Youth

Andres Bonifacio, the Real National Hero

A Term Paper
Submitted to

Mrs. Erlinda A. Quirap
Department of English
Cagayan de Oro National High School

In Partial Fulfillment of
The Requirements in
English IV – Newton

By

Vincent Jay C. Bacor

February 15, 2011

Sentence Outline:

Thesis Statement: Andres Bonifacio y de Castro is the real national hero based on a clear action against Spanish colonization, good leadership and governance among revolutionaries, and a great inspiration to the most famous revolution in the history of the Philippines.

I. Andres Bonifacio had a normal life in an overwhelming and muddled era of Philippine history.
A. Andres Bonifacio’s birth marked the beginning of freedom in the Philippines.
1. He was born on November 30, 1863 to Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro in Tondo in Manila, Philippines.
2. He had displayed his leadership in his early childhood during the gatherings in the family.
B. Andres Bonifacio’s death marked the ending of colonization and great slavery during Spanish regime.
1. He died on May 10, 1987 in an undetermined manner.
2. He was proclaimed as the father and supreme leader of Katipunan right after his alleged exile.

II. Andres Bonifacio was a normal family man and a caring son and loving brother to his younger siblings.
A. Andres Bonifacio was married to his wife Gregoria de Jesus.
1. He married his wife twice in Roman Catholic rites in Binondo Church in the years 1893 and 1894.
2. He had a son with Gregoria de Jesus who later died because of the illness small pox.
B. Andres Bonifacio was orphaned at an early age and struggled to support his siblings.
1. His parents died when he was 14 and was forced to drop out of school.
2. His early works include being a messenger, salesman, and warehouseman all in order to support his younger siblings.

III. Andres Bonifacio had exemplified great leadership and passion in his organization.
A. Andres Bonifacio spearheaded the uprising of Philippine revolution on July 7, 1892.
1. He founded the revolutionary organization called Katipunan.
2. He worked with an organization that aimed for peaceful reform like La Liga Filipina.
B. Andres Bonifacio worked with good rapport and camaraderie among Katipunan members.
1. He had a strong friendship with the Supremo Presidente Emilio Aguinaldo until 1895.
2. He was the adviser and legal consultant of many members of the Katipunan during his governance after Emilio Aguinaldo.

IV. Andres Bonifacio’s primary desire is peace and order.
A. Andres Bonifacio believed in the existence of equality and peace in his own country.
1. He founded the Katipunan in the hope of restoring the integrity of Filipinos and ignite passion for peace among its members.
2. He joined La Liga Filipina in the hope of creating a venue for promoting non-violent actions against the existing colony of Spaniards in the country.
B. Andres Bonifacio has clear opposition in all types of war.
1. He clearly demonstrated loyalty to the country by helping Jose Rizal in his advocate for peace.
2. He opposed anti-colonialism inside Spanish regime.

V. Andres Bonifacio today is well remembered because of his bravery and unwavering support to his co-heroes.
A. Andres Bonifacio’s day is celebrated every November 30 and is a Philippine holiday.
1. His birthday is annually remembered by the Filipino people because of his influence to Philippine freedom.
2. His day is a national holiday and is celebrated throughout the republic of the Philippines.
B. Andres Bonifacio’s image is reflected in many areas of the country as a sign of true citizenship.
1. His most famous sculpture was made by Ramon Martinez and National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.
2. His life story is depicted in Filipino cinema as was played by Eduardo del Mar and was shown in many areas of the Philippines.

Introduction: In order for a certain individual to become a national hero, he has to withstand the test of bravery, passion to peace and unwavering loyalty to the country. A national hero is someone who sacrifices self happiness for the betterment of the present and future citizens of a country. In the Philippines, the most prominent name of a national hero is Dr. Jose Rizal. But there is one name, which stands out and is equally fitting of the title but is given less appreciation. He is Andres Bonifacio. A name maybe very familiar to the ears of Filipinos but his history is not as popular. Andres Bonifacio, in his efforts to help Filipinos achieve their freedom against Spanish colonization believed in peace and order. He believed that it can be attained through determination and loyalty. Many people asks “Why should Andres Bonifacio be our National Hero?” The answer to that will lie on the quality of understanding of Filipinos that it is not the title that matters but their contribution to the liberation Filipinos against colonizers. Just like many heroes, may it be modern or classic; they have to do something that made the Philippines what it is now. On the case of Andres Bonifacio, he founded a popular organization in the 70’s called KATIPUNAN. Its infamous reputation has withstand the test of true brotherhood and the determination to fight with principle and pride. Something that every Filipino should embody within themselves. This fact alone, makes a certain influence in deciding who is the real national hero. Andres Bonifacio has all the traits of a national hero. He is the real national hero based on a clear action against Spanish colonization, good leadership and governance among revolutionaries, and a great inspiration to the most famous revolution in the history of the Philippines.

Discussion: It is said that before a person becomes successful, he must be successful within himself and within his family members. He should have a strong background of faith and principle so that when the time comes that the person has to make a decision; he will have a clear judgment. I believe that all heroes are born that way. The underdogs of life. Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini and many others are resounding names in Philippine history. Together, they made Republica de Pilipinas what it is now. But one name stands out for me. My true national hero. He is Andres Bonifacio. But before the discussion of Andres Bonifacio’s life and works, let us know how to define a national hero first in our very context. Who and what is a national hero? Is this someone who should be famous? Or is this based on the popularity of his works? Or is this someone we look up to and draw our inspiration from? For me, a national hero is a person who is barve enough to show to other citizens that nothing will be achiened if we act silent. A national hero stands up for the freedom and will stand strong against injustice. A good example of that is Andres Bonifacio. Andres Bonifacio was born to Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro in Ilaya, Tondo, Manila and was the oldest child. His father was a tailor who served as a teniente mayor (municipal official) of Tondo while his mother (a mestiza of Spanish descent) worked in a cigarette factory. His education was very limited because the death of his parents forced him to leave school while still quite young in order to support his siblings (Ladislao, 1854). Bonifacio has worked in many establishmenst. He became a messenger for the local parish choir where later he became a salesman of tar and other goods. He also worked as a warehouseman (bodeguero in Spanish) in an American company. He and his siblings sell canes and paper fans. Andres Bonifacio was married twice. First is a woman named Monica who later died and then to Gregoria de Jesus. They had a child who later died in small pox. These events had created a solid gorund for Andres Bonifacio to be strong and dedicated to find happiness in the forms of bravery and strong will. Despite not finishing formal education, Bonifacio was self-educated. He read books about the French Revolution, biographies of the Presidents of the United States, the colonial penal and civil codes, and novels such as Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, Eugène Sue's Le Juif errant and José Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (Ladislao, 1854). Since education is not merely an access to all class of people before, Andres Bonifacio resorted to written materials and consulted a priest in some words he fail to understand. Andres Bonifacio was a very compassionate man. He cared for his brothers and sisters who are younger than him in excessive manner. He prepares food for them and sends them to bed every night. He became the father and mother of his siblings at the same time. When he got married, he took his sibling into his home and his wife was very loving to them also. During their early marriage, their house was burnt for an unknown reason and they struggled to survive. But Andres, being as patient and determined as he is, managed to bring back his family into stand. During Andres Bonifacio’s life time frame, it was the peak of the Spanish colonization. It was an ugly and horrible time for the Filipinos. Many were revolting, struggling and famine was all over the country. Women were raped and men were tortured. Children were trained to us guns and bayonets. The threatinig situation brought fort big realizations for the revolutionaries. The first one was Jose Rizal, the current national hero of the republic of the Philippines. He was captured and was imprisoned. Rizal’s incarceration had lead to many revolutions from the Filipinos. Revolutions like these were prohibited and banned by the Spaniards. So the common arising pattern during that time was the emergence of secret societies. A famous example of this is the KATIPUNAN or Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan ("Highest and Most Respected Society of the Children of the Country") (Wikipedia, 2011). The katipunan was founded by Andres Bonifacio but was presided by Emilio Aguinaldo. The main purpose of the organization or secret society was to re-proclaim the freedom of the Filipinos from the hands of the sapniards. This was the consequence that followed after Jose Rizal was put behind bars. The organization was made to have an armed revolt but it never meant to kill. The members of the organization are basically supported by freemasonry. Because it is a secret society the used the pseudonym “May Pagasa (There is hope)” (Bayani, 1992). For a time, Bonifacio worked with both the Katipunan and La Liga Filipina. But La Liga Filipina eventually split because less rich members like Bonifacio lost hope for peaceful reforms, and ceased their monetary aid. From Manila, the Katipunan expanded into several provinces, including Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija. Most of its members, called Katipuneros, came from the lower and middle classes, with many of its local leaders being prominent figures in their municipalities. The organization was limited only to male members but it was expanded to female ones and the most popular female member was Gregoria de Jesus, Bonifacio’s wife as you can recall. From the beginning, Bonifacio was one of the chief Katipunan officers, though he did not become its Supremo (supreme leader) or Presidente Supremo (Supreme President) until 1895. Within the society, Bonifacio developed a strong friendship with Emilio Jacinto who served as his adviser and confidant, as well as a member of the Supreme Council. The rapid increase of Katipunan activity drew the suspicion of the Spanish authorities. By early 1896, Spanish intelligence was aware of the existence of a rebellious secret society. Suspects were kept under observation and surveillance and arrests were made. On May 3, Bonifacio held a general meeting and assembly of Katipunan leaders in Pasig where they planned and debated when to start their revolt. The Spanish authorities confirmed the existence of the Katipunan. Hundreds of Filipino suspects, both innocent and guilty, were arrested and imprisoned for betrayal or treason. Bonifacio called thousands of Katipunan members to a mass gathering in Caloocan, where they decided to start their revolt. The event, marked by the tearing of cedulas (community tax certificates) was later called the "Cry of Balintawak" or "Cry of Pugad Lawin" (Theodore, 1968). Council of the Katipunan declared a nationwide armed revolution against Spain and called for a simultaneous coordinated attack. Bonifacio appointed generals to lead rebel forces. Bonifacio was a leader in its truest sense. When other heroes were afraid, he lead. When other leaders refused, he fought. His leadership goes beyond leadership but friendship. He was a friend to all of his companions and had fought hand in hand with his members in restoring the peace and order in the Philippines. When Rizal was executed at that time. Filipinos lost hope. But Bonifacio stood up and decided to revolt in arms against the Spanish people. Bonifacio treated every member a family and when they failed to do their task, he was never disappointed. He was loyal to the country and helped Rizal achieve his dreams of a better Philippines. He opposed every war there is and had always looked up in the presence and power of peace. Andrés Bonifacio, along with José Rizal, is one of the implied national heroes of the Philippines. However, both Bonifacio and Rizal are given the implied recognition of being national heroes because they both have national holidays in their honor: Bonifacio Day on November 30, and Rizal Day on December 30.

According to the website www. Wikipedia.com: Despite the lack of any official declaration explicitly proclaiming them as national heroes, [Rizal and Bonifacio] remain admired and revered for their roles in Philippine history. Heroes, according to historians, should not be legislated. Their appreciation should be better left to academics. Acclamation for heroes, they felt, would be recognition enough. Bonifacio has been suggested as a more worthy national hero (Ocampo, 1999). Ambeth Ocampo (1999) gives the opinion that arguing for Bonifacio as the better hero on the grounds that he began the Philippine Revolution is moot since Rizal inspired the Philippine Revolution. However, Rizal disowned the Philippine Revolution of 1896, calling it "highly absurd" although he did not condemn its aim of independence per se. Milagros Guerrero (2003) reveres Bonifacio for founding and organizing the Katipunan, "the first anticolonial revolution in Asia" and "the first Filipino national government. So debating wheter Bonifacio should be the national hero is quiet possible since he sparked the revolution of the pHilippines and soon brought back its freedom.

A hero is part of the people’s expression. But the process of a people’s internalization of a hero’s life and works takes time, with the youth forming a part of the internalization. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom. Our own struggle for freedom was begun by Bonifacio. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation. Bonifacio fought against the spanish colonizers even if it meant going underground. Bonifacio more or less personify the "fighting hero" for me. He is the one who is more of a revolutionary among the two. I believe that if only, the filipinos at that time supported his revolution, we would have come out a better, stronger nation, despite that fact that blood had to be spilled. I believe that blood cleanses a nation, and it should have happened back then. I am not undermining Dr. Rizal. He was a member of the intelligentsia, a visionary and opted for a revolution at a later time. But he was named our national hero by the Americans because he embodied passive resistance. He was a model which the Americans thought would best sparkle out the Filipino's patriotic fervor back then, and opt for more diplomatic avenues for independence. In general, i'd opt for heroes who chose the more aggresive path, via an armed revolution. Although not officially recognized as such, Bonifacio is considered by some filipino historians to be the first president of the Philippines, most definitely a hero. There are many monuments honoring Bonifacio in the country. The two most famous can be found at Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines and at Caloocan. Bonifacio is also depicted in the 10 peso note and 10 peso coin in Philippine currency.

A real hero, like Andres Bonifacio is distinguished by his achievements. Every November 30, the Philippines celebrates Bonifacio Day to commemorate the birthday of the Father of Philippine Revolution, Andres Bonifacio y de Castro. Bonifacio Day for 2008 is the 145th birth anniversary of this enthusiastic, popular, nationalist hero who might arguably have not been very effective in the battlefield, but possessed the organizational genius that paved the way for the revolutionary struggle for independence by the Malay race of the Philippine Islands. The depth of Gat Andres Bonifacio's ardent love for his country and people can be gleaned from his famous poem "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa" (Love of Motherland). The poem is an emotional call for nationalism that originate from within the people and not from anyone or anywhere else. In it, Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio laments the suffering of his people under Spanish colonial misrule and as well, the seeming loss of pride in their race (Agoncillo, 1990). As a personal opinion, I believe that Andres Bonifacio is the true National hero. I believe the Filipinos chose Jose Rizal because he was sponsored by the Americans and that he is a good example in resolving problems in a more passive way. American were afraid that Filipinos would revolt against them. It was Bonifacio who ignited the flames of freedom. Bonifacio shouted for change when Rizal was writing it. Bonifacio moved for change while Rizal was executed for his writings. Bonifacio died marching while Rizal sailed away.