“Reason teaches us that we cannot expect anything but more suffering, more treachery, more insults, and more slavery. Reason teaches us not to waste time hoping for the promised prosperity that will never come and never materialise… Reason teaches us to be united in will, united in thought, and united in purpose and that we might have strength to combat the prevailing evil in our Nation.” – Andres Bonifacio
Among the giants of Philippine history like Dr. Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini, one man whose legacy as the Father of the Philippine Revolution remains iconic and ironic. His name is Andres Bonifacio. Born in Tondo, Manila on 30 November 1863, he died at the young age of 33 on 10 May 1897.
He is iconic as he has proven that even though he was young and not part of Ilustrados or the elites, he became a leader as co-founder and later as the “Supremo” of the “Katipunan,” a movement that aimed for the independence of the Philippines from the Spanish colonial rule and started the revolution. Some Filipino historians considered him to be the first President of the Philippines.
Unfortunately, it is also ironic that the Father of the Philippine Revolution who loved our country so much and who fought for our freedom was killed by his fellow Filipinos. He was executed on 10 May 1897 by Major Lazaro Macapagal under orders of the Consejo de la Guerra (Council of War) led by General Mariano Noriel, on the basis of committing sedition and treason against the government. His brother Procopio was also executed on the same day.
There are considerable debates as to whether General Emilio Aguinaldo, who declared the independence of the Philippines on 12 June 1898 and was known as the first Philippine President, had a direct hand in the execution of the Bonifacio brothers. Although to be fair, records show that Aguinaldo wanted to reduce the sentence of Andres and Procopio to exile in nearby Pico de Loro. But he was urged by the members of the War Council, Generals Pio del Pilar and Mariano Noriel, that for the sake of their safety and control of the revolution, the brothers must die. Thus, Emilio Aguinaldo signed a written order and sealed it.
This tragic death of Andres Bonifacio is so controversial and sensitive that Filipinos are so divided that either you love and pity Andres Bonifacio or you hate and abhor Emilio Aguinaldo.
The public and academic historian Ambeth Ocampo commented in one of his interviews that we should try not to immediately judge Aguinaldo as a bad person and to analyse events in the context of the critical situation during that time in history. Perhaps, the unfavourable situation called for his mandate to implement that critical decision no matter how harsh or difficult it was. Professor Ambeth challenged a moral question: “If we were in Aguinaldo’s shoes, would we do the same thing?”
Bonifacio’s death will always linger in the shadow of our nation’s past – and will also continue to ring a bell in the conscience of the Filipinos to call for justice. I know the past is past and we can never undo what is done. This philosophical mindset is the only way to accept what happened in the past and for us to move on to the future. But this is also a moral challenge on how we shall live in the present.
However, I hope that the life and death of Andres Bonifacio will continue to inspire the Filipino Youth of today and tomorrow on how and why we should love our country. Bonifacio answered the call of time at a young age. It was a fearful time to ask for freedom. It was dangerous to fight the Imperial Spain. And yet he did it without reservation. No doubt it required utmost bravery – for which he openly dedicated to our country.
Our dear hero Andres Bonifacio may have died in desperate agony but deep within the soul of our nation – he immortally whispers in the hearts of every Filipino “Are you willing to die for your country?”
Bonifacio was also a Mason. His Masonic name was Sinukuan. True to the objectives of Masonry, he fought for freedom and equality. He lived a life as a better man, as a better husband, as a better brother, and ultimately, as a better Filipino.
Every 30th of November – I ask every Filipino to offer prayers and candles for his soul. But more so: I ask everyone to never forget his love for our country. And much more so: for us Filipinos to value freedom and equality. This is how we remember this Great Filipino Andres Bonifacio.
May his soul rest in peace.
