Propaganda movement & the katipunan

The Propaganda Movement was a period of time when native Filipinos were calling for reforms,
lasting approximately from 1880 to 1886 with the most activity between 1880 and 1895.

Prominent members included;

José Rizal - author of Noli Me Tangere (novel) and El Filibusterismo,
Graciano López Jaena - publisher of La Solidaridad, the movement's principal organ,
Mariano Ponce and Marcelo H. del Pilar - the organization's secretary

Specifically, the Propagandists aims were the following

1. Representation in the Philippines in the Cortes Generales, the Spanish parliament
2. Secularization of the clergy (i.e. usage of secular or diocesan priest rather from a religious order)
3. Legalization of Spanish and Filipino equality
4. Creation of a public school system independent of religious friars
5. Abolition of polo y servicios (labor service) and the bandala (forced sale of local products to the
government)
6. Guarantee of basic freedoms
7. Equal opportunity for Filipinos and Spanish to enter government service

The Propaganda Movement (1872-1892) was the first Filipino nationalist movement, led by a Filipino
elite and inspired by the protonationalist activism of figures such as GOMBURZA and by their
execution at the hands of colonial authorities.

Propagandists were largely young men, often mestizos and creoles whose families could afford to
send them to study in Spanish universities in Madrid and Barcelona. There, they encountered the
tumult of 19th century political movements inspired by Enlightenment thought, individual rights,
constitutionalism, and anti-clericalism.

the Spaniards born in the Philippines, were more known as insulares, criollos, or Creoles, were also
called "Filipinos." Spanish-born Spaniards or mainland Spaniards residing in the Philippines were
referred to as Peninsulares. Those of mixed ancestry were referred to as Mestizos.

La Liga Filipina
In 1892, Jose Rizal (full name: Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo) returned to the Philippines and
proposed the establishment of a civic organization called “La Liga Filipina.” On July 3, 1892, the
following were elected as its officers: Ambrosio Salvador, president: Agustin dela Rosa, fiscal;
Bonifacio Arevalo, treasurer; and Deodato Arellano, secretary. Rizal functioned as its adviser.

La Liga Filipina aimed to:

Unite the whole country
▪ Protect and assist all members
▪ Fight violence and injustice
▪ Support education
▪ Study and implement reforms

La Liga Filipina had no intention of rising up in arms against the government; but the Spanish officials
still felt threatened. On July 6, 1892 only three days after La Liga Filipina’s establishment, Jose Rizal
was secretly arrested. The next day, Governor General Eulogio Despujol ordered Rizal’s deportation
to Dapitan, a small, secluded town in Zamboanga.

La Liga Filipina's membership was active in the beginning; but later, they began to drift apart. The rich
members wanted to continue supporting the Propaganda Movement; but the others seemed to have
lost all hope that reforms could still be granted. Andres Bonifacio was one of those who believed that
the only way to achieve meaningful change was through a bloody revolution.
La Solidaridad
In order to help achieve its goals, the Propaganda Movement put up its own newspaper, called La
Solidaridad. The Soli, as the reformists fondly called their official organ, came out once every two
weeks. The first issue saw print was published on November 15, 1895.
The Solidaridad’s first editor was Graciano Lopez Jaena. Marcelo H. del Pilar took over in October
1889. Del Pilar managed the Soli until it stopped publication due to lack of funds.

Why the Propaganda Movement Failed

The propaganda movement did not succeed in its pursuit of reforms. The colonial government did not
agree to any of its demands. Spain itself was undergoing a lot of internal problems all that time, which
could explain why the mother country failed to heed the Filipino’s petitions.

The friars, on the other hand, were at the height of their power and displayed even more arrogance in
flaunting their influence. They had neither the time nor the desire to listen to the voice of the people.

Many of the reformists showed a deep love for their country, although they still failed to maintain a
united front. Because most of them belonged to the upper middle class, they had to exercise caution
in order to safeguard their wealth and other private interests.

Personal differences and petty quarrels, apart from the lack of funds, were also a hindrance to the
movements success. Lastly, no other strong and charismatic leader emerged from the group aside
from Jose Rizal.

The Katipunan Finally Starts a Revolution

THE KATIPUNAN IS BORN

Andres Bonifacio was also a member of La Liga Filipina, although he soon lost hope in gaining
reforms though peaceful means.
This feeling was especially heightened when Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan.
Bonifacio became convinced that the only way the Philippines could gain independence was through
a revolution.

Bonifacio then founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan”
(KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro M. Recto), in Tondo Manila.

The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they performed the
solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed his name with his own blood.

The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment. Each original
member would recruit tow new members who were not related to each other. Each new member
would do the same thing, and so on down the line. Members were also asked to contribute one Real
(about 25 centavos) each month in order to raise funds for the association.

THE KKK MEMBERS AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:

The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the country’s
independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how
to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor oppressed.

The “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) was the highest governing body of the
Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a “Sangguaniang Bayan”
(Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council).
The Leaders of the Katipunan:
Deodato Arellano –Supremo
▪ Ladislao Diwa –Fiscal
▪ Teodora Plata –Secretary
▪ Valentine Diaz –treasurer
▪ Andres Bonifacio -controller

The word "katipunan," literally means 'association,' comes from the root word "tipon," a Tagalog
word meaning "gather together" or "society." Its official revolutionary name is Kataas-taasan,
Kagalang-galang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan.

The Katipunan Ranks

KATIPON (literally: Associate) which is the lowest rank.
Katipon wore a black hood with a triangle of white ribbon having the letters "Z. Ll. B.",
corresponding to the roman "A. N. B.", meaning Anak ng̃ Bayan same as the password.

KAWAL (soldier) wore a green hood with a triangle having white lines and the letters "Z. LL. B." at
the three angles of the triangle,
They wore a green ribbon with a medal with the letter Baybayin Ka in Baybayin script above a
depiction of a crossed sword and flag.
The password was Gom-Bur-Za.

BAYANI (Hero or Patriot) Bayani (Hero) wore a red mask and a sash with green borders, symbolizing
courage and hope.
The front of the mask had white borders that formed a triangle with three Ks arranged as if occupying
the angles of a triangle within a triangle, and with the letters "Z. Ll. B." below.
The password was Rizal.

JOSE RIZAL AND THE KATIPUNAN

Jose Rizal never became involved in the organization and activities of the Katipunan; but the
Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizal’s name was used as a password among the
society’s highest-ranking members, who were called bayani.

Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days, although Rizal did not know
Bonifacio personally Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected Rizal’s intelligence and talent that in June
1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek Rizal’s advice on the planned revolution.

Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people were not yet ready and
they did not have enough weapons.
He suggested that the Katipunan obtain the support of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in order
to gain financial assistance.
He also recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its armed forces, since Luna had much
knowledge and expertise in military tactics.

Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizal’s advice to Bonifacio, who admitted that
it would indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight without enough weapons.
However, there was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacio ordered his men to prepare for battle. He
directed them to store enough food and other supplies.

Battle plans were made with the help of Emilio Jacinto.

It was suggested that the revolutionary headquarters be located near the seas or mountains to
provide for an easy retreat, if necessary.

The Katipunan is Discovered

Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long been in circulation, although no solid evidence
could be found to support them. The big break as far as the Spanish authorities was concerned, came
on August 19, 1896 when a KKK member, Teodoro Patiño told his sister Honoria about the existence
of the Katipunan. Patiño was a worker in the printing press of Diario de Manila. Honoria was then
living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.

The information upset Honoria so much that she told the orphanage’s Mother Superior, Sor Teresa de
Jesus, what her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek the advice of Father Mariano
Gil, the parish priest of Tondo

After hearing Patiño’s revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several Guardias Civiles
immediately searched the premises of Diario de Manila and found evidence of the Katipunan’s
existence. The governor general was quickly informed. The printing press was padlocked and
hundreds of suspected KKK members were arrested

The Cry of Pugadlawin

News about the discovery of the Katipunan spread to Manila and nearby suburbs, and Andres
Bonifacio immediately called for a general meeting. Various wings of the Katipunan gathered at the
house of Juan Ramos in Pugadlawin on August 23, 1896. Ramos was the son of Melchora Aquino,
also known as “Tandang Sora” and was later acknowledged as the Mother of the Katipunan."

Bonifacio asked his men whether they were willing to fight to the bitter end. Everyone shouted their
approval, except for Teodoro Plata, who though that it was too soon for a revolution. Heartened by
his men’s response, Bonifacio then asked them to tear their cedulas (residence certificates) to pieces,
as a sign of their defiance and determination to rise against the Spaniards. The men immediately tore
up their cedulas, shouting, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas (long live the Philippines) -known as the Cry of
Pugadlawin.

The Katipunan in Cavite

Cavite soon became the center of the Revolution, and the Katipuneros there divided themselves into
the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions. Baldomero Aguinaldo, brother of Emilio Aguinaldo, headed
the Magdalo group, which was stationed in Kawit. General Mariano Alvarez led the Magdiwang
group, which was stationed in Noveleta.

The two groups fought in separate battles. Emilio Aguinaldo overran Kawit on August 31, 1896, while
Alvarez attacked Noveleta. In Bacoor, Aguinaldo tried to intercept Spanish reinforcements coming
from Manila; but he was forced to retreat to nearby Imus. Here he defeated the Spanish troops under
the command of General Aguirre. A hundred Spaniards were killed and 60 weapons were confiscated.
Aguinaldo was hailed as a hero. The adoring Caviteños referred to him as “General Miong” and no
longer “Kapitan Miong.”

General Aguinaldo’s numerous victories in the battlefield made him the acknowledged revolutionary
leader in Cavite. He issued a proclamation on October 31, 1896 enjoining the people to take courage
and continue fighting for Philippine independence.

Owing to the defeat of the Spaniards in Cavite, Camilo de Polavieja replaced Ramon Blanco as
governor general on December 13, 1896. Polavieja was more successful than his predecessor and
slowly regained one-third of the province.

Andres Bonifacio's Execution

While Aguinaldo was recognized as leader by the Magdalo faction, Bonifacio was recognized as the
leader of the Katipunan by the Magdiwang faction. An assembly was held in Imus, Cavite on
December 31, 1897 to settle the leadership issue but was not successful. Then on March 22, another
assembly was held at Tejeros (known as the Tejeros Convention) to elect officers of the revolutionary
government.

Aguinaldo won as president while Bonifacio was relegated as the Director of the Interior. Bonifacio
rejected the elections and declared it void. Bonifacio later formed the Naic Military Agreement,
essentially creating a government contending Aguinaldo's. Soon after, Bonifacio was captured, stood
trial, and was sentenced to death by a War Council of Aguinaldo's government. Aguinaldo initially
commuted the sentence to deportation but later reversed the commutation upon pressure from Pio
Del Pilar and other officers. On orders from General Mariano Noriel, Andres Bonifacio was executed
at the foothills of Mt. Buntis by Major Lazaro Makapagal on May 10, 1897.

The Revolution Continues

Bonifacio’s death did not deter the Filipinos from fighting for their freedom. The Spanish government,
for its part, doubled its efforts in trying to control Cavite, which was considered the seat of the
Revolution.

When Governor General Primo de Rivera replaced Camilo Polavieja on April 27, 1897, he
immediately marched to Naic, Cavite to persuade the Filipinos to surrender. The rebels, however,
stood their ground.

Aguinaldo realized that Cavite was no longer safe for his men. They moved to Batangas, where they
temporarily set up camp in the town of Talisay. However, Spanish soldiers were able to pursue them
there. Thus, they retreated to Morong on June 10, 1897 and proceeded to Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan.

The Cry of Balintawak (Cry of Pugadlawin)

The Cry of Balintawak (Filipino: Sigaw ng Balíntawak, Spanish: Grito de Balíntawak), was the

beginning of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire.

At the close of August 1896, members of the Katipunan secret society (Katipuneros) led by Andrés
Bonifacio rose up in revolt somewhere in an area referred to as Caloocan,[2] wider than the
jurisdiction of present-day Caloocan City which may have overlapped into present-day Quezon City.

Originally the term cry referred to the first clash between the Katipuneros and the Civil
Guards (Guardia Civil). The cry could also refer to the tearing up of community tax
certificates (cédulas personales) in defiance of their allegiance to Spain. The inscriptions of "Viva la
Independencia Filipina" can also be referred as term for the cry. This was literally accompanied by
patriotic shouts

Because of competing accounts and ambiguity of the place where this event took place, the exact
date and place of the Cry is in contention. The official stance was that the cry occurred on August 26
in Pugad Lawin.

Momentous events swept the Spanish colonies in the late nineteenth century, including the
Philippines. Journalist of the time referred to the phrase “El Grito Rebellion” or “Cry of the
Rebellion” to mark the start of the revolutionary events, identifying the places where it happened.

In the Philippines, this happened in August 1896, northeast of Manila, where they declared rebellion
against the Spanish colonial government. These events are important markers in the history of
colonies that struggled for their independent against their colonizers

The controversy regarding this event stems from identification of date and place where the cry
happened. Prominent Filipino historian Teodoro Agoncillo emphasizes the event when Bonifacio tore
the cedula or tax receipt before the Katipuneros who also did the same.

A monument to the Heroes of 1896 was erected in what is now the intersection of Epifanio de los
Santos (EDSA) Ave. and Andres Bonifacio Drive-North Diversion road,, the Cry of Balintawak was
celebrated every 26th of August.
Different dates and places
Pio Valenzuela, known Katipunero and privy to many events concerning the Katipunan Stated that the
Cry happened in Pugad Lawin on 23rd of August 1896.

The first place of refuge of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Procipio Bonifacio, Teodora Plata,
Aguedo del Rosario, and myself was Balintawak, the first five arriving there on August 12, and I, on
August 20, 1896.

The first place were some 500 members of Katipunan met on August 22, 1896, was the house and
yard of Apolonio Samson at Kangkong. Aside from the persons mentioned above, among those who
were there were Briccio Pantas, Alejandro Santiago, Ramon Bernardo, Apolonio Somson, and
others.

Here, views were only exchanged, and no resolution was debated or adopted. It was at Pugad Lawin,
the house, store-house, and yard of Juan Ramos, Son of Melchora Aquino, where over 1,000
members of the Kaptipunan met and carried out considerable debate and discussion on August 23,
1986.

The discussion was on whether or not the revolution against the Spanish government should be
started on August 29, 1896… After the tumultuous meeting, many of those present tore their cedula
certificates and shouted “Long live the Philippines! Long live the Philippines!”

Historian Teodoro Agoncillo put it in Pugad Lawin on 23 of August 1896, according to statements by
Pio Valenzuela.

Santiago Alvarez, a Katipunero and son of Mariano Alvarez, leader of the Magdiwang faction in
Cavite, put the Cry in Bahay Toro in Quezon City on 24 of August 1896.

Research by historian Milagros Guerrero, Emmanuel Encarnacion, and Ramon Villegas claimed that
the event took place in Tandang Sora’s barn in Gulod, Barangay Banlat, Quezon City, on 24th of
August 1896.

A guardia civil, Lt. Olegerio diaz, identified the Cry to have happened in Balintawak on 25th of August
1896. Teodoro Kalaw, Filipino historian, marks the place to be in Kangkong, Balintawak, on the last
week of August 1896.

Primary source:

Guillermo Magsankay
On August 26th, a big meeting was held in Balintawak, at the house of Apolonio Samson, then
cabeza of that barrio of Caloocan. Among those who attended, I remember, were Bonifacio, Emilio
Jacinto, Aguedo del Rosario, Tomas Remigio, Briccio Pantas, Teodoro Plata, Pio Valenzuela, Enrique
Pacheco, and Francisco Carreon.

They were all leaders of the Katipunan and composed the board of directors of the organization.
Delegates from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Cavite, and Morong were also present.

At about nine o’clock in the morning of August 26, the meeting was opened with Andres Bonifacio
presiding and Emilio Jacinto acting as secretary. The purpose was to discuss when the uprising was to
take place.

Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas, and Pio Valenzuela were all opposed to starting the revolution too
early… Andres Bonifacio, sensing that he would lose in the discussion then, left the sesion hall and
talked to the people, who were waiting outside for the result of the meeting of the leaders.
He told to the people that the leaders were arguing against starting the revolution early, and
appealed to them in a fiery speech in which he said: “You remember the fate of our countrymen who
were shot in Bagumbayan. Should we return now to the towns, the Spaniards will only shoot us.

Our organization has been discovered and we are all marked men. If we don’t start the uprising, the
Spaniards will get us anyway. What then, do you say?”

“Revolt!” the people shouted as one.

Bonifacio then asked the people to give a pledge that they were to revolt. He told them that the sign
of Slavery of the Filipinos were (sic) the cedula tax charged each citizen. “If it is true that you are
ready to revolt… I want you to destroy your cedulas. It will be a sign that all of us have declared our
severance from the Spaniards.”

Historian Gregorio Zaide identified the Cry have to happened in Balintawak on 26th of August 1896

From the eyewitness accounts presented, there is indeed marked disagreement among historical
witnesses as to the place and time of the occurrence of the Cry. Using primary and secondary sources,
four places have been identified.

Definition of the Cry

The term "Cry" is translated from the Spanish el grito de rebelion (cry of rebellion) or el grito for
short. Thus the Grito de Balintawak is comparable to Mexico's Grito de Dolores (1810). However, el
grito de rebelion strictly refers to a decision or call to revolt. It does not necessarily connote shouting,
unlike the Filipino sigaw.

Why Balintawak?
The Cry of Rebellion in the Philippines happened in August 1896. There are lot of controversies
puzzling the minds of the readers regarding the real place and date of this event. Some accounts
pointing directly to Balintawak are associated with 'The Cry’. Lt. Olegario Diaz of the Spanish Civil
Guards wrote in 1896 that the event happened in Balintawak, which corroborates the accounts of the
historian Gregorio Zaide and Teodoro Kalaw. On the other hand, Teodoro Agoncillo based his
account from that of Pio Valenzuela that emphasized Pugad Lawin as the place where the ‘cry’
happened.

Here are some reasons why Pugad Lawin is not considered as the place of the ‘cry’.
(1) People of Balintawak initiated the revolution against the Spaniards that is why it is not appropriate
to call it ‘Cry of Pugad Lawin’.
(2) The place Pugad Lawin only existed in 1935 after the rebellion happened in 1896.
Lastly, (3) The term ‘Pugad Lawin’ was only made up because of the hawk’s nest at the top of a tall
tree at the backyard of Tandang Sora in Banlat, Gulod, Kaloocan where it is said to be one of the
hiding places of the revolutionary group led by Andres Bonifacio