The “Cry of Pugad Lawin” was an event that officially marked the start of the Philippine Revolution

against Spain. The revolt later grew in strength and spread to 8 provinces including Manila, Bulacan,
Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija — which were eventually represented by
the eight rays of the sun in the present Filipino flag.

See the fact file below for more information on the Cry of Pugad Lawin or alternatively, you can
download our 22-page Cry of Pugad Lawin worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home
environment.

Key Facts & Information

INTRODUCTION

The Philippine Revolution against over 300 years of Spanish rule began with Andrés Bonifacio, leader of
the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society that sought independence for the Philippines from Spanish
colonial rule.

In August 1896, in the sitio of Pugad Lawin in Balintawak, now part of Quezon City, the Katipuneros led
by Andrés Bonifacio rose up in revolt by tearing up their “cedulas” which became a sign of enslavement
of the Filipinos. This event called the “Cry of Pugad Lawin,” officially regarded as the start of the
Philippine Revolution against Spain with the use of violence and arms.

DEFINITION OF THE CRY

The word “cry” comes from the Spanish el grito de rebelion (cry of rebellion) or el grito for short. Thus
the Grito de Balintawak is similar to the Grito de Dolores of Mexico (1810). But the “el grito de rebelion”
strictly refers to a decision or call to revolt. It doesn’t necessarily mean shouting, unlike the Filipino term
Sigaw or Sigao.

Originally the term “cry” referred to the first clash between the members of Katipunan and the Civil
Guards (Guardia Civil).

The cry could also refer to the tearing up of cedulas (community tax certificates) in resistance to Spanish
government.

The cry can also be referred to in the inscriptions of “Viva la Independencia Filipina” which was literally
accompanied by patriotic shouts.

DIFFERENT DATES AND PLACES

Several accounts provide differing dates and places for the Cry of Pugad Lawin.
Olegario Diaz, who was an officer of the Spanish Guardia civil stated that the Cry happened in
Balintawak on August 25, 1896.

Historian Teodoro Kalaw wrote in his 1925 book entitled The Filipino Revolution that the Cry took place
during the final week of August 1896 at Kangkong, Balintawak.

Santiago Alvarez, a Katipunero and son of Mariano Alvarez who was the leader of the Magdiwang
faction in Cavite, stated in 1927 that the cry happened at Bahay Toro, now in Quezon City on August 24,
1896.

Pío Valenzuela, Andrés Bonifacio’s close associate, declared in 1948 that the event took place on August
23, 1896, in Pugad Lawin.

Some of the apparent confusion about the place where it happened is in part due to the double
meanings of the words “Balintawak” and “Caloocan” at the turn of the century.

However, from 1908 until 1963, this event was officially recognized as having happened on August 26 in
Balintawak. Ultimately, the Philippine government declared in 1963 a change from August 26 to August
23 in Pugad Lawin, Quezon City.

EVENTS PRIOR TO THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN

Several events occurred to strengthen the unity of the Filipino people and brought a “thirst” for
independence.

These include the Cavite Mutiny of 1872, Martyrdom of the GOMBURZA, propaganda movements, and
different peaceful campaigns for reforms, Dr. Rizal’s exile in Dapitan, and the foundation and the
discovery of the KKK or Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (“Supreme
and Venerable Association of the Children of the Nation”).

THE KATIPUNAN

The Katipunan was an offshoot from the La Liga Filipina, a movement that sought to bring about political
reform in the Spanish colonial government led by José Rizal (Philippines’ national hero).

Rizal had been exiled right after his organization was formed with their first meeting.

After several years had passed with essentially no changes in the constitution, Bonifacio and others lost
all hope for some peaceful reform being brought about by La Liga Filipina.

Spearheaded by Andres Bonifacio, they abandoned the organization and concentrated their efforts on
the Katipunan to bring about a revolution with the use of violence and arms.

Founded by Bonifacio, Ladislaw Diwa, Deodato Arellano, and others on July 7, 1892, the secret
organization consisted of both male and female patrons, including Bonifacio’s wife, who led the female
faction.
With aiming the organization’s goal of independence from Spain, the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio
started the revolution preceded by the Cry of Pugad Lawin.

August 19, 1896, the paraphernalia used in printing Katipunan documents and other items was found
revealing the existence of the Katipunan.

Consequently, a series of arrests of Katipuneros in Manila followed, and many Filipinos were jailed or
imprisoned.

As many as five hundred arrests were performed and many escaped the city for fear of been captured,
tortured, or killed.

TEARING OF CEDULA

Not all statements describe the tearing of cédulas in the last days of August but the version of Agoncillo,
which was based on the later statements of Pío Valenzuela including the others who insisted that the cry
happened in Pugad Lawin instead of Balintawak, was the source of the current stance of the Philippine
government official commemorations.

Bonifacio and many others had escaped to Pugad Lawin.

During their meeting at the house of Juan Ramos on August 23, 1896, Bonifacio urged his supporters to
tear into pieces their cédulas (residence certificates) as a sign of revolt against the Spanish government.

Being highly motivated by the killings and arrest of their fellow members in Manila, they tore up their
cedulas and let out the cry “Long live the Philippines,” which is known as the Cry of Pugad Lawin in
Philippine history.

He released a manifesto on the 28th for all their supporters in the surrounding towns to take up arms on
the impending strike on Manila which would happen on August 29th.

The revolt eventually increased in strength and spread to eight provinces –Manila, Bulacan, Cavite,
Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija — which were subsequently represented by the
eight rays of the sun in the present Filipino flag.

DEATH AND LEGACY

The Cry of the Rebellion in Pugad Lawin marked the beginning of the Philippine Revolution in 1896
which ultimately led to Philippine Independence in 1898.

After Bonifacio’s death on May 10, 1897, in Maragondon, Cavite, General Emilio Aguinaldo continued
the revolution.

He declared the independence of the country from Spain on June 12, 1898, at Kawit, Cavite.