READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Authors: Nestor M. Asuncion, Geoffrey Rhoel C. Cruz (2nd Ediiton); BATIS Authors: Jose Victoe Z. Torres (2nd EdiFon)
CHAPTER 6: THE KKK AND KARTILYA NG
KATIPUNAN
Intended Learning Outcomes:
1. Enumerate the different points given in the
Kartilya ng Katipunan.
2. Explain the importance of the Kartilya to the
grand narrative of Philippine history.
3. Evaluate the relevance of the document to the
present time.
Historical Context
The first move towards independence began on
July 7, 1892 when the Katipunan was
established by Andres Bonifacio. This was a
result of the failure of the Reform Movement in
Spain in which Filipinos attempted to demand
reforms for the Philippines from the Spanish
government.
Bonifacio saw the futility of the efforts of
the Filipino propagandists and organized
an underground movement against
Spain.
The Kataastaasang Kagalang-galangang
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or KKK was
a revolutionary society that espoused
independence and freedom for the Philippines
through force of arms.
Its main objective was separation of the
Philippines from Spain and, at the same
time, the development of the Filipinos as
citizens of their own nation once
independence was achieved.
The latter was done through the written
works by Bonifacio and fellow
Katipunero, Emilio Jacinto, who wrote a
number of poems and essays for the
society members.
The recruitment process of the Katipunan
followed the Masonic institution rites while its
structure was said to be based on Rizal’s
aborted reformist organization, the La Liga
Filipina.
The new members of the society were
indoctrinated with the Katipunan rules
and its teachings that emphasized the
value of the love of one’s country and
fellow Filipinos
Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights or no infringement intended
Background of the Author
Historians regard Emilio Jacinto as the “Brains
of the Katipunan.” Artemio Ricarte called him the
“Moses of the Filipino people,” while Epifanoo
de los Santos considered him as the “Soul of the
Revolution” and the “Eyes of the Katipunan.”
Emilio Jacinto was born in Trozo, Manila on
December 15, 1875. His father was Mariano
Jacinto, who, according to Zaide, was a
bookkeeper but, according to E. de los Santos,
was a merchant. His mother Josefa Dizon was
a manghihilot or midwife.
He studied at the private school of Maestro
Ferrer and, later, at the private school of Jose
Dizon. He was enrolled by his uncle at the
Coelgio de San Juan de Letran for his
bachelor’s degree, and he later transferred to
the University of Santo Tomas to study law.
He used the pen names Pingkian,
Dimasilaw, and Ka Ilyong. He joined the
Katipunan in 1894 and was the youngest
member at 19 years old.
He was the fiscal, secretary, editor, and
later, general of the Katipunan. He also
became the director of the printing shop
and library of the Katipunan. The library
contained written works on tactics and
weaponry, the French Revolution, and
works of demagogues.
Jacinto was proclaimed generalissimo of the
North (Punong Hukbo sa Hilagaan), became the
adviser of the Supremo, and furnished Bonifacio
with weapons, money, printing materials, and
musical compositions. He was also the editor of
the newspaper Kalayaan. He died of malaria on
April 16m 1899, at 23 years old.
Historical Background of the Kartilya
Andres Bonifacio long wanted to have a codified
document, lisitng the duties and responsibilities
of every member of the Katipunan.
Incidentally, as Bonifacio was drafting for
comments on his draft, the latter
presented his work to the Supremo. After
seeing the draft of Kartilya ng Katipunan
by Emilio Jacinto, Bonifacio was
impressed with Jacinto’s style of writing
and decided to adopt the Kartilya as the
guidebook for the rules and regulations of
the Katipunan.
1
 READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Authors: Nestor M. Asuncion, Geoffrey Rhoel C. Cruz (2nd Ediiton); BATIS Authors: Jose Victoe Z. Torres (2nd EdiFon)
Aside from the maltreatment experienced by
Filipinos from the Spaniards, the following are
the other factors that were influential in the
forming of the Katipunan and that of the Kartilya:
1. The Age of Enlightenment gave way to
Liberalism and Classicism and Modernism in
the 20th century. In this period, secret societies
like the Freemasons were established.
Coffeehouses, newspapers, and literary salons
flourished as new places for ideas to circulate
and transfer.
2. The French Revolution was a period of
social and political upheaval in France. It
became the focal point for the development of
all modern political ideologies. This led to the
spread of radicalism, liberalism, and
nationalism, which greatly influenced the
Ilustrados in the Philippines and Europe
5. The La Liga Filipina was established by Jose
Rizal when he decided to return to the
Philippines to continue to call for reforms
through legal means. However, the operations
of La Liga were cut short when Rizal was
arrested and exiled in Dapitan. Left without a
leader, La Liga split into two factions – the
Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and the
Cuerpo de Compromisarios led by Numeriano
Adriano. The former was known to be composed
of the radicals, while the latter was composed of
conservatives, adhering to the original
aspirations of Jose Rizal.
Andres Bonifacio saw Rizal’s exile in Dapitan,
as a sign of asking reforms through legal means,
was futile. This prompted him formally
established the secret revolutionary
organization, the Katipunan.

3. Masonry was introduced to the Philippines in Relevance

1856 when a Spanish naval officer organized a The current relevance of the Kartilya lies in the
lodge in Cavite under the auspices of the fact that is established not only the rules for the
Portuguese Gran Oriente Lusitano. However, members of the organization but the principles
the true roots of Philippine Masonry sprouted in for the citizens of a nation once independent had
1889 when Graciano Lopez-Jaena organized been achieved. Through written in the 19th
the Logia Revolución in Barcelona under the century, the Kartilya is significant to the lives of
auspices of Grande Oriente Español. Through modern Filipinos as it reads like a simple creed
Filipino students studying in Spain, masonry for living in the light of the many changes
further spread in the Philippine circle, among occurring at present.
Marcelo H. del Pilar, Jose Alejandrino, brothers
Antonio and Juan Luna, Jose Rizal, and more.
Masonry, as a civic movement promoting
fraternity, evidently influenced the dynamics of
the Katipunan. The Spanish friars believed that
Masonry was the root of the problems and the
establishment of the Katipunan. Jesuit
Francisco Foradada wrote that Filipino
filibusterism (subversion) was against
righteousness, morality, or justice, and that
Masonry was the enemy of God.

4. The Propaganda Movement was propelled

by the execution of the three priests, better
known as the Gomburza, in 1872, which left a
profound effect on many Filipinos, including
Jose Rizal. After the execution, many Filipinos
started questioning Spanish authorities and
asked for reforms. The Ilustrados demanded
reforms through a systematic and peaceful
movement later called the Propaganda
Movement. This movement helped Andres
Bonifacio and other nationalists to realize that a
peaceful way of asking for reforms was not
enough, leading to the establishment of the
Katipunan and the staging of an armed rebellion
against the Spanish colonial administration.
Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights or no infringement intended 2