The KKK and Kartilya ng Katipunan

The Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KAK) or Katipunan

is arguably the most important organization formed n the Philippine history. While anti-colonial
movements, efforts, and organizations had already been established centuries prior to the
foundation of the katipunan, it was only this organization that envisioned

(1) a united Filipino nation that would revolt against the Spaniards for
(2) the total independence of the country from Spain.
Previous armed revolts had already occurred before the foundation of the Katipunan, but none
of them envisioned a unified Filipino nation revolting against the colonizers. For example, Diego
Silang was known as an llocano who took up his arms and led one of the longest running revolts
in the country. Silang. However, was mainly concerned about his locality and referred to himself
as El Rey de Ilocos (The King of locos). The imagination of the nation was largely absent in the
aspirations of the local revolts before Katipunan. On the other hand, the propaganda
movements led by the ilustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and Jose
Rizal did not envision a total separation of the Philippines from Spain, but only demanded equal
rights, representation and protection from the abuses of the friars.

One of the most important Katipunan documents was the Kartilya ng Katipunan. The original
title of the document was "Manga [sic] Aral Nang [sic] Katipunan ng mga A.N.B." or "Lessons of
the Organization of the Sons of Country" The document was written by Emilio Jacinto in the
1896. Jacinto was only 18 years old when he joined the movement. He was a law student at the
Universidad de Santo Tomas. Despite his youth, Bonifacio recognized the value and intellect of
Jacinto that upon seeing that Jacinto's Kartilya was much better than the Decalogue he wrote,
he willingly favored that the Kartilya be distributed to their fellow Katipuneros. Jacinto became
the secretary of the organization and took charge of the short-lived printing press of the
Katipunan On 15 April 189 Bonifacio appointed Jacinto as a commander of the Katipunan in
Northern Luzon. Jacinto was 22 years old. He died of Malaria at a young age ot 24 in the town
ot
Magdalena, Laguna. The Kartilya can be treated as the Katipunan's code of conduct. It contains
fourteen rules that instruct the way a Katipunero should behave, and which specific values
should he uphold. Generally, the rules stated in the Kartilya can be classified into two. The first
group contains the rules that will make the member an upright individual and the second group
contains the rules that will guide the way he treats his fellow men.

Below is the translated version of the rules in Kartilya:

English Version Tagalog Version

English Version Tagalog Version

The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang
reasonable purpose is a tree without shade, if malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy na
not a poisonous weed. walang lilim, kundi damong makamandag
To do good for personal gain and not for its Ang gawang magaling na nagbubuhat sa
own sake is not virtue. pagpipita sa sarili, at hindi sa talagang
nasang gumawa ng kagalingan, ay di
kabaitan.

It is rational to be charitable and love one's Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang

fellow-creature, and to adjust one's conduct, pagkakawang gawa, ang pagibig sa kapua at
acts, and words to what is in itself ang isukat ang bawat kilos, gawa’t
reasonable. pangungusap sa talagang Katuiran.

Whether our skin be black or white, we are all Maitim man at maputi ang kulay ng balat,
born equal: superiority in knowledge, wealth, lahat ng tao’y magkakapantay; mangyayaring
and beauty are to be understood, but not ang isa’y higtan sa dunong, sa yaman, sa
superiority by nature. ganda…; ngunit di mahihigtan sa pagkatao.

The honorable man prefers honor to personal Ang may mataas na kalooban inuuna ang
gain, the scoundrel, gain to honor. puri sa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may hamak na
kalooban inuuna ang pagpipita sa sarili sa
puri.

To the honorable man his word is sacred. Sa taong may hiya, salita’y panunumpa.

Do not waste thy time: wealth can be Huag mong sasayangin ang panahun; ang
recovered, but not the time lost. yamang nawala’y magyayaring magbalik;
nguni’t panahong nagdaan na’y di na muli
pang magdadaan. Value of time

Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor Ipagtanggol mo ang inaapi, at kabakahin ang
before the law or in the field. umaapi.

The prudent man is sparing in words and Ang taong matalino’y ang may pagiingat sa
faithful in keeping secrets. bawat sasabihin, at matutong ipaglihim ang
dapat ipaglihim.

On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of Sa daang matinik ng kabuhayan, lalaki ay
woman and of the children, and if the guide siyang patnugot ng asawa’t mga anak; kung
leads to precipices, those whom he guides ang umaakay ay tungo sa sama, ang
will also go there. patutunguhan ng iaakay ay kasamaan din.

Thou must not look upon woman as a mere
plaything, but as a faithful companion who will
share with thee the penalties of life; her
weakness will increase thy interest in her and
she will remind thee of the mother who bore
thee and reared thee.
Ang babai ay huag mong tignang isang bagay
na libangan lamang, kundi isang katuang at
karamay sa mga kahirapan nitong
kabuhayan; gamitan mo ng buong
pagpipitagan ang kaniyang kahinaan, at
alalahanin ang inang pinagbuhata’t nagiwi sa
iyong kasangulan.

What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, Ang di mo ibig na gawin sa asawa mo, anak
children, brothers and sisters, that do not unto at kapatid, ay huag mong gagawin sa asawa,
the wife, children, brothers, and sisters of thy anak, at kapatid ng iba.
neighbor.
Man is not worth more because he is a king,
because his nose is aquiline and his color
white, nor because he is a priest, a servant of
God, nor because of the high prerogative that
he enjoys upon earth, but he is worth most
who is a man of proven and real value, who
does good, keeps his word, is worthy and
honest; he who does not oppress, nor
consent to being oppressed, he who loves
and cherishes his fatherland, though he be
born in the wilderness and know no tongue
but his own.
When these rules of conduct shall be known
to all and the longed-for sun of Liberty shall
rise brilliant over this most unhappy portion of
the globe and its rays shall diffuse everlasting
joy among the confederated brethren of the
same race, the lives of those who have gone
before, the fatigues, and the wellpaid
suffering will remain. If he who desires to
enter has informed himself of all this and
believes he will be able to perform what will
be his duties, he may fill out the following
application for admission."
Ang kamahalan ng tao’y wala sa pagkahari,
wala sa tangus ng ilong at puti ng mukha,
wala sa pagkaparing kahalili ng Dios wala sa
mataas na kalagayan sa balat ng lupa; wagas
at tunay na mahal na tao, kahit laking gubat
at walang nababatid kundi ang sariling wika,
yaong may magandang asal, may isang
pangungusap, may dangal at puri; yaong di
napaaapi’t di nakikiapi; yaong marunong
magdamdam at marunong lumingap sa
bayang tinubuan.
Paglaganap ng mga aral na ito at maningning
na sumikat ang araw ng mahal na Kalayaan
dito sa kaabaabang Sangkalupuan, at
sabugan ng matamis niyang liwanag ang
nangagkaisang magkalahi’t magkakapatid ng
ligaya ng walang katapusan, ang mga ginugol
na buhay, pagud, at mga tiniis na kahirapa’y
labis nang natumbasan. Kung lahat ng ito’y
mataruk na ng nagiibig pumasuk at inaakala
niyang matutupad ang mga tutungkulin,
maitatala ang kaniyang ninanasa sa kasunod
nito.
A. Context Analysis

Is the source credible? Why?

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What is the background of the event?

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What is the background of the author?

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What type of source is “The KKK and Kartilya ng Katipunan”? Why?

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B. Content Analysis

Is the content logical?

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What main idea?

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Provide specific information that supports the main idea.

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