ACTIVITY 1

ANDRES BONIFACIO

AND KATIPUNAN MOVEMENT

GEIS 02

ZAMORA, ELIZABETH O.
NR 23

PROF. CLARITA LOMODAG

April 11, 2021

Kindly answer the following questions for your Asynchronous activities from
April 5 up to 8. Select only three (3) questions.

1. Surf the internet and read the biography of Bonifacio and study why
he succeeded in uniting the masses, which the intellectuals like Rizal,
Jaena, and others to do. What traits would you ascribe to Bonifacio
who successfully founded the Katipunan and expanded its
membership? Write an essay on this.
Like an angry bolt of lightning, he electrified the humid colonial air of the
Philippines then in the iron grip of Spain, and brought on the liberating storm of the
revolution.
Born on November 30, 1863, Andres Bonifacio, all fired up with ideas of
reform and salvation, joined an organization established by Jose Rizal, the La Liga
Filipina. Seeking reforms to better the country, the La Liga was extinguished when its
founder and guiding light, Rizal, was deported to Dapitan. Apparently, the Liga was
considered a threat by the Spanish colonial government, which it was not. In so doing,
it created the very thing it was afraid of- a covert organization vent on enforcing
change by means of a revolution.
Only July 7, 1892, the Katipunan was founded. And the Spanish colonial
government came crushing down like a house of cards.
Today the memory of Bonifacio evokes a feeling of intense nationalism and of
courage against all odds. Bonifacio represents the unsheathed bolo of a long-suffering
people pushed to the walls of social decadence. A people relegated to the lowest
possible degree of human existence could only endure so much. A long-abused
society is bound to produce a leader, picked from among the picked, to spearhead the
retaliatory strike of the aggrieved. Such a leader always comes from the masses, for it
is the masses who always bear the brunt of social misery born out of willful
misgovernance. It is those who were dwelling in the darkest of time, who knew the
foulest stench of slavery and bondage, who were willing to gamble the very breathe of
life to see the light of freedom and economic salvation.

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 Bonifacio stood up, after Rizal was taken out. The banishment of Rizal to
Dapitan ended the concentrated clamor for reforms. Like a field of makahiya being
trampled, most of the Filipino men of reasons folded up. Not Bonifacio.
In the shadows, hidden by the haze of carefully concocted ruse to mislead the
authorities, the Katipunan was founded, recruits fielded, and principles espoused.
Reform was no longer a target, absolute freedom by revolution was. Bonifacio was
the main gear of the planned revolution. Losing the battle for reforms, the masses in a
supreme effort to extricate itself from colonial social degradation finally produced one
final ace, the Supremo Andres Bonifacio.
He united the disgruntled, laid down the foundation of a truly Filipino
government and thought of a plan to acquire arms, money and support of the upper
class. With the idea of freedom firmly established as the goal of the struggle,
Bonifacio, the man from the masses, was set aside, arrested, convicted of the crime of
sedition, and executed. No, not by Spaniards, but by fellow Filipinos, some of whom
he inducted into the Katipunan. Today, Bonifacio, still ever the enigmatic hero of the
Revolution, is idolized, lionized and immortalized more than most of his
contemporaries.
Will we ever need him again? There is a tingling little bell of alarm in this era
of globalization to warrant the return of men like him. Globalization may be a process
of providing many opportunities, but this must be directed. Without direction, it may
become a destructive process. The first signs of such destruction are already starting
to show.
Globalization is governed by limited system of governance enforcing the right
of property while ruling that workers’ militant stand for their rights are absolutely
against the law. Multinationals often mask as agents of prosperity and democracy in
the newspapers, even as they subvert it at the workplace.
Globalization does not assure freedom, social justice and the rule of law. What
it guarantees are markets in which to pursue private interests, not the common
interest. Government used to protect the common interest, but with the growth of
global capital markets, the power of the state is shrinking. Since capital must be
enticed, not discouraged by rules and regulations, the government caters to its
demand, often to the detriment of social goals.

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 Theoretically, our entrance to the global market will provide us with economic
opportunities; the truth is it is the more industrialized, more advanced countries which
the global market favors to further increase profits and prosperity. The inequality of
global income between rich and poor countries is so glaring. Today according to the
International labor Organization, the rich countries account for about 60% of the
world’s income but only 15% of the world’s population.
The speed in which capital markets grow in developing countries, such as
ours, is creating an era of takeover by larger foreign firms on the local business
sectors, adding to the divergence of wealth from here to there. Shades of colonialism.
Moreover, problem on pollution, degradation of ecosystems encouraged by a spurred
industrialization drive, undermine the foundation of sustainable development of
Filipinos.
Until the values to regulate the global markets is clarified, particularly the
social, moral and ethical ones centered on the dictum that all people are born equal
in their rights and opportunities, the Philippines will join the global market and
promptly race to the bottom of the lot.
Misery and decadence, old Filipino chums, will then necessitate the
resurrection of Bonifacio.

2. Discuss this topic in your paper by preparing good arguments to

support your views. "Was Teodoro Patino justified in revealing the
secrets of the Katipunan to his sister? Why or why not?
3. What lessons can we learn from many acts of betrayal and conflicts
in the Katipunan?
Opening the pages of Philippine history books, Bonifacio’s name would
always be mentioned and associated with the formation of the Katipunan, a separatist
movement which spearheaded the Philippine Revolution of 1896. But unlike Jose
Rizal, whose life and undertakings were fully documented, very few were known on
the life of Bonifacio, thanks to the accounts of his fellow Katipuneros and his wife
Gregoria de Jesus that we were at least given an impression of how was he as a person
and as a politically-inclined individual. This article gives an insight on the values the
Filipinos must imitate from a man who never expected to be on the spotlight, but out
of love for his country, staged actions that changed the course of Philippine history.

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 Optimistic Attitude and Strong Sense of Responsibility. Andres Bonifacio was
barely fourteen years old when they were orphaned. Without any hesitation, he
assumed the responsibility of raising his younger siblings. In order to meet the daily
needs of their family, he engaged in making and peddling of paper fans and wooden
canes. Despite the fact that he cannot afford a formal education for himself, it did not
prevent him from seeking knowledge by reading during his free time.
This episode in Bonifacio’s life was not uncommon, since there were several
Filipino children orphaned at young age. What was uncommon about him was having
the optimistic attitude and strong sense of responsibility after the death of their
parents. Instead of crying over spilled milk, he rose on his feet and worked hard to
raise his younger brothers and sisters. This proved that being responsible cannot be
quantified by one’s age; it is a matter of learning how to act, rationalize and decide
correctly despite overwhelming burdens and pressures.
Bonifacio had shown high regard for education and despite his meager status
he engaged in reading books written in Tagalog and Spanish. Filipinos should realize
that event at present, a commendable reading habit is very important in enriching
minds and in making oneself productive and competent.
Value for Work and Virtue of Not Wasting Time. While working as clerk for
Fleming and Company, Bonifacio also worked as poster-maker to augment his
income. In the early phase of 1896, he shifted to another English company known as
Fressels Company where he worked as an agent.
If Filipino workers would maintain the dignity of their works just like
Bonifacio, both private and public services will definitely be delivered efficiently and
effectively. If workers are more time-oriented and hard-working, the development
and progress of the Philippines will not be impossible, for time is not wasted merely
for standing, gossiping and image-building but more on directing services and
fulfillment of duties for the betterment of the society.
Social Responsiveness. Just like any other Indio of his time, Bonifacio felt the
social malaise as a result of oppressive Spanish colonial administration. To make
fellow Filipinos aware of the real condition of the country, he sold revolutionary
leaflets near the University of Santo Tomas. He also joined the La Liga Filipina when
it was founded by Jose Rizal on 3 July 1892. Unfortunately, the Liga Filipina died
down after the imprisonment of Rizal in Dapitan. Bonifacio founded the Katipunan

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 on 7 July 1892 in an aim to gain independence from Spain. Through the said act,
Bonifacio actively responded to the call of the time to make a change.
Patriotism and Love for his native language. When the Kalayaan, the official
organ of the Katipunan, essays written by Bonifacio such as “Ang Dapat Mabatid ng
mga Tagalog” and “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” were included. Bonifacio
encouraged the use of the vernacular in the association and opted to write in Tagalog,
to show patriotism and love for his native language.
Humility. Though most of his detractors portrayed Bonifacio as arrogant, this
can be belied by anecdotes involving him and Emilio Jacinto. Initially, Bonifacio
wrote the Decalogue that embodied the teachings of the Katipunan. But soon after,
Jacinto came up with his Mga Aral ng Katipunan to which, Bonifacio found to be
superior to his own. Thus, he promptly withdrew the Decalogue and ordered the
adaptation of Jacinto’s work. Such was the humility of a man.

4. What was the " Cry of Balintawak”? What did it signify?

The “Cry of Pugad Lawin” or “Cry of Balintawak” was an event that officially
marked the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The revolt later grew in
strength and spread to 8 provinces including Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga,
Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija — which were eventually represented by
the eight rays of the sun in the present Filipino flag.
The “Cry of Pugad Lawin” was a cry for freedom. Its historic significance to
us consists of the realization that the Filipino people had finally realized the lasting
value of freedom and independence and the need to fight in order to prove themselves
worthy to be called a truly free people.
The Philippine Revolution against over 300 years of Spanish rule began with
Andrés Bonifacio, leader of the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society that sought
independence for the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule.
In August 1896, in the sitio of Pugad Lawin in Balintawak, now part of Quezon City,
the Katipuneros led by Andrés Bonifacio rose up in revolt by tearing up their
“cedulas” which became a sign of enslavement of the Filipinos. This event called the
“Cry of Pugad Lawin,” officially regarded as the start of the Philippine Revolution
against Spain with the use of violence and arms.
The word “cry” comes from the Spanish el grito de rebelion (cry of rebellion)
or el grito for short. Thus, the Grito de Balintawak is similar to the Grito de Dolores

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 of Mexico (1810). But the “el grito de rebelion” strictly refers to a decision or call to
revolt. It doesn’t necessarily mean shouting, unlike the Filipino term Sigaw or Sigao.
Originally the term “cry” referred to the first clash between the members of
Katipunan and the Civil Guards (Guardia Civil). The cry could also refer to the
tearing up of cedulas (community tax certificates) in resistance to Spanish
government. The cry can also be referred to in the inscriptions of “Viva la
Independencia Filipina” which was literally accompanied by patriotic shouts.

5. Describe how Aguinaldo eluded the Spanish Army sent to destroy

him. How would you describe Aguinaldo regarding his successors in
the fight against the Spaniards?

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 References

Cry of Pugad LAWIN Facts, Worksheets, introduction & definition for kids. (2021, February
22). https://kidskonnect.com/history/cry-of-pugad-lawin/?
fbclid=IwAR3Jnr_I_1VPEM9ru-aDzJe-A7fv_jy73FzFqc_0h0S-AQi80P4AS96Xn-g.

Raising Bonifacio. (2015, September 8). https://nhcp.gov.ph/raising-bonifacio/?

fbclid=IwAR1_SZa3ZtFw9inxSKurcD_Kp8gE9KkdEkp8GhcSpD5I-
qhrlLWdxbTrdmg.

Values we must learn from Andres Bonifacio. (2015, September 7).

https://nhcp.gov.ph/values-we-must-learn-from-andres-bonifacio/?fbclid=IwAR1fGoi-
SmY0kPGeJaHdTGam2_0RBmD0jl4H81LaKt6HYkVp3MktRW2o3ks.

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