Content and Contextual Analysis of the

Kartilla ng Katipunan
The author of Kartilla ng Katipunan is Emilio Jacinto y Dizon. He was born in Trozo, Manila, on
December 15, 1875. He managed to attend Colegio De San Juan de Letran despite him being an orphan.
He also went to the University of Santo Tomas and studied law, but he was not able to finish it. Emilio
Jacinto was only 19 when he joined the Katipunan and he was considered, as, the brain of the Katipunan
on military matters while at the age of 21, he already earned a rank, a general. He died on April 16, 1899.
Emilio Jacinto wrote this document, Kartilla ng Katipunan, in the Tagalog language. There was no
exact date when this document was written but the estimated date, possibly when the Katipunan was
established (1892) or when the revolution has started (1896). It contained the constitution, principles,
and by-laws of the Katipunan. It is for the members of the Katipunan, and they were, required to adhere
to its code of conduct and rules.
In the document Kartilla ng Katipunan, it contains the requirements of joining the Katipunan and
the teachings that should be followed by each member. The rules that would guide every member to
accomplish their purpose in acquiring the liberty of their homeland. To those who wished to join the
Katipunan, one should know what is its purpose and the existing rules. They should perform their duties
driven by true patriotism and genuine mutual aid. They should not act against their dignity and never
should betray the association for their gain. One should act and work hard willingly as he would defend
and protect the oppressed. A need to pay dues was required, for admission and monthly payment and
should be spent only upon the resolution of the majority.
The rules of the association enumerated below would not be in verbatim. A life, without
reasonable purpose, is like a tree without shade, if not, a poisonous weed. To do good for personal gain
and not of its (Katipunan) own sake is not considered a virtue. Rational is what in itself (Katipunan),
considered reasonable. All are born equal superiority in knowledge, beauty, wealth, whether different in
skin color is to be understood but not superiority in nature. An honorable man more prefers honor, his
word is sacred and faithful in keeping a secret but not, a scoundrel. Do not waste the time, for lost time
cannot be recovered as wealth. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the field and of law.
In life, a man leads a woman and his children, and if the guide would seek the wrong path, all those whom
he guide would also go there. Never treat a woman as a mere thing but as a faithful companion who'd
you share the uncertainties of life with, who would be your greatest interest, and who'd remind you of
the woman who bore and raised you. Those you do not want to be done, to your wife, children, brothers,
and sisters, then do not do unto your neighbors'. Lastly, a man worth most if he was a man of proven and
real value, he does good, keeps his word, worthy and honest; he does not oppress, nor allows himself to
be oppressed, he loves and cherishes his fatherland, though he is born in the wilderness and know no
other language but his own.
This document's relevance to history is that it shows what kind of association was the Katipunan. It
presents how the Katipunan was driven by virtues and values, not of violence and brutality. Its relevance
to the nation is that it allows fellow Filipinos to be aware of the inside, and the purpose of the Katipunan,
what kind of way it was ruled. It also helps in emphasizing the significant role the Katipunan played in
fighting for the independence of the Philippines. In politics, the Katipunan already had a ruling system or
a government before, which influenced the kind of government we have now.