Taking control of Boac was the first step to it all.
That was the reason for the grand speech I made at the plaza—to energize the common populace for the war effort and put pressure on the principalia. It was a leap of faith, a move that should work on paper, but things did not always turn out according to plan.
But in my case, it would seem that it did.
I had sent an order to all the cabezas de barangay, giving the barrio chiefs quotas for both men and supplies. They were technically part of the principalia, but unlike the elites in town, the cabezas were somewhat closer to the common people due to the nature of their work. And if my speech had done its job, they would be the most exposed to the patriotic fervor of the people and would find it difficult to contradict my demands.
I had not expected an immediate response, as the requests were not something to be arranged overnight, but I grew anxious when nothing arrived in the following days.
