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1. Katipunan and the
Revolution:
Memoirs of a General
• By Santiago Alvarez
• Translated by Carolina Malay

2. Authorship
and
Background

3. • Who was the Author
of the text?
The Katipunan and the Revolution:
Memoirs of a General was written by
Santiago Alvarez.

4. • What do we need to know about the
Authors life beliefs and experiences?
He was born July 25, 1872 at Noveleta, Cavite. During his
early years, he studied at San Juan de Letran and the
University of Sto. Tomas, and later at Liceo de Manila to take
up Law.
He is a son of revolutionary leader Mariano Alvarez, he
himself is also known as “Kidlat ng Apoy” ( Lightning of fire )
and popularly accalaimed the “Hero of the Battle of
Dalahican” ( one of the bloodiest encounters during the
revolution where in he scored a decisive victory and repulsed
the Spanish group)

5. • What do we need to know about the
Authors life beliefs and experiences?
When the American civil government was
established in the Philippines in1901, Santiago
assisted in the organization of Nationalista Party,
where later became the President of its
directorate. His memoirs were published during
the 1920s in Sampaguita, a tagalog weekly, in 36
installments (from July 24, 1927-April 15, 1928).

6. • How might the authors personal
experience have influenced the writing?
A memoir is a deeply personal form of
writing, drawing from the authors lived
experiences, emotions and perspectives
so by reflecting on his personal
experiences, it gives him insights and the
power to write persuasively. Given that
he is a part of or an active participant in

7. Historical Context
 When was the text written?
In 1927 Alvarez was already 55yrs old when he wrote his memoir.
As an active participant of the unfolding events, he is directly from
his experience. He was not an ordinary spectator trying to recollect
what had transpired before his eyes but an active participant and a
decision-makers; his previledge of being part of a leader of
katipunan enabled him a concrete picture of events so he was in a
position to know the authenticity of the narrative. Aside from that,
he was writing of his book was already 20yrs past the event so he
cannot be accused of carrying immediate emotional luggage, and
since he is not yet in his old age as well, so neither can he be accused
of senility. Overall his only enemy for readers to believe the veracity
of his recollection would be all frail memory.

8. Historical Context
What major historical events were occuring during the times of
it's creation?
All the details and information stated in the book came from Alvarez
experience and observation, in other words he is a witness that event of that
year so it is an primary source. It did not come from what he read or heard
because he himself become part of katipunan. Thus, date of information is the
same as the date of the actual event and the meeting place(milieu)was the
Philippines when it was still occupied by the Spanish. The book katipunan and
the Revolution: memoir of a General tells the story of katipunan from Alvarez's
personal observation and experiences as the general of that group. The
purpose of the katipunan is free the country from conquest of the Spaniards.
This group was organized to plan the Revolution to fight the occupiers of the
Philippines. The event is which an assembly of both MAGDALO and
MAGDIWANG party that took place in Tejeros, it's purpose is to tackle what
kind of government and how it should be establish; to discuss the best
measure to take to strengthen MAGDIWANG government against the enemy;
and the election of the leaders for the new government. In the event,well aside
from the author Santiago Alvarez himself, were the people present at the
meeting in Tejeros, which were also members of the katipunan. The
participant in the meeting were member of both the MAGDIWANG and
MAGDALO. Among the members of magdiwang are Jacinto Lumbreros, Andress
Bonifacio, Daniel Tirona and Cayetano Topacio. These people are involved in
the Event as well as those people mentioned in the book.

9. Cultural influences
What cultural movements, trends, or ideologies
were prevalent during the time of writing?
In 1892, Filipinos interested in the overthrow of Spanish rule founded an organization
following Masonic rites and principles to organize armed resistance and terrorist
assassinations with in a context of total secrecy. It operated as an alternative Filipino
government complete with the President and Cabinet.
Source: http://guides.loc.gov .katipunan
• How does the text reflect or react to these cultural
influences?

10. Political and Phisolophical
Context
a. How did prevailing political ideologies or philosophical
schools of thought impact the text?
Nationalist principles had a significant impact on the Katipunan, a revolutionary
society in the Philippines. The book captures the fervent nationalism of the Filipino
people and their longing for freedom from Spanish colonial control. The global
wave of nationalism that swept the world in the late 19th century had an impact on
this nationalist attitude. The enlightened principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity
also had a big influence on the political climate of the day. In summary, Katipunan
and Revolution: Memoirs of a General" reflects the impact of prevailing political
ideologies and philosophical schools of thought in the Philippines during the late
19th century. Nationalism, Enlightenment ideals, elements of Marxist thought, and
the influence of religion all contributed to the complex political landscape that
shaped the events described in the memoir.

11. Political and Phisolophical Context
B. Does the text engage with any specific political debates
or philosophical discussions of its time?
-Filipino nationalism, a pervasive political and intellectual sentiment
of the time, is strongly reflected in the work. The book's narrative is
intrinsically anti-colonial since it details the Filipino battle to overthrow
Spanish colonial dominance. The yearning for freedom from Spanish
colonial control was strongly founded in a nationalist philosophy. This
fits in with the anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist movements that were
gaining ground all across the world in the late 19th century. These issues
were raised as part of broader conversations about social fairness and
inequality at the time. The Catholic Church was very influential in the
Philippines, and the setting of the revolution may be used to indirectly
address religious ideology and issues.

12. Economic and Social Factors
a. How might economic conditions or social structures
have influenced the authors perspective or narrative
choices?
During the said significant historical event in our nation, General Santiago
made a Memoir which I think was also socially influenced by the status he
is into as a general by position in the Katipunan who is trained and has the
vision to be a fighter of peace and love for the nation, this factor might be the
one that influenced in his writing of the story that imparts the legacy to us
present generations and also to the future ones on all of the sacrifices, the
blood, sweat, and tears that the katipunan soldiers had shed for the value and
importance of our nation’s freedom. Furthermore, Santiago Alvarez memoirs
might also be influenced by the situation of hardships and sacrifices of the
Filipino people who were maltreated by the Spanish colonizers during the
revolution of katipunan that he witnessed during his time as a general that
lead and contributes to his writing on the said memoirs

13. Biographical Analysis
a. Are there connections between the authors life
experiences and the themes or characters in the text?
The book Katipunan and the revolution: memoirs of a general
narrates the personal experiences and observations of its author as a
general during the Philippine revolution of which both katipunan and
the government that succeeded it with great vigor. He narrated the
events that took place before the outbreak of the Philippine revolution
against Spanish rule, which broke out in August 1986 and was initiated
by the revolutionary movement or the secret society popularly known
as katipunan that is founded by Andres Bonifacio, the supremo of the
sons of the people, using authentic and credible.
 Source:www.studuco.com

14. Reception History
a. How has the interpretation and reception of
the text evolved over time?
The interpretation and reception of the Katipunan and the
revolution it spearheaded have significantly evolved,
reflecting changing social, political and historical contexts.
From struggle for independence to a broader movement for
social change, the narrative has expanded to encompass a
move comprehensive understanding of the Katipunan goals
and the lasting impact of their actions on Philippines history
and identity.
Source:AI.com

15. Comparative Analysis
Are there similar works from the same period
that provide insights into common themes, styles
or concerns?
Yes, and it is the Revolt of the Masses: The story of
Bonifacio nd the Katipunan, by Teodor A. Agoncillo, a history
of the 1896 Katipunan led revolt against Spanish rule and its
leader, Andres Bonofacio. It was written in 1947 in order to
hook the present into the past. The 1890s themes of
exploitation and betrayal by the propertied class, the rise of a
plebeian leader, and the revolt of the masses against Spain, are
implicity being played out in the late 1940s.