Andres Bonifacio

ANDRES BONIFACIO (1863 – 1897)

Who was this scrappy and hot-headed rebel leader, Andres Bonifacio? Why is his story still remembered today in the Republic of the Philippines?

Known in the Philippines as the Great Plebeian…

Andres Bonifacio was not immediately hailed as a national hero by the intellectual and well-to-do classes of our society. The masses, possessing that unerring Judgment by which they appraise true patriots, were the first ones who elevated Bonifacio to the pedestal of a hero of our people. The observance which we hold today is a solemn declaration by the entire country that Andres Bonifacio is deserving of the undying gratitude of his people, and that the memory of his life and deeds would keep the flame of inspiration ever burning in the hearts of generations yet unborn.

Andres Bonifacio organized a secret society and revolutionary group, Katipunan, in 1892 when Rizal was arrested and deported to Dapitan. Shortly after, Bonifacio became the Supremo (head) of the Katipunan. Unlike those in the middle class, Bonifacio and his circle of plebeians did not seek reforms from the Spanish government. Their aim was to liberate the native Filipinos from tyranny and procure their independence. The Katipunan became the core of the revolutionary army under Emilio Aguinaldo whose election as President of the Philippine Revolutionary Government cost Bonifacio's downfall. After being tried by the council of war on charges of treason, General Lazaro Makapagal led a group of soldiers who executed Bonifacio and his brother Procopio on May 10, 1897.

Katipunan, or Kataastaasang Kagalannalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan to give its full name (literally "Highest and Most Respected Society of the Children of the Country"), was dedicated to armed resistance against the colonial government. Made up mostly of people from the middle and lower classes, the Katipunan organization soon established regional branches in a number of provinces across the Philippines. (It...