Was Balintawak simply a place? No. Balintawak is more than just an LRT station or a stop on the North Luzon Expressway. Balintawak has a rich history that many may not know.
Historically Balintawak marks the launch of the Philippine Revolution in 1896. It was here that Andres Bonifacio tore up his cedula. He defied Spanish rule. Balintawak was also home to Melchora Aquino. She is also known as Tandang Sora. Some call her the Mother of Balintawak.
But there is more to the story of Balintawak. A dream saved Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros. Gregorio Aglipay’s Novena of 1925 tells of this dream. The dream was supposed to commemorate the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution. It was traditionally known as the Cry of Balintawak. Later, it was officially changed into the Battle of Pugadlawin.
Aurelio Tolentino said that one night Bonifacio and his comrades slept in Tandang Sora’s house in Balintawak. One of them saw a dream. In it a beautiful Mother dressed like the farmers of Balintawak appeared. She led a child dressed like a farmer with red pants. The child held a shiny bolo. Both were crying Liberty.
The beautiful woman approached the dreamer. She warned him to be careful. When the dreamer woke he told his comrades about it. He said the Mother and Child looked like Europeans. However they dressed like Filipinos.
Because of this dream they stayed in Balintawak. They did not return to Manila for work. Soon news came. The Guardia Civil Veterana had raided the Diario de Manila press. They captured many Katipuneros and their papers. Aurelio Tolentino adds that the Katipunan’s first soldiers wore red trousers because of this dream.
Monsignor Aglipay says the Mother of Balintawak reminds everyone of their duty. This is the sacred duty to obtain independence. She is the sacred image of our country. The voice of the people will constantly remind everyone of the teachings of Rizal Mabini and Bonifacio. These teachings will form the special seal of our National Church.
Obispo Maximo Aglipay stated the Mother of Balintawak symbolizes our country. The Katipunan child expresses the Filipino people. They long for independence. Both figures remind us of the sacrifices of our liberators. They remind us of our duty to follow them and make sacrifices for independence.
Aglipay wrote that the Virgin-Mother is the Country. The Country is the only mother that can truly be called Virgin. The Katipunero child represents the People. They are eager for their liberty. Their spokesmen are Rizal Mabini and Bonifacio. Their teachings will form the best national Gospel.
Historians have written about the Virgin of Balintawak. They have also written about the Santo Niño brandishing a bolo. This should be better known because it is part of Philippine history. It shows how a foreign faith was Filipinized. It became our own like the Catholic Birheng Barangay.
The Cry of Balintawak is remembered in another way. The Katipuneros tore up community tax certificates or cédulas personales. This defied their allegiance to Spain. This was accompanied by patriotic shouts. The exact date and place of the Cry of Balintawak is unknown because accounts vary. From 1908 until 1963 people thought the event happened on August 26 in Balintawak. In 1963 the Philippine government declared August 23 to be the date of the event in Quezon City.
The Cry of Balintawak is comparable to Mexico’s Grito de Dolores. The Cry of Balintawak occurred on August 26 1896. It was the turning point when Filipinos refused Spanish dominion. The people tore their cedulas. It was the beginning of separation from Spanish rule. They cried Long Live the Philippine Republic.
So when you think of Balintawak remember its place in Philippine history. Remember the Virgin of Balintawak and the start of the Philippine Revolution.