Every year, we commemorate our country’s Araw ng mga Bayani on the last Monday of August to remember the sacrifices and bravery of our forefathers who fought and gave their lives for us to enjoy the freedom we have today. This year, the last Monday of August fell on August 26. But why do we celebrate National Heroes’ Day every last week of August?
The observance of Araw ng mga Bayani finds it roots to the historical Cry of Pugadlawin which was considered as the start of Philippine revolution against the 300 year Spanish colonization in the Philippines. There are different accounts as to what the exact date this historical event took place and there is no concrete proof to support either claim, but one thing is for sure, it happened on the last week of August 1896.
In this edition, we will answer these questions: (1) What exactly transpired during the Cry of Pugadlawin? (2) What are the events that led to such cry for revolt in Pugadlawin?
To begin with, in 1892, Andres Bonifacio and other Filipino nationalists founded Katipunan or KKK which stands for Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan which aim was to fight against Spanish abuse and oppression and seek for the eventual independence of the Philippines. However, after four (4) years of its surreptitious existence and recruitment, the Katipunan and its members were discovered by the Spanish friars on August 19, 1896.
How was the Katipunan discovered?
Teodoro Patino, a member of Katipunan, confided to her sister, Honoria, the existence of Katipunan. The latter then communicated such fact to Mother Superior Teresa de Jesus who then immediately reported to Father Mariano Gil. This led to the search on the printing office of Diario de Manila, the workplace of Teodoro Patino. In the course of such search, the Spaniards discovered a dagger used for Katipunan initiations rites and lists of Katipunan members. Thereafter, a handful of Katipuneros were ordered to be arrested and was subject to questioning.
After acquiring knowledge about the arrest of their fellow katipuneros, and in response thereto, Andres Bonifacio and other leaders of Katipunan convened at the house of Apolonio Samson in the morning of August 26.[1] The agenda of such meeting (1) What to do now that the existence of Katipunan was revealed? and (2) Whether it is the proper time to start the uprising against Spain or not?
Several Katipunan leaders, particularly Teodoro Plata and Pio Valenzula, were opposing the conduct of revolution as they considered it to be premature at the point. They argued that their preparation, machinery and manpower are still not enough for the said staging. Andres Bonificao, the Supremo, on the hand, however, contended that they should start as early as possible as their identities were already known to the Spaniards, thus, their arrests are already impending. He stressed that there is no more suitable time but now.
Not getting the support from his fellow leaders, Andres Bonifacio left the meeting, went to the other members of Katipunan waiting outside Samson’s house and appealed to them that a revolt is necessary and should be made in the earliest opportunity possible. The people roared in agreement and started to yell “Revolt! Revolt!”.
Bonifacio then asked them that if they were really resolved about being a part of the revolution, they should bring out their cedulas and tear it apart. With 300 years of oppression and suffering in their eyes, all the Filipinos present at the moment pulled out their cedulas and tore it. They then all shouted in unison “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Katipunan!”
During the Spanish colonization, cedula was an identification card and residence tax certificate which Filipinos were required to bring along with them at all times. Aside from being a proof of tax payment to the Spanish government, the same could be compared to a quarantine pass during the Covid-19 pandemic as the guardia civil may arrest someone who failed to show his or her cedula when asked to. Thus, the tearing of the cedula during such momentous event indeed signifies Katipunan’s intention to break away from the Spanish ruling.
The tearing of the cedulas and the cry for rebellion in Pugadlawin serve as the beginning of the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonization. This revolt that originated in Pugadlawin in 1896 culminated in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898 with the reading of the Declaration of Philippine independence coupled with the unfurling of the Philippine flag and the singing of our national anthem, Lupang Hinirang.
Mabuhay ang ating mga bayani! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
[1] Exact date varies as per different account