Every year on November 30th, Filipinos celebrate the birth anniversary of Andrés Bonifacio, the plebeian revolutionary who led the Philippines’ war for independence against Spanish colonial rule.
For reasons deeply rooted in history, Andrés Bonifacio’s heroic contribution to the revolution is celebrated on his birthday rather than on the day of his death, as in the case of other Philippine heroes who died in the hands of the Spanish. Bonifacio was executed on May 10, 1897 by the orders of a fellow countryman, Emilio Aguinaldo, who considered him a threat to the status quo. A year later in 1898, Aguinaldo went on to become the country’s first president.
Bonifacio in History
Bonifacio was the co-founder of Katipunan (“Highest and Most Honorable Society of the Children of the Country”), a society of patriots whose goal was to win independence from Spain. Together with Teodoro Plata and Ladislao Diwa, Bonifacio founded in secret the Katipunan on July 7, 1892, on the eve that Jose Rizal (Philippines’ national hero whose writings angered the Spanish authorities) was scheduled to be exiled to Dapitan.
To Bonifacio and comrades, Rizal’s exile meant that peaceful and reformist means to achieve independence were no longer an option. They felt that it was time for a more aggressive approach to break free from Spanish rule. Four years later, sometime in late August 1896 (exact date currently under dispute), the revolution broke out.
Bonifacio’s Beginnings
Born on November 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila, where a shopping mall now stands (Tutuban Commercial Center), Bonifacio was the eldest of six children born to Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro. His father was a tailor and his mother worked in a cigarette factory. He was orphaned at 14, and had to quit school to support his five other siblings by selling canes and paper fans and writing posters for business firms.
In his late teens until 1893 when his role in Katipunan forced him to move from place to place, Bonifacio worked in various posts in English and German trading firms as a lawyer, messenger, salesperson, clerk and storekeeper (actual job descriptions may have been lost in translation). Although he did not complete formal education, he was literate enough to read books and journals that inspired him towards the road to revolution.
Bonifacio Day 2012 Ceremonies
This year, November 30 falls on a Friday. Because Bonifacio Day is a public national holiday in the Philippines, a long weekend awaits for Filipino workers. Government offices, financial centers and educational institutions are closed on this day, but commercial centers and tourist areas remain open.
The main celebrations are held in the National Capital Region and smaller ceremonies are held in the provinces. In Caloocan City where a 45-foot Bonifacio Monument stands, the city mayor opens the day’s events with wreath laying and firing of 21-gun salute. The same rites are also carried out beside the Manila City Hall where the Bonifacio Shrine is located. The country’s president, his cabinet and other dignitaries also offer flowers and make commemorative speeches to the founder of Katipunan after local government executives have paid their respects. Bonifacio’s descendants take active part in the ceremonies.
In the place where Bonifacio was born, the celebrations are more festive. The residents of Tondo and tenants of Tutuban Commercial Center gather together in Bonifacio Plaza to offer flowers and prayers to the revolutionary. There are photo and multi-media exhibits that recount the life of the hero, as well as cultural presentations like dance and drama that commemorate his place in Philippine history. A mix of a (national) costume party, fireworks and revelry follow after the formalities are completed.
Andres Bonifacio embodied the aspirations of the poor and marginalized. For this reason, cause-oriented groups who help this segment of the society take to the streets on this day and make their grievances publicly known. The demonstrations can be out of control, but law enforcement agencies are adequately employed to contain any situation.
Photos by his grace and I_Believe_
