CRY OF BALINTAWAK
Kalayaan o kaalipinan? Kabuhayan o kamatayan?”
Between August 23 to 24, 1896, the Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio, finally decided to launch the Revolution against their Spanish oppressors. This was followed by the tearing of cedulas, symbolically breaking off the yoke from “Mother” Spain. This event was known as the Cry of Balintawak.
Some of the details are still highly contested, especially the place where the Cry happened.
Given that 6 out of 8 Katipunero testimonies support this, I personally believe that the Cry was located in Balintawak, specifically the house of the Katipunero Apolonio Samson in Kangkong.
While the government officially recognized Pugad Lawin, said to be also the location of either Melchora Aquino or her son Juan Ramos’ house, it is possible that instead of one, there could have been multiple Cries in the vicinity of Caloocan.
Happy 125th Anniversary of the Cry of Balintawak, everyone!
