros meeting at Bahay Toro under Bonifacio's leadership


  August 24, 1896
• Gregoria de Jesus' version of the "First Cry"


  Gregoria de Jesus was a participant and keeper of Katipunan documents, so her account is valuable
• Gregoria de Jesus' account of the first "Cry" happening near Caloocan


  August 25, 1896
• Guillermo Masangkay's "The Cry of Balintawak"


  Masangkay was an eyewitness and childhood friend of Bonifacio, so his account is authoritative
• Masangkay's account of the first rally of the Philippine Revolution happening in Balintawak


  August 26, 1896
• The date and site presented in Masangkay's version were accepted by the preliminary years of American government
• Attendees at the Balintawak meeting

  • Andres Bonifacio
  • Emilio Jacinto
  • Aguedodel Rosario
  • Tomas Remigio
  • Briccio Pantas
  • Teodoro Plata
  • Pio Valenzuela
  • Enrique Pacheco
  • Francisco Carreon
• Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas, and Pio Valenzuela were opposed to starting the revolution too early
• Bonifacio left the meeting and appealed to the waiting people to revolt, telling them to destroy their cedulas as a sign of severance from Spanish rule
• With their cedulas destroyed, the people could no longer return to their homes as they would be persecuted by the Spaniards
• Despite protests, the Katipunan board of directors voted for the revolution to start
• Bonifacio


  A cultured man who wore an open coat, black necktie, and black hat, and carried an umbrella. His hobby was weaving bamboo hats which he sold for extra money.
• As the Balintawak gathering was celebrating the decision to start the uprising, guards warned that the Spaniards were coming
• Led by Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and other Katipunan leaders, the men were distributed in strategic positions and prepared to attack the civil guards
• Shots were fired by the civil guards, marking the beginning of the Philippine Revolution