Katipunan (KKK): Origins and Aims

The Katipunan is Born

• Bonifacio founded the "Katastaasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892, in a house on Azcarraga Street in Tondo, Manila
• Bonifacio was convinced the only way the Philippines could gain independence was through a revolution

Aims of the KKK

• The "Katastaasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) espoused revolutionary independence for the Philippines through armed force
• Members pledged loyalty symbolized by the "sanduguan" or blood compact by signing their name in their own blood
• The members agreed to recruit more people using the "triangle system"
• A political goal was to separate the Philippines completely from Spain once independence was declared
• Morally, it aimed at teaching Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism
• Its civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor and oppressed
• The KKK was headed by a "supremo" or president
• Each province had a “Sangguaniang Bayan” (Provincial Council)
• Each town had a "Sangguniang Barangay" (Popular Council)

KKK Membership

• Founder: Andres Bonifacio
• Supremo: Deodato Arellano
• Fiscal: Ladislao Diwa
• Secretary: Teodoro Plata
• Treasurer: Valentin Diaz

Katipon (Member)

• Outfit: Black hood, white triangle ribbons, with letters Z. LI. B inside
• Password: Anak ng Bayan
• Monthly Dues: One real fuerte (old money), or 12.5 centimos, or 20 cuartos

Kawal (Soldier)

• Outfit: Green hood, with a triangle of white lines
• Letters: Z. LI. B
• A green ribbon from the neck with Tagalog K
• Password: Gom-Bur-Za
• Monthly Dues: Twenty centavos

Bayani (Patriot)

• Outfit: Red mask, with a white triangle, with letters K Z. LI. B inside
• Red sash with green borders
• Password: Rizal
• Monthly Dues: Two real fuertes (old money), or 25 centimos, or 40 cuartos
• In 1892-1898 many flags represented The Katipunan.

Emilio Jacinto

• Born on December 15, 1875, in Tondo, Manila.
• Jacinto’s parents were Mariano Jacinto (bookkeeper) and Josefa Dizon
• He studied law, but stopped when the Philippine Revolution began in 1896.
• In 1894, He joined the Katipunan when he was 18 years old using the name Pingkian
• He wrote Kartilya, as well as the Katipuneros' oath.
• He served as the editor for Katipunan newspaper, Kalayaan
• Along with publishing literary works and using a pen name, he served the Katipunan in different capacities (secretary, fiscal, editor)
• Bonifacio appointed him general in 1897
• Also served as an adviser to the Supremo
• After Bonifacio's death in Cavite in 1897, he continued to fight against the Spaniards
• He was wounded and captured in Magdalena, Laguna
• He died on April 6, 1899 at the age of 24

Kartilya

• Jim Richardson stated Kartilya is the best and lengthiest document of the Katipunan
• It was derived from Spanish cartilla, a primer used for grade schools in the Spanish period
• Presents teachings for neophyte Katipuneros
• A document of affirmation by the member to society’s teachings

Importance

• Predicted on moral and nationalistic principles of the nation
• Relevant as the true sense of nationhood still holds historical and cultural values that are threatened by today's globalization

Teachings

• Life not dedicated to a great and sacred cause is like a tree without shade, or a poisonous weed
• A good deed lacks virtue if proceeds from desire from personal reasons
• True charity comprises compassion, in love for one’s fellow men, and in making true Reason guide your actions
• All men are equal, whether dark or pale. One can be better in knowledge, wealth, and beauty but not in being
• A person of noble honor is above self-interest; an ignoble person values self-interest above honor
• An honorable man is his word
• Do not waste time; wealth can be recovered but time is lost forever
• Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor
• An intelligent person keeps quiet about what must be kept and takes care in everything
• The man is to lead the way with his wife and children, but when the leader has gone to the ways of perdition, those who are led should leave.
• Woman should not be a plaything, she should be regarded with helpmate and have due regard to her weaknesses, and remember the mother
• Do not do anything to another's wife, daughter or sister, if you would not want that done to your wife, daughter or sister.
• A man's worth does not come from being a king, height, or the whiteness of his face
• Pure and noble is he who, though born in the forest, behaves decently, is true to his word, has dignity and honor, who is not an oppressor and cherishes the land of his birth
• These doctrines will shine the sun upon the Islands, and shed the sweet light upon united people in everlasting happiness

Relevance

• It has established not only rules for the Katipunan members, but also the principles for citizens of a free nation
• Significant because it creates a simple creed for modern living