MANUEL V.

GALLEGO FOUNDATION COLLEGES

Institute of Teacher Education
Zulueta Street, Barangay Kapitan Pepe, Cabanatuan City,
Nueva Ecija, Philippines

MODULE 7: RETRACTION OF RIZAL

DATES AND PLACES OF THE CRY OF REBELLION
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Introduction The retraction of Jose Rizal, a pivotal figure in Philippine history, stands as a
contentious and multifaceted event that continues to intrigue scholars and historians.
Amidst the fervent atmosphere of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish
colonization, Rizal's purported recantation of his nationalist views and affiliation with
Freemasonry has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate. Various documents
and accounts suggest that Rizal, under pressure from religious authorities and seeking
to protect his family, may have penned letters retracting his revolutionary stance. These
retractions, dated on different occasions, raise questions about the authenticity and
motives behind Rizal's actions.

Simultaneously, the cry of rebellion echoed across the Philippine archipelago, marking
pivotal moments in the struggle for independence. From the rural villages of Luzon to
the bustling streets of Manila, the dates and places of these rebellious acts illuminate
the resilience and determination of the Filipino people against colonial oppression. On
August 23, 1896, the Cry of Pugad Lawin, led by Andres Bonifacio, symbolized the
beginning of the Philippine Revolution, signaling a call to arms against Spanish rule.
Subsequent uprisings erupted across the country, including the historic Cry of
Balintawak on August 26, 1896, where Filipino revolutionaries tore their cedulas in
defiance of Spanish authority.
Lesson Outcomes 1.Interpret historical events using primary sources.

2. Recognize the multiplicity of interpretation that can be read from a historical

perspective; and,

3. Demonstrate the ability to argue for or against a particular issue using primary
sources.

Content On Dates and Places of the Cry of Rebellion

As the Filipino people observe on Aug. 28 the nationwide holiday dubbed National
Heroes' Day, it is also a time to reminisce on the beginning of the campaign for
Philippine independence from Spanish occupation in 1896, or a century and 27 years
ago.

That very significant event in the country's history marked the day when Gat Andres
Bonifacio and his men grouped under the revolutionary society "Kataastaasan,
Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan" (KKK) decided to rip their

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)1 | P a g e

"cedulas" or residence certificates into pieces to signify their defiance of over 300 years
of Spanish rule.

Depiction of the Cry of Pugad Lawin.

Source: https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5f7946847479ec001bb8034b/cry-of-balintawak-or-
pugad-lawin

It used to be celebrated as the "Cry of Balintawak" every August 26 since 1908.

However, controversies erupted after the place and date of the celebration were
superseded in 1962 with Pugad Lawin and August 23, respectively.

A number of Filipino historians, and even some veterans of the revolution itself, could
not agree on the exact date and place where the spark for the revolution happened.
There were those who said it occurred in Balintawak, but others claimed it was in
Pugad Lawin.

More confusion was generated with the citations of varying 1896 dates such as August
20, 23, 24, 25 and 26, and the addition of such place names as Pasong Tamo, Banlat,
Kangkong, and Bahay Toro, among others.

This prompted noted History professor, lecturer, book author and columnist Ambeth R.
Ocampo to include the following paragraphs in the Preface of his book "Bones of
Contention: The Andres Bonifacio Lectures" published in 2014 by Anvil Publishing
Inc.:

"On his 150th anniversary, November 30, 2013, Andes Bonifacio was remembered by
a grateful nation in a celebration that paled in comparison with the fanfare rolled out
for Jose Rizal's 150th in 2011. This had nothing to do with the persistent question of
who is the greater hero, and who should be the national hero. Planned festivities were
canceled and the commemoration toned down in deference to the death and destruction
that came in the wake of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in the Philippines) some weeks

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)2 | P a g e

earlier.

Book cover of Ocampo’s book compiling his different lectures

on Philippine Revolution of 1896.
Source: https://shop.ayalamuseum.org/products/bones-of-contention-the-andres-bonifacio-
lectures-2014-edition

"Although this new edition of 'Bones of Contention: The Bonifacio Lectures' was
completely reset and updated as early as 2012, its release was delayed for so long
because I kept waiting for new data on Bonifacio that could make this work and its
conclusions obsolete. I waited in vain because Bonifacio 150 did not produce much
that was new. Instead, we were distracted by historical controversies that generated
heat rather than light.

"First was the move to have Bonifacio acknowledged and declared as the first president
of the Philippines. This would require revising textbooks and official history, bumping
off Emilio Aguinaldo from the chronology, and reducing him to a mere second
president after his rival Bonifacio's death.

"Naturally, another old debate was revived over the date and place where Andres
Bonifacio tore his cedula and delivered the inspiring cry that marked the outbreak of
the Philippine Revolution. Officially, and since 1962, it has been celebrated on August

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)3 | P a g e

23, 1896 in Pugad Lawin.

Traditionally, before 1962, it was commemorated on August 26, 1896 in Balintawak.

On this matter, tradition dies hard.

"Despite documentary evidence presented for each side, it seems we may never come
to a satisfactory solution. With historians perennially insisting on the validity of their
particular date and place, we end up more confused than when we started because aside
from a series of August dates, we now have September 6, 1896 too. Aside from Pugad
Lawin and Balintawak, we also have to consider Bahay Toro, Pacpac Lawin, Pasong
Tamo, Kangkong, and, in jest, even Pugad Baboy! Despite all the heated discussion
over the details, the general outline of the story remains the same and without question:
somewhere in Caloocan, sometime in August 1896, the Katipunan Supremo changed
the course of our history, and began our journey to nationhood."

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Ocampo served as chairman of the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) from 2007 to 2011 and of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) earlier.

Pre 1896 Revolution of Gregoria “Ka Oryang” De Jesus.

Source: https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1203/mga-tala-ng-aking-buhay-
autobiography-of-gregoria-de-jesus-wife-of-andres-bonifacio

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)4 | P a g e

Meanwhile, in her autobiography titled "Mga Tala ng Aking Buhay" written on Nov. 5,
1928, Gregoria De Jesus, Bonifacio's widow, confirmed that "the (Balintawak) uprising
began with the cry for liberty on 26 August 1896."

In her book "The Cry of Balintawak: A Contrived Controversy" published by the

Ateneo De Manila University Press in 1998, Dr. Soledad Borromeo-Buehler said it was
only after the government repealed the Sedition Law in 1907 that the yearly
commemoration of the "Cry of Balintawak" was held in 1908.

Photo of Dr. Soledad Borromeo-Buehler’s controversial book.

Source: https://museokordilyera.upb.edu.ph/product/scripted-by-men-not-by-fate-andres-
bonifacio-in-cavite-an-analytical-narrative-with-commentary-on-selected-sources/

Dr. Buehler, a granddaughter of the Katipunan Gen. Guillermo Masangkay, one of the
original and close associates of Bonifacio in the KKK, wrote that through a public
subscription, a monument to the "Cry" was built in Balintawak.

The monument was completed and unveiled on Sept. 11, 1911, highlighted by a long
public parade covering almost 20 kilometers from the streets of Azcarraga (now Recto)
and Cervantes (Rizal Avenue) in Manila to Novaliches.

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)5 | P a g e

On Rizal’s Retraction

Several texts of Jose Rizal's retraction have emerged over time, each with its own
complexities and controversies. The first text appeared on the day of Rizal's execution,
December 30, 1896, in La Voz Española and Diaro de Manila. Another text surfaced in
Barcelona, Spain, on February 14, 1897, in La Juventud, attributed anonymously to Fr.
Balaguer, who later confirmed his authorship. The "original" text resurfaced in the
archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, after being missing for thirty-nine years.

Photo of Fr. Victor Balaguer.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%ADctor_Balaguer_i_Cirera

Fr. Balaguer, in his 1910 letter to Fr. Pio Pi, disclosed receiving an "exact copy" of the
retraction, but the handwriting was unknown to him. He speculated it might have been
Rizal's own writing. However, he later contradicted this, suggesting the archbishop
provided the "exact copy." This discrepancy suggests manipulation or misinterpretation
of the documents.

Significant differences exist between the "original" and the newspaper texts of the
retraction, and copies held by Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Pi. The alterations include changes
in wording, omissions, and additional phrases. Fr. Balaguer's copy lacked witness
names, later provided in his notarized testimony.

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)6 | P a g e

 Fr. Balaguer's source of the "exact copy" remains unclear. His conflicting accounts
raise doubts about the authenticity of the documents and the circumstances of their
retrieval. The involvement of multiple parties in the creation and dissemination of these
texts further complicates the matter.

It's evident that the process of obtaining and disseminating Rizal's retraction involved
manipulation and ambiguity. Fr. Balaguer's revelations suggest a complex web of
interests and agendas surrounding the retraction, casting doubt on its authenticity and
the intentions behind its publication.

Activity and 2 Minute Documentary

Assessment
Look for the following individuals (2 students, 2 faculty, and 2 members of your
community) and ask them if they know the place and reason/s behind the September 2,
1896, UNANG SIGAW in Nueva Ecija. Compare and contrast their response and
summarize and recommend on how to efficiently commemorate this historic event in
Novo Ecijano and Philippine history.

Submit your work in video format on March 1 via rbabivamvgallego@gmail.com

References Candelaria, J.P. (2020). Readings in Philippine History. Manila: REX Bookstore. pp.
1-10

Prepared by: R.B. E. Abiva, MA(c), D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)7 | P a g e