Summary

The Kartilya ng Katipunan is a foundational document for Filipino nationalism. It outlines the principles and beliefs of the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization that fought for Philippine independence from Spain. The document emphasizes love for one's country, equality, reason, and the need for sacrifice.

Full Transcript

Jim Richardson Jim Richardson is an independent scholar whose research focuses on Philippine nationalism and radicalism in the 19th and 20th centuries. His publications include Roots of Dependency: Political and Economic Revolution in 19th Century Philippines (co-authored with Jonathan Fast); The...

Jim Richardson Jim Richardson is an independent scholar whose research focuses on Philippine nationalism and radicalism in the 19th and 20th centuries. His publications include Roots of Dependency: Political and Economic Revolution in 19th Century Philippines (co-authored with Jonathan Fast); The Philippines (World Bibliographical Series); Komunista: The Genesis of the Philippine Communist Party, 1902-1935; and The Light of Liberty: Documents and Studies on the Katipunan, 1892-1897.. The Katipunan's Formation: The Katipunan was formed as a secret society by Andres Bonifacio, a Filipino revolutionary leader, to fight for independence from Spain. It aimed to unite Filipinos from all walks of life and prepare them for armed struggle. The Kartilya's Purpose: The Kartilya served as a guidebook for Katipunan members, outlining their principles, beliefs, and ethical conduct. It emphasized love for one's country, equality, reason, and the need for sacrifice. The Philippine Revolution: The Katipunan played a crucial role in sparking the Philippine Revolution in 1896. The Kartilya's teachings inspired Filipinos to fight for their freedom and contributed to the revolutionary spirit that swept the nation. The Legacy of the Kartilya: The Kartilya remains a significant document in Philippine history. Its principles continue to resonate with Filipinos who strive for social justice, equality, and national unity. Believe with a fervent heart in the Creator Reflect always that a sincere faith in Him involves love of one's native land, because this shows true love for one's fellows. Engrave on the heart the conviction that to die for the liberation of the country from enslavement is the highest honor and fortune. In any endeavor, the realization of good aspirations depends on calmness, perse 3 verance, reason, and hope. Guard the instructions and plans of the K K K as you ould guard your own 5 honor. Anyone who falls into danger whilst carrying out their duties should be supported by all, and rescued even at the cost of life and riches. Let each of us strive in the performance of our dury to set a good example for others to follow. Share whatever you can with whoever is needy iligence in earning a livelihood is a true expression of love and affection for self, spouse, children, and brothers or compatriots. iligence in earning a livelihood is a true expression of love and affection for self, spouse, children, and brothers or compatriots. Believe absolutely that scoundrels and traitors will be punished and good deeds wil be rewarded. Believe, likewise, that the aims of the K K K are blessed by the Creator, for the will of the people is also His will. Taught in schools and debated in universities, the Kartilya is the best-known of all Katipunan texts. Making manifest the KKK's principles and teachings, it was printed as a small pamphlet tor new members. It is the only document of to be still extant. The earliest reference to the Kartilya yet found is in the minutes of a Supreme Assembly meeting held in December 1895. which say the manifesto (pahayag) will be priced at 4 kualta per copy. Whether it is the KKK branches or the individual recruits who are to be charged this amount is not clear, and nor is it known whether the title phrase-"To those who want to join this Katipunan"- truly means potential recruits, or in practice should be taken to mean, "To those who have just joined this Katipunan." If copies were sold to potential as well as actual recruits. The Kartilya was still in use during the first phase of the revolution, and Bonifacio was planning to print more copies shortly before he was killed. t may still have been used during the second phase of the revoiution, ícr a VerSion survives in the Philippine Insurgent Records that is stamped with the Seal used by Artemio Ricarte in 1899. This version contains basically the same text as is transcribed here, but it bears a different title-"Final Declaration on Admission to the Katipunan" (Katapusang pamamahayag sa pagpasok sa K.)- and it omits the famous footnote that says "the word Tagalog means all those born in this Archipelago. Authorship of the Kartilya has always been Credited to Emilio Jacinto, and there is little doubt this attribution is sound: it dates back to the Sensacional memoria of Isabelo de los Reyes. whose sources included several senior KKK Veterans, and it has never been challenged. Bonifacio, the story goes, had originally intended that his "Decalogue should be printed and handed to recruits, but he then read Jacinto's Kartilya and decided it was superior. The two texts, though, are not really comparable. Bonifacio seeks only to enumerate the duties of Katipunan members, Jacinto couches his primer, four times as long, rather as a statement of aspirations and ethical values. Bonifacio lists ten obligations; Jacinto presents twelve "guiding principles" and fourteen "teachings." The Kartilya ng Katipunan is a foundational document for Filipino nationalism, outlining the principles and beliefs of the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization that fought for Philippine independence from Spain. TO THOSE WHO WANT TO JoIN THIS ASSOCIATION In order that all who want to enter this association may have a full understanding and knowledge of its guiding principles and main teachings, it is necessary to make these things known to them so that they will not, tomorrow or the next day, repent, and so that they may perform their duties wholeheartedly. This association pursues a most worthy and momentous object: to unite the hearts and minds of all the Tagalogs (") by means of an inviolable oath, in order that this union may be strong enough to tear aside the thick veil that obscures thought, and to find the true path of Reason and Enlightenment. TO THOSE WHO WANT TO JoIN THIS ASSOCIATION The word "Tagalog" means all those born in this Archipelago; even a person who is a Visayan, Ilocano, or Kapampangan, etc. is therefore a Tagalog, too One of the foremost rules here is true love of the native land and genuine compassion for one another. Poor, rich, ignorant, wise-here, all are equal and true brethren. The principles of the Katipunan, as outlined in the Kartilya ng Katipunan, are deeply relevant to Philippine history and identity. They served as the moral compass for the revolutionary organization that fought for Philippine independence from Spain, emphasizing love for one's country, equality, reason, and the need for sacrifice. These principles continue to resonate with Filipinos today, reminding them of the values of unity, compassion, justice, and the pursuit of freedom. A life that is not dedicated to a great and sacred cause is like a tree without a Shade, or a poisonous weed A good deed lacks virtue if it springs from a desire for personal profit and not from a sincere desire to do good True charity resides in acts of compassion, in love for one's fellow men, and in making true Reason the measure of every move, deed, and word. Be their skin dark or pale, all men are equal. One can be superior to another in knowledge, wealth, and beauty... but not in being. A person with a noble character values honor above self-interest, while a person with an ignoble character values self-interest above honor. An honorable man's word is his bond. Don't waste time; lost wealth may be recovered, but time lost is lost forever. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor. An intelligent man is he who takes care in everything he says and keeps quiet about what must be kept secret. Along the thorny path of lite, the man leads the way and his wife and children follow. If the leader goes the way of perdition, then so do those who are led. Do not regard a woman as a mere plaything, but as a helpmate and partner in the hardships of this existence. Have due regard to her weakness, and remember the mother who brought you into this world and nurtured you in your infancy. What you would not want done to your wife, daughter, and sister, do not do to the wife, daughter, and sister of another. A man's worth does not come from him being a king, or in the height of his nose and the whiteness of his face, or in him being a priest, a REPRESENTATIVE OF GOD, or in his exalted position on the face of this earth. Pure and truly noble is he who, though born in the forest and able to speak only his own tongue, behaves decently, is true to his word, has dignity and honor, who is not an oppressor and does not abet oppressors, who knows how to cherish and look after the land of his birth. When these doctrines have spread and the brilliant sun of beloved liberty shines on these poor Islands, and sheds its sweet light upon a united race, a people in ever lasting happiness, then the lives lost, the struggle and the suffering will have been 11ore than recompensed. The document served as a guide for newcomers who were willing to join the Katipunan. ✣ It contains 14 teachings that each Katipunero should adhere. ✣ Each teachings contains values, which are directed towards different aspects of life. ✣ Most of the teachings in the document are unknowingly kept by most of the Filipinos today.

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