4. Based on the accounts of Pio Valenzuela, a friend of
Bonifacio and a member of the Katipunan, the first place of
refuge of the Katipunan was in Balintawak specifically at the
house and yard of Apolonio Samson at Kangkong on August 22,
1896. Among himself were Andres Bonifacio, Procopio
Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Teodoro Plata, and Agueldo del
Rosario.
There was no big decision made there rather only views
were exchanged. It was in the store-house and yard of Juan
Ramos at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896 where they debated
whether the revolution against the Spanish government was to
be started or not on August 29, 1896. Only Teodoro Plata
protested and fought against a war. After the intense debate, the
people tore their cedula certificates and shouted “Long live the
Philippines! Long live the Philippines!”
5.
6.
7. The account of Santiago Alvarez, one of the leaders of the Cavite revolution with a pen
name Kidlat ng apoy, stated that they went through a tiring journey to the house of Apolonio
Samson at Kangkong. On August 22, 1896, the Supremo assigned guards and placed
detachment at the Balintawak boundary where they are gathered. There were more than three
hundred people assembled at the place carrying assorted weapons.
The Supremo was worried of the possibilities that there might be a surprise attack
from the enemy so he decided to move to a site called Bahay Toro. They arrived at the
residence of Cabesang Melchora on August 23, 1896. The number of the Katipuneros increased
and the house, yard, and warehouse of Cabesang Melchora were crowded.
At ten o’clock, the Supremo called a meeting inside the barn but due to their number,
some stood outside the barn. On both sides of the Supremo were Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Emilio
Jacinto, Briccio Pantas, Enrique Pacheco, Pantelaon Torres and others. The approved matters
were: an uprising to defend the peoples freedom was to be midnight of Saturday August 29,
1896; to be on a state of alert so that the Katipunan forces could strike where the enemy was at
its disadvantage, thus the uprising could be on an earlier than the agreed time of midnight of
August 29, 1896; and the capture of Manila. After the meeting was adjourned, there were loud
shouts “Long live the Sons of the People!”
8.
9.
10. According to the account of Guilllermo Magsangkay, a friend and
fellow Katipunero of Bonifacio, the uprising happened on August 26, 1896.
The same date, a big meeting was held at the Balintawak in the house of
Apolonio Samson with the presence of Andres Bonifacio as the presider,
Emilio Jacinto as the secretary, Aguedo del Rosario, Tomas Remigio, Briccio
Pantas, Teodoro Plata, Pio Valenzuela, and others.
The goal of the meeting was to decide when the uprising was to take
place. Plata, Pantas, and Valenzuela opposed to the idea of starting the
revolution too early and without adequate preparation. Bonifacio went
outside the hall and told to the people about the argument of the leaders
inside and delivered a speech in which he talked about whether they wait for
the Spaniards to shoot them or start the uprising early since there sedition to
the Spain was discovered.
11. The people sided with him and shouted “Revolt.”
Bonifacio then asked the people to pledge to revolt through
destroying their cedulas. When he obtained the pledge of the
people, he went back inside and told the leaders that the
people want revolt and if they were not to start the uprising
early, hundreds might be shot. The board of the directors voted
for revolution despite the protests of Plata, Pantas, and
Valenzuela. This was decided and the people shouted “Long
Live the Philippine Republic.”
12. Activity Time:
Access and watch the Youtube video titled “Xiao Time: Ang Unang Sigaw ng
Himagsikan sa Balintawak, Kalookan” posted by PTV. Then answer the following
questions:
1. What does the video tell you about the many different accounts?
2. Is there a chance that all sources are valid?
3. What other information on the revolution did you learn from the video?
