KATIPUNAN’S CRY

Members:
Nicole Antonette Abrogina
Aldrin Almarez
Christian Amante
Al Saint Apura
Stephen Atienza
Carl Nicole Brucal
Angelee Mae Carizo
Keanne Geaffrey Obias
Leyra Salazar
Kiel Andrew Terrenal

BSIT 2,1 A
 Introduction of the Controversy

The Katipunan's "First Cry of Rebellion" is one of the most pivotal moments in Philippine
history, symbolizing the start of the revolution against Spanish colonial rule. Led by Andrés
Bonifacio, the Katipuneros gathered in defiance, tearing their cedulas as a powerful gesture of
rejecting Spanish authority. This event, filled with patriotic fervor, solidified the collective desire
for freedom and independence, sparking what would later become the Philippine Revolution.
However, the specifics surrounding the "Cry" remain a subject of debate among historians,
raising questions about whether the event occurred in Pugadlawin or Balintawak, and whether it
took place on August 23 or 24, 1896. This lack of clarity has fueled ongoing controversies,
making it a highly debated topic in the country's historical narrative.

Despite these uncertainties, the significance of the First Cry cannot be understated. It marked the
Filipino people's decisive break from centuries of Spanish oppression, galvanizing the nation into
collective action. Historians continue to debate the exact location and date, but the event's
symbolism transcends these details. The Cry represents the Katipuneros' undying resolve to
achieve sovereignty, a struggle that eventually paved the way for the birth of an independent
Philippines. Whether commemorated in Balintawak or Pugadlawin, the First Cry remains an
enduring testament to the Filipino spirit of resistance and the sacrifices made in pursuit of
freedom.

Evidences Used:

 Pio Valenzuela’s Identification: Valenzuela, P. (n.d.). Pugad Lawin:

The Cry of the Katipunan. In One Past but Many Histories:
Controversies and Conflicting Views in Philippine History.
 Luis H. Francia’s Insight: Francia, L. H. (2023). Debate on the date
and place of 1896 Cry for PH freedom. Philippine News Agency.
 Accounts from Emilio Jacinto: Jacinto, E. (n.d.). Significance of
Pugad Lawin. In One Past but Many Histories: Controversies and
Conflicting Views in Philippine History.
 Testimonies from Other Figures: Masangkay, G. & De Jesus, G.
(n.d.). Historical accounts of the Cry of the Katipunan. In One Past but
Many Histories: Controversies and Conflicting Views in Philippine
History.
 Symbolism of the Act: Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Cry of Pugad
Lawin. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Positive Stand

The Cry of Pugad Lawin is considered the most widely recognized version of the Katipunan’s
first defiant act against Spanish rule. Led by Andres Bonifacio, the act of tearing the cedulas at
Pugad Lawin symbolized the breaking of colonial chains and the Filipino people's collective will
to fight for freedom. Key revolutionary figures like Emilio Jacinto and Pio Valenzuela highlight
the importance of this event, underscoring the significance of the location and date.

The broader context of the revolution, along with the symbolic nature of the Cry, makes it less
important to precisely identify the geographical location. What matters most is the unifying spirit
of the event—the determination of the Katipuneros to challenge Spanish oppression and spark
the struggle for Philippine independence. Despite inconsistencies in Valenzuela's accounts, his
testimonies, alongside corroborative evidence from other Katipunan members, support Pugad
Lawin as the true site of this pivotal moment.

The "Cry of Pugad Lawin" is a notable event in Philippine history, representing the ideals of
fraternity, equality, and freedom. Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros, under the
"Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan" (KKK), tore up their
residence certificates, rejecting colonial rule. Emilio Jacinto, a key figure in the Katipunan,
contributed through his writings in the official newspaper, Kalayaan. The broader historical
context and multiple corroborative sources lend credibility to the significance of the Cry of
Pugad Lawin in the fight for Philippine independence. The term "Pugad Lawin" itself became
emblematic of the uprising and the revolutionary spirit, regardless of its precise location. This
event is recognized as the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonialism.

The Cry carries important lessons, especially about the significance of unity in the struggle for
freedom. It symbolizes the unity of the Filipino people in their fight for independence.
Revolutionary testimonies, including those of Bonifacio and other Katipuneros, highlight the
importance of the Cry as a declaration of war against the Spanish. Historians like Teodoro
Agoncillo, in works such as The Revolt of the Masses, provide detailed context and location for
the Cry in Pugad Lawin, which was in the northern part of Manila, near present-day Quezon
City. The Cry marked the beginning of the Philippine Revolution, which led to armed conflict
and the eventual push for independence, igniting a strong sense of nationalism among Filipinos
and uniting various groups in the fight against colonial rule. Ultimately, the Cry of the Katipunan
is viewed as a foundational moment in the Filipino struggle for independence and national
identity.

Negative Stand

While there are numerous claims regarding the event known as the Cry of Balintawak, these
assertions cannot be regarded as established facts due to insufficient credibility and a lack of
valid evidence to support them. A key example is Pio Valenzuela’s inconsistent statements about
the location and date of the Cry. Initially, he testified that the event occurred in Balintawak on
August 26, 1896. He later revised this to August 23 in Pugad Lawin. The frequent changes in his
accounts significantly diminish the trustworthiness of his testimony, prompting debates among
historians who speculate that the uprising may have encompassed the entire Caloocan area rather
than being confined to Pugad Lawin.

Although there may be some elements of truth in the narrative surrounding Pugad Lawin, the
evidence presented remains inadequate and unconvincing, particularly given that the name
"Pugad Lawin" does not appear on any maps of Caloocan from that time.

The Cry of Balintawak, also referred to as the Cry of the Katipunan, remains a contentious issue
in Philippine history, primarily due to the conflicting accounts regarding its date and location.
Central to this controversy is the testimony of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the only known eyewitness to
the Cry.

In September 1896, Valenzuela testified before the Olive Court, asserting that the event took
place on August 26, 1896, in Balintawak. However, in his memoirs published in 1911, he altered
this claim to August 23, 1896, in Pugad Lawin. Over the years, particularly between 1928 and
1940, Valenzuela modified his account multiple times, asserting that the Cry occurred on August
24, 1896, at Tandang Sora’s house in Pugad Lawin near Pasong Tamo Road.

Photographs released in 1928 and 1930 supported his later assertion, and in 1935, Valenzuela,
along with other Katipunan members, insisted that the Cry did not happen in Balintawak but in
Pugad Lawin. By 1940, a research team from the Philippines Historical Committee identified the
location as part of sitio Gulod, Banlat, in Caloocan City.

This conflicting information has resulted in an ongoing debate regarding the true date and
location of the Cry, with no consensus achieved to this day.

Final Stand

After examining both sides of the controversy, it becomes evident that while there are
discrepancies in the testimonies of Pio Valenzuela, the weight of historical evidence points to
Pugad Lawin as the most credible site of the Katipunan’s Cry. The testimonies of Valenzuela,
despite inconsistencies, are supported by the accounts of Emilio Jacinto, Gregoria de Jesus, and
Guillermo Masangkay. Additionally, the work of Teodoro Agoncillo and the Philippine
Historical Committee's findings further reinforce Pugad Lawin’s role in this pivotal moment of
Philippine history.

While historical accounts are often subject to interpretation, the Cry of Pugad Lawin represents
more than just a physical location, it embodies the Filipinos' united stand against colonial
oppression and their unwavering pursuit of freedom. This event, regardless of whether it
occurred in Pugad Lawin or Balintawak, is a symbol of the Filipino people's revolutionary spirit,
and its significance in shaping the nation’s identity cannot be denied.

References

 https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/readings-in-philippine-history-chapter-3-one-past-
but-many-histories-controversies-and-conflicting-views-in-philippine-history/
249920951?
fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0drHldIoUrKmKZDZrB_nHLORdJx_l0SvGDuLg
giNugObj9u644MOcm4gc_aem_CO-0inU3YrhnD8wGqK03SA#28
 https://www.pna.gov.ph/opinion/pieces/739-debate-on-the-date-and-place-of-1896-cry-
for-ph-freedom#:~:text=However%2C%20controversies%20erupted%20after
%20the,spark%20for%20the%20revolution%20happened.
 https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-notes/8301048#:~:text=The%20tearing%20of%20the
%20cedulas,colonial%20rule%20across%20the%20archipelago.
 Cry of Pugad Lawin - Wikipedia