Lagdamen, Christine Allison S.

September 17, 2020

Compare and Contrast Essay

Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa is one Andres Bonifacio’s entry for the Katipunan’s
newspaper, Kalayaan, under the pseudonym A.I.B also known as Agapito Bagumbayan.
Unfortunately, no copies of the said poem which was published under the Kalayaan has ever
survived but there are two manuscripts that did; a text published by Jose P. Santos and a
manuscript found in Madrid’s military archives which was entitled Pagibig sa Tinubuang Bayan.
Although both are drafts and not the finished poem which was publish under the Katipunan’s
newspaper. There is a note on the front page of the Madrid manuscript which states Emilio
Jacinto, Utak ng Katipunan and editor-in-chief of Kalayaan, and his handwriting was the one
found on that particular manuscript. This might be the case but the identity of the penman does
not always equate the identity of the author himself for the initials A.B. is still inscribe at the foot
of the poem. Hints of Bonifacio’s authorship and orthography are apparent with Santos’ text
which shed the poem under a distinct and personal light. As an orphaned kid living under harsh
circumstances in the slums of Tondo during colonial times, he admired the works or Jose Rizal,
Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, literary works from the French Revolution, Eugene Sue’s The
Wondering Jew, and other related literatures. This interest of his on such literary works gave him
an understanding with the dynamics on sociohistorical processes which was also one of the
reason of his involvement with the La Liga Filipina that was founded by Dr. Jose Rizal. This
helped Bonifacio write this poem with such relevance and eloquence. In contradiction with the
Bonifacio name, the poem itself does not exactly hold revolutionary sentiments but an attempt to
invoke patriotism and nationalism upon its readers which are mainly composed of Filipinos who
are victims of the atrocities of colonialism. This invocation of patriotism is clearly present in the
22nd up to the 27th stanza which states:

Andres Bonifacio hoped to awaken his brethren which seemed asleep for Bonifacio and
lacks the sense of pride in being Filipinos. He also reminded them of the gifts given by the
country itself in the form of natural resources, as can be seen in the 7 th, 8th, 11th, and 12th stanza.
In hope that Filipinos may realize that the love for our country is something to fight for and
something to die for. Hence, the first and last stanza of the poem.

This work of poetry (Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa) seemed to appeal to the emotions of
its readers in comparison to the Kartilya ng Katipunan which was more of an appeal to the
members’ obedience and allegiance. Emilio Jacinto purposely wrote Kartilya ng Katipunan to
serve as a guidebook of the group’s rules, beliefs, and values for new members of the
organization. Andres Bonifacio has initially prepared a code of conduct for the Katipunan
namely the Dekalogo but he didn’t publish it and after reading Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng
Katipunan he deemed it much superior than his. Later using it as the Katipunan’s code of
conduct but, it was not limited as a code of conduct. The Kartilya is more of a philosophy, it
presented its notion of virtuous living as lessons for introspection, rather than as a direct order.  It
declared that it was the internal and not the external features of an individual that makes a person
truly great. In the third entry, Jacinto defined true sanctity as charity, love for one another, and
actions, deeds and speech guided by sensible reasons. Written more than a century years ago at
an era when the idea of unification and independence was nothing but a pipedream, the Kartilya
manifested a vision, “the sun of beloved liberty shines and brilliant effulgence in these unhappy
isles and shed its soft rays upon the united people and brothers in everlasting happiness”
Therefore, it is completely understandable if Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa comes off as more
suggestive of patriotic and nationalist sentiments while Kartilya ng Katipunan would come off as
more implicative of a certain set of actions or beliefs that their members should abide. In
conclusion, the nationalism expressed in Kartilya ng Katipunan is much more assertive than the
one exhibited in Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.

Dasalan at Tocsohan, written by Marcelo H. Del Pilar, is far different from the previous
examples given. Compared to Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa, it sets a satiric mood and a lighter
topic than Emilio Jacinto’s Karilya ng Katipunan. Filipinos during colonial times are branded as
less intellectual beings or as commonly known, Indios. Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s work shows his
fellow Filipinos that aren’t as handicapped they think they are. He expressed nationalism by
telling the Filipino people that they are on par, if not better, with their colonizers while exposing
monstrosity done by Spanish friars. The contents of Dasalan at Tocsohan serves as a mockery of
the way of evangelizing the Indios in the Colonial era. This is not an insult towards Catholic
Church itself, rather to those people who should have been the role model of the religious faith.
Dasalan at Tocsohan is not published in La Solidaridad nor in The Diyaryong Tagalog, it is
spread among the Indios like how brochures or pamphlets are given to the people now, in
complete discretion to avoid being caught by the authorities. It appeared to be a comedic
parodies of common prayers during the time, with the intention of entertainment and bestir its
readers of the Friars’ cruelty. Ang Amain Namin which was derived from Ama Namin, Aba
Guinoong Baria which was derived from Aba Guinoong Maria, Ang Manga Nang Fraile derived
from the Ten Commandments, etc. are examples of Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s way of ridiculing the
Friars, making the Filipino people realize the Friars’ abominations, and imploring the Filipino
people to have a sense of nationhood by appealing to their empathy and compassion for their
fellow Filipinos.

The difference between the three literary works is their approach on expressing
nationalism. Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa and Kartilya ng Katipunan expressed it on a much
serious note while Dasalan at Tocsohan is on the far opposite of the spectrum. Pag-ibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa used rhetorical devices, and appealed to their emotions, to try and persuade the
Filipino people to love our country and unite to fight for its independence, Kartilya ng
Katipunan provided a guideline for the Filipino people, and appealed to their obedience and
sense of pride, on how to live their lives and exhibit good citizenry, and Dasalan at Tocsohan
mocked their common enemy, the Friars, to appeal to their empathy and compassion for their
brethren.

To sum everything all up, the three different literary works have their distinct approach
but, in the end they share the same purpose. The purpose of calling unto the Filipino people and
spark nationalism and patriotism in their hearts. This called obviously didn’t go unanswered and
the various attempts at revolution are testament to its success. Although, it has taken a part in
waking up the people and revolt for their freedom, it is but a part of a bigger collective effort.
Different approaches are necessary to unite different kinds of people, even under a same
dilemma, and this three are the example of its efficiency. Looking back, the problems of the past
and their solutions are relevant to this day. Heroes of the past may have awakened Filipinos’
hearts in their time but, it seems it has fallen asleep once again in the modern times and our
country are in need of new heroes to try different approaches to attempt and spark a blaze once
more.