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11. The First Shot of the Philippine-American War Did Not Happen On A Bridge.
San Juan Bridge
San Juan Bridge. Source: Arnaldo Dumindin via philippineamericanwar.webs.com
What You’re Picturing: The first shot of the Philippine-American War was fired on the San Juan Bridge.
The Reality: As taught to us so many times during our history class, the first shot which started the Philippine-American War was supposed to have taken place on San Juan Bridge. However, it actually happened on Sociego Street in Sta. Mesa. In fact, the marker has since been moved by the National Historical Institute to a corner of Sociego and Silencio streets.
first shot of Philippine-American War
LEFT: Pvt. William W. Grayson in 1899. RIGHT: Grayson in firing position on the spot where he fired the first shot of the Fil-Am War. Source: Arnaldo Dumindin via philippineamericanwar.webs.com
Related Article: 8 Dark Chapters of Filipino-American History We Rarely Talk About
Also, it is interesting to note that the entire war was started by an Englishman. Yes, Private William Grayson—the man who fired the first shot—was a full-blooded Anglo who later immigrated to Nebraska with his parents when he was still a child.
10. Those Who Attended The Tejeros Convention Were Magdiwang, Not Magdalo.
Tejeros Convention
Source: Tejeros Convention Center, Rosario, Cavite.
What You’re Picturing: The Tejeros Convention of 1897 was dominated by members of the Magdalo faction led by Emilio Aguinaldo, leading to the latter being elected as the President.
The Reality: While it was true that Andres Bonifacio had the odds stacked against him at the Tejeros Convention, we’d just like to point out that majority of those present belonged to the Magdiwang faction of which Bonifacio himself was associated with.
Mariano Trias winning as Vice President during the Tejeros Convention
Mariano Trias of Magdiwang winning as Vice President during the Tejeros Convention, with Andres Bonifacio sitting on his left. Photo Credit: Prof. Xiao Chua. Painting displayed at Tejeros Hall, Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers’ Club.
In fact, other than Aguinaldo, the rest who won positions in the new government (Mariano Trias, Artemio Ricarte, Emiliano Riege de Dios) were all Magdiwang. Also of note was that Magdiwang controlled a more-powerful army and larger territory than Magdalo.
So, what gives? Why was Bonifacio still defeated? Did both factions band together for the common good, or did they fall prey to regionalism? Can we trust the accounts of those who attended the said convention? Inevitably, however, the infamous Tejeros Convention will have to remain as one of the raging controversies of Philippine history.
9. Jose Rizal Was A Naughty Boy In The Famous “Moth And Lamp” Story.
Rizal being told the story of the moth and the flame
“The Moth and the Flame,” Charcoal on paper by Ben Cabrera. Found on angelas-collections.blogspot.com
What You’re Picturing: Little Jose Rizal was an obedient child who listened attentively as her mother told him the “moth and lamp” story.
The Reality: Perhaps no other story sums up Rizal’s childhood so succinctly as his famous story about the lamp and the moth. And despite what you may think, little Rizal was actually being naughty.
Rizal being told the story of the moth and flame
Rizal being told the story of the moth and the lamp. Painting by Joseph P. Curada. Found on paperburps.wordpress.com
Instead of reading a Spanish children’s book diligently given to him by his mother Teodora, he was instead doodling caricatures on its pages. Even after being scolded, he did not pay much attention to the book, instead focusing his gaze on some moths that were flying around a coconut oil lamp.
READ: 25 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Jose Rizal
To get his attention, Lolay (Rizal’s mom’s nickname) decided to finally tell a story about moths in Tagalog. Sure enough, little Jose attentively listened but never loosened his gaze on the flying moths. And contrary to popular belief, one of the moths met its doom by falling and drowning into the coconut oil after its wings got burned, but not by the fire itself.
Still, Rizal would never forget the moths, which he in his grown-up years described as “no longer insignificant to him” after that fateful episode.
8. The Cry of Balintawak (or Cry of Pugadlawin, Etc.) Was A Series Of Meetings.
Cry of Balintawak
“FIRST Cry of Balintawak,” by Jorge Pineda. Source: Inquirer.net
What You’re Picturing: The Cry of Balintawak (or whatever other historians call it) is synonymous to the tearing of cedulas (community tax certificates) by members of the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio.
The Reality: To simplify this monumental event as one where Bonifacio and his followers cried for a revolution outside someone’s yard and tore apart their cedulas would do it injustice. In fact, Bonifacio and other top-ranking members of the Katipunan would repeatedly meet and discuss behind closed doors during those fateful days when the Spanish authorities discovered their existence.
Katipunan meeting
A highly stylized rendition of Katipuneros meeting by
“gasera” led by Andres Bonifacio. Art by Ray Vidal. Found on manilastandardtoday.com
Also, not all leaders of the Katipunan were in favor of the uprising (three of them being Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas and Pio Valenzuela). It was only after Bonifacio managed to implead the majority that the revolution finally got underway; the tearing of the cedulas was a mere afterthought (which could be the reason why there are so many differing accounts of the “Cry”).
Also Read: 10 Little-Known Facts About The Katipunan
Again, to sum it up, there was a series of hotly-debated meetings, a plea for patriotism, and finally an overwhelming decision to finally rise up against the Spanish. Real history is sometimes much more badass than the legend itself.
7. Blood Compacts Were Made By Drawing Blood On The Chest, Not Arms.
Blood compact between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna
Photo from www.bohol.gov.ph
What You’re Picturing: In 1565, Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi entered into a blood compact (sandugo) with Bohol’s Datu Sikatuna. The ritual was done by drawing blood from their arms, mixing it with wine, and drinking the said mixture from a cup.
The Reality: Contrary to popular belief, those famous blood compacts which signified a peace treaty between the Spaniards and the natives were not done by drawing blood on the arms, but on the chest.
El Pacto de Sangre by Juan Luna
El Pacto de Sangre by Juan Luna
The incision was usually made below the breast which was to signify how far the participants would be willing to defend each other’s lives. It also manifested the great trust both parties placed on each other (imagine having a blade so near the heart).
Did you know? The blood compact between Miguel L
San Juan Bridge
San Juan Bridge. Source: Arnaldo Dumindin via philippineamericanwar.webs.com
What You’re Picturing: The first shot of the Philippine-American War was fired on the San Juan Bridge.
The Reality: As taught to us so many times during our history class, the first shot which started the Philippine-American War was supposed to have taken place on San Juan Bridge. However, it actually happened on Sociego Street in Sta. Mesa. In fact, the marker has since been moved by the National Historical Institute to a corner of Sociego and Silencio streets.
first shot of Philippine-American War
LEFT: Pvt. William W. Grayson in 1899. RIGHT: Grayson in firing position on the spot where he fired the first shot of the Fil-Am War. Source: Arnaldo Dumindin via philippineamericanwar.webs.com
Related Article: 8 Dark Chapters of Filipino-American History We Rarely Talk About
Also, it is interesting to note that the entire war was started by an Englishman. Yes, Private William Grayson—the man who fired the first shot—was a full-blooded Anglo who later immigrated to Nebraska with his parents when he was still a child.
10. Those Who Attended The Tejeros Convention Were Magdiwang, Not Magdalo.
Tejeros Convention
Source: Tejeros Convention Center, Rosario, Cavite.
What You’re Picturing: The Tejeros Convention of 1897 was dominated by members of the Magdalo faction led by Emilio Aguinaldo, leading to the latter being elected as the President.
The Reality: While it was true that Andres Bonifacio had the odds stacked against him at the Tejeros Convention, we’d just like to point out that majority of those present belonged to the Magdiwang faction of which Bonifacio himself was associated with.
Mariano Trias winning as Vice President during the Tejeros Convention
Mariano Trias of Magdiwang winning as Vice President during the Tejeros Convention, with Andres Bonifacio sitting on his left. Photo Credit: Prof. Xiao Chua. Painting displayed at Tejeros Hall, Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers’ Club.
In fact, other than Aguinaldo, the rest who won positions in the new government (Mariano Trias, Artemio Ricarte, Emiliano Riege de Dios) were all Magdiwang. Also of note was that Magdiwang controlled a more-powerful army and larger territory than Magdalo.
So, what gives? Why was Bonifacio still defeated? Did both factions band together for the common good, or did they fall prey to regionalism? Can we trust the accounts of those who attended the said convention? Inevitably, however, the infamous Tejeros Convention will have to remain as one of the raging controversies of Philippine history.
9. Jose Rizal Was A Naughty Boy In The Famous “Moth And Lamp” Story.
Rizal being told the story of the moth and the flame
“The Moth and the Flame,” Charcoal on paper by Ben Cabrera. Found on angelas-collections.blogspot.com
What You’re Picturing: Little Jose Rizal was an obedient child who listened attentively as her mother told him the “moth and lamp” story.
The Reality: Perhaps no other story sums up Rizal’s childhood so succinctly as his famous story about the lamp and the moth. And despite what you may think, little Rizal was actually being naughty.
Rizal being told the story of the moth and flame
Rizal being told the story of the moth and the lamp. Painting by Joseph P. Curada. Found on paperburps.wordpress.com
Instead of reading a Spanish children’s book diligently given to him by his mother Teodora, he was instead doodling caricatures on its pages. Even after being scolded, he did not pay much attention to the book, instead focusing his gaze on some moths that were flying around a coconut oil lamp.
READ: 25 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Jose Rizal
To get his attention, Lolay (Rizal’s mom’s nickname) decided to finally tell a story about moths in Tagalog. Sure enough, little Jose attentively listened but never loosened his gaze on the flying moths. And contrary to popular belief, one of the moths met its doom by falling and drowning into the coconut oil after its wings got burned, but not by the fire itself.
Still, Rizal would never forget the moths, which he in his grown-up years described as “no longer insignificant to him” after that fateful episode.
8. The Cry of Balintawak (or Cry of Pugadlawin, Etc.) Was A Series Of Meetings.
Cry of Balintawak
“FIRST Cry of Balintawak,” by Jorge Pineda. Source: Inquirer.net
What You’re Picturing: The Cry of Balintawak (or whatever other historians call it) is synonymous to the tearing of cedulas (community tax certificates) by members of the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio.
The Reality: To simplify this monumental event as one where Bonifacio and his followers cried for a revolution outside someone’s yard and tore apart their cedulas would do it injustice. In fact, Bonifacio and other top-ranking members of the Katipunan would repeatedly meet and discuss behind closed doors during those fateful days when the Spanish authorities discovered their existence.
Katipunan meeting
A highly stylized rendition of Katipuneros meeting by
“gasera” led by Andres Bonifacio. Art by Ray Vidal. Found on manilastandardtoday.com
Also, not all leaders of the Katipunan were in favor of the uprising (three of them being Teodoro Plata, Briccio Pantas and Pio Valenzuela). It was only after Bonifacio managed to implead the majority that the revolution finally got underway; the tearing of the cedulas was a mere afterthought (which could be the reason why there are so many differing accounts of the “Cry”).
Also Read: 10 Little-Known Facts About The Katipunan
Again, to sum it up, there was a series of hotly-debated meetings, a plea for patriotism, and finally an overwhelming decision to finally rise up against the Spanish. Real history is sometimes much more badass than the legend itself.
7. Blood Compacts Were Made By Drawing Blood On The Chest, Not Arms.
Blood compact between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna
Photo from www.bohol.gov.ph
What You’re Picturing: In 1565, Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi entered into a blood compact (sandugo) with Bohol’s Datu Sikatuna. The ritual was done by drawing blood from their arms, mixing it with wine, and drinking the said mixture from a cup.
The Reality: Contrary to popular belief, those famous blood compacts which signified a peace treaty between the Spaniards and the natives were not done by drawing blood on the arms, but on the chest.
El Pacto de Sangre by Juan Luna
El Pacto de Sangre by Juan Luna
The incision was usually made below the breast which was to signify how far the participants would be willing to defend each other’s lives. It also manifested the great trust both parties placed on each other (imagine having a blade so near the heart).
Did you know? The blood compact between Miguel L
