Analyzing Primary Sources

Chang, Yu-Tse READHIS DFMB
Analyzing Primary Sources
Controversies and Conflicting Views in Philippine History
A. Primary Source Analysis

a. Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s Account
Dr. Pio Valenzuela has inconsistent statements, questioning the credibility of his
words.1911, he claimed that the Katipunan began meeting on 22 August while the Cry
took place on 23 August at Apolonio Samson’s house which was located in Balintawak.
From 1928 to 1940, it was known that the cry happened on 24 August at the house of
Tandang Sora (Melchora Aquino) in Pugad Lawin. Valenzuela memoirs (1964, 1978)
averred that the Cry took place on 23 August at the house of Juan Ramos at Pugad
Lawin. Another statement from him tells of a meeting at Kangkong on August 22, but
the cry happened at the house of Juan Ramos at Pugad Lawin the day after, which is
August 23. Seeming sure of the date of 23 August, he is, however, uncertain on where it
transpired.
b. Santiago Alvarez's Account
Furthering the paradox, the date of the cry became debatable, possibly between 24-26
August. Alvarez mentions in his memoirs a Cry at Bahay Toro, a place between Pasong
Tamo and Kangkong on 24 August, which is based on information he obtained from
Ramon Bernardo, a Katipunan leader from Pandacan who was a participant of the Cry.
With the number of members grown, to avoid being noticed by the Spanish, they move
to Bahay Toro from Kangkong.
c. Guillermo Masangcay's Account
Masancay’s later account on the tearing of cedula opposes Valenzuela's account.

Masancay argues that it is located at Kangkong, Balintawak, in contrast to Valenzuela’s
claim of Pugad Lawin. With more eyewitnesses, Masangcay’s claims weighed more.
With that, he recounted the Cry of Balintawak taking place on 26 August.
Account Year Location
Valenzuela 1911 Kangkong
Valenzuela 1917 Pasong Tamo
Valenzuela 1920s Pugadlawin
Alvarez 1927 Kangkong
Masangcay 1929-1957 Kangkong

Consolidated Date
Based on the three accounts, and the consolidated data above, the claims mostly state
that the Cry occured in Kangkong, Balintawak. Despite being a primary source,
Valenzua’s credibility sunk as his claims were quite inconsistent. This could have been
affected by external factors that could possibly affect his memories, such as all that’s
happening at the time, etc., thus leading to doubtful statements. However, seeing as the
majority of the claims are the same location, the credibility of the location is much more
likely.
B. Documentary Film Analysis

a. What are the different accounts explained in the video?
The video briefly goes through the accounts that are assigned; with additional research
of various other historians, Milagros Guerrero, Ramon Villegas and Emmanuel
Encarnacion. The fact that there was so much going on during that period, there was
confusion on where the meeting happened exactly. This could be due to the idea that
they were hiding from the Spaniards, thus had to move to different locations, or possibly
their circumstances during the time has caused stress and lost their sense of time.
However, despite the difference in specific places, all lies in the area of Caloocan.
Inferencing from that, the places mentions are relatively close to one another.
b. Are the sources valid? Explain
The sources are considered valid as they are supported by the evidence of personal
accounts. These historians take into consideration Valenzuela's, Alvarez’s and
Masangcay’s accounts of the event. Despite the discrepancies, a big sum of detail was
incorporated in their interpretation. And given that the video was published by People’s
Television Network, a government owned network, the sources must be credible before
they release it on media. In addition to that, the historians gathered for this program
have all received recognition for their academic works on Philippine history, further
solidifying their credibility.
c. Is there other information on the revolution that you learned from the
video?
Asides from the retelling of the events, I’ve come to realize that primary sources, such
as personal accounts, still may be faulty, and this could all be due to external factors
affecting one’s perception. Consequently, the additional research done by historians
untangled some loose threads of the paradox, finally clearing things up on dates and
locations. In addition to that, it also opens one’s eyes to the hardships and sacrifices the
Philippines faced in order to free themselves from the colonizers.
References
“Cry of Pugad Lawin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Mar. 2020,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cry_of_Pugad_Lawin#Accounts_of_the_Cry.
Guerrero, Milagros C., et al. “In Focus: Balintawak: The Cry for a Nationwide
Revolution.” National Commission for Culture and the Arts,
ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/balintawak-the-cry-for-a-nationwide-r
evolution/?fbclid=IwAR16fsawGnIO9YCOK3XdCZLW66V9fL3krMreJAOoIpxFOE
i-UO7njfgR-b0.
Notes on the "Cry" of August 1896. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.kasaysayan-kkk.info/studies/notes-on-the-cry-of-august-1896
Raposas, Al. “Boys Who Cry? Pugad Lawin and the Start of the Revolution.” Filipino
Historian, 25 Aug. 2017,
history-ph.blogspot.com/2017/08/pugad-lawin.html?fbclid=IwAR3YJnehYEfAGq7
IwTZ7vcGfmx4BTHxsDk_CgFwdVXfQJ_D-k4uqNHk5qBA.

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Chang, Yu-Tse READHIS DFMB

Controversies and Conflicting Views in Philippine History

A. Primary Source Analysis

b. Santiago Alvarez's Account

c. Guillermo Masangcay's Account

Masancay’s later account on the tearing of cedula opposes Valenzuela's account.

Valenzuela 1911 Kangkong

Valenzuela 1917 Pasong Tamo

Valenzuela 1920s Pugadlawin

Alvarez 1927 Kangkong

Masangcay 1929-1957 Kangkong

B. Documentary Film Analysis

b. Are the sources valid? Explain

“Cry of Pugad Lawin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Mar. 2020,

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