The Andrés Bonifacio Monument, commonly known simply as Bonifacio Monument or Monumento, is a memorial

monument in Caloocan, Philippines which was designed by the National Artist Guillermo Tolentino to commemorate
Philippine revolutionary Andrés Bonifacio, the founder and Supremo of the Katipunan.

IN THE 1950s to the early part of the 1960s, many northerners traveling to Manila, on a business trip or educational
stopover, became all too familiar with the welcoming monument of Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City, part of the
province of Rizal until 1975.

The area had in fact been known to many as Monumento, a euphemism for the 45-foot pylon and figures cast in bronze
at the intersections of Samson Road, MacArthur Highway, Rizal Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa),
heretofore known as Highway 54.

The stone monument is slowly being given a facelift, in the run up to Bonifacio’s 153rd birthday anniversary on Nov. 30.

PARAMOUNT LEADER. Historical critics say the three steps leading to the monument of Katipunan’s supreme leader
Andres Bonifacio represent the three centuries of Spanish rule (333 years). The monument is getting a facelift in
preparation for his 153rd birth anniversary on Nov. 30.

Manny Palmero

Road travelers then from the Ilocos, Baguio, Cagayan Valley, the Central Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan—the last now a part of the Ilocos Region—always hit the MacArthur Highway
which snakes through the country’s far northwest and were always welcomed by the Monumento.

In 21st century Metro Manila, the place has become also the start of the line for the Light Railway Transit (LRT) that
begins at the Monumento Station on the north end of Edsa and leads all the way up to the Baclaran Station in Pasay City
on the southside.

With the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) now a major highway for travelers from the north since the 1960s, not as many
as decades back have been given the opportunity to wake up from their speeding buses to see the silhouette of the
monument of Bonifacio, the Filipino nationalist and revolutionary.

Bonifacio (Nov. 30, 1863-May 10, 1897) is often called “the great plebeian,” “father of the Philippine Revolution,” and
“father of the Katipunan.”

He was a founder and later “supreme leader” of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the
Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution.

Some historians consider him a de facto national hero of the Philippines, colonized by Spain for nearly 400 years while
others describe him as the first President, although he is not officially recognized as such.

The expressway begins in Quezon City, formerly the country’s capital, at a cloverleaf interchange with EDSA: a
continuation of the Andres Bonifacio Avenue.

It then passes through Quezon City, Caloocan, and Valenzuela in Metro Manila. Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas,
Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel, and Pulilan in Bulacan, San Simon, San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles in Pampanga.

The expressway currently ends at Mabalacat and merges with the MacArthur Highway, which continues northward into
the rest of rice-rich Central and Northern Luzon facing Luzon Bay.

Some critics find it ironic the monument of Bonifacio in Caloocan is better known than the one in Tondo, his birthplace—
in front of Tutuban Center mall on C.M. Recto Avenue or the old Azcarraga in the waterfront district of Manila.

Bonifacio is depicted in the usual—but false—bolo and trousers outfit, with historical critics suggesting Bonifacio was
not stupid enough to wear red trousers and be an easy target of his Spanish enemies.

Students of history have learned for decades the Caloocan City “Monumento”—now a major landmark of the city—was
designed and completed in 1933 by the country’s National Artist for the Visual Arts (Sculpture) in 1973, Guillermo
Estrella Tolentino.

Historical critics say the three steps leading to the monument represents the three centuries of Spanish rule (333 years).
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The octagonal base with the eight rays of the sun from the Philippine flag symbolizes the eight key provinces (as written
on the surrounding pavement) where Martial Law was first declared by the Spanish governor-general.

It was also the place when the Katipunan held major uprisings there against the Spanish authorities—the very location
of the monument actually depicting the place of the first such encounter by Bonifacio and the Katipunan with the
Spanish colonial army on Aug. 30, 1896.

Some historians theorize the Bonifacio Monument must have been placed in Caloocan—the third most populous city in
the country with a population of nearly 1.5 million, according to the 2010 census—because the area was the center of
activities for the Katipunan, the secret militant society that launched the Philippine Revolution during the Spanish
occupation of the Philippines.

They say it was in a house in Caloocan where secret meetings were held by Bonifacio and his men, and it was within the
city’s perimeters where the very first armed encounter took place between the Katipunan and the Spaniards.

Today, Caloocan, one of the cities and municipalities that comprise the Metro Manila region (National Capital Region) in
the Philippines, has become a major residential area inside Metro Manila.

The word Caloocan comes from the Tagalog root word “lo-ok;” “kalook-lookan” (or kaloob-looban) means “innermost
area.”

The city borders many other cities such as Quezon City, Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and San Jose del Monte
Bulacan in the north.

On the wall of Pamitinan Cave in Rodriguez, Rizal, where a reburial of his bones was done years back, was the line
Bonifacio wrote in May 1896: “Sumapit dito ang mga anak ng bayan. Humahanap ng kalayaan.” [The sons of the Country
came here, searching for freedom.”]

Historians say that when the Katipuneros launched the revolution on Aug. 24, 1896, Bonifacio said to his fellow
Katipuneros: “Kalayaan o kamatayan? Mga kapatid! Ang Kalayaan ay kinukuha sa dulo ng patalim! [Freedom or Death?
Brothers, freedom is secured by force!”]

But enemies of the revolution denied Bonifacio the opportunity to fulfill his vision for the country. They killed him in
early 1897.

A few years after his death, his kin and friends began to honor Bonifacio and observed his death anniversary on April 23,
1901, at his birthplace in Meisic, Tondo, Manila.

On this occasion, the poet laureate Cecilio Apostol delivered his poem “Un Heroe del Pueblo,” extolling Bonifacio as one
of the true heroes of the Filipino people. This annual celebration of Bonifacio’s death anniversary was capped by the
launching of a fund-raising campaign to erect a monument in his honor.

Today, Bonifacio’s monument in Caloocan, now known as “Monumento” has become a historical treasure, after its
inauguration in 1929 attended by Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon as guest of honor.

Today, many remember what Bonifacio declared: “Mapalad ang bayang linitawan ng mga bayani, sapagka’t ang bayang
iya’y walang kamatayan (Fortunate is the country where heroes emerge because that country will live on).”

Topics: Bonifacio Monument , Andres Bonifacio

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Bonifacio Monument

The monument has become Caloocan City's most famous landmark. To get you started, here is a brief synopsis of how
the historical landmark created.
Andres Bonifacio Monument is a mural commemorate to the lifework of Gat. Andres Bonifacio. It was created by
Guillermo E. Tolentino, one of the National Artists of the Philippines. The construction of national monument for Andres
Bonifacio was led by former Katipuneros, particularly Bonifacio’s friend and comrade, Guillermo Masangkay. On
February 23, 1918, Act No. 2760 was passed by the Philippine Legislature approving the erection of a national
monument in memory of Andres Bonifacio. Eight years later, on 29 August 1930, a jury created to select the best design
for a monument to honor the Great Plebeian convened. It was headed by Architect Andres Luna de San Pedro and was
composed of sculptor Vicente Francisco and Architect Tomas Mapua. Painter and Director of the UP College of Fine Arts
Fabian dela Rosa was supposed to preside in the deliberation but later declined to ensure fairness when he learned that
one of his colleagues from his college was one of the competitors.

The chosen design was National Artist Guillermo Tolentino's design which consists of a 45-foot pylon topped by the
winged figure of victory. At its base is a platform-like structure with figures symbolized the Philippine Revolution. The
pylon is composed of five parts which correspond to the five aspects of the Katipunan-Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalang na
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). The monument stands on a base in the shape of an octagon whose eight sides
symbolize the first eight provinces placed under martial law for revolting against Spain and the eight rays in the
Philippine flag. There are three steps leading to the monument, representing the three centuries of Spanish rule.

A Great Plebeian

Before the 1930s, there was no monument impressive enough to honor the Great Plebeian, as Bonifacio was called.
Though Bonifacio had been long recognized as one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines, it was only in 1921 when he
was given formal recognition. On February 9 of that year, the Philippine legislature enacted Act No. 2946 proclaiming
November 30 of each year as Araw ni Bonifacio (Bonifacio Day) and observing it as a national holiday.

Where does the monument stand?

Caloocan city's most celebrated landmark is the monument of Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio, which is located at
the northern terminal point of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) where it meets Rizal Avenue forming an area
that is popularly called “Monumento area”.

The monument stands at the end of the Avenida and the beginning of the Manila North Road where it welcomes every
visitor coming from the north. The road heading west of the monument is Samson Road, named after the Katipunero
who was the cabeza of Barrio Pugad Lawin Balintawak, where the “Cry” took place.

Getting around:

The city, like the rest of Metro Manila, is served internationally by NAIA.

Take the LRT Yellow Line and alight at either 5th Avenue, or Monumento Stations. You can also take EDSA-plying buses,
which sometimes passes by Monumento area. Caloocan City is now connected to the EDSA MRT-3 line through an
expansion project that will eventually connect MRT-3 with LRT Yellow Line 1.

Provincial buses from the northern Luzon area are known to have their main terminals in the Monumento area. The city
is also the easiest connection to cities such as Subic, Olongapo, and Baguio. Small but convenient and very affordable
tricycles ply around the city. Just say where you are going and they will bring you as fast as possible. Jeepneys also ply
around with their own respective fixed routes.

Accommodations in the city are also available. There are lots of inns and hotels throughout the town offering
comfortable rooms and cottages at a reasonable price.

• Hotel Sogo Bagong Barrio Caloocan - 5 Gen Mascardo Street Bagong Barrio, Caloocan, Manila, Philippines

• Hotel Sogo Edsa Caloocan - Bonifacio Market, EDSA Monumento Brgy. 81, Zone 8, District 1, Caloocan, Manila,
Philippines 1400

• Hotel Sogo LRT Monumento Stn - 5th Floor, LRT Northmall, Rizal Ave. Extension, Caloocan, Manila, Philippines 3005

• Kabayan Hotel Monumento - 535 Caimito Road corner McArthur Highway, Monumento, Caloocan, Manila, Philippines