CRY OF BALINTAWAK

The preponderance of the name “BALINTAWAK”

in The historical source comes from the fact that in 1896
and well into the middle of this century, small settlements
(sitio, pook, nayon, gulod) like Kangkong, Bahay Toro,
Pasong Tamo, Banlat, Daang Malalim, were within the
limits of a real jurisdictional entity called Greater
Balintawak. Even Tandang Sora is said to have referred
to her place in Pasong Tamo as Balintawak. In writing
about the history of these events, local usage of term in
the context of 1896 should be observed. Previous confusion might have derived from the double meaning
of the names Balintawak and Caloocan in 1896. Both could refer either only to the poblacion or to the
poblacion plus outlying smaller settlements. The municipality of Caloocan in turn encompasses present
day Quezon City, parts of Pasig and extended northwards as far as Novaliches.
The Problem of the Actual date of the Cry of Balintawak
Based on the primary evidences and records from different people
involved in the “Cry of Balintawak,” we can say that all of them have different
declaration of date when the actual date of the “Cry” happened.

People of those time compared to people of today differ in being

particular of time and date. They do not have some gadget to tell them
automatically at their back and call what time or date is that particular day.

They may remember vividly what transpired or happened but not the
particular day it happened. As I recall my parents when I was young, they
always ask each other what day is that particular day. They sometimes look at
their shadows under the sun and estimates what time it is. (Prof.Zaide)
 An analysis of eyewitness and contemporary sources on the
“Cry of Balintawak” yields the following conclusions:

a. The tale of Pugad Lawin appeared some thirty years after the “Cry”
when the shredding of cedulas became an issue and its based upon the
statement of men who left Balintawak before the first encounter.
b. Masangkay publicly repudiated the signed statements of Valenzuela,
Pantas and Pacheco about the so-called “Cry of Pugad Lawin.”

c. There is ample documentation on the tearing of cedulas and the initial

encounter of the revolution. The chronology of those events therefore no
longer hinges on the testimony of just one of the eyewitnesses.
 Importance of the Cry
Contrary to the opinion of some scholars who say that the subject of the “Cry” has been over-
discussed. The results of the study remains to be done on other aspects of the topic.
Revisionist claims that the Katipunan uprising of 1896 was “premature” and “counter
productional” are beside the pointy. Rizal used in judging the ideas of revolution in 1896 as premature.
A full assessment of the significance of the Balintawak uprising of 1896 must include an analysis
of the complex causes behind it, but this lies beyond the scope of this limited study. For the moment, one
can describe the “Cry” both as a culmination of Bonifacio’s efforts to force change and the beginning of a
sense of Filipino nationhood.
The cry of Balintawak saved the seeds of Filipino nationhood although it took much longer for
pervasive.
One cannot write about the “Cry” without devoting some space to the men behind the uprising:
Andres Bonifacio. Whether we like it or not, it seems we are fated to know our hero no more than as
half-leg end, half-history, considering the circumstances of his life and death.
Although the heart of the problem lies principally in matters of interpretation, documentation
and methodology, these are also unexpected, and disturbing revelations related to the matters of
professional ethics and the intrusion of politics into the domain of history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the available primary evidences tells that there was
an incident of the “Cry” and the dates gathered are near to each other.
So, therefore, it is true that there is an incident of the “Cry” in the latter
part of August, 1896 in Balintawak.

Source:
The Cry of Balintawak: A contrived controversy, a textual analysis with appended documents by Soledad
Borromeo-Buhler, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1998.

Prepared by:

Prof. Blesilda B. Peralta

Prof. Loida D. Zaide
Prof. Salome Lewis
 ?
Capt. Olegario
Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Guillermo
Diaz
Masangkay
Katipunan Surgeon Prominent Katipunan Bonifacio’s Wife Spanish Commander Bonifacio’s Childhood
Warlord of Cavite of the Guardia Civil Friend
Veterana of Manila
Son of Mariano Lakambini of the The one who Katipunan General
Alvarez Katipunan investigated the
discovery of
Katipunan
Relative of Gregoria Custodian of the
de Jesus(wife of Secret documents,
Bonifacio) seal & some weapons
of the Katipunan
 Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay
Gov. Gen. Ramon He was not an eye Aug. 1896
Blanco witness After the outbreak of
(proclamation the revolution
amnesty-
revolutionists)
Manila-surrender He was in Cavite Gregoria-went to
(at that time) live with her parents
Fort Santiago- Bonifacio- his men
imprisoned went to the hills of
Balintawak
Francisco Olive-
investigation
1st version
Still fresh in his
memory
Aug. 26, 1896 Aug. 24, 1896 Aug. 25, 1896 Aug. 25, 1896 Aug. 26, 1896
1st version New Caloocan
First Cry of Freedom
 Pio Valenzuela
1st place of refuge-1st five
arriving (Balintawak)
Aug. 19-20
Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay
Activities of Katipunan Big Meeting
had reached all corners of House of Apolonio
the Philippine archipelago Samson

Andres Bonifacio Attended (members)

Emilio Jacinto All leaders of Katipunan
Procopio Bonifacio Composed of Board of
Teodoro Plata Directors of the
Aguedo del Rosario Organization
Pio Valenzuela When its existence was Andres Bonifacio
discovered/arrested- Emilio Jacinto
500 members of the members immediately Aguedo del Rosario
Katipunan returned to Caloocan Tomas Remigio
House Yard of Apolonio Briccio Pantas
Samson at KANGKONG Teodoro Plata
Pio Valenzuela
Later: Enrique Pacheco
Francisco Carreon
Briccio Pantas
Alejandro Santiago
Ramon Bernardo
Apolonio Samson
Others
 Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay
Memoirs of Conspiracy of
Revolution Bonifacio and his
2nd version men……
Fading Memory
Aug. 23, 1896 Aug. 23, 1896 I was with my Aug. 23, 1896
Store House/Yard Sunday parents; through my Bonifacio moved to
of Juan Ramos 10:00 am friends, I learned the Barrio of
(son of Melchora Barn House of that the Spanish BALINTANAC
Aquino) Kabesang were coming to followed by 200
1,000 members Melchora (met arrest me. men from
debate-discussion together) Caloocan
(revolution started 500 Katipuneros 11:00 midnight
on Aug. 29, 1896) Barrio Ricefield of La
Sampalukan of Loma-secretly
BAHAY TORO going/intention of
returning to Manila
Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay
Aug. 24, 1896 Aug. 24, 1896
Monday Katipunero’s were
10:00 am attacked by the
Supremo hold a Guardia Civil in
meeting the outskirts of the
1,000 Katipuneros said town and they
retreated to their
12:00 noon hiding places
meeting adjourned
cries: Love Live the
Sons of the Country
(Mabuhay ang mga
Anak ng Bayan)
Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay
Aug. 25, 1896
at Barrio Balintawak
more than 5,000
members attended
meeting-
discussion/what course
should be taken in the
face of the new situation

-taking up arms at once

-put a vote
-Bonifacio’s proposal
was approved by an
overwhelming majority;
he show a strong
influence…
Orders were sent out to:
Manila, Cavite, Nueva
Ecija & other provinces
for the Katipuneros to
strike at dawn
Sunday
Aug. 30, 1896
Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay
Aug. 26, 1896
9:00 am
Andres Bonifacio-opened a
meeting
Emilio Jacinto-presiding
secretary
opposed the revolution:
Teodoro Plata
(Bonifacio’s brother in-law)
Briccio Pantas
Pio Valenzuela

Valenzuela used Rizal’s

argument for opposing the
revolution:
-without arms & food for the
soldiers
-the rich not siding the
Katipunan organization;
-the revolution too early

:remember the fate of out

countrymen who were shot
in Bagumbayan; the
Spaniards will only shoot us.
Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay

-Bonifacio then asked

the people to pledge
that they were to revolt.

-He told them that the

sign of slavery of the
Filipinos were the
cedula tax charged each
citizen

With tears in their eyes,

the people as one man,
pulled out their cedulas
and tore them to pieces

With their cedulas

destroyed, they could
no longer go back to
their homes because the
Spaniards would
persecute them.
Pio Valenzuela Santiago Alvarez Gregoria de Jesus Capt.Olegario Diaz Guillermo
Masangkay

The people shouted

as one, Revolt!

5:00 afternoon
gathering at
Balintawak
Katipunan leaders-
start the uprising

Guards- were up in
trees to watch for any
possible intruders or
the approach of the
enemy-gave warning
that the Spaniards
were coming.