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Biography of Andres Bonifacio

(November 30, 1863 – May 10, 1897)

             Andres Bonifacio, often called “The Father of Philippine Revolution”. He was born on November 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila. His father was a politician and his mother was employed in a cigarette- rolling factory. The couple worked hard for Andres and his five siblings. In 1881, his mother died due to tuberculosis (“consumption”) and died. The following year, his father became ill and passed away.

           At the age of 19, Andres was forced to give up his plans for higher education and begin working to support his younger siblings. He worked for the British Trading Company J.M Fleming & Co. as a broker or corredor for local raw materials such as tar and rattan. He later moved to the German Firm Fressel & Co., where he worked as a grocer until 1896.

Andres Bonifacio’s married twice, but had no surviving children. His first wife, Monica, came from the Polamar neighbourhood of Bacoor. She died young due to Hansen’s disease. His second wife, Gregoria de Jesus, came from Caloocan area. They married when Andres was 29 years old and Gregoria being 18 years old. Their only child died as an infant.

In 1892, Andres joined the new organization of Jose Rizal La Liga Filipina. He was one of the first members. The organization aimed the separation of the Philippines from Spain and the expulsion of the Spaniards in the Country.

In 1893, women were given the chance to join the organization. The first members were Gregoria de Jesus, Josefa Rizal, Marina Dizaon, and Angelika Lopez. They served as the keepers of the important documents. By 1894, the Katipunan spread throughout Manila. In order to strengthen and further widen the operations of the organization, the Kalayaan, the official organ of the Katipunan was published with Emilio Jacinto as editor.   Two works of Bonifacio were published in the  Kalayaan– “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” and “Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog.”

           An important meeting held on 3 May 1896 concluded with a plan to rescue Rizal from Dapitan to lead the revolution.  The task was assigned to Dr. Pio Valenzuela.  Unfortunately, Rizal expressed his opposition to the idea of launching an unprepared revolution against a strong nation protected by well-armed defense force. In the end, he urged that if the revolution is inevitable, the revolutionary members should seek the help of the rich and influential people to convince them to support the cause of the revolution.  He also suggested that the service of Antonio Luna be secured by the organization because of his military expertise and affiliation with rich and influential Filipinos.

           The quarrel between two employees of the printing shop publishing Diario de Manila resulted in the discovery of Katipunan.  This happened after Apolonio dela Cruz was given a P2 raise in salary and Teodoro Patiño was not given any.  A heated argument sparked between them which led Patiño to confide the secrets of the Katipunan to his sister Honoria at the convent where she was staying, her tearful reaction attracted the attention of one of the nuns. The nun in turn, persuaded Patiño to tell everything he knew to Fr. Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo.  After hearing the revelations, Fr. Gil contacted the authorities and urged them to raid the printing shop.  Documents, oaths signed in blood, receipts and ledgers related to Katipunan were confiscated from the shop.

              As a result of the fateful experiences he encountered in Cavite, Bonifacio planned to return to Montalban and San Mateo.  On their way to Montalban, he and his followers passed by Limbon, Indang – a place in Cavite where food was scarce and people were tightfisted. At this point, Severino de las Alas turned his back against Bonifacio. The angered Bonifacio responded with threats and words that were wrongly interpreted by the people of Indang.  The people sought the help of Aguinaldo, who immediately ordered the arrest of Bonifacio.

      On 27 April 1897, skirmishes took place between the forces of Bonifacio and Aguinaldo.  In the said scuffle, Ciriaco was killed, while Procopio and the Supremo were caught. Andres Bonifacio was stabbed in the neck, weakening him and soaking him in blood.

    The next day, the prisoners were brought to Indang Tribunal, then to Naic.  Within the day, Gen. Mariano Noriel created the tribunal that eventually tried and convicted the Bonifacio brothers of sedition, and sentenced them to death. Surprised by the decision of the tribunal, Aguinaldo commutated the verdict.  He recommended the Bonifacio brothers be exiled to an isolated island also found in Cavite.  However, Gen. Noriel and Gen. Pio del Pilar dissuaded him, arguing that by reducing the sentence, the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines would once again be at stake.  Aguinaldo, in the end, changed his mind and signed the death sentence of the Bonifacio brothers.

      On 10 May 1897, Procopio and Andres were shot at Mount Nagpatong, near Mount Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite. This event ended the short life of the Supremo.  His educational attainment and military expertise may not have been equal to that of other heroes but his love for the country was absolute.  His name will always be revered and serve as the battle cry of Filipinos who yearn for freedom oppression and injustice.

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