Position Paper

On the Controversy of

Balintawak – the Cry for a Nationwide Revolution

Readings in Philippine History

Palawan State University

Presented to:

Mr. Hanlie Taja

Presented by:

Cassandra Mae B. Cos

BSN 1-2
 Introduction of the Controversy
Balintawak – the Cry for a Nationwide Revolution

Our country – the Philippines, has already gone to different battles to fought for its
freedom, and the Philippine Revolution is one of the most important events happened in its history.
Revolution, in social and political science is a major, sudden and hence typically violent alteration
in the government and in related association and its structures. A revolution constitutes a challenge
to the established political order and the eventual establishment of a new order radically different
from preceding one. Our past shows how our fellow country man strives to achieve independence.

In the period of hardship and conflicts, our countrymen unite to have a common goal: to
resist the colonialism from Spain. It awakens the sense of nationalism for the future generations to
come. The revolution against Spain happened in 1896.

The Katipunan a secret organization that initiated the revolt was led by Andres Bonifacio
the supreme of the Katipunan (Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan). It was formed in inspiration of the literary works of Dr. Jose Rizal particularly Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo. This works of Dr. Jose Rizal exposed the cruelties of the Spanish
colonizers. But before the Katipunan was established there was an organization initiated by Rizal
sought peaceful reform, the La Liga Filipina, both Bonifacio and Rizal were part of it. But after
Rizal was arrested in Dapitan the La Liga Filipina was dissolved, and this led to the aggressive
reforms. The secret organization, Katipunan gathered people to join them in an armed revolt
against Spain. After Katipunan was discovered by Spanish authority Bonifacio and his men
planned a nationwide revolt.
The cry for a nationwide revolution – was the beginning of the Philippine Revolution
against the Spanish monarchy. The term “cry” is translated from Spanish el grito de rebellion (cry
of rebellion) it refers to a decision or call to revolt and it does not necessarily connote shouting.
This event symbolizes their fight against Spain. This revolt leads to different controversies, where
does the “cry” happened? Is it in Pagad Lawin or Balintawak. And if it happened on August 23,
1896 or August 24, 1896. Nonetheless, scholars and many historians continues to hound for the
truth and argue it this statements.
Although there’s many versions that we can read online about our history it is hard for us
to know was is the truth because of the constant changes that happens. And this changes leads to
controversies that makes us think what really happened before.
 Evidences of the Controversy

the gathering of Katipunan soldiers

1940 photograph of the PHC survey team

at Pugad Lawin.

 Biyak na Bato Constitution states: the separation of the Philippines from the Spanish
monarchy. And initiated in August 24, 1896.

 Emilio Aguinaldo memoirs (1964) – pinpoint the date and place of the crucial meeting,
August 24, 1896.
 Valenzuela’s memoirs (1964,1978) – averred that the cry happened on August 23 at the
house of Juan Ramos’s house at Pugad Lawin

 Interview with Guillermo Masangkay in Bagong Buhay, 1952. – where he states that
August 23, the meeting was held in Kangkong. And Bonifacio led the tearing of cedula.

 Andres Bonifacio tablet cites – which gave the first battle cry against tyranny on August
24, 1896.
Positive Stand
My positive stand is on the statements in Biyak na Bato Constitution where it states that
the separation of the Philippine from Spanish monarchy constitution an independent state and with
a proper sovereign government, named the Republic of the Philippines and initiated the revolution
on August 24, 1896. I believed in this statements because it is a legal proof that in so far the
revolutionary leaders are conserned. The document was also written one and a half years after the
event and signed by over 50 Katipunan members including Emilio Aguinado, Artemio Ricarte and
Valentin Diaz. In the memoirs of Emilio Aguinaldo, it also states that the tearing of cedula or the
revolution started on August 24, 1896. The events of the 17-26 August 1896 occurred closer to
Balintawak than to Kalookan. The people traditionally referred to the “Cry of Balintawak” since
that barrio was a better known reference point than Banlat. The cry of Balintawak should be
celebrated on August 24 on Balintawak.

Negative Stand
There’s so many statements in the article that don’t have valid evidences, including the
date August 23, 1896 is when the tearing of the cedula happens by Pio Valenzuela, but the “cry of
PugadLawin must also be true it is not really shown mush evidences as possible to let us convinced
in the event. And he has a several versions of the Cry and his version of Pugad Lawin was not
really clear because its residence was in Tandang Sora’s not in Juan Ramos, and also that specific
site of Pugad Lawin was in Gulod Banlad. The other statement from historians and authors just
distracted our minds from what it true and valid.

Final Stand
My final stand on this controversy is what I understand and believed that is true and have
credible evidence. The start of the Revolution is on August 24, 1896 “Cry of Balintawak” since
that barrio was a better known reference point than Banlat. The cry of Balintawak is an important
event that leads us into the pathway of fighting for our freedom. It is important to know where and
when it really happened but for me it is more important if we understand what really our history
is all about, how we achieved the independence from the conqueror that want to own our country.
It is also possible to have that so called cry of Pugad Lawin. But it doesn’t have much evidences
to make it more concrete like the version of Cry of Balintawak. We need to commemorate the
events to justify what they all fight for, it serves as a lesson for us to keep fighting for our freedom,
and not let anyone to invade our properties.