Norico, Bernadette O.
BSED-MATH-1201
“The Cry of Balintawak”
The Cries of Rebellion is the turning point which a country or certain group of
people started to fight for their freedom against Spaniards. The Philippines also has their
own version of “Cries of Rebellion”, but due to some instances there are a lot of versions
and controversies behind the first cry of rebellion.
The Cry of Balintawak is considered as the acceptable first cry of rebellion of the
country. Nevertheless, according to Valenzuela, Pantas and Pacheco, “The first Cry of the
revolution did not happen in Balintawak where the monument is, but in a place called
Pugad Lawin.” For the reason that is stated, there are a lot of statements initiating that the
first cry happened in Pugad Lawin rather than Balintawak. Some believed “Cry of Pugad
Lawin” is more believable than “Cry of Balintawak”. Since then, Pio Valenzuela prompted
that Pugad Lawin is where the first cry happened.
The researchers and historians find some incorrect claims about the change of Cry
of Balintawak to Cry of Pugad Lawin. The absence of clear evidence is the main reason
why the change of place was disregarded. Next, the place name “Pugad Lawin” in history
is still unresolved and it only appeared in the Philippine map after the World War II. And
lastly, the area of Balintawak is always the place where revolutions occurred. So, therefore
the name “Pugad Lawin” is just a pet name or more romantic and sticking to the original
“Cry of Balintawak” is more accurate and correct.
Moreover, not only the place became a controversy in
the first Cry of the Revolution, but also the date it took place.
The tearing of cedulas happened on 23rd of August but in the
photographs of Katipunan officers, published in La Opinion,
claimed that the cry happened in the 24th rather than the 23rd of
August. The dates were debatable but according to the original
“Biyak na Bato Constitution” the revolution started on the 24th
of August, year 1896. These line in the document is a proof
that the revolution started in August 24, 1896.
In conclusion, the first cry of the revolution happened at
Balintawak on August 24, 1896. The Cry of Pugad Lawin of
23rd of August is just an inaccurate and invalid interpretation
of historical facts.