Scribd
Upload
2 views

history

The document recounts the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule in the late 19th century, highlighting the role of Andrés Bonifacio and the secret society Katipunan in fighting for independence. It details key events such as the Cry of Pugad Lawin and the internal struggles within the revolutionary factions, ultimately leading to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic in 1899. The narrative emphasizes the significant contributions of the common people, as noted by Teodoro Agoncillo, in the fight for freedom and justice in the Philippines.

Uploaded by

vaness ross
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

history

The document recounts the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule in the late 19th century, highlighting the role of Andrés Bonifacio and the secret society Katipunan in fighting for independence. It details key events such as the Cry of Pugad Lawin and the internal struggles within the revolutionary factions, ultimately leading to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic in 1899. The narrative emphasizes the significant contributions of the common people, as noted by Teodoro Agoncillo, in the fight for freedom and justice in the Philippines.

Uploaded by

vaness ross
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

The Story of the Philippine Revolution: A Journey of the Masses

During the late 19th century, the country was under the harsh rule of Spain. The Filipino people,
especially the common folk, were suffering greatly. They were heavily taxed, oppressed, and
treated unfairly by the Spanish authorities. But among them was a man named Andrés
Bonifacio, who believed that the only way to end their suffering was to fight for freedom.

The Birth of a Secret Society

In 1892, Bonifacio, along with other like-minded Filipinos, founded a secret organization called
the Katipunan (short for Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan). The Katipunan was dedicated to the idea of achieving independence from Spain through
revolution. They recruited members in secret, teaching them about patriotism and the need to
stand up against their oppressors. The Katipunan quickly grew, especially among the masses,
who were eager for change.

The Cry of Pugad Lawin

By 1896, the Katipunan was ready to take action. On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio and other
leaders gathered in Pugad Lawin (some say Balintawak) in the outskirts of Manila. In a
symbolic act of defiance, they tore up their cedulas (residence certificates) and shouted, "Long
live the Philippines!" This moment became known as the Cry of Pugad Lawin, marking the
start of the Philippine Revolution against Spain.

The First Battles

The revolution quickly spread across the country. One of the first major battles took place on
August 30, 1896, at San Juan del Monte (now San Juan City). Although the revolutionaries, led
by Bonifacio, were defeated by the well-armed Spanish troops, their bravery inspired more
Filipinos to join the fight. The revolution had truly begun.

The Struggles Within

As the revolution progressed, it wasn’t just the Spaniards that Bonifacio and his followers had to
contend with. Inside the Katipunan, there were disagreements and power struggles. In Cavite, a
province that became a stronghold of the revolution, two factions emerged: the Magdiwang and
the Magdalo. These groups had different ideas about how the revolution should be led. The
Magdalo faction, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, wanted to replace Bonifacio with Aguinaldo as the
leader.

In 1897, these tensions came to a head. Aguinaldo's faction eventually gained the upper hand,
and in a tragic turn of events, Bonifacio was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by his fellow
revolutionaries. On May 10, 1897, Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were executed in
Maragondon, Cavite. This event was a heartbreaking moment in the revolution, showing the
deep divisions that had developed among the Filipino leaders.
The First Philippine Republic

Despite these internal struggles, the revolution continued. By 1898, the Spanish forces were
weakening, and the revolutionaries were gaining ground. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo
declared the independence of the Philippines in Kawit, Cavite. Then, on January 23, 1899, the
First Philippine Republic was officially established in Malolos, Bulacan, with Aguinaldo as its
president. This was a historic moment, as it marked the first time the Filipinos had their own
government.

However, the victory was short-lived. The United States, which had defeated Spain in the
Spanish-American War, did not recognize the independence of the Philippines. Instead, they
sought to colonize the country, leading to a new conflict—the Philippine-American War.

The Legacy of the Masses

Throughout all these events, Teodoro Agoncillo’s "The Revolt of the Masses" tells us that it was
the common people, the masses, who played the most crucial role in the revolution. They were
the ones who fought the battles, endured the hardships, and made the greatest sacrifices.
Although leaders like Bonifacio and Aguinaldo are often remembered, Agoncillo reminds us that
it was the collective effort of ordinary Filipinos that truly fueled the revolution.

And so, the story of the Philippine Revolution is not just about the struggle for independence, but
also about the power of the people—the masses—who dared to dream of a free and just
Philippines. Their bravery and determination continue to inspire generations of Filipinos to this
day.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy