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At 10:00 a.m. on Aug 25, 1896, the first shots of the Revolution were fired when Bonifacio, alerted by some women that the civil guards and some infantrymen were coming, deployed his men around a broken bridge spanning a brook in sitio Banlat, Pasong Tamo. The Katipuneros were armed with bolos, anting-antings (amulets, photo) and a few guns. Soon after, a burst of fire came from the approaching Spaniards, numbering 30 and commanded by Lieutenant Manuel Ros.

The first katipunan casualty was Simplicio Acabo, cabeza de barangay of Dulong Kalzada. He was rushing at a Spanish soldier with his sharp bolo and was shot down. Unable to overcome the enemy, Bonifacio ordered a retreat. A second Katipunero died and the Spanish detachment lost one man. The Spaniards, finding themselves greatly outnumbered, also decided to retreat. On August 26, Spanish reinforcements were dispatched to Pasong Tamo to drive away the rebels. But the latter, who were going to or were already in Balara, could not be found. In frustration, the Spaniards shot two innocent farmers who were leisurely going on their way home. However, the first major battle of the Philippine revolution took place in San Juan Del Monte (now San Juan) on Aug 30, 1896. On the evening of August 29, 1896, the Katipuneros marched toward El Polvorin (powder depot), a Spanish position in San Juan del Monte. The polvorin, situated at the corner of present-day Pinaglabanan and N. Domingo Streets, was defended by a Spanish garrison of 100 men (infantry and artillerymen). The first group, led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, came from Mandaluyong, Morong (now Rizal). The second group, led by Sancho Valenzuela, a rope maker, came from Santa Mesa. The 800 or so Katipuneros reached San Juan del Monte by midnight. The attack was launched at 4:00 a.m., Sunday morning., August 30. They were armed with bolos, bamboo spears and a few guns. The Spanish troops, with their commander and an artilleryman killed, were forced to retreat to the nearby El Deposito. El Deposito, the old reservoir of the Manila water supply The Spaniards sent a frantic call for reinforcements. The Spanish 73rd Regiment (composed of Filipino soldiers under Spanish officers), commanded by General Bernard Echaluse, soon arrived to assist the besieged defenders. The Katipuneros regrouped in nearby Santa Mesa, where they courageously engaged the arriving Spanish troops. Unfortunately, while they had the numbers, the Spaniards had both the training and the equipment. The Filipino lines were soon enveloped by the mobile Spanish cavalry, and finding themselves surrounded, the patriots started to retreat. The Filipino forces first tried to cross the river but, when they got to the banks, they found their passage blocked by Spanish gunboats which fired volleys on them. Retreating higher up the river, they came into grips with the Spanish cavalry, and hand-to-hand combat ensued. About a hundred tried to cross the river in bancas, but upon reaching the opposite bank were ambushed by Civil Guards. The battle was one-sided: 153 Katipuneros and 2 Spanish soldiers died. Around 200 Katipuneros were captured, 57 of whom were shot the following day at the Luneta, and 4 more on Sept. 4, 1896. Bonifacio, a skillful organizer but inept military strategist, is handed the first of 29 military defeats still to come. Almost simultaneously, the people of Santa Mesa, Pandacan, Pateros, Taguig, San Pedro de Macati, Caloocan, Balik-balik, and San Juan del Monte in Manila, and San Francisco de Malabon, Kawit and Noveleta in Cavite rose up in arms.

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