The Philippines also known as “The Pearl of the Orient” like all other great countries had difficult beginnings. Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal two of the proponents that instigated our great struggle for freedom, they who reminded us of the pride and strength of a Filipino, they who showed us that we are people who will never give up and will fight no matter what. One became the voice of the people; leading the propaganda movement that inspired the nation to fight against the tyranny and, the other became the leader of the people “The Supreme Leader” that thoroughly ignited the flames of revolution. Jose Rizal wrote and gave us hope; he preferred the pen over the sword while Andres Bonifacio gave life to that hope. He fought and bled for our freedom and instilled in our hearts, our love for our country. Well it is true that Bonifacio has somewhat got this idea of freedom from Rizal but it is Bonifacio who put it into action, what is an idea without an action? . . . action speaks louder than words of ideas. Bonifacio was not chosen as our national hero because the Americans are afraid on Bonifacio's way of liberating our country. The Americans want to colonize our country but in order to fulfill this dream there should be a man to be catapulted from below in order for us to have national hero. Our national hero serves as our idol, and as an idol we must follow his steps. The Americans chose Rizal because he is a reformist; a reformist is not a hindrance in their colonization. Since Bonifacio is a separatist, he is a thorn in their throats. Reformist seek only for reforms but separatist seek for FREEDOM!. In our eyes Andres Bonifacio is the true hero of the Philippines.
VIVA BONIFACIO VIVA
I. Introduction
Andres Bonifacio is the true hero of the Philippines
The Philippines also known as “The Pearl of the Orient” like all other great countries had difficult beginnings. The Philippines was once a nameless archipelago to the world until it was colonized by the Spaniards on 1565. For 333 years we were under the rule of the Spaniards, some would say that if it wasn’t for them we would have no culture, but others say that we were better off without them, because of the tyranny and hardships they have put us through. The Philippines is a strong country and a country is only as strong as its people, and we Filipinos are proud people. We lived in peaceful submission with the Spaniards until their tyranny became too overbearing for us, and we finally took up arms against our rulers. Two of the proponents of this great revolution of ours left a great mark in our history. One became the voice of the people; leading the propaganda movement that inspired the nation to fight against the tyranny and, the other became the leader of the people “The Supreme Leader” that thoroughly ignited the flames of revolution.
Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal two of the proponents that instigated our great struggle for freedom, they who reminded us of the pride and strength of a Filipino, they who showed us that we are people who will never give up and will fight no matter what. After we claimed our freedom many heroes rose from our struggle some remembered by history some forgotten, but all of them made our history. Today in our modern times we still commemorate this heroes especially our national hero Jose Rizal, but is Jose Rizal the true hero of the Philippines? It is true that he took a main role in inspiring our people, but should that have been enough for us? Jose Rizal wrote and gave us hope; he preferred the pen over the sword while Andres Bonifacio gave life to that hope. He fought and bled for our freedom and instilled in our hearts our love for our country. In our eyes Andres Bonifacio is the true hero of the Philippines.
II. Background
Andres Bonifacio y de Castro was the supreme leader of the “KKK” faction of Filipino rebels. He led them through many battles with the most memorable was the “Sigaw ng pugad lawin” or cry of Balintawak where the rebels ripped their “cedulas” to show their independence against the Spaniards. Andres Bonifacio led many battles that helped ensure the victory of the rebels; the “battle of Manila”, and his capture of the outlying municipalities that surrounded Manila gave the rebels a better foothold on the heart of the country. Though many say that Andres Bonifacio is an uneducated Filipino it is not true; because he may not have finished his normal education; he instead subjected himself to self-study by reading many historical books like “The French revolution” and many others. It was also said that Jose Rizal’s works inspired Andres Bonifacio greatly enough for to take up arms for his country.
If it was not for Andres Bonifacio we would still be under the rule of other countries. He’s heroic display of courage inspired us Filipinos to fight for our freedom and independence. Andres Bonifacio should be named the true hero of the Philippines; for a true leader should be willing to sacrifice even his life for his followers. We chose Andres Bonifacio because of the warrior’s spirit he instilled within us. Andres Bonifacio proved that the Philippines is the land for Filipinos and he proved that by defending our lands against the tyranny of the Spaniards.
III. Definition of Terms
1. Revolution - a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, especially one madesuddenly and often accompanied by violence.
2. Ilustrados –They were the middle class Filipinos who were educated in Spanish and exposed to Spanish liberal and European nationalist ideals.
3. Hero – Someone who is selfless and would always aspire to do good to the best of their abilities.
4. KKK – “Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng̃ mg̃á Anak ng̃ Bayan”
5. Katipunero – A member of the “KKK” someone who has devoted themselves to fight for their country.
IV. Body
Andres Bonifacio was considered as the Father of the Philippine Revolution. Despite the hardships that he faced during his childhood he managed to study in a private school, but dropped when he was fourthteen to support his siblings after the death of both his parents. There were things about Bonifacio that the public does not know. For instance, did you know that Andres Bonifacio also held the pen. According to rappler.com Andres also held the pen and that hos works for probably better than Rizal's. Some of Andres' works were much more easier to grasp than the works of illustrados for common Filipinos. Some also believed that Andres may be the First President of the Philipines. In an article by Amanda Fernandez in gmanetwork.com there were historical evidences including spanish publications indicating that Andres Bonifacio may be the First President of the Phlippines. Andres Bonifacio was also close to our national hero Jose Rizal. In fact, they were the founding members of La Liga Filipina an organization which called for political reforms in Spain's colonial government of the Philippines. The organization was disbanded upon Rizal's arrest and deportment to Dapitan. Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini revived the La Liga Filipina which later became the Katipunan. Although many believe that he is incapable of leading the organization due to his lack of education, he proved his leadership woth his excellency in warfare and strategic operations. It is also believed that Rizal inspired Bonifacio, but that is only half the truth. It is true that Bonifacio red some of Rizal's works, but as a Filipino he thought more than what the illusrados were thinking of. He thought about freedom and reviving the cultures of the Filipinos. Many Filipinos today are still unaware of Bonifacio's contributions in our country, but recently a group of people have suggested that Andres Bonifacio should be our national hero. Accordin to Gil C. Cabucungan Jr.'s article in Inquirer.net, three member from the House of Representatives have filed a legislation upon Bonifacio's 150th birth anniversary. “There has never been legislation declaring a national hero. Instead there was only a number of proclamations that gave recognition and honor to a few historical figures for their contribution to society, the most famous of whom are Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio,” Colmenares and Zarate said in their explanatory note.Hopefully these debates will be settled someday in the future and that Andres Bonifacio's contributions wwould be acknowledged.
V. Conclusion
The Philippines have experienced oppression during the Spanish Period and although many outstanding individuals fought for their rights, two of them became well known. One of them tried to change the state with reform and diplomacy, while the other fought for their freedom and taught the people about their rights. Whether you believe that Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio is the true hero of the Philippines, one thing is certain. Their works, sacrifices, and contributions for the country will never be taken for granted. We are Filipinos. Many have sacrificed their lives for the freedom that we have attained today. Let us remember that no matter who you are or where you came from, no matter how big or small your contribution to your is, you too can be a hero.
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