El Presidente - A Timeline

El Presidente — The Story of a Different Revolution

Okay, I'll be starting a TL about the Philippine Revolution. I will post the intro later.
 
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Chapter One: Tragedy at Zapote

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Zapote Bridge, Hastily repaired few days after the battle.
...

15th of February, 1897. Spanish forces under Governor General Camilo de Polavieja are marching from Manila to Cavite with two aims: to reclaim the province they lost the previous year, and crush the growing rebellion for good. General Emilio Aguinaldo, one of Katipunan's ablest commanders, is aware of the imminent danger. So he decides to launch a pre-empted attack in an attempt to stall the colonial forces' advance and, luckily, inflict a significant blow to them.

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Emilio Aguinaldo

With the aid of General Edilberto Evangelista, an accomplished engineer, the Filipino insurgents devised a death trap. They choose Zapote River as the place to defend against the colonial army. For this task, Aguinaldo assembled an army of approximately 40,000 men - only a few armed with rifles - to defend the river's southern bank. Evangelista instructed some of his men to install dynamites underneath Zapote Bridge, to act as the trigger for the planned trap. The trap itself composed of sharpened bamboo sticks installed on Zapote River, ready to kill anyone falling into it.

On the 17th of the same month, a 12,000 strong Spanish contingent crossed the bridge. The fish just caught the bait. Once a significant number of the royal forces are halfway crossing the bridge, the Katipuneros blow it up.

With many Spanish soldiers falling into their deaths, the trap is considered a success. The rebels came out of hiding afterwards, and immediately engage the remaining cazadores in hand-to-hand combat. All is going well according to plan. Until, that fatal moment...

Aguinaldo, while fending off some of the Spanish soldiers, was hit by a stray bullet through his heart, killing him instantly.

At the end of that day, the Filipinos claimed victory, as Polavieja's remaining forces retreated to Muntinlupa to regroup. Cavite is safe... for now.

But such victory is bittersweet, as the battle also cost Katipunan one of their finest generals.
 
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Subscribing to this Kababayan! :D

So, the Tejeros Convention of TTL, if it happens, will make Bonifacio as the President of the Philippines? Wait, before that, who will take Emilio Aguinaldo's role as head of the Magdalo faction? His brother? Will that be enough to make him President and take OTL Kapitan Miong's role?
 
Chapter Two: The Meeting (and Surprise) at Tejeros

When the news of Aguinaldo's death reached Cavite and the Magdalo faction, its leader Baldomero - the late General's cousin - broke down in tears. Furthermore, the people of Cavite El Viejo are deeply demoralized by the loss of their greatest hero. As a result, they declare a week of mourning for the fallen Katipunero. By the end of February Andres Bonifacio, the leader of Katipunan, received the news about Aguinaldo's fate and was also shocked by it. He decided to declare a day of mourning as a sign of respect for his fallen comrade.

In early March, Governor Polavieja renewed their offensive in Cavite. With Aguinaldo dead and many Katipuneros demoralized, the Spaniards regained most of the province within weeks. The fate of the Revolution hangs in the balance.

The remaining Katipunan leaders decide to assemble at Cavite to discuss the dire situation. They choose Tejeros as the meeting place. Bonifacio, knowing the bad blood between the two rival factions, decides to go to Tejeros to personally preside over the meeting. General Emilio Jacinto temporarily took command of all the Katipunan forces in and around Manila, as they prepare for another offensive on the capital city.

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The site of the Tejeros Convention, present day.

The Tejeros Convention is held on the 22nd of March. But it unfortunately turns into a political argument, as the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions debated on the future of the Revolution. The Magdalo calls for an official revolutionary government to be formed. The Magdiwang on the other hand, argued that Katipunan itself is already a government. Bonifacio finally arrives at Tejeros at near noon. Existing records stated that he brought with him a "formal wearing man with a black fedora". As the Katipuneros are notified of the Supremo's presence, General Santiago Alvarez, a member of Magdiwang, immediately requested Bonifacio to solve the problem at hand. After a few minutes of thinking, Bonifacio decides to hold an election to finally fix the leadership struggle within the Katipunan. All the revolutionary commanders approved his motion.

For the position of President, the Magdalo nominated Edilberto Evangelista and Mariano Trias. The Magdiwang decides to nominate Bonifacio, only for him to suddenly address the "fedora-wearing person" behind him. The man in question removed his hat, his identity now open for everyone to see. And their reaction is what one may say as priceless. Bonifacio annouced to nominate him as President - who is none other than Jose Rizal.
 
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Now that is priceless! :D

Looks like there's even an earlier POD. I'm wondering what it is.

Now, what Rizal is going to do with the Americans, if they still arrive? I think Rizal's charm might sway President Mckinley and Teddy to keep the "independence" of the country, with strings attached of course. I see Rizal wanting to keep the country's independence, Ataturk style, meaning some semi-authoritarianism with American embassy's backing. Unfortunate, but that's the way I see it. Maybe you have something again up your sleeve Admiral AWESOME! :D
 
Chapter Three: The Christmas Eve Incident - Part 1

(Note: this is a flashback chapter.)

...

24th of December, 1896. The atmosphere of Manila is a lively one. Christmas is only a few hours away.

It is currently 9:00 in the evening. This day should be a day of joy, but not for one Jose Rizal. He's all alone in his prison at Fort Santiago, away from his family and, apparently, counting his final days in this world. The prominent ilustrado is already sure that his death is coming. In fact, he already had a premonition of it a few years ago[1].

Rizal had started to write his farewell letter to all his relatives, and his beloved motherland. Writing under the light of an oil lamp, he can't help but feel grief and despair. The years of struggle for change are all for naught. He blames himself for all the disasters that happen in the previous months, particularly the Katipunan's rebellion. In his perspective, the whole nation is now approaching the point of no return - the very thing he vehemently didn't want to happen. It was also the same rebellion that put him into his current situation, even though he already denied his connection to it. Fate really is very cruel to him and his beliefs.

Pepe only had one final wish: to spend Christmas with his loved ones for the last time. But that night, Santa Claus is going to give him more than what he expected.

...

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Fort Santiago, circa 1896.

10:00 pm. According to historical records, it was this time of the night when an unusual number of men passed near Fort Santiago, carrying carts of different variety (vegetables, haystacks, horse manures, etc). Well, at least that's what those men wanted the Guardia Civil to think. Records stated the next events as follows: These same men positioned themselves in different sections of Fort Santiago, as if waiting for something to happen. At 10:15 pm, a large explosion was heard on the eastern wall of Fort Santiago, alerting all the nearby assigned guards. As majority of them left their spots to quell the "insurrection", a group of about 60 rifle-armed men lead by a man called "Kapitan Juan"[2], sneaked inside the gates of Fort Santiago with only one mission: rescue Jose Rizal from his prison.

...

[1] IIRC, Rizal claimed that he dreamed about his death while he was in Europe. I'm not sure about the details, though.

[2] A fictional character (is it okay to add one?).
 
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Chapter Four: The Christmas Eve Incident - Part 2

(Note: This chapter is a little shorter than the previous one.)

...

Kapitan Juan's brigade successfully sneaked inside Fort Santiago, only to face some stiff resistance from the remaining Guardia Civil. But nonetheless, displaying some impressive hand-to-hand fighting and sharpshooting skills, they successfully fought their way into the underground prison, suffering only minor casualties.

Rizal, while concentrating on his letter, was abruptly surprised by the sudden arrival of armed men, which immediately approached the gate to his prison. Kapitan Juan asked him about his name (probably for confirmation), to which he verified. One of Kapitan Juan's men finally unlocks the gate and pulled Rizal out, while ignoring some complaints from the ilustrado.

Just like they did earlier, Kapitan Juan and his brigade fought their way out of the fort. But this time, it became more difficult because they suffered higher casualties. As they approach the main gate, Kapitan Juan was hit by three bullets on his chest, immediately falling onto his death. But his remaining comrades successfully escapes and retreated to their so-called "extraction point" on the Pasig River, where a boat is waiting for them.

...

On midnight, Rizal and his "kidnappers" reached the mountains of Morong. He was taken to a hut, where inside it is a man who is expecting him - Andres Bonifacio.

Only a few records showed the full details of the supposed meeting between the two patriots. But all of it agree that it turned into a heated discussion (with some minutes of occasional yelling between Bonifacio and Rizal). After the meeting, Bonifacio instructed some of his men to take Rizal to his hometown of Calamba, probably to let him spend Christmas with his family.

...

News of Rizal's "kidnapping" spread like wildfire throughout Manila. In response, the newly-appointed Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja increased the security on Fort Santiago. He also instructed his forces to capture those responsible for the assault.

In the present day, the date of December 24, 1896 is celebrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly their special forces, as a holiday. They officially trace their lineage to that event, which will later be known in the history books as the "Christmas Eve Incident".

...

A happy new year to everyone!
 
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Now, what Rizal is going to do with the Americans, if they still arrive? I think Rizal's charm might sway President Mckinley and Teddy to keep the "independence" of the country...

TR's got nothing to say about it. When the OTL Treaty of Paris was negotiated and ratified, TR was running for and then serving as Governor of New York. I suppose his statements might influence the content of the Treaty or the Senate vote.
 
Chapter Five: Reunion and Decision

Jose Rizal has been wondering why Andres Bonifacio sent him to Calamba. Last time he remembered, his mother, some of his siblings and Josephine were staying at his sister's (Narcisa) house in Manila. Additionally, he hadn't received any news from Paciano since a few weeks ago.

Arriving at Calamba by 1:30 am, Jose feels nostalgic. He's finally home once again.

As he approach their family's house, he heard some happy noises. Curious, Pepe looked into the front window and, to his surprise, saw his family and his wife joyfully celebrating Christmas, as if they want to forget their problems for at least a single night. Unknown to him, one of his "bodyguards" forgot to inform him that two days ago, his family moved back to Calamba after Governor Polavieja formally returned their ancestral home to them.

Jose then proceeds to knock on the door, startling the occupants inside. They're in for one hell (or heaven) of a surprise. Josephine is the one that opened the door, and almost fainted in shock after seeing her husband standing there. The others followed suit and was overly delighted to see their beloved brother. Jose's mother, Teodora, broke down in tears. For her, it was the best gift God ever give.

Later on, Jose and his family exchanged stories about the happenings in the last few days. Teodora was shocked, to say the least, after hearing about the Katipunan's daring rescue of his son. To take that kind of risk just to let his son live, she suspected that they need something from him.

Paciano arrived at their home by 2:15. He was so surprised and delighted to see his brother that he immediately embraced him and cried on his shoulder. They also exchanged stories afterwards. Jose was shocked when he learned that his elder brother joined the Katipunan, and Calamba is now a Katipunan territory. That explains the lack of Guardia Civil patrolling the streets.

...

It was 3:00. Jose is now on the balcony. He is contemplating about his recent discussion with Paciano. When he was asked of his future plans, Jose confessed that he's still confused. He then remembered the recent meeting with Bonifacio. The revolutionary leader asked him to become the head the revolution but he immediately refuse, owing to his principle of a bloodless struggle. Andres angrily berated Jose for his naivety, and the discussion become a series of arguments. Paciano advised him to take his time to decide, but not after telling him that he personally wanted him to be the man that will lead the whole nation to the right path, and that they're still counting on him.

His wife Josephine then approach him and they began a conversation. He asked for Josephine's view but she told him to do what he does best, and what his heart tells him. With that Pepe finally made his resolve. It may contradict his personal principles, but he'll never let his motherland go down the path of senseless destruction. He decided to meet again with Bonifacio to let him know his decision, one that may change the fate of the Revolution forever.
 
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Chapter Six: A Resolve that Changed History

Jose Rizal and Josephine Bracken was religiously wed by a local priest on the morning of the 30th of December, 1896 after Rizal unofficially "reconciled" with the Church. It was a simple wedding, with only a few guests (including Josephine's adoptive father), and some local Katipunan commanders lead by Paciano Rizal. Teodora Alonzo wholeheartedly accepted her new daughter-in-law in the family. A feast was prepared back at their house.

...

A few hours later, during lunch, a group of men arrived at the Rizal mansion. As Paciano welcomed them, he was surprised to see the man leading the newly arrived visitors: Andres Bonifacio.

As Bonifacio approached Rizal, who somehow knew he is coming, the revolutionary leader immediately reminded him of their recent meeting a few days ago. Rizal formally invited Bonifacio for lunch, to which the latter happily accepts.

...

It was now night time. Rizal, along with his mother Teodora and some of his siblings, began a discussion with Bonifacio. The Katipunan leader reiterated his request to Rizal - to lead the revolutionary government. Teodora personally didn't want her son to risk his life again. Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado, on the other hand, wanted Jose to decide on his own.

Bonifacio then tells Rizal about the recent happenings in Cavite, particularly Emilio Aguinaldo's victories in Imus and Binakayan. But he pressed that the revolution needed a unifying force, a person that will lead the nation to the right path. After hearing the arguments, Rizal asked Bonifacio for certain conditions: 1) His family must be protected. 2) He should be given the right to appoint people to the government as he should see fit. 3) They should pursue a "talk before fight" policy. And 4) The provisional government must establish connection and coordination with other independence movements across the Philippine Islands, and the Moros. The last one, he explained, is needed in order to prevent the possible disintegration and factionalization of the nation. The moment Bonifacio accepted Rizal's terms, the latter finally consented to the former's request, much to the delight of Paciano.

...

The next night, the Rizals, Andres with his wife Gregoria, and the Katipuneros of Laguna celebrated the new year with a new hope, as the revolution has found its guiding light. 1897 is going to decide the fate of the whole Philippines.
 
Chapter 7: The Election

Many Katipunan commanders are shocked by the sudden appearance of Rizal in Cavite. They immediately questioned Bonifacio about him hiding this fact from the rest of the revolutionary movement. The Supremo then explained everything, from the daring assault of Fort Santiago to the recent meetings in Laguna.

Going back to the situation at hand, Bonifacio declared to everyone inside that he is willing to accept the results of the elections, and requested them to do the same. After reaching an agreement, they finally proceed with the election.

...

Jose Rizal and Edilberto Evangelista (absent, currently at Perez Dasmariñas) are nominated for President. Mariano Trias, for unknown reasons, declined his nomination. The results are as follows:

Jose Rizal: 233 votes
Edilberto Evangelista: 23 votes
Total: 256 votes

The next election is for the Vice-President. Andres Bonifacio, Mariano Trias and Edilberto Evangelista are nominated for the said position. The results are as follows:

Andres Bonifacio: 136 votes
Mariano Trias: 61 votes
Edilberto Evangelista: 59 votes
Total: 256 votes

After the election, the newly elected President of the Revolutionary Government is requested to give a speech, to which Rizal reluctantly consented, since it was so sudden. In his speech Rizal reminded the revolutionaries about the consequences of violence. But nonetheless, thanked them for their patriotism.

Before Bonifacio make his speech, a general named Daniel Tirona suddenly spoke up and questioned the Supremo's election. He argued that his position is an important one that it requires a person with a proper education, provoking the ire of Bonifacio. Accounts stated that he almost drew his pistol only for the President himself stopping Bonifacio from doing so. He then proceeds to talk to Tirona, telling him that "one doesn't need a formal education to serve his country", even berating the general and stated that "belittling someone's status is not a trait of an educated person", much to the embarassment of Tirona. After the incident subsides, Bonifacio finally made his speech, reminding his compatriots that the Revolution is not yet over.
 
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