The Revolt of the Masses

(The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan )

By:Teodoro A. Agoncillo

Teodoro A. Agoncillo (1912 – 1985) is one of the Philippines historian. He is known for
his contribution to the history of the Philippines. His collection of published books written from
the point-of-view of the Filipino include “Ang Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas”, “The Revolt of the
Masses”, “The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan”, “Malolos, the Crisis of the Republic and
“The History of the Filipino People”.

As an ordinary reader however I found it difficult to understand the meaning of the content
and the topic is quite long. The words somehow difficult to grasp, because of some Spanish
words.
Agoncillo’s main objective in writing the book was, to write an accurate and concrete but
unofficial biography of Andres Bonifacio. Agoncillo also claims that although this was a
biography on Bonifacio, the reader would observe that the spotlight was not focused on
Bonifacio rather it was on the Katipunan as a whole.
From this history I was able to understand some parts or situations in the time of
Bonefacio, where the Spaniards occupied the Philippines. In the Politics situations there are
some issues even within the church. In the social economy, the Pilipino people luck support from
the wealth of Filipino people therefore they are trying to involve those wealthy people to help the
financial matters. In spiritual situations, there were unsatisfied services from the church in the
presence of Fr. Mariano Gill parish priest of Tondo. The people were forced to pay in order for
their families who is dying to receive the Sacrament before dead or Venereal Mass. For me to not
allow people to have their venereal Mass is a good thing but to put price over it, without
consideration is not a good thing.
 With the power of the Secret Chamber of the Katipunan in its meeting of July 1896. Two
resolutions were approved by the Chamber, first, the assassination of Father Mariano Gil of the
parish of Tondo, and the other, the appointment of Benedicto Nijaga, a lieutenant of carabineers,
to confer with the millionaire Francisco L. Roxas.
As a leader Bonefacio has give the best to protect his people. Tito Miguel and Roman
Ramos, who were employed in the strategic Maestranza, situated near the Santo Domingo
Church, he ordered them to steal the rifles and revolvers one by one. They risk their life for this.

Agoncillo was also able to make the readers know what was in the minds of the
characters – their feelings on different subjects, their plans for themselves and their organization
and what they thought was going to be the best way to independence, not just how they acted and
what they looked like from the outside.
As a summary for everything which has been said above, I found the book appealing and
interesting despite its length and some pages which appeared to be a bore to me. Besides
appealing and interesting, the book is also something from which we can learn even the most
specific details of the Revolution.