Position Paper On The Controversy Of Balintawak – The Cry For A Nationwide Revolution

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

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1940 photograph of the PHC survey team at Pugad Lawin.

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

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Emilio Aguinaldo memoirs (1964) – pinpoint the date and place of the crucial meeting, August 24, 1896.

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Valenzuela’s memoirs (1964,1978) – averred that the cry happened on August 23 at the house of Juan Ramos’s house at Pugad Lawin

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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.

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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.