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BONIFACIO: What’s in his name?

As we celebrate the 151st birthday of our national hero, Andres Bonifacio, let’s find out more about this most famous Katipunero.

Andres Bonifacio Day

B – orn on November 30, 1863, Andres Bonifacio was the eldest son of Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina Castro. At a young age, he assumed the responsibility of raising his siblings, Ciriaco, Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona and Maxima. To support their needs, he sold crafts like bamboo canes, paper fans and posters on the streets. He also worked as a messenger and warehouse keeper for two foreign firms, Fleming & Co. and Fressel & Co. He was known as a hardworking man who still managed to look neat, and for always carrying an umbrella regardless of the weather condition.

O – riang, also known as Gregoria de Jesus, became a big part of Bonifacio’s life. She was his second wife after his first wife, Monica, died of leprosy. Love sprung between the two, which led to their marriage carried out with both Catholic and Katipunan rites. Oriang, a fearless woman, also joined the Katipunan and chose “Lakambini” as her symbolic name.

N – ationalism ran in Bonifacio’s blood as seen in his notable writings. Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa and Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog were some of his works published in the Katipunan’s organ, Kalayaan. Using his pseudonym Agapito Bagumbayan, he used the initials “A.I.B” in some of his works. Below are some lines from Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa:

Aling pagibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pagibig sa tinubuang lupa?
Alin pagibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.
Ulit ulitin mang basahin ng isip
At isa-isahing talastasing pilit
Ang salita’t buhay na limbag at titik
Ng isang katauhan ito’y namamasid

Banal na pagibig pag ikaw ang nukal
Sa tapat na puso ng sino’t alinman
Imbit taong gubat, maralita’t mangmang
Nagiging dakila at iginagalang.

I – njustice urged Bonifacio to fight for Philippine freedom. At an early age, he experienced hardships. While supporting his siblings, he widened his knowledge by reading books that influenced his thoughts and views about freedom. He also admired Jose Rizal’s courage in exposing the Spaniards’ abusive governance through his novels. Bonifacio even attended the founding of the La Liga Filipina headed by Rizal. Some of its objectives were to unite the country, protect every Filipino’s needs, and defend Filipinos against all violence.

F – ather of Philippine Revolution, that’s how Bonifacio was recognized in our history. He became the Supremo of the Katipunan, which was founded in Tondo, Manila on July 7, 1892. The Katipunan was a secret revolutionary organization that aimed to attain liberty. Bonifacio led the attacks against the Spanish forces to fight against the injustice and achieve the separation of the Philippines from foreign control.

A – cta de Tejeros is a document signed by Andres Bonifacio to express his disgust for the Tejeros Convention, wherein Bonifacio’s credibility as the Director of Interior was challenged when Daniel Tirona protested against him. Tirona, in his belief that Bonifacio lacked credentials and was unfit to lead the revolutionary government, proposed that a lawyer named Jose del Rosario to take the position.

C – aloocan City became the place for Bonifacio’s tribute, his monument. A committee held a contest for the design and construction of the monument. After a thorough deliberation, an entry of Guillermo Tolentino bagged the first prize. Made with granite and bronze, the Bonifacio monument was completed and inaugurated on November 30, 1933. Before this landmark was called Monumento, it was known as Kalaanan.

I – ndependence that we enjoy today is one of the things that we’ve inherited from our heroes like Andres Bonifacio. He deserves to be remembered for his valor in putting a stop to Spanish sovereignty and for his undying love for his country.

O – n May 10, 1897, Andres and his brother Procopio were killed at Mount Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite. Along with the Bonifacio Shrine, the Bonifacio Trial House can also be found in Maragondon. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has recently opened the Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio last November 28, 2014. Aside from the historical displays, the museum also has an e-learning facility for students to learn more about our heroes.

Sources:
National Heritage Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
www.gov.ph
www.malacanang.gov.ph
http://www.kasaysayan-kkk.info/