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KATIPUNAN AND THE REVOLUTION: MEMORIES OF A GENERAL

By: Santiago Alvarez


Translated by: Carolina Malay
About the Author
Santiago V. Alvarez (July 25, 1872- October 30, 1930, the only child of revolutionary general
Mariano Alvarez and Nicolasa Virata was born in Imus but was raised in Noveleta Cavite. He was known
as Kidlat ng Apoy (Lightning of Fire) because of his inflamed bravery and participation in the Battle of
Dahalican.
Santiago was among the first in Cavite to take up arms against Spain. All through the Revolution,
he fought side by side with his father. In the 36-hour battle in Dalahican, one of the bloodiest encounters
during the Revolution, he scored a decisive victory and repulsed the Spanish troops.
When the American civil government was established in the Philippines in 1901, Santiago
assisted in the organization of the Nacionalista party, where he later became president of its directorate.
During the 1920s, his memories were published in Sampaguita, a Tagalog weekly, in 36
installments (from July 24, 1927 to April 5, 1928). These were reproduced in book form and translated in
English by Paula Carolina S. Malay.
Malay graduated from the University of the Philippines. She taught economics at various
universities during the 1950s and 1960s. She turned to translation and writings during the martial law
period.
The events I have related in this account of the Katipunan and the Revolution reverberate with
shouts of “Long live our patriots” and “Death to the enemy” These were in answer to the enemy’s assaults
with Mausers and cannons, the latter fired from both land sea.
The Magdiwang government honored me with an appointment as general, or head of its army.
Gen. Artemio Ricarte was lieutenant general.
I will now attempt to write down that I saw and what I know about the Katipunan and the
Revolution. First, I shall narrate the events relating to the Revolution beginning from 14 March 1896;
then I shall deal with the organization and activities of the Most Venerable Supreme Society of the Sons
of the People (Kamahalmahalan at Kataastaasang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan). The Katipunan
account is based on records which were entrusted to me by the original founder of the Katipunan. In the
interest of the honorable truth, I shall now attempt to write a history of the Katipunan and the Revolution
which I hope will be acceptable to all. However, I realize that it is inevitable that, in the narration of
actual happenings, I shall run the risk of hurting the feeling of contemporaries and comrades-in-arms. I
would like to make it clear that I shall try be as possible and that it is far from my intention of depreciate
anyone’s patriotism and greatness.
I shall be honored if these memoirs become a worthy addiction to what Gen. Artemio Ricarte as
already published in this weekly.0n march 1896, a Saturday, I accompanied Emilio F. Aguinaldo and
Raymundo Mata to Manila for their ignition into the Katipunan secret society. Messrs. Aguinaldo and
Mata were prominent townsmen of Kawit in Cavite, my home province. Reaching Manila at about five in
the afternoon, we waited for the appointed time at the quarters of Jacinto Lumberas, a Katipunan member.
He was caretaker of the central telephone exchange on san San Jacinto Street in Binondo.
At about seven o’clock in the evening, a Katipunan director arrived to take us to the Katipunan
headquarters. Before leaving Lumberas’ place, my two companions were blindfolded . then we go into
calesa [horsecart] and reached the home of Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan supremo, after about an
hours ride. It was a moonlight night and since the street was well it we could see the house clearly. It was
of moderate size the floor not to much raise from the ground; it had wooden walls and a roof thatched
with nipa [palm leaves]. The house was located on Cervantes street (now Rizal avenue) in the sun
Ygnacio area Bambang.it was sorounded by many guards, sum of them police who were Katipunan
members. Directing operations was Gregoria de Jesus, wife of the Supremo Bonifacio.
We were led into a room in the inner part of the house on table covered with the black cloth were
the skull and crossbones from a human skeleton. Lying beside the skull and crossbones were the
following paraphernalia : a new long – blanded weapon, and old revolver, a small knife with a sharp edge,
a new pen, a copy of Katipunan” “primier” and a sheet of paper on which were written blood-colored
characters. On both of table were Katipuneros blind folded with the black cloth. On the wall behind the
skull was a rectangular banner of black cloth on which was the same motif of human skull cross bones,
above the manner. Were three k’s arranged as in a tripod; all were in white paint. Meanwhile a women
lookout was heard to say, ”cool!” which was the code word for “all clear”. Shortle afterward, the guides
lead the blindfolded into the house. The woman lookout told the guard, “they’re all here nobody else is
coming. Alert your comrades about tighter security. “
Or execution, they pledge to destroy oppression by signing their names in their own blood. When
the ritual was over, the happy crowd of Katipunan members warmly embraced the neophytes amid shouts
“brother! brother!”
Still blindfolded, the neophytes were then escorted down the house and cordially sent off with a
repetition of fraternal embraces. I then took over escorting Aguinaldo and Mata. We had walked some
distance from the Supremo’s house, I took of their blindfolds. We proceeded to comrade Jacinto
Lumbreras’ quarters at the telephone exchange, where we retired for the night. Incidentally, Lumbreras
wife delivered a baby that night, and we were witnesses to that event.
Emilio Aguinaldo asked me to accompany him to see the Supremo Bonifacio again to learn more
about the Katipunan. We made the trip to manila on a Monday 6 april 1896.
In those days, we Cavite folk traveled to Manila abroad Spanish vessels fold “Ynchausti boats.”
They bore names like “Isabel”, ”domingga” , and others. These vessels were purchased by Mr. Luis
Yango” their operations are now managed by his son, Teodor.
We left the pier at Cavite at seven in the morning, and an hour later we were in Manila.
Aguinaldo went to the port office to attend some business while I waited outside. When he comes out
after ten minutes, he was agitated. His face was flush and his steps were longer than usual. I asked him
what was the matter. He was upset over the superciliousness of one Ramon Padilla, with he had exchange
some sharp words. He said that Padilla ,who was functionary in the port office, tried to impress people
with superior ears but only succeeded in showing how rude and uncouth he really was.
We talked while walking, and soon we reached Lavezares street in Binondo where Dr. Pio
Valenzuela was living in a rented house. Dr. Valenzuela was then the provisional chairman of the
Katipunan. In the house we met the Supremo , Andres Bonifacio, his wife Gregoria De Jesus; Jose Dizon;
and Dr. Valenzuela himself. We will welcome cordially with fraternal embraces. They said Gregoria
knew Mr. Aguinaldo, but they did not recognize hime since he had been blindfolded during their first
encounter.
After we seated, we happily exchanged news and talked about the progress of the Katipunan.
Once in a while, brother Aguinaldo hesitated, which promoted the observant Bonifacio to ask solicitously
if anything was bothering him. I volunteered the information that he had some unpleasant experience with
an official at the port office and that was what probably was on his mind. I had scarcely finished what I
was saying when the Supremo’s face flushed and his voice shook as he said, “It is necessity to defend the
honor of our brother here.”
Immediately, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela and Jose Dizon the house of Ramon Padilla for redress
to the dishonor he had showed to brother Aguinaldo. In default of an apology, the two emissaries were to
be seconds in a duel. The Katipunan continued to spread. It was good Friday in the month of April 1896.
At nine o’clock in the morning, the Supremo Andres Bonifacio, accompanied by Dr. Pio Valenzuela,
Emilio Jacinto, and Pantaleon Torres, arrived in the town of Noveleta, Cavite province to established a
provincial council of the Katipunan.
The council came to be known as the Magdiwang. The following were its officers: Mariano
Alvarez, president; Pascual Alvarez, secretary; Dionisio Alvarez, treasurer; Valentin Salud, prosecutor;
Benito Alix, sergeant-at-arms; Nicolas Ricafrente, Adriano Guinto, Emetorio Malia, and Valeriano
Aquino, directors.
While both councils approved their respective regulation uniforms, with a common set of renk
insignias, very few were able to comply because of unsettling events coming one after the other.
On Saturday, 28 september 1896, Captain General Apoy and general Vibora prepared to go to the
field to inspect the fortifications to the west along the Cavite-Batangas border,which were under the
command of brig. Gen. Eleuterio Marasigan and Col. Luciano San Miguel. But before the two generals
could leave, the commander of the troops defending Dalahikan, Major Aklan, came to the war ministry to
report that they has sighted the enemy fortifying the narrowest neck of Dalahikan. The enemy activity,
which had started in the night, included the massing of Spanish troops.

Prepared by: May Hechona DVM-1

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