Primary vs.

Secondary Sources Tejeros Convention (1897)

Primary Source: Santiago Secondary Source:
Alvarez “Memoirs of A Teodoro Agoncillo’s
General” “Revolt of the Masses”

Author’s Santiago V. Alvarez Teodoro A. Agoncillo 

background Born: July 25, 1972 in Imus Cavite Died: October Born: November 9, 1912 in Lemery, Batangas
30, in San Pablo City Died: January 14, 1985
 
Santiago V. Alvarez was a revolutionary general, a Teodoro A. Agoncillo was a prominent 20th-
founder and honorary president of the first century filipino historian. He and his contemporary
directorate of the Nacionalista Party. He was Renato Constatino were among the first Filipino
known as “ Kidlat ng Apoy” ( Lightning Fire) historians renowned for promoting a distinctly
because of his inflamed bravery and dedication as nationalist point of view of Filipino. He was also an
commander of Cavite’s famous battles particularly essayist and a poet.
that in Dalahican. He was rejoiced in the present
day as the “Hero” of the Battle of Dalahican. His “ History of the Filipino People” was first
published in 1060. To date, it remains a popular
Santiago V. Alvarez  was already a delgado general standard textbook in many Filipino universities, as
of the provincial council of the Katipunan in are many of Teodoro Agoncillo’s other works.
Cavite. He became captain general and later
Commander-in-chief of the Magdiwang Forces. In Agoncillo obtained a bachelor’s degree in
1902 he was appointed Chairman of the philosophy from the University of the Philippines
Commission of the peace, an organization created in 1934 and a master’s degree in the arts from the
by the U. S authorities. same university the following year.

He became linguistic assistant at the Institute of

National Language and as an instructor at the Far
Eastern University and the Manuel L. Quezon
University and a faculty member of U.P, chairing
the Department of History from  1963 to 1969, until
his retirement in 1977.
When was the According to Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, The Revolt of the Masses: The Story of Bonifacio
account the Original Tagalog text of General Alvarez’s and the Katipunan was written in 1947 as the
written? memoirs was published in 36 installments, from author’s  winning entry in a national Bonifacio
July 24, 1927  to April 15, 1928, in the Tagalog biography contest held in 1948. Another focus of
weekly, Sampaguita. inquiry is the publication of the manuscript in 1956
The translation  of “ Ang Katipunan at by the College of Literal Arts of the University of
Paghihimagsikan” by Paula Caroline Malay in the Philippines.
English was published in Quezon City, Ateneo de
MAnila University Press on 1992.
Mention of March 25, 1897 - Tejeros Convention Middle of December 1896 - Bonifacio with  his
Dates   A convention was held in Tejeros in order to wife and two brothers. Ciriaco and Procopio left
settle the dispute between the two councils. The Cavite because Bonifacio accepted the  request of
Magdalo and The Magdiwang group, and to decide Mariano Alvarez, his uncle-in-law. 
on what type of government should be appointed.
January 2, 1897- Bonifacio wrote to
March 27, 1897- Secret Meeting Mariano Alvarez.
Those elected at the Tejeros convention secretly Bonifacio wrote from San Francisco de Malabon to
gathered in the Tanza parish house. They knelt Mariano Alvarez. Written that letter was “President
before a crucifix  and solemnly took their office Mainam: Don’t fail to come this very moment for I
despite the Supremo, Andres Bonofacio’s claim of want to talk to you privately about what happened
the votings as null and void. to me in Magdalo and so that you might explain
their organization to me.”

April 1897- Where Bonifacio was quartered in the

house of Santos Nocon and later, in the house of
Mrs. Estefania Potente, where he stayed until
Spaniards captured the town. 

January 1897- The feast of San Francisco de

Malabon and is when the rebels enjoyed the fiesta
and relaxed.

March 22, 1897- The Tejeros Convention

General Emilio Aguinaldo’s Birthday. Also it is
when the battle raged between the Spaniards  and
the Magdalo soldiers and the assembly convened
the Tejeros.
Mention of Tejeros - The place where the assembly took
Places place.  Cavite - The Tejeros Convention was the meeting
held on March 22, 1897 between the Magdiwang
San Francisco de Malabon - The place where and Magdalo factions.
the election for the new government took place.
Towns under the sovereign power of each
Tanza (Santa Cruz de Malabon) - (parish faction: Kin Batangas and other towns (Magdalo).
house of the Catholic Church) many attended Nasugbu, Tuwi and Look, in the same province
seeing Messrs. Mariano Trias. Daniel Tirona, (Magdiwang)
Emilio R. de Dios, Santiago Rillo and others, and
that they were conferring with the priest, Fr. Mountains of Montalban & Mariquina - A
Cenon Villafranca. The former summer resort of delegate was sent in the mountains to look for the
the friars that witnessed the first important Supremo to apprise him of the urgent necessity of
election held under the auspices of the Katipunan mediating the widening rift between the two
government. popular councils.

 Zapote - Emilio Aguinaldo, Candido Tirona and

Edilberto Evangelista were on hand to meet
Supremo and his entourage.

Imus (house of Juan Castaneda) - Bonifacio

was brought by the rebel leaders where he was
visited by Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona,
Vicente Fernandez and others. Bonifacio ordered
the arrest of Fernandez.

Estate house of Tejeros - The place where the

leaders of the Magdiwang planned to hold another
convention.

 Town of Kawit, Bakood, and Imus – The

place where the Spanish army seriously threatened
it for battle.
 Santa Cruz de Malabon - The place where a
bridge is connected to San Francisco de Malabon
and is the place where the former summer resort of
the friars, that witnessed the first important
election held under the auspices of the Katipunan
government.

San Juan del Monte/Laguna - The place where

they were going to attack the Spaniards.

Key Jacinto Lumbreras - Previous Chairman of the Artemio Ricarte – Magdalo’s military
Personalities Katipunan commander brigadier-general.

Andres Bonifacio – The leader of the Katipunan Andres Bonifacio – Supreme Head of the
and elected as the Secretary of the Interior Katipunan

Fr. Cenon Villanueva - Officated the oath taken Mariano Alvarez - Magdiwang’s chosen
President
by the newly elected officers
Baldomero Aguinaldo - Magdalo President General Emilio Aguinaldo - Leading the
Magdalo Soldiers, faced the Spaniards in Salitiran.
Mariano Trias - Elected as Vice President
General Vibora - Elected as Captain General Candido Tirona - Magdiwang’s minister of war
Emiliano R. de Dios - Elected as Secretary of Edilberto Evangelista- Magdalo’s elected
War Lieutenant General
Daniel Tirona - He went against the result of the Baldomero Aguinaldo - Made the proposal to
votings when Andres Bonifacio was elected as establish a revolutionary government
Secretary of the Interior Daniel Tirona - Magdalo man
Ariston Villanueva - Previous Secretary of war
Esteban San Juan - Invited Bonifacio to attend
Apoy - Previous Captain General
the demonstration of Magdiwang rebels in
He was insulted by Antonio Noveleta
Montenegro’s remark about the
Ariston Villanueva - Magdiwang’s Minister of
revolution and made an order to arrest War who stood up and said that if new government
was to be established
him
Anotonio Montenegro - He was arrested by Santiago Alvarez - Magdalo’s commander in
chief
General Apoy because he compared the revolution
to a pack of bandits or of wild, mindless animals if Pascual Alvarez - Magdalo’s executive secretary
they did not agree on the kind of revolutionary
Luciano San Miguel - Magdiwang representative
government they were to have
Mariano Trias - Magdalo’s minister of grace and
Trining & Josephine - Pleaded with Apoy not to
justice
arrest Montenegro but to let him stay at the estate
Severino de las Alas - Magdiwang
house
representative
Severino de las Alas and Daniel Tirona-
Santos Nocon- Magdiwang representative
Witness of the oath taking
Cayetano Topiaco - Magdiwang’s minister of
finance
Mariano M. Alvarez
Pascual Alvarez Antonio Montenegro - Magdiwang
representative
Diego Mojica
Artemio Ricarte Jacinto Lumbreras - Acting president of
Magdiwang in the meeting.
Santos Nocon
 Luciano San Miguel General Blanco
Santiago Rillo Emiliano Reigo de Dios
Diego Moxica
Cayetano Tópico
Mariao Reigo de Dios
Maj. Damaso Fojas Vito Belarmino
Jose del Rosario Crispulo Aguinaldo
Ciriaco and Procopio
Nicolas Portilla
Juan Castańeda
Manuel Trias Vicente Fernandez
Mariano San Miguel
Jose Del Rosario
Teodoro Gonzales

Sequencing of Summary sequence: Summary sequence:

Events ● The Tejeros Convention was the meeting held Katipunan in Cavite divide into 2 factions: Magdalo and
on March 25, 1897 between the Magdiwang and Magdiwang
Magdalo factions of the Katipunan. •Bonifacio was invited by Magdiwang to visit Cavite.
● Misunderstandings arose between Andres •Misunderstanding exists between 2 rebel groups.
Bonifacio and Daniel Tirono. •Convention assembly in Imus.
● Those elected in Tejeros convention knelt •Election happened
before the crucifi •Bonifacio sent a letter to Mariano Alvarez, his uncle in
● Magdalo troops guard the oath-taking law and Emilo Jacinto.
ceremonies inside the parish in Tanza.

Detailed sequence:
Detailed sequence:
Before the assembly at Tejeros, the Secretary of
This article starts by introducing the division of the
War, Ariston Villanueva of the Magdiwang, had been
Katipunan into two factions; the Magdiwang and the
warned about Mr. Daniel Tirona’s plans (Magdalo) to
Magdalo, each with their own sovereign power over a
undermine the assembly as he had the support of the
number of towns. As independent factions, each had
Magdiwang leaders. With this, Sec. Villanueva alerted
elected their own officials with the different positions.
Capt. Gen. Apoy to be ready.
However, both factions made the decision for their
 The assembly of Tejeros happened on March armies to wear the same uniform but later proved to be
25, 1897 where members from both factions; The too expensive. Between the factions, tension rose as
Magdalo and Magdiwang, gathered to come to terms. each faction wanted supremacy over the other. Neither
The invitations for this assembly were signed by Sec. would bow nor want to be placed upon the other’s
Jacinto Lumbreras of the Magdiwang who presided command. Each believed to have won more victories
over the assembly. The Convention started by tackling than the other. It was a silent conflict. The disputes
the major issue of the choice of the kind of government between the two factions led the members of
to be established. Mr. Severino de las Alas, Chairman Magdiwang to ask help from Andres Bonifacio who
Lumbreras and Andres Bonifacio had an argument. Mr. refused at first but ultimately agreed. He left for Cavite
Antonio Montenegro supports Mr. de las Alas’ stand with Ciriaco and Procopio in the middle of December
and reaffirms his point. This triggers Gen. Apoy and 1896. Bonifacio was invited by the rebel leaders and
angrily argues against the motion. The argument was brought to houses in Imus, Novaleta, and Malabon.
then settled by Trinidad (Jose Rizal’s sister), along with With the growing suspicion of both parties against each
his widow, Josephine. other, a conclusion was made to call an assembly at
After settling the argument, Mr. Lumbreras Imus to finally remedy the growing tension. As they
directs the chairmanship to Andres Bonifacio. Then, started, each faction greeted the other and Bonifacio
the election for the positions of President, Vice independently proceeded to the head of the table and
President, Minister of Finance, Minister of Welfare, seated the Magdiwang at his right which hinted
Minister of Justice, and Captain General occurred. impartiality. The Magdalo kept quiet and sat on the left.
Andres Bonifacio opens by giving a speech about As the assembly opened, the two factions argued on
accepting the results of the election despite the whether or not to create a new government. As they
credentials or educational level of a person as agreed to went on, heated discussions sparked arguments and led
by the members. The ballots for voting were then to Bonifacio having the choice as he was the President
distributed and collected. Mr. Diego Mojica discovers as he was the Supremo. The arguments rose and the
and informs Bonifacio of the pre-filled ballots during assembly ended with no tangible results. Each faction
the distribution, but was ignored. Then, the votes were had more suspicions. A conflict arose between the
counted. As a result, Emilio Aguinaldo surpassed Magdiwang namely Alvarez and San Gabriel. The
Emilio Aguinaldo and became President. Each position Magdiwang had organized another assembly at the
evaded Bonifacio until he was elected as Secretary of estate house in Tejeros. Meanwhile, the Magdalo battled
Interior despite Tirona moving against it with the Spaniards. Despite the events, the convention
disrespect. Furiously, Bonifacio aimed his revolver at continued but mostly had Magdiwang attendees.
Tirona and demanded an apology. Everything became At the Tejeros Convention, the attendees first
chaotic as people were frantic. As the Chairman of the tackled the establishment of a new kind of government
Katipunan, Bonifacio declared all happenings during which could be done through election. During this,
the convention as null and void and left quickly. tension rose when a Magdalo, Antonio Montenegro,
When night came, some Magdalo leaders had a angered the Magdiwang by pointing out their
meeting at a parish house in Tanza. Here, Baldomero indecisiveness. Santiago Alvarez, a member of
Aguinaldo requests a reconciliation meeting at Tejeros. Magdiwang, was furious and incited trouble at the
However, the Magdalo faction did not appear. Rumors assembly. Meanwhile, Jacinto Lumbreras decided to
about their absence were thought of them also having a call for a recess so that both sides would have time to
separate meeting at the Tanza parish house wherein settle down. After the recess, the assembly went on and
they had already taken their oath of office under Fr. started with Lumbreras stepping down from his
Cenon Villafranca and the Magdalo were on tight guard position. He was replaced by Bonifacio. He reiterates
to prevent members from the Magdiwang from causing that the decisions to be made were to be respected as
trouble. The narrative ends. long as it was within the decision of the majority. The
Republic of the Philippines was then proclaimed and
the election of nine officers took place. Ballots for voting
were distributed and then gathered. The results
revealed Aguinaldo taking the position as President over
Bonifacio. Bonifacio was then suggested to become Vice
President but the men disagreed. The voting went on.
As night came, the members sped up the election by
letting the men who voted for a candidate stand on his
side. Bonifacio missed every position until he voted for
the last position which was the Director of the Interior.
However, Daniel Tirona (Magdalo), stated that a lawyer
should be in this position and that Bonifacio lacked the
credentials. This angered Bonifacio and demanded an
apology from Tirona but was ignored. As this escalated,
Bonifacio drew his gun and tried to shoot Tirona but
was held back. This led the members to start leaving the
Assembly. Bonifacio, who was offended, declared the
results null and void. After the events of the Tejeros
Convention, Andres Bonifacio wrote to Mariano Alvarez
mentioning that he was belittled during the assembly as
the men voted over other men for positions. He also
stated that the results of the Convention were null. He
also wrote to Emilio Jacinto stating that he was against
the idea of establishing a new government and that he
lost the election against Aguinaldo for the President
position as he had influenced more people for their
approval. Bonifacio reiterates that he would only respect
the outcome of the election if it showed the unanimous
decision of the people that was uninfluenced by others.
Since he was the Head, he had the power to choose to
respect the results. The article ends with Don Artemio
Ricarte saying that the election was due to bad
practices.