<figure class="image-550">
<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-26/cedula.webp" alt="1896 Spanish-era cédula personal showing personal details, signatures, and official stamps" loading="lazy" />
<figcaption>
A cédula personal dated December 2, 1896, issued to a Binondo merchant. These colonial-era identity documents, often torn by Katipuneros during the Cry of Pugad Lawin, symbolized resistance against Spanish rule and the assertion of Filipino identity.
</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>
Historical Context and Discovery of the Katipunan
</h2>
<p>
The events of <time datetime="1896-08-23">August 23, 1896</time>, were precipitated by the Spanish discovery of the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/906/about-the-katipunan" class="news_link">Katipunan</a>, the secret revolutionary society founded by Andrés Bonifacio in 1892. The organization was exposed on August 19, 1896, when <b class="lt-bold">Teodoro Patiño</b>, a member embroiled in a pay dispute with a fellow Katipunero, revealed the society's existence to his sister Honoria. She subsequently informed the Spanish authorities through Mother Superior Teresa de Jesus and Father Mariano Gil.
</p>
<p>
Spanish authorities raided the printing office of <b class="lt-bold">Diario de Manila</b>, where Patiño worked, discovering Katipunan paraphernalia including initiation daggers, membership lists, and documents signed in blood. This discovery triggered mass arrests of suspected revolutionaries and intensified Spanish surveillance, forcing Bonifacio and other Katipunan leaders to flee Manila.
</p>
<h2>
The Gathering in Pugad Lawin
</h2>
<p>
Facing imminent capture, Bonifacio called for an emergency assembly of Katipunan leaders and members. The revolutionaries initially gathered at various locations including Kangkong and Balintawak before ultimately convening at the house of <b class="lt-bold">Juan Ramos</b> in Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896. Ramos was the son of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/858/today-in-philippine-history-january-6-1812-tandang-sora-was-born-in-balintawak" class="news_link">Melchora Aquino</a>, later known as <b class="lt-bold">Tandang Sora</b> or the <b class="lt-bold">"Mother of the Revolution"</b>.
</p>
<p>
By August 24, the gathering had grown to over 1,000 Katipuneros, with Tandang Sora graciously opening her granary and providing food for the revolutionaries. Historical accounts suggest she contributed 100 cavans of rice and 10 carabaos to feed the assembled forces.
</p>


<h2>
The Symbolic Tearing of Cédulas
</h2>
<p>
The cédulas were mandatory identification and tax certificates that Spanish authorities required all Filipino males aged 18-60 to carry and pay for annually. Originally costing eight reales and later increased to fifteen reales (eventually one peso fuerte and seven reales after 1854), these documents symbolized Filipino subjugation to Spanish colonial authority.
</p>
<p>
During the historic meeting on August 23, 1896, Bonifacio addressed the assembled Katipuneros with a rousing speech. When some leaders hesitated about launching an immediate revolution due to insufficient arms and preparation, Bonifacio appealed directly to the people gathered outside the meeting hall. He reminded them of the fate of Filipino patriots executed at <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3053/the-history-of-luneta-a-symbol-of-philippine-heritage" class="news_link">Bagumbayan</a> and declared that their organization had been discovered, making them all marked men.
</p>
<p>
In a moment that would define Philippine history, Bonifacio proclaimed: 
</p>
<div class="article-comment">
<p>
"If it is true that you are ready to revolt ... I want to see you destroy your cedulas. It will be a sign that all of us have declared our severance from the Spaniards". 
</p>
</div>
<p>
The assembled Katipuneros responded by tearing their cédulas to pieces while shouting:
</p>
<div class="article-comment">
<p>
 "Kamatayan sa mga Kastila!" (Death to the Spaniards!) and "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!" (Long live the Philippines!).
</p>
</div>


Cry of Pugad Lawin: August 23, 1896

Cry of Pugad Lawin: How Andrés Bonifacio and the Katipuneros ignited the Philippine Revolution by tearing their cédulas on August 23, 1896.

August 23, 1896: The Cry of Pugad Lawin Ignites the Philippine Revolution