Artemio Ricarte’s
Account
Presented by Nicole M. Argana & Chrishma E. Sumaylo
The following account was written by one of
the Magdiwang faction's leaders, Gen.
Artemjo Ricarte (alias: Vibora).
When Bonifacio took over as presiding over
the Tejeros Assembly, he acted as the
convention's secretary.
Ricarte was chosen Captain-General of the
transitional government in the Tejero
Assembly.
He initially declined the appointment, but the
electoral body overruled his objections.
“Apuntes Historicos de la Insurreccion por
los Asociados al“ was the title of his account
of the Philippine revolution.
KKK
Kataastaasang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan‟ contra el Gobierno Español en las Islas
Filipinas.”
It was written during his imprisonment
subversion by the American authorities in 1904.
It was translated in English by a British
journalist, William Brecknock Watson, but
remained in manuscript form.
Ricarte‟s memoirs were published in Tagalog in
1927 in Yokohama Japan with the title
Himagsikan ng mga Pilipino Laban sa Kastila.
The account on the next page is his version of
the Tejeros Assembly.
The Account Early in the
morning of the day set for
the assembly (March 22-
JVT), men filled the Tejeros
estate house, Among them
not only the chiefs of the Among the chiefs of the
Magdiwang but also men Magdiwang apart from the
of the Magdalo. Supremo of the Katipunan,
were the following
Among those of Mariano, Pascual, and
Magdalo were Santiago Alvarez; Luciano
Baldomero Aguinaldo, San Miguel, Mariano Trias
Daniel Tirona, Cayetano Closas; Severino de las
Topacio, and Antonio Alas and Santos Nocon.
Montenegro. The
meeting began with the
presidency of Jacinto
Lumbreras, who
explained the meeting's
intent in a few terms.
Severino de las Alas rose He said again that the
to answer those present, reason for which the
saying that before assembly had been named
addressing the protection was vital in those crucial
of a small piece of land in periods.Andres Bonifacio,
Cavite, it would be prudent with permission of the
to remember the type of chairman, spoke in
government in place at the support to Lumbreras and
time, since it would be his stand in regard to the
dependent on that government and went to
government for whatever explain the significance of
defense was required. the letter “K” in the center
of the sun on the flag,
The chairman responded which stands for liberty, as
that the country has been has already been said in
governed by the Supreme the description in the
Council, regional and insurgent flag.
common councils since
the Katipunan was
established.
Severino de las Alas again Bonifacio replaced that the
addresses the meeting and Katipuneros, from the
said that neither the letter president of the Supreme
“K” on the flag nor the flag Council to the most
itself, has anything to do insignificant members,
with the character of the recognized the principles
government then existing: of Union, Fraternity and
that is to say , whether it Equality, on which account
was a monarchy or a it was very clear that the
republic. government of the
Katipunan was rigorously
republican in form.
Antonio Montenegro rose “We insurgents of Cavite
and spoke in support of and especially Magdiwang
the De Las Alas suggestion government recognize and
and in a louder voice than obey the government
usual said that unless established by the
some definite Katipunan; if you wish to
understanding was arrived establish any others kind
at regarding the matter, of government more suited
the insurgents were mere to your fancy, retire to
groups of tulisanes or, your province and conquer
much worse, brutes. territory from the Span,”
Santiago Alvarez said,
rising with glaring eyes
and addressing Antonio
Montenegro.
The session broke up in disorder, but one
hour later, when the passion of the
adherents of Santiago Alvarez and Antonio
Montenegro had been pacified, it convened
against under the presidency of Andres
Bonifacio because of Jacinto Lumbreras said
that in as much as they were discussing a
subject which was provided for in the call for
the meeting but which concerned the
establishment of a general government for
the insurrection, he ought not to preside at
the continuation of the meeting. Then
Andres Bonifacio… was chosen by
acclamation to be president at the meeting.
Thank You for
listening!
