The Role of Weather at the Start of the Philippine Revolution -1896

Heavy Rainfall

In the first week of July 1896, a storm lingered to the north of the Philippines. It originated in the Marianas and moved toward the Philippine Sea, drifting northward in the general direction of the Ilocos Region. This provided compelling evidence for the Katipunan narratives that, in the weeks or even months leading up to the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the rains were uncommonly heavy. A tropical depression was recorded as early as May, and it was said that a Katipunan meeting in Pasig took place during a downpour that same month.

According to an article in a Spanish newspaper, the Lieutenant of the Guardia Civil in Pasig had noticed unusual gatherings of men late at night in the towns of Mandaluyong , San Juan and Pasig. However, on July 5, 1896, the date in question, intense rainfall across Luzon, driven by the southwest monsoon (Habagat), hindered the lieutenant's ability to conduct follow-up investigations or intelligence work due to the severe weather.

Another newspaper account mentioned that news of these gatherings came directly from an official communiqué from Malacañang, stating that the report about the meeting in the mentioned  towns was forwarded to the palace and mentioned the name of Lieutenant Manuel Sityar. This suggests that even before the Katipunan was exposed through the denunciation and confession of Teodoro Patiño, there were already signs of an impending conspiracy or plan to revolt—first detected in Pasig on July 5, 1896.

The monsoon season of 1896 in Luzon can best be described as "drenched." Many areas were flooded, and waterways were swollen, making travel arduous and difficult—an even greater challenge when planning to launch a revolution. It is important to remember that in the 19th century, well-maintained roads and highways were rare. The most common modes of travel were through rivers and canals.

July 2-5 1896 --The storm the lingered in northern Luzon which induced rain brought about by the monsoon winds

 Father Juan Doyle SJ -- Tifones del Archipiélago Filipino y Mares Circunvecinos 1895 y 1896 (Typhoons in the Philippine Archipelago and Surrounding Waters)-- With detailed accounts of the prevailing weather conditions in the month leading up to the launch of the revolution.

Weather situation in Tuguegarao

The Storms of August 1-8, 1896

On July 29, 1896, a powerful storm entered Luzon through Samar Island. The storm moved swiftly towards the island's northern regions, causing significant damage as it struck Southern Luzon. It battered Manila and the surrounding areas, including what is now the Province of Rizal, with heavy flooding and widespread property damage. The storm exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on August 2.

Barely a week later, another storm entered the Philippines on August 6, 1896. This storm traversed Central Luzon, affecting Tayabas Province and continuing its path northward, eventually exiting near Pangasinan on August 8. During this period, Manila and its neighboring provinces experienced persistent rainfall due to the influence of the Southwest Monsoon.

The storm of August 1-2 1896. Was characterized by its velocity entering and traversing the islands within 24 hours. But it was packed with strong winds and rain.

 

The storm of August 6-8 1896

Calm Before the Storm?

There was a lull before the storm, quite literally. After weeks of relentless typhoons and monsoon rains, the country was granted a brief respite, with only scattered showers lingering across the Philippines. It was, after all, still the monsoon season. A week later, on August 18, 1896, a storm neared the Philippine area of responsibility. Although it remained distanced from the archipelago, lurking ominously along the Pacific coast, it intensified the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains.

On August 19, 1896, while heavy rains threatened Manila, the Katipunan was exposed. The discovery led to the immediate arrest of Katipunan members, prompting the Supremo, Andrés Bonifacio, to call for a general assembly on August 21 in Caloocan. That day, hundreds of Katipunan members first gathered in Balintawak. It was a time fraught with fear, as the risk of detection was high, with Manila and its surrounding areas on high alert by the colonial authorities. The next day, they decided to move to Sitio Kangkong, Caloocan. General Santiago Álvarez, in his memoirs, recalled:

"We began our trek to Kangkong at around eleven that night. We trudged through the rain, crossing dark expanses of muddy meadows and fields. Our clothes were soaked, and our bodies were numbed by the cold wind as we pressed on in silence."

According to one account, the next morning, on August 23, 1896, the Katipuneros—whose numbers had swelled to nearly a thousand—left Kangkong and assembled in Pugad Lawin, where they tore up their cedulas and initiated the first cry for independence under an overcast, threatening sky. It was then decided that the revolution would be launched on the 29th of August.

The storm August 18-22 1896. It did not hit any island in the Philippines but its position intensified the Southwest monsoon dumping Luzon with rains. Rains brought by the southwest monsoon (Habagat) continued until August 28, 1896.

August 29, 1896

On August 29, 1896, a curious twist of fate delivered unexpectedly favorable weather on a day that had been anticipated with tension. Lieutenant Manuel B. Sityar, commander of the Guardia Civil in Pasig, had been preparing for an insurrection in the town for days. On that morning, Sityar awoke later than usual, around eight o'clock, to find the sun shining brightly across a clear blue sky. In his memoir, Memorias Íntimas, he described the scene:

"That day, I woke up later than usual, nearly at eight in the morning. The majestic sun had already cast its intense rays across the clear blue horizon, with not a trace of clouds in sight, bringing a gentle warmth typical of the spring season. It seemed as if nature itself wished to adorn the surroundings in luxurious attire, eager to banish the dreary and overcast days that had lingered due to the relentless rain."

Despite having had some forewarnings about suspicious gatherings in the area in previous months, Sityar was unaware of the unfolding events. By dusk, it became clear: the Pasig Katipuneros had begun their assault on the Spanish detachment, marking the onset of the revolt in Pasig.

In neighboring towns such as Mandaluyong, Pateros and Taguig, Katipunan chapters had already initiated their uprisings. Meanwhile, the Supremo, Andrés Bonifacio, was near Santolan and San Juan, orchestrating his troops.

As the evening wore on, most of the Pasig Katipuneros advanced towards Santolan, crossing the swollen San Mateo (Marikina) River to join Bonifacio’s forces near San Juan. Before their departure, they had seized 17 firearms from the Pasig cuartel.

Bonifacio’s attack on San Juan del Monte targeted key objectives: El Deposito, the city’s water reservoir, and the powder magazine. Additionally, the Katipuneros planned to use balloons (sky lanterns) or fire cannons to signal nearby towns in Cavite for a synchronized assault on Manila. However, by 4:00 a.m. on August 30, the anticipated signal had not been transmitted—a crucial delay of four hours that proved devastating. The Katipuneros in Cavite, anticipating a signal to ignite the attack, were left disappointed as no message from Manila reached them.

As a result, Bonifacio’s planned assault on Manila was abandoned. Faced with overwhelming Spanish reinforcements, Bonifacio and his men were forced to retreat to the hills of Balara. Some accounts suggest that the Katipuneros in Cavite waited in vain for the signal before returning home, but the challenges of signaling under adverse weather conditions complicate this narrative. With the overcast sky, the effectiveness and visibility of sky lanterns would have been significantly impaired, further hindering the Katipuneros’ efforts to coordinate their rebellion.

Manila in Panic

In the days and months that followed, Manila was gripped by panic. Spanish residents within the walled city feared that the Katipuneros might bomb and burn Manila. However, newspaper reports from that time indicated that the heavy rains experienced across the country helped to ease these fears. The persistent downpours mitigated concerns about the city being set on fire, providing a false sense of security to the Spanish residents. The rains, by dampening potential incendiary threats, inadvertently contributed to a reassuring, albeit misleading, sense of safety among the populace.

Here is a wire report from a Spanish newspaper , Oct 6 1896 --It mentions the Spanish fear that the Katipuneros would bomb and burn Manila. However, in the final paragraph, it also notes that the heavy rains experienced in the country at that time helped alleviate the public's fear of the city being set on fire.

Conclusion

Did the inclement weather influence the direction or outcome of the early days of the revolution?-- All indications suggest that it had a profound impact on the overall character of the revolution. The monsoon weather not only shaped the conditions of the struggle but also highlighted the resilience and determination of the populace. Despite the harsh weather, people—men, women, and even the youth—fought valiantly, demonstrating remarkable endurance under severe conditions with limited firearms, resources, and adverse weather.

The purpose of this article is to not only shed light on the challenging circumstances of the time but also to emphasize the fervent spirit of a people striving for change.