Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (Nov. 30, 1863 to May 10, 1897) was a revolutionary leader who was declared president of the Tagalog Republic. He led the first liberation movement in 1896 in Asia against European colonialism and Western occupation.
“Beyond remembrance, the youth should live up to Andres Bonifacio’s legacy of patriotism and service to the Filipinos masses. The revolution of 1896 was not only a revolution against the Spaniards. It was a revolution against inequality, widespread poverty, and human rights violations; there is no better option but to continue Bonifacio’s struggle. At a time when nationalism is reduced to wearing shirts with stars and suns, at a time when patriotism has been reduced to reciting the pledge of allegiance, Filipinos should remember that nationalism involves active involvement in our country’s issues, and that collective action against elements that trample our sovereignty is key to being patriotic,” as pronounced by Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino at the 149th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio.
Bonifacio is often called “The Great Plebeian” and “The Father of the Philippine Revolution”. He was born in Tondo, Manila, the son of Santiago Bonifacio, a native of Taguig, and Catalina de Castro, a native of Iba, Zambales. As was custom during that time, upon baptism he was named after the saint on whose feast day he was born, Andrew the Apostle. He was the eldest of six children: Ciriaco, Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona, and Maxima.
On the night of July 7, 1892, the day after Rizal’s deportation was announced, Bonifacio officially “founded” the Katipunan, or in full, the Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Respected Society of the Country’s Children). Bayan can also denote community, people, and nation. The secret society sought independence from Spain through armed revolt. It was influenced by the Freemasonry through its rituals and organization, as several members, including Bonifacio, were Freemasons. Within the society, Bonifacio used the pseudonym May Pag-asa (There is Hope). Newly-found documents though suggest that Katipunan had been existing as early as January 1892.
For a time, Bonifacio worked with both the Katipunan and La Liga Filipina. La Liga eventually split because some members like Bonifacio lost hope for peaceful reform, and stopped their monetary aid.
In April 1897, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo ordered the arrest of Bonifacio after receiving a report alleging that Bonifacio had burned a village and ordered the burning of the church of Indang. On April 25, a party of Aguinaldo’s men caught up with Bonifacio at his camp in barrio Limbon, Indang. Early the next day, Aguinaldo’s men attacked Bonifacio who refused to fight against “fellow Tagalogs”, ordering his men to hold their fire. But shots were exchanged anyway, Bonifacio was shot in the arm and stabbed in the neck; his brother Ciriaco was shot dead, his other brother Procopio was beaten, and later, were brought to Naic, where he and Procopio stood trial, were found guilty, and executed on charges of sedition and treason.
We need to remember Andres Bonifacio’s legacy of genuine active involvement in the affairs of the community and the country.
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com