Library of Congress, H. D. (2011, June 22). Katipunan.

Retrieved from
https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/katipunan.html

Library of Congress > Researchers > Hispanic Reading Room > World of 1898
The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War (Hispanic Division, Library of Congress)
1898 HOME > Introduction > Katipunan
Katipunan
In 1892 Filipinos interested in the overthrow of Spanish rule founded an organization following Masonic
rites and principles to organize armed resistance and terrorist assassinations within a context of total
secrecy. It operated as an alternative Filipino government complete with a president and cabinet. When
Andrés Bonifacio assumed control over the organization, it became much more aggressive. With the Grito
de Balintawak, the Philippine revolution began. Filipinos ripped up their tax and citizenship documents
and started fighting through Luzon. Emilio Jacinto commanded Katipunan's troops in several decisive
struggle where both sides sustained major losses. The Katipunan movement frightened the Spanish and
their supporters in the country. Consequently, the authorities arrested or exiled some 4,000 rebels, not to
mention the myriad executions. At this time, the Filipinos were by no means united; Emilio Aguinaldo
served as president of the insurgent government while José Rizal headed the Liga Filipina.
When General Camilo de Polavieja became the new Spanish military governor on December 3, 1896, he
utilized the same strategy of reconcentration as did his counterpart Valeriano Weyler in Cuba. He also
ordered the execution of Rizal and 24 others. The spanish crackdown led to a series of victories against
Andrés Bonifacio and the Katipunan that Aguinaldo was quick to take advantage of at the Tejeros
Convention in March 1897 to force the Katipunan into his new revolutionary government. The Katipunan
was revived briefly during the insurrection against the U.S. in 1900.

Kartilya ng Katipunan was primarily written by Andres Bonifacio. Emilio Jacinto later made revisions
creating a new rulebook known as Decalogue. It served as a guidebook for newcomers those people who
are willing to join the group.

The original version has 14 paragraphs that contains the values that a Katipunero should have. Each
paragraph is unique in such a way that they tackle different aspects of a person’s life. In which case,
anyone may have different interpretation. Hence, it is only appropriate to have a better understanding or
explanation to its contents.

1. The first tenet highlights the importance of living a purpose-driven life. A Katipunero who does not
have a purpose lives a useless life.

2. The second rule is all about doing the right thing. A deed carried out for the sake of fame is not worthy
of praise.

3. The third tenet shows what kindness really means. True act of kindness for a Katipunero is in the love
and service he render to other people and not the other way around.
4. The fourth tenet highlights equality. Every Katipuneros are treated equally no matter what race or
educational background he has.

5. The fifth shows what honor should mean for a Katipunero. A true Katipunero values honor more than
his personal interest.

6. The sixth tenet is all about being a man of word. A Katipunero who has a sense of shame must be a
man of his word.

7. The seventh rule gives importance to time. A Katipunero must give importance to time. For the
Katipunan, a time that is lost will never be back.

8. The eighth tenet is all about fighting for what is right. A Katipunero must protect the weak and fight
those who oppress the weak.

9. The ninth tenet highlights the importance trust. A Katipunero is careful with what he says and keeps the
things that must be kept secret.

10. The tenth principle is all about being able to lead a family. A Katipunero must lead his family to the
right path. If the leader is consumed by evil, so does his followers.

11. The eleventh principle is all about women. A Katipunero must give importance to a woman. He must
not see her as an object, nor a past time. That whenever a Katipunero sees a woman, he will remember his
mother who nurtured him.

12. The twelfth principle gives importance to every actions that one has to make. A Katipunero must not
do the things that he does not want to be done to him or to his family.

13. The thirteenth principle is about having the right character. A Katipunero’s life is not measured by
what is his status in life nor with the things that he possess. Instead, it is in his character and his love for
the native land.

14. The last tenet, shows a glimpse of what the author desire. It shows the sense of hopefulness for the
motherland and that all the sacrifices made is not all for nought.

And while we have different interpretation with what was intended by Bonifacio, there is one thing that
everyone can agree on:

Kartilya ng Katipunan was meant to guide us in living our everyday life its fullest. More importantly, it
highlights the importance of having the right attitude towards other people.

By Marjun Veloso 2018

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