Johnathan Ang Sean Kass World Geography 9 May 16, 2011 The Philippine Revolution of 1896: The Katipunan

I have always wondered about the Philippine revolution and the Katipunan. Was the revolution really a big stepping stone for Philippine independence? Many people who know of the revolution know of only what happened and know about the famous Andres Bonifacio. The revolution however, has a number of people besides Bonifacio who contributed to it. Andres Bonifacio began the revolution with the rebel group known as the Katipunan in August 23, 1896. Many people say that most of the revolution happened in the larger cities such as Quezon City, the Luzon Provinces and the capital Manila. The revolution however, has much more to tell. Before the 1890s, Spain controlled the Philippines after they occupied it in 1565. It would have stayed that way had it been for Andres Bonifacio. Bonifacio was an important leader in the revolution. He like many Filipinos was born with barely anything. He was born in Tondo which is an area in the Capital of Manila. He had an early education however it was stopped because of the death of his parents. Andres was only 14 or15 years old. He then sought to look after his younger siblings and made a living by selling paper fans on the streets. (Bonifacio: Sad, tragic hero/"The Katipunan (KKK")) Bonifacio learned of a man named Jose Rizal, who was a Philippine noble man who opposed the Spanish. Rizal was an earlier idealist who opposed Spanish rule through his

writings. He wrote two books, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo that depicted the abuse done by Spanish friars. Rizal was arrested and banished. Bonifacio was inspired by Rizal and formed a rebel group called the Katipunan. The Katipunan was an underground group of rebels who opposed Spanish rule. The full name of the Katipunan is Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan nang manga Anak ng Bayan which means Highest and most venerated association of the sons and daughters of the land. The abbreviation was KKK, not to be confused with the Ku Klux Klan. Bonafacio and the other Katipunan leaders forged there names with their own blood as a pledge to the Katipunan. The main goal of the rebels was to fully separate Spain from the Philippines. They wanted to promote freedom peace and equality. ("The Katipunan (KKK)) The Katipunan, led by Bonifacio, gave a brotherhood appeal which allowed them to attract more and more members. Bonifacio was a Free Mason which explained the brotherhood ideals and the signing in blood. The ideals of the Katipunan were mostly taken from Jose Rizal. They considered the Spanish rule as an era of oppression. I see the ideals of Free Masonry also used in the ideas of the Katipunan. The signing with blood and brotherhood show that Bonafacios involvement in Free Masonry was applied in the Katipunan. When Rizal was executed in December of 1896, religious Filipinos looked at it almost as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. ("The Katipunan (KKK)) In August of 1896, Bonifacio led a small rag tag army to attack the powder depot in San Juan. 200 Katipuneros were taken prisoner and about 153 were killed. This was one of the first attacks of the Katipunan which wasnt very successful. On August 30, 1896, the government declared a state of war towards the Luzon provinces including Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. The uprisings and attacks sooner became more successful after Generals were appointed. ("The Katipunan (KKK/ Katipunan Timeline)

The Katipunan had members by the thousands in 1898. They were much more organized since they began. The rebels where hidden in different areas such as Batangas and other areas around Manila. Another important member of the Katipunan was Tandang Sora. She was known as one of the leading heroines in the revolution. Sora tended to wounded Katipuneros and fed the troops. She was 86 when she joined the Katipunan. She later was captured but did not reveal the names of any of the Katipuneros. She later was exiled and spent six years in Guam. She was called the Mother of the Katipunan. ('Tandang Sora' remembered today) Another leader of the Katipunan who led beside Bonafacio was Emilio Aguinaldo. He declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898. He also became the first president of the Philippines. Another important figure was Bonafacios wife, Gregoria De Jesus. She concealed Katipunan documents and stayed with Bonafacio throughout the revolution. There also was Emilio Jacinto who was known as the brains of the Katipunan. He thought of most of the ideas for the Katipunan. (Bonifacio vs Aguinaldo) The main ideals and the story of the Katipunan are known by many people. I later interviewed my mother, who lives in Batangas which is a town where much activity involving the Katipunan took place. The Javenia family, which is my mothers side of the family, came from members of the Katipunan. My family always has been involved in rebellions. My grandpa was involved in World War Two along with his older brother who was a gunner in the Philippine rebels in the 1940s who died in the Death March. Talking to my mom helped me understand what the revolution really meant to the Philippines. My mothers side of the family grew up in Taal, which is an area in Batangas close to Manila. Many of the Katipunan meetings took place in houses not far from where my family

lived. My family is actually related to a famous Katipuneros member. When I came to visit my family, I passed by houses of famous Katipurneros without even knowing it. In light of that I decided to research more on the Katipuneros of Taal and show a deeper side of the revolution. Also talking to my mother showed me that the revolution didnt actually give the Philippines freedom. One of the famous Katipuneros from Taal was General Ananias Diokno. Diokno was the only Tagalog general to lead a full scale military force against the Spanish. Tagalog is a certain language and people group in the Philippines. He established his own revolutionary government in Bicol. On November 1898, Diokno was able to force the Spanish to surrender after pushing them to the coast. Diokno died on November 2, 1922. (Famous Taaleoeos in History) The maker of the first Philippine flag also came from Taal. Marcela Agoncillo was born in Taal and had an education in a Catholic school which emphasized in sewing. In 1898 she was part of the Katipunan but was exiled. She however escaped to Hong Kong and there was ordered to make the first Philippine flag by General Emilio Aguinaldo. The first flag of the Philippines didnt look like the modern one. It was a pure red flag with a white sun with a face inside of it. (Famous Taaleoeos in History) Agoncillos godmother was another Taal born Katipunero by the name of Dona Gliceria Marella Villacvincencio. She supplied money to the Katipunan and even gave them a ship. The ship was known as the SS Bulusan. The ship transported rebel soldiers and supplies from Batangas to Manila. The SS Bulusan was the First ship that was used by the Katipuneros. (Famous Taaleoeos in History)

One of the first diplomats of the Philippines came from Taal. Felipe Agoncillo was a hero for his work in a law office in Taal to poor clients. He was very outgoing for his ideas against Spanish oppression. He also was banished by the Spanish government to Jolo; however he also escaped to Hong Kong Japan. He was later appointed by Aguinaldo as a representative of the Philippines. (Famous Taaleoeos in History) My mother also told me about these people and how they were related to us. She told me that we were Katipuneros. She enlightened me on the revolutions true results. The Philippines never gained full independence until after WWII. The Revolution of 1896 was a stepping stone to change in the Philippines, but it never was actually total freedom. After the Philippines drove Spain away, another revolution followed which included America after they basically took control of the Philippines. It was named the Philippine-American revolution. The Revolution also only took place in areas around Manila and in the center of the Philippines. My mom said she had no knowledge of knowing that the northern parts of the country had any involvement with the Katipunan. The Katipunan only took over areas around Manila and Batangas. Even though the Philippines gained a short independence it was shortly lost after America took over the country. After WWII the Philippines finally gained freedom. They didnt receive it after the Revolution. The revolution in my opinion was an important part in Philippine history. Without the contributions of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonafacio, the Philippines could still be under Spanish control today. Were the Katipunan even admired? I would have to ask the people who were there. The problem is that none of them are alive anymore. That question will probably remain

unanswered. Even so, the Katipunan will always be remembered in history because of the ideals and because of what they did to try and change the Philippines.

Sources Cited:

" Famous Taaleoeos in History." Taal, Batangas Heritage Town. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://taal.com.ph/index.php/history-culture/famous-taalenos-in-history/>. Taal, Batangas Heritage Town. Web. 18 Ma<http://taal.com.ph/index.php/historyculture/famous-taalenos-in-h y 2011. istory/ananias-diokno/>.

"The Katipunan (KKK)." Philippine History | Filipino History. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.philippine-history.org/katipunan.htm>.
The 'Trece de Abril Cry' of Daet, Camarines Norte.(Opinion & Editorial). "The 'Trece de Abril Cry' of Daet, Camarines Norte." Manila Bulletin 13 Apr. 2007. Infotrac Custom Newspapers. Web. 4 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=CJ161947583&source=gale&srcp rod=SP24&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 This talks of the revolution in a different way. The writer talks of how the revolution was centered in the citiy of Manila and Luzon but took place in other provinces Bonifacio: Sad, tragic hero.(Opinion/Editorial). Crisostomo, Isabelo T. "Bonifacio: Sad, tragic hero." Manila Bulletin 30 Nov. 2000. Infotrac Custom Newspapers. Web. 4 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=CJ69544289&source=gale&srcpr od=SP24&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 This is an article about Andres Bonafacio and his large contribution to the Katipunan and Philippine revolution.

'Tandang Sora' remembered today.(Metro and National News). "'Tandang Sora' remembered today." Manila Bulletin 6 Jan. 2009. Infotrac Custom Newspapers. Web. 4 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=CJ191544497&source=gale&srcp rod=SP24&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 Tandang Sora was one of the leading heroines in the revolution Katipuneros' kin oppose transfer of Bonifacio monument. "Katipuneros' kin oppose transfer of Bonifacio monument." Philippine Daily Inquirer 13 Mar. 2002. General OneFile. Web. 4 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=A85622456&source=gale&srcpro d=ITOF&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 Talk of moving the monument of Andres Bonafacios monument The redemption of the Philippines "The redemption of the Philippines." Asia Africa Intelligence Wire 17 Dec. 2004. General OneFile. Web. 4 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=A126276653&source=gale&srcpr od=ITOF&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 Talks of the beginning of the revolution and the leader The yellow revolution "The yellow revolution." Asia Africa Intelligence Wire 21 Aug. 2003. General OneFile. Web. 4 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=A106752261&source=gale&srcpr od=ITOF&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 The anniversary of the death of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. 'After 100 Years' by Doy Laurel (Part 1).(Main News). "'After 100 Years' by Doy Laurel (Part 1)." Manila Bulletin 9 Dec. 2010. Infotrac Custom Newspapers. Web. 5 May. 2011. Document URL

http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=CJ243901145&source=gale&srcpro d=SP24&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 The Republic of the Philippines is a legacy of the revolution in 1896 Bonifacio vs Aguinaldo.(Opinion/Editorial). Crisostomo, Isabelo T. "Bonifacio vs Aguinaldo." Manila Bulletin 1 Dec. 2000. Infotrac Custom Newspapers. Web. 5 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=CJ69544099&source=gale&srcprod =SP24&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 Bonafacios leadership was challenged The founding of the Katipunan. "The founding of the Katipunan." Philippine Daily Inquirer 9 July 2010. General OneFile. Web. 5 May. 2011. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=IPS&docId=A231016493&source=gale&srcprod =ITOF&userGroupName=nm_s_rehobothch&version=1.0 talks of how the Katipunan began