Photos courtesy of Renato Reyes, Jr.
Yesterday was the 151st birth anniversary of one of Filipinos’ great heroes, Andres Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 – May 10, 1897).
Today, we are a sovereign nation, independent and free, largely because of Bonifacio.
Bonifacio is considered the “the Father of the Philippine Revolution”. He founded the Katipunan, short for Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule.
Save for a short message released by Malacañang, there was no other activity led by President Aquino that commemorated the birth of Bonifacio.
Come to think of it, why would Aquino bother with Bonifacio? Remember his reason for not going to the wake of Jennifer Laude, the transgender who was killed by an American serviceman? He doesn’t go to the wake of people he doesn’t know.
Aquino has no affinity with Bonifacio.
Bonifacio, unlike other Filipino revolutionaries who came from ilustrado families, Bonifacio was born to a poor family in Tondo. That’s why he is also known as “The Great Plebeian.”
Renato Reyes, Jr. secretary general of the militant group, Bayan said “Aquino is more Aguinaldo rather than Bonifacio. He claims to be for change yet he defends the status quo. He has betrayed the people’s aspirations for genuine freedom and democracy. His daang matuwid is a sham.”
Malacañang released this message by Aquino:
“I join the Filipino People in celebrating Bonifacio Day.
“Andres Bonifacio’s patriotism ignited the passion within our countrymen to fight for liberty and demand dignity, freedom, and sovereignty for the land of our ancestors. Now, 151 years after his birth, our history and identity tested by the many challenges we have overcome, we unite as one nation to remember his sacrifice and desire to see us take charge of our destiny.
“The Philippines has become a dynamic and progressive hub of business and commerce, and it will continue to thrive as we fight to vanquish the culture of greed and corruption once rampant in our system as we renew our dedication to fostering integrity and accountability in our institutions. We have created for ourselves the opportunity to fulfill the dreams Gat Andres envisioned for us. May this day renew the spirit of camaraderie in all of us and inspire us to aspire to greater heights of prosperity. Together, let us forge a path to a more inclusive future.
“I wish you a happy and meaningful celebration.”
Presidential messages are written by Palace writers.
It was the workers who celebrated yesterday the Katipunan Supremo’s birthday.
Some 5,000 workers, member of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno and the women’s group, Gabriela gathered at the plaza named after him, Liwasang Bonifacio, in Manila reciting his immortal words: , “Ang maghimagsik ay makatarungan!”
Special guest was actor Robin Padilla.
The workers paid tribute to the hero recalling his humble beginnings: Si Andres Bonifacio, o Andoy para sa kanyang pamilya at malalapit na kaibigan, ay isinilang noong ika-30 ng Nobyembre taong 1863 sa Tondo, Maynila. Bilang panganay sa limang anak nina Santiago Bonifacio at Catalina de Castro, itinaguyod ni Andoy ang kanyang mga nakababatang kapatid nang sila ay maulila noong siya ay edad 14 na taong gulang pa lamang. Dinanas ni Andoy ang mabibigat at iba’t ibang tipo ng trabaho mairaos lamang ang kanyang mga kapatid. Dito napanday ang pagiging masigasig, masipag, at determinado ni Bonifacio.
“Dahil batid at danas ni Bonifacio ang matinding kahirapan, hindi naging mahirap para sa kanyang yakapin ang pangangailangan ng solidong pagkakaisa ng mamamayan upang ipagtanggol at ipaglaban ang kanilang sariling kalayaan mula sa mga mapanakop na Kastila at Pilipinong alipores nito sa bansa. Pinangunahan ni Bonifacio ang pagtatatag ng Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan o KKK, ang lihim na samahang naglalayong wakasan ang pang-aapi at pagsasamantala ng dayuhang Kastila at lokal na burgesya. At noong 1896, naipagtagumpay nito ang unang malawakang rebolusyong Pilipino.”
They slammed the return of American soldiers to the Philippines through the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement or EDCA.
“Paglapastangan sa alaala ng ating mga ninunong nakipaglaban para sa kalayaan ang pananatili ng mga dayuhang militar sa ating lupain, kaya nararapat lamang na iwaksi ng mga bagong rebolusyonaryo ang pagtataksil ni Pangulong Aquino nang kanyang pahintulutan ang panunumbalik ng base militar ng Kano sa pamamamagitan ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, ” Gabriela said.
Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan demanded for the immediate release of the leader of the farmers, Antonio Flores, secretary general of the KMP (Peasant Movement of the Philippines).
She also warned about the situation in Hacienda Luisita: “Aquino’s persistent ploy to keep his family’s hold on 6,000 hectares of sugar farms will only fuel revolution and fiercer peasant struggles for land.”
why do you keep on criticizing P- Noy for not attending the wake of Laude. As president these functions are up to his options. When I was in college in UP one of my professors was proposing that the national hero should be Marcelo H. del Pilar. Was he wrong? I don’t know but he gave us his reasons so I don’t think he would like to be an endorser of Bonifacio. Why do we condemn people who do not share our ideas? It’s our freedom of choice. Nobody is perfect and this is the democratic system we live in.
@vmwmendoza, yes, I agree. Can you imagine a president setting his daily calendar according to what every person in the nation thought he should be doing? He has information we don’t, like other things to attend to. He is also entitled to a private life. This incessant picking on the president for doing things differently than we would do it undermines the Office of the Presidency. Grant it some respect.
According to the inquirer Andres Bonifacio was born in Binondo
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/653620/andres-bonifacio-a-monument-of-lies
I’m not sure which tale is accurate.
He was born in Tondo and was married to his second wife in Binondo.
Do people who want Pnoy to resign want Binay to take over? Really?
Good question Lurker, but let me say this, looking at the above picture makes me wonder on how many of those people in that rally knew that Bonifacio was charged and found guilty by a jury composed of Aguinaldo men, his political archrival.
Then killed with his brother by an execution party commanded by a certain “Macapagal”, Andoy and his brother would have better luck in an Aquino presidency.
I also believe every nation has its share of heroes and villains but then again we celebrate the life and deeds and the Greats and also record in history the deeds and the life and times of the infamous ones…
In some we celebrate all heroes on one memorable day reserved for them…we do it every 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and we call it the REMEMBRANCE DAY… and not only the Country’s Leaders are expected to pay respect to the heroes but all…in Solidarity…
forget laude. that transgender may not even belong to the poorest of the poor sector of this society because sex change needs a handsome amount for a crazy minded individual not satisfied with what was given by God. also, forget andres bonifacio because he did not even vote for noynoy that’s why there’s no reason for the president to celebrate his birthday or recognize his heroic exploits in founding ang leading the KKK to fight for the independence people in malakanyang are now enjoying. they have their own KKKK. in short, bonifacio is not worth the time of the president who does not know how to honor his words. he (noynoy) does not belong to our kind, who he always addresses as his boss.
campaign period is still there in the highest cloud. saka na ‘yun. matagal pa panahon ng PANG-UUTO!
as usual and always, the militant group KMU staged again yet another rally to air their nationalistic sentiments BUT do they really mean democracy? they are all identified with the left, the communists HOW on earth can they call themselves freedom fighters when atrocities one after the other happening in the countrysides are petpetrated by the NPA’s, the armed component of the CPP where the likes or renato reyes are identified.
am not for this hypocrite administration much more not for the leftist. they are both and all pretenders exploiting the plight of the masses!
tanga lamang ang nakikinig, naniniwala at sumasama sa kanilang kilusan!
#9
So what democracy do you know..?? DEMOCRACY MADE IN USA..???
Democracy made in China, maybe. Lot of things are taboo, gov’t decides what your 6 senses can and cannot do, activism can cause you your neck, the gov’t is a big pack of lies, and yes everything is fake. That democracy?
I think I know the reason why Noynoy is not so enamored with Bonifacio, or at least, Bonifacio Day. It is the same day I think when he was almost killed by Gringo’s and Enrile’s boys back in 1989. I was one of the first witnesses when that almost successful coup started, when they started to block the expressway exits and I was shocked to see soldiers in full battle gear jump out of the aluminum van in front of me, and in private cars and in pickups and in civilian trucks filled with RAM rebels. I had to drive back to Bicutan and exit through the service road to make it home to Pasay.
That coup which almost ended Cory’s presidency happened on Bonifacio Day, where four members of Noynoy’s security detail were killed and almost cost him his life. I think that trauma still haunts him to this day, he will never forget. Look, he has slammed Enrile into jail and will never forgive him.
BTW, the Manila Pen siege was probably calculated to climax on the same day 18 years later but Gloria’s forces were bent on quashing it early so that it does not drag on to Bonifacio Day – the rebels’ day.
I don’t fault Noynoy for being extra careful on that day, maybe the thought still makes him pee in his pants, maybe the best thing he can do was ignore it.
Hindi kasi illustrado si Supremo kaya walang panahon sa kanya si kuya Noy.
It’s not fair to put Bonifacio in the same breath (of death) with Laude.
Laude was killed………………Bonifacio was assassinated!
May KKK din naman sa palasyo diba? Kabarilan, Kaklase at Kapartido!
Andres Bonofacio was never considered to be our national hero because he was not an ilustrado.
#11
Let’s give thanks to China’s taboo!
Your darling America too, give thanks to China’s taboo!
“…Currently, China and the United States have mutual political, economic, and security interests, including, but not limited to, the prevention of terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. China remains the largest foreign creditor to the United States…”
Hallelujah..!
#10
did i state any form of democracy i know. seems you dream of having the philippines run by the left leaning group.
i am more of a democracy where the rights of every citizen is respected and recognized UNLIKE that of the CPP/NPA disguising as protectors of the oppressed but in reality not different from the mindset of the elite they try to bring down only to win the support of the masses.
Let us continue the revolution of our forefathers in 1896. To the Great Plebian… long live the revolution. Sa ama ng mga inaaping uri mula sa kuko ng imperyalismong Kastila, sa kauna-unahang PANGULO ng Dakilang Bayan.
Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang, Katipunan ng mga anak ng Bayan… para Ka Andres.
Mabuhay si Andres Bonifacio! Ang bayani ng mga pangkaraniwang mamamayan!
Di ka man kiinikilall ng mga elitista at naghaharing uri, ikaw pa rin ang aming bayani! Mabuhay Ka Andres!
That’s one hard fact of life many will not be able to swallow.
History is written by the victors.