CHAPTER

7
PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

This chapter looks into the various factors that ignited the spirit of
nationalism and opened their eyes to the reality that the Filipinos became
slaves in their own land for more than three centuries of Spanish colonial
rule. It presents the different actions used by both Filipino elites and the
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masses to attain the freedom they were dreaming for the longest time.

It also discusses here the conflicting views in the Philippine History with
regards to the Retraction of Rizal.

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. Understand the aims and objectives of the propaganda movement
Objectives 2. Acknowledge and appreciate the works and writings of the
Ilustrados that paved way in achieving freedom and independence
3. Make personal judgment with the to issue “Retraction of Jose
Rizal

MAIN POINTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

 Propaganda Movement
 The Propagandists
 Retraction of DR. Jose Rizal

REQUIRED READINGS

 Anderson, W. (2010). Philippine Studies, 58(3), 434-436.

www.jstor.org/stable/42634645
Propaganda Movement

The years 1872 – 1892 were the period when the spirit of nationalism among the great Filipinos
in Europe was greatly evident. Little by little, they started propaganda to reveal the wrongdoings
of both the Catholic Church and the Colonial Government. Most of the Ilustrados in Europe were
there for some important reasons: to study and to organize a movement that would help achieve
the fair treatment of Spaniards to the Filipino people. The Propaganda Movement was an
organization that promoted reforms in peaceful manner.

However, not all Filipinos who went to Spain joined the propaganda movement. Most of them
went to Spain in the hope of studying and becoming successful. Those who established and
joined the movement were young and serious men who offered their talent and service for the
motherland.

Filipino Propagandists

The propaganda was a two-sided movement, one rewarded in Spain for the extension to the
Philippines of open governmental institutions, for an honest administration and the replacement
of the friars by the Filipino priests; and compensated in the islands themselves for the
improvement of the educational facilities, the removal of the spying upon the press and public
opinion, and most of all, awakening of the exhausted fellow Filipinos.

Prominent Filipino Propagandists

Marcelo H. del Pilar. He became the Editor-in-Chief of the Propaganda Newspaper La

Solidaridad when it was already transferred from Barcelona to Madrid. He was also known as
the father of Freemasonry and Journalism in the Philippines.

Jose Rizal. He contributed numerous articles to the newspaper, La Solidaridad, published in

Spain. One of Rizal’s political plans was to integrate the Philippines as a province of Spain.
Rizal returned to the Philippines on June 26, 1892. He founded the La Liga Filipina, in Manila.

Graciano Lopez- Jaena. was known to publish several literary works that challenged the status
quo. One of his well-known works included La Solidaridad, which was a newspaper that played
a very significant part in the propaganda movement that helped lead to the Philippine
Revolution.

Juan Luna. He was recognized as the first Filipino artist. He won gold and silver medal in the
1884 Madrid Fine Arts Exposition. He used his canvas to propagate the sentiments of the
Filipino people.

Felix Resurrection Hidalgo. He was also known as one of the great Filipino painters of the 19th
century and is significant in Philippine history for having been an associate and inspiration for
the members of the Philippine propaganda movement which included Jose Rizal, Marcelo del
Pilar, Mariano Ponce, and Graciano Lopez- Jaena.

Mariano Ponce. He was a doctor by profession and one of the leaders of the movement that
spread the idea of Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule. He wrote in the
newspaper and was one of the founders of La Solidaridad and Asociacion Hispano-Filipino.

Dr. Pio Valenzuela. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper of the Katipunan entitled
Kalayaan. He used nom de guerre or nom de plume in writing articles in the newspaper to hide
his identity to the Spanish authorities like Dimas Arayan (Untouchable) and Madlang-Away
(Public conflict).

Propaganda Groups

When the propagandists saw the advantage of combining all their knowledge and talents, they
decided to establish an organization that would bring to the Spanish authorities the movement’s
concerns.

1. Circulo Hispano- Filipino

2. La Solidaridad (Organization)
3. Free Masonry
4. La Liga Filipina
5. Revista del Circulo Hispano- Filipino

Propaganda Newspapers

1. Kalayaan
2. La Solidaridad (Newspaper)
3. Diariong Tagalog
4. La Independencia
5. La Libertad

Struggles of the Propaganda Movement

Propagandists were somehow succeeded in their goal of awakening the heart, mind, and soul of
the Filipinos through their writings. However, due to a lack of funds and other resources, it was
really hard for them to continue the movement. The arrest of Rizal and the abolition of La Liga
Filipina marked as the end of the Propaganda Movement. The activities of the movement
completely ended with the closing of the La Solidaridad and the deaths of the two great founders
– Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez- Jaena due to death and disappointment.

REFERENCES

Palado, D., De Silva, A., Reyes, C., et. al., (2018) Readings in Philippine History, Muntinlupa
City. Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc. (54-62)
 CHAPTER
8
THE START OF FILIPINO ARMED STRUGGLE

This chapter focuses on the creation of a secret society initiated by Andres

Bonifacio. It discusses here the different challenges they faced to gain
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independence. This lesson also shows the internal conflict among the Filipino
leaders which caused deeper scars in Philippine history.

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the bravery and sacrifices of the Filipino leaders
Objectives achieving Philippine independence through revolution.
2. Ignite the love of the youth today for the country by bringing up
the history

MAIN POINTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

 Founding of Katipunan
 Leaders of Katipunan
 Official Organ of the Society
 Death of the Supremo

REQUIRED READINGS

 ILETO, R. (1984). BONIFACIO, THE TEXT, AND THE SOCIAL SCIENTIST.

Philippine Sociological Review, 32(1/4), 19-29. www.jstor.org/stable/41853618
Founding of Katipunan

The aims of the patriots to end up the three centuries colonization of the Spanish government did
not stop with the Propaganda Movement. When Jose Rizal was arrested after three days of
founding La Liga Filipina, Andres Bonifacio together with other men organized a secret meeting
on the night of July 7, 189, in the house in Azcaraga Street. The attendees of the meeting agreed
to established a revolutionary secret society Kataas taasang Kagalanggalangan na Katipunan ng
mga Anak ng Bayan or simply known as Katipunan.

Leaders and Internal Conflicts in the Katipunan

Headed by Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan had three objectives: political, civic, and moral.
Political had something to do with the liberation of the Philippines from Spain; Moral aimed at
the teaching of good manners and right beliefs, and Civic aimed the principle of helping oneself.

The founding of Katipunan marked the end of the peaceful means of asking for reforms from the
government. The Filipinos decided to achieve independence through a revolutionary
government.

The new recruits to the secret society underwent a rigorous initiation process, similar to Masonic
practices. Through the organizational structure of the Katipunan was constantly in flux. It is
generally believed that they formed small branches, governed by the sangguninag balangay,
these small branches formed larger provincial councils. All must be overseen/ supervised by the
Supreme Council of the Katipunan. The legislative body of the Katipunan was known as the
Katipunan Assembly. It was composed of a member of the Supreme Council, along with the
head of the popular and provincial council. Katipunan had a “Secret Chamber” composed of
Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Dr. Pio Valenzuela.

The Katipunan was not just entirely for men, it was during Ramon Basa when the secret society
organized a women auxiliary section called La Semilla. The women or the Katipuneras served as
caretakers of the important documents. They also served as distractions to the Spanish soldiers. If
ever there were secret meetings, women usually held parties in their homes.

Kalayaan became the official organ of the society. Using pseudonyms, they were able to express
their love for the country through literary works which immediately influenced the people from
Central Luzon. The articles written by Jacinto and Bonifacio awakened and reminded the people
about their rights and responsibilities for the native land. The official organ paved the way to
increase the members of the secret society from 300 to 3000.

The Katipunan discovered on August 19, 1896, when a member by the name Pedro Patiño
revealed the secret society. The Spanish government immediately took action to arrest the
Katipuneros. Bonifacio, Jacinto, and other leaders managed to escape and proceeded to Caloocan
and other nearby towns.

In the middle of the struggle of the katipuneros fighting for freedom, internal conflict aroused in
the organization. Katipunan in Cavite established two factions – Magdiwang led by Gen.
Mariano Alvarez and Magdalo led by Gen Baldomero Aguinaldo. They fighting the same enemy
but not helping one another. The Supremo visited the province to mediate on the said conflict.

After settling the problems of the two factions, they proposed to the Supremo to formalize their
group and form a Revolutionary Government which had been approved by the latter. However,
the decision of Andres Bonifacio to Cavite and mediate was the beginning of his downfall being
the Supremo of Katipunan.

A captain from Kawit, Cavite Emilio Aguinaldo became the new leader of the revolution
replacing Andres Bonifacio. He was gradually rose to prominence because of his triumphs in
battles both in Cavite and Batangas.

The Tejeros Convention brought Andres Bonifacio in vain. The leaders agreed to elect leaders of
the Revolutionary Government and it was Emilio Aguinaldo who was elected as President. From
the disagreement of Andres Bonifacio to the result of the convention and because of the insult
that he got from Aguinaldo’s men, the relationship of the two leaders broke up.

Aguinaldo took his Oath of Office as the President of the First Philippine Revolutionary
Government. Upon receiving the charges against Bonifacio, he immediately sent his men to
arrest the Supremo.

On May 10, 1897, the Supremo and his brother Procorpio Bonifacio were executed by a firing
squad on Mt. Nagpatong. Some accounts said that Andres was hacked to death in his Hammock
and his brother was the one who was shot. He died at the age of 34.

Death of the Supremo

While the Filipinos were belligerent from the tyranny of the Spaniards, they were also struggling
from each other. The conflict between the two leaders in Katipunan – Emilio Aguinaldo and
Andres Bonifacio brought death to the Supremo himself.

REFERENCES

Palado, D., De Silva, A., Reyes, C., et. al., (2018) Readings in Philippine History, Muntinlupa
City. Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc. (65-73)

Alcantara, V., (2009). Philippine History: Past and Present (Social Studies for First Year),
Quezon City. CJS Publishing. (195-203)
 PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION UNDER AGUINALDO’S
CHAPTER
LEADERSHIP and the INFILTRATION OF THE
9
AMERICANS

This chapter focuses on the phases of the Revolution. It talks about the
Description establishment of the Biak na Bato Government as well as the infiltration of
the Americans in the Philippines.

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. Explain the different struggles experienced by the Filipino leaders
Objectives during their fight against the colonizers
2. Understand the transition of colonization from Spanish to
American and the situation of the Philippines

MAIN POINTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

 Establishment of the Biak na Bato Government
 The Pact of Biak na Bato
 Aguinaldo in Hong Kong
 Battle of Manila Bay

REQUIRED READINGS

 LAURIE, C. (1989). The Philippine Scouts: America's Colonial Army, 1899-1913.

Philippine Studies, 37(2), 174-191. www.jstor.org/stable/42634583
 CANO, G. (2013). LeRoy's "The Americans in the Philippines" and the History of
Spanish Rule in the Philippines. Philippine Studies: Historical & Ethnographic
Viewpoints, 61(1), 3-44. www.jstor.org/stable/4263474
Philippine Revolutionary Government

After the death of the Supremo in the hands of our fellow Filipino under the leadership of
Aguinaldo, the revolution continues. The battleground transferred from Manila to Cavite. It was
the time when the two factions – Magdalo and Magdiwang finally get united. They merged their
forces to become one in the Revolutionary Government fighting against the common enemy –
the Spaniards.

Birth of Revolution

Tired of the endless battles, Gov. General Camilo de Polavieja asked his relief as Governor-
General and was granted on April 15, 1987. He was replaced by Gov. General Fernando Primo
de Rivera. When the new executive arrived in Manila he immediately conferred with the military
commanders regarding the general situation in the Philippines.

Biak na Bato Government

In October 1897, President Aguinaldo held a meeting in Biak na Bato where the attendees
decided to continue the cause of the revolution and established the Biak na Bato Government.

A Constitution was drafted and was patterned to the Cuban Constitution and was ratified on
November un 1, 1897. The said constitution stated that the Biak na Bato Republic should be
dissolved after two years. It also indicated that the objective was to liberate the country and be
declared as an independent state. The constitution also contained a Bill of Rights that would look
after the rights of all individuals.

When Governor-General Primo de Rivera realized that there was no way to prevent the
revolution, the Spaniards finally decided to make peace with the revolutionaries.

Pact of Biak na Bato

On December 14, 1897, they officially drafted the agreement between the Spanish government
through the Gov. General Fernando Primo de Rivera and the Biak na Bato, Republic by Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo. And to execute the pact, Gen. Aguinaldo and his men received money
amounting to Php 400,000.00 and amnesty by the Spanish Government. The pact contained three
important documents as follows:

1. The first document known as the “Program” contained the provision that Gov. General Primo
de Rivera would pay all the revolutionaries of Php 800,000.00 and would allow Aguinaldo and
other revolutionaries to voluntarily exile themselves in Hongkong.
2. The second document is known as “Act of Agreement” stressing the grant of a general
amnesty for all those who would surrender and the promise that they would enjoy the privilege
of living in the country or any other place of their choice.
3. The third document contained the provision of the payment for the damages. According to the
provisions stated, Spain would have to pay Php1,700,000 where Php 800,000.00 was already
stated in the first document and the remaining Php 900,000.00 would be allocated to the
Filipinos who were victims of the war.

After the documents had been signed on December 14 and 15, 1897 Aguinaldo and the other
revolutionary leaders prepared to leave for Hongkong. He left together with the other 28
revolutionists on December 27, 1897.

Maybe others might think that these groups of men just saved themselves and left their fellow
countrymen in the hands of the Spaniards while others might think that they did a heroic thing
for the country. For there were some revolutionists who did agree in the said pact-like Gen.
Miguel Malvar and Gen. Mamerto Alejandrino Natividad, Jr.

American Infiltration in the Philippines

Due to that explosion on April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. The
causes of their conflict were many, but according to the American government, the immediate
one was the first overseas war fought by the United States using their steel ships that brought
superiority to the name of America in their naval forces in the world at that time.

Again the question is how the Philippines got into this conflict. The American Spanish War was
because of Cuba.

The Philippines was silent after the Pact of Biak na Bato because all of the tough revolutionary
leaders of the Philippines led by General Emilio Aguinaldo were exiled in Hong Kong. But even
though they went into silence, according to Aguinaldo the fight still continued. They re-
established their grouped and they called themselves and looked for the proper timing to come
back here in the Philippines to once again fight for the Philippine Independence.

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo continued the operation of the revolutionary government in Hong Kong
which became known as the Hong Kong Junta and later on as the “Supreme Council of the
Nation”.

Perhaps because of the distance and means of communication, the revolutionists themselves
again subdivided through misunderstandings. Discontentment arose that made several changes in
the membership due to the resignation of some members both in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

While abroad, Aguinaldo continued his aim of reclaiming the Independence from Spain. He went
to Singapore to meet a friend and somehow to ask updates about the situation of the Philippines
and the gathering news about the conflict between America and Spain.

Battle of Manila Bay

It was known as the well-known Battle of Manila Bay, where the Spanish losses estimated at
more than 370 troops and all their warship known as Armada, while American casualties were
fewer than 10. The victory in Manilla Bay cleared the way for the US occupation of Manila in
August and the eventual transfer of the Philippines from Spanish control.

Battle of Manila Bay

The Battle of Manila Bay paved the way to the Filipinos to get back their freedom from the
Spaniards after three centuries. However, unknown to the entire archipelago, the American and
Spanish forces already had a secret agreement that the Spaniards will surrender Manila to the
Americans after a mock battle.

REFERENCES

Palado, D., De Silva, A., Reyes, C., et. al., (2018) Readings in Philippine History, Muntinlupa
City. Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc. (81-89)

Agoncillo, T., (1990) History of the Filipino People (8th Edition), Quezon City, Garotech
Publishing. (167-198)