Kultura-Handout 8: Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan PDF

# Kultura-Handout 8 ## Topic: Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan ### I. Paano naitatag ang Katipunan? - When the propagandists failed to convince the Spanish government to give them the reforms they wanted, the ilustrados realized that change should come from the Filipinos themselves. - In resp...

# Kultura-Handout 8 ## Topic: Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan ### I. Paano naitatag ang Katipunan? - When the propagandists failed to convince the Spanish government to give them the reforms they wanted, the ilustrados realized that change should come from the Filipinos themselves. - In response, Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines on June 26, 1892, to meet with other patriots. - He formed an organization called the *La Liga Filipina*. On July 3rd, a week after arriving in the Philippines, he formally met with the organization's members. - However, the *La Liga Filipina* did not last long. Only three days after its founding, Jose Rizal was arrested by the order of Governor-General Eulogio Despujol. - Two weeks later, he was exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao, where he remained for four years. - One of the members of the *La Liga Filipina*, Andres Bonifacio, formed a secret organization on July 7th, along with Deodato Arellano, Ladislao Diwa, Valentin Diaz, Jose Dizon, and Teodoro Plata. - They called their organization the *Kataastaasan Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan*. - The Katipunan used the "Triangle Method" to recruit new members. Each member would recruit two others. - This method was slow, so they decided to abandon it in favor of a more efficient system. When the Katipunan reached 100 members, they held an election for its leadership. Deodato Arellano was elected Supremo. - Bonifacio didn't become Supremo until 1895, but he remained a part of the organization's leadership. Under his guidance, the Katipunan prepared for a revolution. - Emilio Jacinto, a Katipunan member who was close to Bonifacio, wrote the *Kartilya ng Katipunan*. - In this document, he outlined the goals and principles that the Katipunan held. This includes: - The *Kalayaan*, the Katipunan's official publication, was launched. - By 1896, the membership of the Katipunan was growing rapidly, with historians estimating between 30,000 and 400,000 members. ### II. Ano ang layunin at prinsipyo ng Katipunan? - The Katipunan helped Bonifacio to spread a new understanding of the idea of *bayan*, which differed from the *nación* of the ilustrados. - This new understanding was based on the concept of *Inang Bayan* and the *Haring Bayan* (the nation-state), which would include the entire archipelago (the Republic of *Katagalugan*). - The idea was that the *Inang Bayan* was the source of unity, as the archipelago was born from her womb. - Under the uniting notion of a single *Inang Bayan*, a brotherhood of nations emerged. Bonifacio used the metaphor of a family to represent the unity the Katipunan desired for the islands. - The Katipunan's goal was to unite the country and liberate it from Spanish rule through a revolution. - Jacinto and Bonifacio acknowledged the existence of many different nations, but they believed that the people of the Philippines were united in heart and mind. They were all children of the same *Inang Bayan*. - Katipuneros were called *Anak ng Bayan*, acknowledging their brotherhood within the *Inang Bayan*. - To emphasize this brotherhood, the Katipunan revived the old ritual of blood compact, following the tradition of *datus* in the precolonial era. - This ritual cemented a brotherhood between the *datus* and their people. - The concept of citizenship was a Western one, so the Katipunan emphasized instead that Filipinos were siblings because they shared an *Inang Bayan*. - The original version of the *Kartilya* stated "The first of its commandments is true love for one's native land and complete mutual help.” - The Katipunan documents such as the *Kartilya ng Katipunan* by Emilio Jacinto, displayed a vision of freedom rooted in mutual kindness and good will. ### Hindi pagiging bayolente at pagpatay ang pangunahing aral ng Katipunan kundi pag iibigan sa bawat isa. - An article in the Katipunan newspaper, *Kalayaan*, expressed Jacinto’s understanding of true freedom this way, “I am the beginning of things greater, more beautiful, more worthy of admiration, more noble and worth preserving, that humanity can attain... Because of my ambition, people are united, and they forget their selfish interests and see only the greater good of all.” - Jacinto believed that freedom could not exist without empathy and goodwill between people. - Freedom, he argued, is a “peace of mind”, which cannot be achieved in the absence of mutual respect and understanding. - Jacinto argued that a lack of peace prevents Filipinos from experiencing true freedom, similar to how the *Pag Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa* document, emphasizes the close connection between freedom and contentment. - In Dr. Teresita Gimenez Maceda's study of the Katipunan, she determined that freedom cannot exist without well-being. - Dr. Zeus Salazar, in his study of Filipino psychology, examined the different dictionary definitions of the word “ginhawa” (well-being). - He identified the following definitions, “ease in life”, “joy in life”, “recovering from illness”, “relief from hardship”, “pleasure”, or “good living”. - While “ginhawa” refers to more than just food, in the Hiligaynon language “ginhawa” is linked to eating. - You can have the right to vote or civil rights but you can't have a true freedom without having the basic essentials of life. - True freedom cannot exist without contentment, and contentment depends on honesty and good will among siblings. - The Katipunan promoted a vision of freedom that extended beyond rights listed in a constitution; it embodied a sense of “ginhawa” and goodwill among people, where everyone strived to ensure the well-being of their fellow Filipinos. - The Katipunan’s vision for the Philippines was a nation with contentment and a strong sense of empathy among its people. ### Ang buod ng diwang Katipunan mula sa kalat-kalat na mga akdang Katipunan ay ito: Kapatiran, Mabuting Kalooban, Kaginhawaan, at Tunay na Kalayaan na nagsisimula sa pag-ibig. - This philosophy prepared the Katipuneros for the struggle ahead. - They were not content with merely holding weapons and hating Spain; they sought something deeper. - This is why the Katipunan was able to go unseen for four years. - Bonifacio’s leadership has been misrepresented, particularly by those who see him as an impulsive leader who charged into battle recklessly. - However, this is inaccurate, as Bonifacio’s strategy was grounded in the traditions and wisdom of the Philippines. ### III. Totoo nga bang sugod lang ng sugod ang Katipunan nang hindi nag-iisip at walang plano? - It is common knowledge that the Katipunan's leader, Andres Bonifacio, was a man of action who didn't have the military strategizing skills of others. - But historian Dr. Zeus Salazar believes this to be false. - After four years of training, recruitment, and planning, the Katipunan’s existence was revealed in August 1896. - The revelation was a result of a man named Teodoro Patino who confided in his sister, Honoria, about the Katipunan. - Honoria then revealed the secret to the town priest, Father Mariano Gil. - The Spanish military raided the *Diario de Manila*, a newspaper they believed held the Katipunan’s documents. - The Spanish military spent the entire night hunting for Katipuneros. - Five days later, the *Kataastaasan Sanggunian* of the KKK met and announced that the organization would have a new structure: a revolutionary government. - They also decided to attack Manila on the evening of August 29th and into the 30th. - The first president of the new government in the Philippines was Andres Bonifacio. ### Ang kanilang plano? Palibutan ang Intramuros sa Maynila. - The Katipunan wanted to surround Intramuros, the heart of Spanish colonization, while the Spanish military was occupied with the Muslim rebellion in Mindanao. - The goal was for the Katipunan to conquer the center of Spanish power and, in doing so, to bring about the end of the empire. - The plan involved three stages, each of which would attack Intramuros from a different direction: - **From the East:** Members would travel through San Mateo, Marikina, and then onward to San Juan before eventually reaching Sampaloc. - **From the North:** The Katipunan would advance through Bulacan, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija, eventually arriving in Caloocan and Balintawak before eventually reaching Tondo and Binondo. - **From the South:** The Katipunan would approach from Cavite and parts of Pasig. ### Ayon sa DR. ZEUS A. SALAZAR, may istratehiyang militar na sinimulan si ANDRES BONIFACIO na sinunod ng maraming heneral sa buong Pilipinas MULA SA ISTRATEHIYA NG MGA NINUNONG PILIPINO “ILIHAN.” - Dr. Salazar claimed that Andres Bonifacio was the first to use the tactic, “*ilihan*”, a strategy employed by the ancestors of Filipinos, to fight against the Spanish. - The strategy involved retreating to the hills or the mountains to escape danger or to prepare for battle. - Bonifacio established strategic locations called “*real*” (a Spanish word for a fort or camp). - The Katipunan used the **“*real*”** as a secure community with defenses. - The earliest “*real*” was established by Bonifacio was in the forest of Mt. Tapusi (Montalban, Rizal). - The Katipunan also had “*real*” locations in Balara, Krus na Ligas, Masuyod (Marikina), Kakaron de Sile, Puray, Kamansi, Minuyan, Makiling, Banahaw, and other mountainous areas. - **The “*real*”** strategy was seen most commonly in mountainous areas of Tayabas, Morong (Rizal), Bulacan, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija. - **The “*real*”** strategy used natural elements like forests, rocks, caves, and mountains as part of its defenses. - The “*real*” strategy was most effective for the Filipinos because: - It was cheap. - It was easily defended and abandoned. - It was difficult for the Spanish to navigate and attack. - The Spanish military was unprepared for these tactics. ### Dahil pakikidigmang mas angkop sa Pilipino: Hindi ito kailangang gastusan, madaling iwanan at balikan kapag hinabol sila roon marami sila lulusutan, hindi mapakikinabangan ng mga Espanyol at pahihirapan sila dahil wala silang kasanayan. - Even after the Battle of Pinaglabanan, when they were outnumbered and defeated, the Katipunan did not falter. - Neither were they captured by the Spanish. - Instead, they retreated to their “*real*” outposts, utilizing the strategies of the *ilihan* philosophy, to remain free from pursuit. - There is a lot of misinformation surrounding Bonifacio’s military strategy that suggests he was a fearless fighter without the strategic thinking necessary for leadership. - The truth is that his strategy was rooted in the beliefs and history of the Philippines.  - He did not rely on reckless assaults, but rather sought to exploit the strengths of his people and hold on to his territory. ### Samakatuwid, hindi totoong walang istratehiyang militar si Bonifacio. Hindi nga lamang ito papasa sa mga kanluranin sapagkat nag-ugat si Bonifacio sa istratehiya ng sinaunang bayan. - If Bonifacio was truly reckless, it is hard to explain why he was able to keep the Katipunan secret for four years without raising suspicion. - The Katipunan’s success in keeping secrets for so long is evidence of the organization’s ability to plan and strategize. - Bonifacio’s skills were not derived from the military tactics of Western powers, so they were not easily understood by outside observers. - He relied on the strategic thinking used by the traditional Filipino leaders to protect their territory. **References:** - Chua, M. (2012). UNDRESS BONIFACIO: Paghubad sa Kamisa ng Supremo. _https://bangkanixiao.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/chua-undress-bonifacio-filipino.pdf_ - Chua, M. (2013, April 13). HAMON AT TUGON: Conquista at Reaksyon ng Bayan Tungo sa Pambansang Himagsikan. - Chua, M (2013, August 20). Haring Bayan: Si Andres Bonifacio at ang Konseptong Pilipino ng Demokrasya. ABS-CBN News. _http://www.abscbnnews.com/opinions/08/21/13/haringbayansiandresbonifacioangkonseptongpilipinongdemokrasya_ - Chua, M. (2014, November). Ang kaugnayan ng mabuting kalooban sa dalumat ng kalayaan at pagkabansa ng katipunan. Saliksik E-Journal. _https://bangkanixiao.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/chua-ang-kaugnayan-ng-mabuting-kalooban-sa-dalumat-ng-kalayaan-ng-katipunan.pdf_ - Guerrero, M., Encarnacion, E., Villegas, R. (1996). Andres Bonifacio and the 1896 Revolution. _https://bangkanixiao.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/guerrero-andres-bonifacio-and-the-1896-revolution.pdf_ - Salazar, Z. (2004). Kasaysayan ng Kapilipinuhan: Bagong Balangkas. Lungsod ng Quezon.