The History of the Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution is one of the most important events in the country’s
history, awakening a proud sense of nationalism for generations of Filipinos to come.
In a period of heavy struggle and conflict, Filipinos of different backgrounds united
with a common goal: to resist colonialism.
The revolution against Spain was sparked in 1896 after Spanish authorities
discovered the “Katipunan,” a Filipino revolutionary society plotting against their
colonisers. It ended in 1902, where Spain lost and ceded sovereignty of the
Philippines to the United States.
The Katipunan: the secret organization that initiated the revolt
Andres Bonifacio was the Supreme of the Katipunan (association), or as it was also
known: Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest
and Most Venerated Association of the Sons and Daughters of the Land). The
organization drew inspiration from Dr. Jose Rizal, whose literary works,
particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, exposed the cruelties of the
Spanish colonisers. Before Katipunan was established, both Bonifacio and Rizal
were part of ‘La Liga Filipina’ – a progressive organization initiated by Rizal that
sought peaceful reforms.
After Rizal’s arrest and deportation to Dapitan, La Liga Filipina dissolved. This was
later replaced by a call for aggressive reforms, put forward and favored by Bonifacio.
Upon hearing of Rizal’s arrest, Bonifacio and his fellows founded the Katipunan. The
anti-colonial secret organization eventually attracted people from lower and middle
classes across the country, enjoining them in an armed revolt against Spain.
Rizal, the country’s national hero, refused to participate. He believed timing wasn’t
on their side and the nation was still unprepared. In spite of his friend’s reservations,
Bonifacio and his fellow Katipuneros continued with their plan. Yet on August 1896, a
Spanish friar found them out.
A series of bloody revolts
After the discovery of the Katipunan, Spanish authorities made several arrests to
identify their members. Bonifacio and his fellows were planning a nationwide revolt.
This led to an event called the ‘Cry of Pugad Lawin’, where revolutionaries took part
in a mass tearing of cedulas (community tax certificates), symbolizing their fight
against Spain.
Bonifacio simultaneously planned an attack on Manila. However they were caught off
guard, as though the revolutionaries were greater in number, the Spanish authorities
were more armed.
According to historical accounts, Bonifacio continued with his plan despite the failure
in his first attempt. The revolt flared up in the surrounding provinces, including
Central Luzon, San Juan del Monte and Southern Tagalog (which is why this is also
known as the Tagalog War).
After several unsuccessful revolts, rebels in Cavite finally had a taste of victory.
Under Emilio Aguinaldo (mayor of Cavite El Viejo) and Mariano Alvarez (Bonifacio’s
uncle), the Philippine Revolution was in full swing.
The revolution dragged down the name of Rizal. He was accused of being
associated with the secret militant society. Charged with sedition, conspiracy and
rebellion, Rizal was sentenced to death by firing squad.
Internal struggles, conflicts, and a surprising turn of events
Alongside the Spanish authorities, Katipuneros were soon fighting amongst
themselves. Rivalries emerged between commanders and territories, creating big
rifts in the association. The Katipunan divided into two councils, namely the
Magdiwang and Magdalo – that is, those who favoured Aguinaldo and those who
favoured Bonifacio.
To settle the leadership dispute, the Tejeros Convention was established. This
assembly of officials was intended to unite the two factions and elect officers for the
revolutionary government. After a makeshift election, Bonifacio lost to Aguinaldo and
leadership was turned over to him.
Bonifacio was given the role of Director of the Interior, but his qualifications were
questioned. Under this further scrutiny he left the assembly – Aguinaldo took oath as
President the following day.
A rival government
Bonifacio soon set out to Naic, Cavite, where he established a rival government
against Aguinaldo. Newly recognised as the leader of the revolution, he issued a
coup d’etat against Aguinaldo’s government. Upon learning this, Aguinaldo ordered
the official arrest of Bonifacio.
Bonifacio was captured and found guilty of sedition and treason by the War Council.
They were soon executed near Maragondon.
Aguinaldo and his fellows soon established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato and drafted
the first constitution.
They came up with a pact that called for an end to the revolution, which was
positively favored by the Spanish Governor-General. The pact’s agenda included:
the surrender of weapons to revolutionaries, amnesty, exile for leaders, and payment
to the revolutionaries worth $400,000 USD.
While the Spanish kept their word, other revolutionary generals took arms – the
Philippines was still not independent.
The arrival of the Americans and the Declaration of Independence
April 1898 marked the second phase of the Philippine Revolution. After a US Navy
warship exploded and sunk in Havana harbor, the Americans declared a war against
Spain known as the Spanish-American War.
The US Navy’s Asiatic Squadron, led by Commodore George Dewey, sailed to
Manila and defeated the Spanish Navy. In just a few hours all Spanish ships were
destroyed and the US gained control of the Philippine capital.
Meanwhile, Aguinaldo became friendly with the United States. He met with a US
consul who advised him to cooperate with the Americans. And so, from his exile in
Hong Kong, Bonifacio eventually returned to the Philippines and resumed the attacks
against the Spanish authorities.
And on June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo declared the country’s independence and the birth
of the Philippine Republic. From his balcony in his house in Kawit, Cavite,
the Philippine flag was unfurled. The Philippines’ National Anthem, “Lupang
Hinirang” was first heard by the Filipino people.
It was December of that year when the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to
the United States through the Treaty of Paris. While it ended the Spanish-American
War, the Americans took possession of the Philippines. Independence had not really
been achieved.
