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Katipunan
For other uses, see Katipunan (disambiguation) and KKK (disambiguation).
Katipunan
Kataástaasan, Kagalanggalang na Katipunan ng̃ mg̃á Anak ng̃ Bayan[1]

early flag of the Katipunan Revolutionaries
Abbreviation KKK
Motto See the Kartilya ng Katipunan
Formation July 7, 1892
Extinction May 25, 1897
Type Military secret society
Legal status Defunct
Purpose See Katipunan aims
Membership
Masonic
Official language
Tagalog, regional languages
President
Deodato Arellano (1892–1893)
Roman Basa (1893–1895)
Andrés Bonifacio (1895–1897)
Main organ
Kalayaan (dated January 1896, published March 1896)[2][3]
Katipunan
President Andrés Bonifacio (1894–1896, until discovery)
Secretary-General Emilio Jacinto
Founded July 7, 1892
Headquarters Tondo, Manila or San Nicolas, Manila;
Newspaper Kalayaan[2][3]
Ideology Filipino nationalism and independence
Political position Big tent
International affiliation La Liga Filipina
Colors red and white
Slogan Kataás-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng̃ mg̃á Anak ng Bayan
Politics of Philippines
Political parties
Elections
The Katipunan (usually abbreviated to KKK) was a Philippine revolutionary society
founded by anti-Spanish Filipinos in Manila in 1892, whose primary aim was to gain
independence from Spain through revolution. Based on recently found contemporary
documents, the society has been organized as early as January 1892 but may have not
became active until July 7 of the same year on the night when Filipino writer José
Rizal was to be banished to Dapitan earlier in the day. Founded by Filipino
patriots Andrés Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa and others, initially, the
Katipunan was a secret organization until its discovery in 1896 that led to the
outbreak of the Philippine Revolution.

The Tagalog word "katipunan", literally meaning 'association', comes from the root
word "tipon," a Tagalog word meaning "gather"."[4][not in citation given] Its
official revolutionary name was Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga
Anak ng Bayan[1][5] (lit. Supreme and Most Honorable Society of the Children of the
Nation, Spanish: Suprema y Venerable Asociación de los Hijos del Pueblo). The
Katipunan is also known by its acronym, KKK.[6]
Being a secret organization, its members were subjected to the utmost secrecy and
were expected to abide by the rules established by the society.[4] Aspiring
applicants were given standard initiation rites in order to become members of the
society. At first, membership in the Katipunan was only open to male Filipinos;
later, women were accepted into the society. The Katipunan had its own publication,
Kalayaan (Liberty) which issued its first and last printing in March 1896.
Revolutionary ideals and works flourished within the society, and Filipino
literature was expanded by some of its prominent members.

In planning the revolution, Bonifacio contacted Rizal for his full-fledged support
for the Katipunan in exchange for a promise to rescue Rizal from his detention. In
May 1896, a delegation was sent to the Emperor Meiji in order to solicit funds and
military arms. The Katipunan's existence was revealed to the Spanish authorities
after a member named Teodoro Patiño revealed the Katipunan's illegal activities to
his sister, and finally to the mother portress of Mandaluyong Orphanage. Seven days
after the Spanish authorities learned of the existence of the secret society, on
December 26, 1896, Bonifacio and his men tore up their cédulas during the Cry of
Balintawak that started the Philippine Revolution.

Etymology Edit

The name "Katipunan" comes from the full Tagalog name for the society:
"Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang Katipunan nang mga Anak nang Bayan" (lit. Highest and
Most Respected Society of the Children of the Nation ).[7]

Formation Edit

History Edit

A late 19th century photograph of leaders of the Propaganda Movement: José Rizal,
Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce. Photo was taken in Spain in 1890.
Further information: La Liga Filipina and Propaganda Movement
The Katipunan and the Cuerpo de Compromisarios were, effectively, successor
organizations of La Liga Filipina, founded by José Rizal (Who himself was inspired
by the martyrdom of his predecessors, the nationalist Priests: Gomez, Burgos and
Zamora). This organization was part of the late 19th century Propaganda Movement in
the Philippines. Katipunan founders Andrés Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, and Teodoro
Plata were all members of La Liga and were influenced by the nationalistic ideals
of the Propaganda Movement in Spain.[8]

Marcelo H. del Pilar, another leader of the Propaganda Movement in Spain, also
influenced the formation of the Katipunan. Modern-day historians believe that he
had a direct hand in its organization because of his role in the Propaganda
Movement and his eminent position in Philippine Masonry; most of the Katipunan's
founders were freemasons. The Katipunan had initiation ceremonies that were copied
from masonic rites. It also had a hierarchy of rank that was similar to that of
freemasonry. Rizal's Spanish biographer Wenceslao Retana and Filipino biographer
Juan Raymundo Lumawag saw the formation of the Katipunan as Del Pilar's victory
over Rizal: "La Liga dies, and the Katipunan rises in its place. Del Pilar's plan
wins over that of Rizal. Del Pilar and Rizal had the same end, even if each took a
different road to it."[citation needed]

Founding of the Katipunan Edit


Seal of the Katipunan. The initials are read as "Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan."
Captured Katipunan members (also known as Katipuneros), who were also members of La
Liga, revealed to the Spanish colonial authorities that there was a difference of
opinion among members of La Liga. One group insisted on La Liga's principle of a
peaceful reformation while the other espoused armed revolution.[9]

On the night of July 7, 1892, when José Rizal was banished and exiled to Dapitan in
Mindanao, Andrés Bonifacio, a member of the La Liga Filipina, founded the Katipunan
in a house in San Nicolas, Manila.[10] Bonifacio did establish the Katipunan when
it was becoming apparent to anti-Spanish Filipinos that societies like the La Liga
Filipina would be suppressed by colonial authorities.[11] He was assisted by his
two friends, Teodoro Plata (brother-in-law) and Ladislao Diwa, plus Valentín Díaz
and Deodato Arellano.[12] The Katipunan was founded along Azcarraga St. (now Recto
Avenue) near Elcano St. in San Nicolas, Manila.[13] Despite their reservations
about the peaceable reformation that Rizal espoused, they named Rizal honorary
president without his knowledge. The Katipunan, established as a secret brotherhood
organization, went under the name Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng̃
mg̃á Anak ng̃ Bayan (Supreme and Venerable Society of the Children of the Nation).
[14]

The Katipunan had four aims, namely:

to develop a strong alliance with each and every Katipunero

to unite Filipinos into one solid nation;
to win Philippine independence by means of an armed conflict (or revolution);[15]
to establish a republic after independence.[16]
The rise of the Katipunan signaled the end of the crusade to secure reforms from
Spain by means of a peaceful campaign. The Propaganda Movement led by Rizal, del
Pilar, Jaena and others had failed its mission; hence, Bonifacio started the
militant movement for independence.

Organization Edit

Administration Edit
The Katipunan was governed by the Supreme Council (Tagalog: Kataastaasang
Sanggunian).[17] The first Supreme Council of the Katipunan was formed around
August 1892, a month after the founding of the society. The Supreme Council was
headed by an elected president (Pangulo), followed by the secretary/secretaries
(Kalihim); the treasurer (Tagaingat-yaman) and the fiscal (Tagausig).[18] The
Supreme Council also had its councilors (Kasanguni); the number varied through
presidencies.[18] To distinguish from presidents of lower sanggunian or councils
(below) the president of the Supreme Council was called the Supreme President
(Tagalog: Kataastaasang Pangulo; Spanish: Presidente Supremo).[19]

Office Name Term

Supreme Leader Deodato Arellano 1892 – February 1893
Roman Basa February 1893 – January 1895
Andrés Bonifacio January 1895 – 1896
Comptroller/Intervenor Andrés Bonifacio 1892 – August 1893
Fiscal Ladislao Diwa 1892 – February 1893
Andrés Bonifacio February 1893 – 1895
Emilio Jacinto 1895
Pio Valenzuela December 1895
Secretary (of State after 1895) Teodoro Plata 1892 – February 1893
Jose Turiano Santiago February 1893 – December 1895
Emilio Jacinto December 1895 – 1896
Secretary of War Teodoro Plata 1896
Secretary of Justice Briccio Pantas 1896
Secretary of Interior Aguedo del Rosario 1896
Secretary of Finance Enrique Pacheco 1896
Treasurer Valentin Diaz 1892 – February 1893
Vicente Molina February 1893 – December 1895
At the outbreak of the 1896 revolution, the Council was further reorganized into a
'cabinet' which the Katipunan regarded as a genuine revolutionary government, de
facto and de jure.[20]

In each province where there were Katipunan members, a provincial council called
Sangguniang Bayan was established and in each town was an organized popular council
called Sangguniang Balangay. Each Bayan and Balangay had its own set of elected
officials: Pangulo (president); Kalihim (secretary); Tagausig (fiscal); Tagaingat-
yaman (treasurer); Pangalawang Pangulo (vice president); Pangalawang Kalihim (vice
secretary); mga kasanguni (councilors); Mabalasig (terrible brother); Taliba
(guard); Maniningil (collector/auditor); Tagapamahala ng Basahan ng Bayan(custodian
of the People's Library); Tagapangasiwa (administrator); Manunulat (clerk);
Tagatulong sa Pagsulat (assistant clerk); Tagalaan (warden); and Tagalibot
(patroller).[18] Each Balangay were given a chance to expand their own spheres of
influence, through triangle system in order to elevate their status to Sangguniang
Bayan.[18] Every Balangay that did not gain Sanggunian Bayan status were dissolved
and annexed by greater provincial or popular councils.[18]

The towns/cities which supported the Katipunan cause were given symbolic names,
such as Magdiwang (To celebrate) for Noveleta; Magdalo (To come) for Kawit; Magwagi
(To win) for Naic; Magtagumpay (To succeed) for Maragondon; Walangtinag (Never-
diminished) for Indang and Haligue (Wall) for Imus–all are in the province of
Cavite.[21]

Within the society functioned a secret chamber, called Camara Reina,[22] which was
presided over by Bonifacio, Jacinto, and Pío Valenzuela. This mysterious chamber
passed judgment upon those who had betrayed their oath and those accused of certain
offenses penalized by Katipunan laws. Every katipunero stood in fearful awe of this
chamber. According to José P. Santos, throughout the existence of the secret
chamber, about five katipuneros were convicted and sentenced to die by it. The
death sentence was handed down in the figure of a cup with a serpent coiled around
it.[23]

History of administration Edit

In 1892, after the Katipunan was founded, the members of the Supreme Council
consisted of Arellano as president, Bonifacio as comptroller, Diwa as fiscal, Plata
as secretary and Díaz as treasurer.[24]

In 1893, the Supreme Council comprised Ramón Basa as president, Bonifacio as

fiscal, José Turiano Santiago as secretary, Vicente Molina as treasurer and
Restituto Javier, Briccio Pantas, Teodoro Gonzales. Gonzales, Plata, and Diwa were
councilors.[24] It was during Basa's term that the society organized a women's
auxiliary section. Two of its initial members were Gregoria de Jesús, whom
Bonifacio had just married, and Marina Dizon, daughter of José Dizon. It was also
in 1893 when Basa and Diwa organized the provincial council of Cavite, which would
later be the most successful council of the society.

The Filipino scholar Maximo Kalaw reports that Basa yielded the presidency to
Bonifacio in 1894 because of a dispute over the usefulness of the initiation rites
and Bonifacio's handling of the society's buts. Basa contested Bonifacio's practice
of lending their funds to needy members, complete with promissory notes.[25][26]
Moreover, Basa refused to induct his son into the organization.

It was also in 1894 when Emilio Jacinto, a nephew of Dizon who was studying law at
the University of Santo Tomas, joined the Katipunan. He intellectualized the
society's aims and formulated the principles of the society as embodied in its
primer, called Kartilla. It was written in Tagalog and all recruits were required
to commit it to heart before they were initiated. Jacinto would later be called the
Brains of the Katipunan.
At the same time, Jacinto also edited Kalayaan (Freedom), the society's official
organ, but only one edition of the paper was issued; a second was prepared but
never printed due to the discovery of the society. Kalayaan was published through
the printing press of the Spanish newspaper Diario de Manila. This printing press
and its workers would later play an important role in the outbreak of the
revolution.

In 1895, José Turiano Santiago, a close personal friend of Bonifacio, was expelled
because a coded message of the Katipunan fell into the hands of a Spanish priest
teaching at the University of Santo Tomas. Since the priest was a friend of
Santiago's sister, he and his half-brother Restituto Javier were suspected of
betrayal, but the two would remain loyal to the Katipunan and Santiago would even
join the Philippine revolutionary forces in the Philippine–American War. Jacinto
replaced Santiago as secretary.


A Katipunan officer's sword.
In early 1895, Bonifacio called a meeting of the society and deposed Basa in an
election that installed Bonifacio as president, Jacinto as Fiscal, Santiago as
secretary, Molina as secretary, Pío Valenzuela and Pantaleon Torres as physicians,
and Aguedo del Rosario and Doreteo Trinidad as councilors.[27]

On December 31, 1895, another election named Bonifacio as president, Jacinto as

Fiscal, Santiago as secretary, Molina as secretary, Pío Valenzuela and Pantaleon
Torres as physicians, and Aguedo del Rosario and Doreteo Trinidad as councilors.
[28]

The members of the Supreme Council in 1895 were Bonifacio as president, Valenzuela
as fiscal and physician, Jacinto as secretary, and Molina as treasurer. Enrico
Pacheco, Pantaleon Torres, Balbino Florentino, Francisco Carreón and Hermenegildo
Reyes were named councilers.[28]

Eight months later, in August 1896, the fifth and last supreme council was elected
to renamed offices. Bonifacio was named Supremo, Jacinto Secretary of State, Plata
Secretary of War, Bricco Pantas Secretary of Justice, Aguedo del Rosario Secretary
of Interior and Enrice Pacheco Secretary of Finance.[28]

Members Edit

A late 19th century photograph of armed Filipino revolutionaries, known as the
Katipuneros.
Over the next four years, the Katipunan founders would recruit new members. By the
time the society was uncovered, the American writer James Le Roy estimated the
strength of the Katipunan at 100,000 to 400,000 members. Historian Teodoro
Agoncillo estimated that the membership had increased to around 30,000 by 1896.[29]
The Ilocano writer Isabelo de los Reyes estimated membership at 15,000 to 50,000.

Aside from Manila, the Katipunan also had sizeable chapters in Batangas, Laguna,
Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. There were also smaller
chapters in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and the Bicol region. The
Katipunan founders spent their free time recruiting members. For example, Diwa, who
was a clerk at a judicial court, was assigned to the office of a justice of the
peace in Pampanga. He initiated members in that province as well as Bulacan,
Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. Most of the Katipuneros were plebeian although several
wealthy patriots joined the society and submitted themselves to the leadership of
Bonifacio.

Katipunero (plural, mga Katipunero) is the demonym of a male member of the

Katipunan. Katipunera (plural, mga Katipunera) refers to female members.
Triangle system and grades Edit


Two infographs depicting the ranks within the Katipunan and the Triangle system of
recruitment.
It was the original plan of Bonifacio to increase the membership of the Katipunan
by means of sistemang patatsulok or triangle system. He formed his first triangle
with his two comrades, Teodoro Plata and Ladislao Diwa. Each of them re-instituted
Katipunan thoughts into another two new converts. The founder of the triangle knew
the other two members, but the latter did not know each other. On December 1892 the
system was abolished after proving it to be clumsy and complicated.[30] A new
system of initiation, modelled after the Masonic rites was then adopted.[31]

When the Katipuneros had expanded to more than a hundred members, Bonifacio divided
the members into three grades: the Katipon (literally: Associate) which is the
lowest rank, the Kawal (soldier), and the Bayani (Hero or Patriot). In the meeting
of the society, Katipon wore a black hood with a triangle of white ribbon having
the letters "Z. Ll. B.", corresponding to the roman "A. N. B.", meaning Anak ng̃
Bayan (Son of the People, see below). Kawal wore a green hood with a triangle
having white lines and the letters "Z. LL. B." at the three angles of the triangle,
and also wore a green ribbon with a medal with the letter  (ka) in Baybayin script
above a depiction of a crossed sword and flag. The password was Gom-Bur-Za, taken
from the names of the three martyrs Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora.
Bayani (Hero) wore a red mask and a sash with green borders, symbolizing courage
and hope. The front of the mask had white borders that formed a triangle with three
Ks arranged as if occupying the angles of a triangle within a triangle, and with
the letters "Z. Ll. B." below. Another password was Rizal. Countersigns enabled
members to recognize one another on the street. A member meeting another member
placed the palm of his right hand on his breast and, as he passed the other member,
he closed the hands to bring the right index finger and thumb together.[32]

Color designations:

Katipon. First degree members. Other symbols: Black hood, revolver and/or
bolo.
Kawal. Second degree members. Other symbols: green ribboned-medallion with
Malayan K inscription.
Bayani. Third degree members. Other symbols: Red hood and sash, with
green borders.
Katipon could graduate to Kawal class by bringing several new members into the
society. A Kawal could become a Bayani upon being elected an officer of the
society.[33]

Membership Edit
Any person who wished to join the Katipunan was subjected to certain initiation
rites, resembling those of Masonic rites, to test his courage, patriotism, and
loyalty.[34] New recruits underwent the initiation rite three at a time so that no
member knew more than two other members of the society. The neophyte was first
blindfolded and then led into a dimly lighted room with black curtains where his
folded cloth was removed from his eyes. An admonition, in Tagalog, was posted at
the entrance to the room:

“ Kung may lakás at tapang, ìkaw'y makatutuloy![35]

(If you have strength and valor, you can proceed!) ”
“ Kung ang pag-uusisa ang nagdalá sa iyó dito'y umurong ka.[35]
If what has brought you here is only curiosity–go away! ”
“ Kung di ka marunong pumigil ng̃ iyong masasamang hilig, umurong ka; kailan man
ang pintuan ng̃
May-kapangyarihan at Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng̃ mg̃á Anak ng̃ Baya'y hindi bubuksan
nang dahil sa iyó.[35]
If you cannot control your vices, retire. Never shall the doors
of the Supreme and Venerable Society of the Sons of the People be opened to you.
”
Inside the candle-lit room, they would be brought to a table adorned with a skull
and a bolo. There, they would condemn the abuses of the Spanish government and vow
to fight colonial oppression:[36][37]

1. ¿Anó ang kalagayan nitóng Katagalugan[38] nang unang panahun? (In what condition
did the Spaniards find the Tagalog land when they came?)

(Expected answer) "When the Spaniards came to the Philippine shores on March 16,
1521, the Filipinos were already in a civilized state. They had freedom of
government; they had artillery; they had silk dresses; they had carried on commerce
with Asia; they had their own religion and their own alphabet. In short, they had
liberty and independence."
2. ¿Anó ang kalagayan sa ngayón? (In what condition do they find themselves now?)

(Expected answer) "The friars have not really civilized the Filipinos, since
enlightenment was contrary to their interests. The Filipinos (called Tagalogs by
the Katipunan) were merely superficially taught formulas of Catechism for which
they paid numerous costly fiestas for the benefit of the friars."
3. ¿Anó ang magiging kalagayan sa darating na panahun? (What hopes do they have for
the future?)

(Expected answer) "With faith, valor, and perseverance, these evils will be
remedied."
During Bonifacio's time, all of the Filipino people are referred collectively by
the Katipunan as Tagalogs, while Philippines is Katagalugan.[37]

The next step in the initiation ceremony was the lecture given by the master of
ceremonies, called Mabalasig/Mabalasik (terrible brother), who informed the
neophyte to withdraw if he lacked courage since he would be out of place in the
patriotic society. If the neophyte persisted, he was presented to the assembly of
the brethren, who subjected him to various ordeals such as blindfolding him and
making him shoot a supposedly a revolver at a person, or forcing him to jump over a
supposedly hot flame. After the ordeals came to final rite–the pacto de sangre or
blood compact–in which the neophyte signed the oath with blood taken from his arm.
He was then accepted as a full-pledged member, with a symbolic name by which he was
known within Katipunan circles. Bonifacio's symbolic name was Maypagasa; Jacinto
was Pingkian and Artemio Ricarte was Vibora.

Admission of women to the society Edit

Katipunan
Participant at the Philippine Revolution

Flag of the Katipunan, 1892
Background
Events Various revolts and uprisings
Factions
See Factions
Magdiwang (Noveleta)
Magdalo (Kawit)
Haligue (Imus)
Gargano (Bakood)
Mapagtiis (General Trias)
Magwagi (Naic)
Pangwagi (Tanza)
Walang-tinag (Indang)
Katuwa-tuwa (Ternate)
Magtagumpay (Maragondon)
Naghapay (Bailen)

Key organizations Propaganda Movement

La Liga Filipina
Objects Noli Me Tángere
El filibusterismo
La Solidaridad
Organization
Leaders Andrés Bonifacio
Emilio Aguinaldo
Ladislao Diwa
Gregoria de Jesús
Teodoro Plata
Deodato Arellano
Valentín Díaz
José Dizon
Pio del Pilar
Members Melchora Aquino
Pío Valenzuela
Emilio Jacinto
Gregorio del Pilar
Mariano Noriel
Teresa Magbanua
Paciano Rizal
Artemio Ricarte
Daniel Tirona
José Santiago
Manuel Tinio
León Kilat
Arcadio Maxilom
others

v t e
At first, Katipunan was purely a patriotic society for men. Owing to the growing
suspicion of the women regarding nocturnal absences of their husbands, the
reduction of their monthly earnings and "long hours of work", Bonifacio had to
bring them into the realms of the KKK. A section for women was established in the
society: to become admitted, one must be a wife, a daughter, or a sister of a male
katipunero. It was estimated that from 20 to 50 women had become members of the
society.[39]

The first woman to become member of the Katipunan was Gregoria de Jesús, wife of
Bonifacio.[39] She was called the Lakambini ng Katipunan (Princess of the
Katipunan).[40] Initially, there were 29 women were admitted to the Katipunan:
Gregoria de Jesús, Maria Dizon, president of the women's section; Josefa and
Trinidad Rizal, sisters of Dr. José Rizal; Angelica Lopez and Delfina Herbosa
Natividad, close relatives of Dr. Rizal; Carmén de Rodriguez; Marina Hizon; Benita
Rodriguez; Semiona de Rémigio; Gregoria Montoya; Agueda Kahabagan, Teresa Magbanua,
Trinidad Tecson, rendered as "Mother of Biak-na-Bato";[41] Nazaria Lagos; Patronica
Gamboa; Marcela Agoncillo; Melchora Aquino, the "Grand Old Woman of Balintawak";
[41] Marta Saldaña and Macaria Pañgilinan.[42]

The women rendered valuable services to the Katipunan.[43] They guarded the secret
papers and documents of the society. Whenever the Katipunan held sessions in a
certain house, they usually made merry, singing and dancing with some of the men in
the living room so that the civil guard were led that there was nothing but a
harmless social party within.[39]

Though women are considered to be members of the Katipunan, information regarding

the women's section were scarce and sometimes conflicting.[18] Teodoro Agoncillo,
for example, disregarded Marina Dizon and concluded that Josefa Rizal was the only
president of the said section.[44] Gregorio Zaide, on the other hand, mentioned
Dizon's presidency in his 1939 publication History of the Katipunan[45] but changed
his mind when he adopted Dr. Pío Valenzuela's notion that women-members did not
elect officers, hence there is no room for president.[46]

Notable Katipuneros Edit

Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897) – Supremo, the founder and the third leader of the
Katipunan.
Emilio Aguinaldo (1869–1964) – First and only president of the First Philippine
Republic, Katipunan's successor. He was also a war general and a leader of the
Magdalo faction that led to a lot of notable victories for Katipunan against Spain.
During his presidency, he ordered the execution of Andrés and Procopio Bonifacio in
1897 after the trial.
Emilio Jacinto (1875–1899) – called as the Brains of the Katipunan. He wrote
several papers during the Revolution like the Kartilya (Primer).
Gregoria de Jesús (1875–1943) – called as the Lakambini ng Katipunan (Muse of the
Katipunan) and nicknamed Aling Oryang, she was the wife of Bonifacio before
marrying Julio Nakpil after the former's death. She was also regarded as one of the
first women members of the Katipunan.
Gregorio del Pilar (1875–1899) – entered the Katipunan circle when he joined the
First Philippine Republic's army against the Americans. He died during the Battle
of Tirad Pass.
Pio del Pilar (1860–1931) – the leader of the Matagumpay chapter one of the closest
officers of Andrés Bonifacio as the Newly Revolutionary government was established
he was one of the officers who advised Aguinaldo to change the commutation
(banishment) to execution of Andrés and Procopio Bonifacio.
Licerio Gerónimo (1855–1924) – Aguinaldo's war general during Philippine–American
War.
Vicente Lukbán (1860–1916) – Americans regarded him to be the mastermind of the
bloody Balangiga massacre in 1901 during Philippine–American War.
Miguel Malvar y Carpio (1865–1911) – commander of the Katipunan and became a
general of the First Philippine Republic.
Enrique Pacheco – Alias Resurreccion Macabuhay. Secretary of Finance, and head of
the Macabuhay Council.
Macario Sakay- head of Katipunan in Trozo, Manila. Future founder of Republika ng
Katagalugan that would oppose American occupation in the Philippines.
Antonio Soliman
Paciano Rizal – The older brother of national hero José Rizal, he was also a
personal friend of Padre José Burgos in his youth. He joined the Katipunan years
before Jose's return from Dapitan.
Manuel Tinio (1877–1924) – youngest general of the Katipunan and the First
Philippine Republic, he later became the governor of Nueva Ecija from 1907–1909.
Aurelio Tolentino
Jacinto Tolentino
Solomon Doma
Julian Felipe (1832–1835) – composer of Lupang Hinirang, teacher and member of La
Liga Filipina, he later served as legal advisor to the Katipunan. His tenacious
ability in argumentative reasoning earned him the nickname "demente viejo" among
the colonial Principalía.[47] In spite of being devout Catholic, Carpio, like other
Filipino revolutionaries, was a member of the Freemasons before the formation of
the Katipunan. In Manila, Julian ran a private law school which many of his
personal socio-political ideals succeeded to his students. Notable Katipuneros
under his tutelage was Gregorio Aglipay[48] and Miguel Malvar.
Supporters:

Melchora Aquino (1812–1919) – also known as Tandang Sora (Old Sora) and nicknamed
as the Grand Woman of the revolution as well as Mother of Balintawak, she has been
notable for her heroic contribution to wounded and ailing Katipuneros during
revolution.
Literature of the society Edit




The triumvirate of Katipunan (from left to right): Bonifacio, Jacinto, and
Valenzuela.
 Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Pahimakas
Written works Edit
During Katipunan's existence, literature flourished through prominent writers of
the Katipunan: Andrés Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Dr. Pío Valenzuela. Each of the
three's works were stirring literature of patriotism and are aimed to spread the
revolutionary thoughts and ideals of the society.[49]

Bonifacio works. Probably one of the best works done inside the Katipunan was
written by Andrés Bonifacio, the Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Fatherland),
[50] a poem of sincere patriotic sentiment. Pag-ibig was published in the Kalayaan
only issue of January 1896 under his nom-de-plume Agapito Bagumbayan. According to
Manuel Artigas y Cuerva, the name Agapito Bagumbayan was a corruption of
combination agap-ito, bagum-bayan, which, if translated from Tagalog to English
word by word, means "the new nation is here, and ready.[51][52] There is no known
original source of Pag-ibig, especially that there is no surviving Kalayaan issue.
The two available texts accessible reprinted through books is the one published by
Jose P. Santos in 1935. The other one, with familiar discrepancies to Santos'
print, was archived in military annals of Madrid.[51]
After Rizal's execution at Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896, Bonifacio wrote the
first Tagalog translation of the former's Mi último adiós (Final Farewell), in
which he gave the name Pahimakas (Farewell). He also wrote the prose Katungkulang
Gagawin ng mga Z. Ll. B. (Duties of the Sons of the People), that was never
published because he believed that Jacinto's Kartilya was superior than his.[53]
Bonifacio also wrote Ang Dapat Mabatid ng Mga Tagalog (What the Tagalogs Should
Know), which is a politic-historical essay.
Jacinto works. Emilio Jacinto is considered the Brains of the Katipunan, later the
Revolution. His poetical masterpiece, written in Laguna on October 8, 1897, was A
la Patría (To My Fatherland), with an inspiring melody paralleled from Rizal's Mi
último adiós[49] He also wrote a touching ode entitled A mí Madre (To My Mother).
His masterpiece in prose, the Kartilla (Kartilya, Primer) became the Bible of the
Katipunan.[49](see below) His other prose writing was Liwanag at Dilim (Light and
Darkness), a series of articles on human rights, liberty, equality, labor,
government, and love of country. His nom-de-plume was Dimas-Ilaw.
Valenzuela works. Dr. Pío Valenzuela was a medical doctor by profession. In 1896,
during the first publication of Kalayaan, Valenzuela assisted Bonifacio and Jacinto
in editing the newspaper. He also wrote Catuiran? (Is it Fair?), which described
the cruelties of the Spanish priest and civil guards of San Francisco del Monte
(now in Quezon City) on a helpless village lieutenant.[54] He also collaborated
with Bonifacio in writing the article Sa Mga Kababayan (To my Countrymen), an essay
addresses to the motherland. His nom-de-plume was Madlang-Away.[49]
During the infamous Cry of Balintawak, Valenzuela had the position as physician-
general of the Katipunan.[55]
Kalayaan Edit

Facsimile of the first page of Kalayaan.

Imprenta Press (1860) V John Sherwin (Casa Real Shrine-Museum, Malolos City)
printing machine used by the First Philippine Republic (now the Case Real Shrine),
where the newspapers La Independencia, El Heraldo de la Revolucion, Kalayaan, and
Kaibingan ng Bayan were printed. During the Japanese occupation, the "Bulacan
Military Area", under Capt. Alejo Santos, used this machine, against the Japanese.
"Ang Kalayaan" redirects here. For other uses, see Kalayaan (disambiguation).
Kalayaan (Liberty/Freedom) was the official organ and newspaper of the Katipunan.
It was first published March 1896 (even though its masthead was dated January
1896.)[56] The first Kalayaan issue has never been followed.

In 1895, the Katipunan bought an old hand-press with the money generously donated
by two Visayan co-patriots Francisco del Castillo and Candido Iban–who returned to
the country after working as shell and pearl divers in Australia and had some money
from a lottery win.[56][57] They bought the press and a small quantity of types
from Antonio Salazar's "Bazar del Cisne" on Calle Carriedo, and Del Castillo
transported it to the house of Andrés Bonifacio in Santa Cruz, Manila.[56] On
January 1, 1896, Valenzuela accepted the position as the Katipunan "fiscal" in
exchange of Bonifacio's consent to send the printing press on his house in Calle de
Lavezares, San Nicolas, Manila, "so that he could assist and edit a monthly
publication which would be the Katipunan's main organ".[56] Bonifacio agreed, and
on mid-January, the press was delivered in San Nicolas.

The name Kalayaan was suggested by Dr. Pío Valenzuela, which was agreed both by
Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.[54] Even though Valenzuela was chosen to become the
editor of the organ, they all decided to use the name of Marcelo H. del Pilar as
its editor. To fool the Spanish authorities, the Kalayaan was also decided to carry
a false masthead stating that it was being printed in Yokohama, Japan.[58]

That very same month, January 1896, the publication of Kalayaan was started.
Valenzuela expected it to finish at the end of the month, so they dated it as
January.[56] The existence of the press was kept in utmost secrecy. Under the
supervision of Valenzuela, two printers, Faustino Duque, a student from Colegio de
San Juan de Letran, and Ulpiano Fernández, a part-time printer at El Comercio,
printed the revolutionary literature of the society and Kalayaan.

When Valenzuela was appointed the physician-general of the Katipunan, he passed on

his editorial duties to Emilio Jacinto. Jacinto took the job, editing articles
after his pre-law classes in University of Santo Tomas. Since the press was in the
old orthography and not in the new "Germanized" alphabet, as called by the
Spaniards, there are no Tagalog letters such as "k", "w", "h" and "y". To solve
this problem, Jacinto obliged his mother, Josefa Dizon, to buy types that resembles
such letters.[56] The types used in printing were purchased from publisher Isabelo
de los Reyes, but many were taken surreptitiously from the press of the Diario de
Manila by Filipino employees who were also members of the Katipunan.[58]

According to Valenzuela, the printing process was so laborious that setting just
eight pages of typesets required two months to complete.[56] For weeks, Jacinto,
Duque and Fernández (and sometimes Valenzuela) took turns in preparing the pages of
the Kalayaan, which was approximately nine by twelve inches in size.[54] In March
1896, the first copies were issued (dated January 1896), and about 2,000 prints
were circulated in secret, according to Valenzuela.[59] According to Epifanio de
los Santos, only 1,000 copies were printed: 700 was distributed by Bonifacio, 300
by Aguinaldo, and some 100 by Valenzuela himself.[56][60]

The first issue contained a supposed editorial done by del Pilar, which, in fact,
was done by Jacinto himself. It also included Bonifacio's Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang
Lupa, Valenzuela's Catuiran? and several works that exposed Spanish abuses and
promoted patriotism.[54] Copies spread to nearby Manila provinces, including
Cavite, Morong (now Rizal), Kalookan, and Malabon. Surprised by this initial
success, Jacinto decided to print a second issue that would contain nothing but his
works.[54]

In August 1896, the second issue was prepared. It was during this time that Spanish
authorities began to grow wary of anti-government activities and, suspecting the
existence of a subversive periodical in circulation (see below), raided the place
where Kalayaan was being printed, at No. 6 Clavel Street, San Nicolas, Manila.[54]
Fortunately, the printers, Duque and Fernández, were warned in time, had destroyed
the incriminating molds, and escaped. Therefore, Spanish authorities never found
any evidence of the Kalayaan.[58]

Kartilya ng Katipunan Edit

Main article: Kartilya ng Katipunan
The teachings of the Katipunan were embodied in a document entitled Kartilya ng
Katipunan,[61] a pamphlet printed in Tagalog language. Copies of which were
distributed among the members of the society.

Kartilya was written by Emilio Jacinto, and later revised by Emilio Aguinaldo. The
revised version consists of thirteen teachings (though some sources, such as the
one provided by Philippine Centennial Commission, list only twelve[35]). The term
kartilya was derived from Spanish cartilla, which was a primer for grade school
students before going to school at that time.[62]

Language and alphabet Edit

According to Filipino writer and historian Hermenegildo Flores, the official
language of the Katipunan is Tagalog, and uses an alphabet nearly similar to
Spanish alphabet but has different meaning and the way it was read was changed.
Diacritics were added, to emphasize the existence of ng and mga on Tagalog
orthography. The following is an excerpt from Flores' Kartilyang Makabayan: Mga
Tanong at Sagot Ukol Kay Andrés Bonifacio at sa KKK (English: Nationalist Primer:
Questions and Answers about Andrés Bonifacio and KKK, Manila, 1922):[63]

30. Anong wika ang ginagamit ng̃ mg̃á kasapi sa Katipunan?

Ang tagalog; n͠guni't ang kahulugan ng̃ ilang titik ng̃ abakadang kastilà ay iniba sa
kanilang pagsulat ng̃ mg̃á kasulatan at gayon din sa paglagdá ng̃ kanilang mg̃á
sagisag. Ang titik na "a" ay ginawang "z", ang "c" at "q" ay ginawang "k", ang "i"
ay "n", ang "l" at "ll" ay "j" ang "m" ay "v", ang "n" ay "ll", ang "o" ay "c" at
ang "u" ay "x". Ang f, j, v, x at z ng̃ abakadang kastilà ay itinakwil pagka't hindi
kailan͠gan. Sa maliwanag na ulat ay ganitó ang Abakadá (alfabeto) ng̃ "Katipunan"
kung itutulad sa abakada ng̃ wikang kastilà.
Rough translation:
30. What is the language used by the members of the Katipunan?

Tagalog; however, the meanings of some letters from the Spanish alphabet have been
changed. The letter "a" becomes "z", "c" and "q" become "k", the letter "i" is "n",
the letters "l" and "ll" are "j" letter "m" is "v", letter "n" is "ll", letter "o"
is "c" and letter "u" is "x". The letters f, j, v, x and z are not needed, and
unused.

Presented below is the Katipunan alphabet, when compared to the Spanish alphabet.

Abakada ng̃ kastilà (Spanish alphabet)

A B C D E F G H I J K LL M N
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Abakada ng̃ "Katipunan" ("Katipunan" alphabet)
Z B K D Q H G H N L K J V LL
C P K R S T X M W U Y -
Preparation for the revolution Edit

Attempt to seek Rizal's support Edit


Flags of the Katipunan (Casa Real Shrine)
The night when Governor-General Eulogio Despujol y Dusay exiled Dr. José Rizal to
Dapitan,[64] Katipunan was founded.

In a secret meeting of the Katipunan at a little creek called Bitukang Manok near
Pasig on May 4, 1896, Bonifacio and his councilors decided to consult Rizal
regarding a decision to revolt.[65]:26–27 Bonifacio delegated Dr. Pío Valenzuela as
the Katipunan's emissary to Dapitan.[65]:28 This was done in order to inform Rizal
of Katipunan's plan to launch a revolution and, if possible, a war against Spain.
[64] By the end of May 1896, Dr. Valenzuela had visited and interviewed Rizal at
Dapitan.[65]:29 As cover, Dr. Valenzuela was accompanied by a blind man named
Raymundo Mata, since at the time Rizal was known to have specialized in
ophthalmology.[64][65]:28–29

Valenzuela arrived in Dapitan on June 21, where Rizal welcomed him. After supper,
Valenzuela told him the real reason why he went to Dapitan and the necessity of
securing Rizal's support.[66] According to Valenzuela, Rizal only answered, "Huwag,
huwag! Iya'y makasasama sa bayang Pilipino!" (No, no! That will harm the Filipino
nation!)[66]

Rizal objected to Bonifacio's audacious project to plunge the country into a bloody
revolution. He believed it was premature for two reasons:[64]

the people are not ready for a massive revolution; and

arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry of revolution.
Because of this notion, Valenzuela made another proposal to Rizal: to rescue him.
Rizal disapproved of this plan, because he had given his word of honor to the
Spanish authorities, and he did not want to break it.[64] Instead, Rizal advised
Valenzuela to persuade wealthy Filipinos, so that they can solicit funds, where he
recommended an elite army officer name Antonio Luna to be Katipunan's war general,
should a revolution break out.[67] According to Valenzuela's statement to the
Spanish authorities, they almost quarreled over the matter and Valenzuela left the
following day instead of staying for a month as originally planned.[68]

When Valenzuela returned to Manila and informed the Katipunan of his failure to
secure Rizal's sanction, Bonifacio, furious, warned Valenzuela not to tell anyone
of Rizal's refusal to support the impending uprising. However, Valenzuela had
already spread the word, so that much fund proposals to the society were canceled.
[69] Despite Rizal's rejection, the Katipunan was already trying to address its
arms supply problem and had taken steps to smuggle in weapons from abroad.[70]

At his trial, Rizal denied that he knew Valenzuela, saying only that he met him
first at Dapitan and that he considered him a good friend because of what
Valenzuela showed to him and his appreciation of medical tools Valenzuela gave to
him. He also said that this was the last time they met.[71]

Attempt to solicit Japan's aid Edit

Despite Rizal's rejection of an armed revolution, Bonifacio continued to plan for
an armed conflict with Spain. The Katipunan cast its eyes on Japan, which loomed
then as the probable champion of Asian liberties against Western oppression at the
time. In May 1896, after Valenzuela's visit to Rizal, a delegation of Katipunan
members, headed by Jacinto and Bonifacio, conferred with a visiting Japanese naval
officer and captain of a Japanese ship, named Kongo, and the Japanese consul at a
Japanese bazaar in Manila.[72] The interpreter, a friend of Valenzuela, was José
Moritaro Tagawa who was married to a Filipino woman of Bocaue, Bulacan.[70]
After the usual exchange of courtesies, Jacinto submitted the Katipunan memorial
for the Emperor of Japan in which the Filipinos prayed for Japanese aid in their
projected revolution, "so that the light of liberty that illuminates Japan may also
shed its rays over the Philippines."[73]

It was with good reason that the Katipunan solicited Japan's aid and alliance.
Japan had been friendly to the Filipinos since the Spanish colonial era. Many
Filipinos who had fled from Spanish persecution had been welcomed there and given
full protection of Japanese laws. Bonifacio tried to purchase arms and ammunition
from Japan, but failed due to lack of funds and the uncovering of the Katipunan,
Jose Dizon was part of the committee that the Katipunan formed to secure arms from
Japan with the connivance of the Japanese ship captain. Three months later,
however, the Katipunan was uncovered and Dizon was among the hundreds who were
arrested for rebellion.[74]

Discovery Edit

As the Katipunan was busy preparing for the revolution, various denunciations
regarding its existence reached the Spanish authorities. On July 5, 1896, Manuél
Sityar, a Spanish lieutenant of the guardia civíl stationed at Pasig, reported to
Governor-General Ramón Blanco y Erenas the mysterious activities of certain
Filipinos who had been gathering arms and recruiting men for some unknown purposes.
[74] On August 13, 1896, Fr. Agustín Fernández, an Augustinian curate of San Pedro,
Makati, wrote to Don Manuél Luengo, Civil Governor of Manila, denouncing anti-
Spanish meetings in his parish.[74]

The Katipunan was finally discovered by the Spanish authorities six days after
Fernández's letter to Luengo. On early August 1896, two Katipuneros, namely Teodoro
Patiño and Apolonio de la Cruz, who were working for the Diario de Manila printing
press (leading newspaper during those times) had undergone misunderstanding
regarding wages.[75] Press foreman de la Cruz and typesetter Patiño fought over
salary increase of two pesos, and de la Cruz tried to blame Patiño for the loss of
the printing supplies that were used for the Kalayaan. As an action against de la
Cruz, Patiño revealed the secrets of the society to his sister, Honoria Patiño, an
inmate nun at the Mandaluyong Orphanage. That afternoon, on August 19, 1896,
Honoria grew shocked and very upset to the revelation. The mother portress of the
Orphanage, Sor Teresa de Jesus saw Honoria crying so she approached her. Honoria
told everything she heard from her brother. At around 6:15 pm that day, Sor Teresa
called Teodoro Patiño and advised him to tell everything he knew about the
Katipunan through confession to Father Mariano Gíl.[76]

Controlled by his fear of Hell, Teodoro went to Father Mariano Gíl, an Augustinian
parish curate of the Tondo convent. Though he is willed to tell anything about the
Katipunan, Teodoro confessed to Father Gíl that a lithographic stone was hidden in
the press-room of Diario de Manila, which was used by the society for printing
receipts. He also said that aside from the stone, there were also documents of
membership (that uses member's blood for signing) hidden, together with a picture
of Dr. José Rizal and several daggers that was made for the katipunero-employees of
the newspaper.[76]

Alarmed by the stunning truth of existence of a secret society, Father Gíl,

accompanied by local Spanish authorities, searched the printing office of Diario de
Manila and found the incriminating evidence.[76] They also found Apolonio de la
Cruz in possession of a dagger used in Katipunan initiation rites and some list of
new accepted members.[77] After the arrest, Father Gíl rushed to Governor-General
Blanco to denounce the revolutionary plot of the Katipunan.[78] The Spanish
unleashed a crackdown and arrested dozens of people, where many innocent citizens
were forced to go to Fort Santiago.[67]
Patiño's alleged betrayal has become the standard version of how the revolution
broke out in 1896. In the 1920s, however, the Philippine National Library
commissioned a group of former Katipuneros to confirm the truth of the story. José
Turiano Santiago, Bonifacio's close friend who was expelled in 1895, denied the
story. He claimed that Bonifacio himself ordered Patiño to divulge the society's
existence to hasten the Philippine revolution and preempt any objection from
members.[79]

Historian Teodoro Agoncillo gives a differing version of events, writing that

Patiño revealed the secrets of the society to his sister, Honoria, following on a
misunderstanding with Apolonio de la Cruz, another society member who worked with
him in the Spanish-owned Diario de Manila periodical. Honoria, an orphanage inmate,
was upset at the news and informed Sor Teresa, the orphanage madre portera, who
suggested that Patiño tell all to Father Mariano Gil. On August 19, Patiño told
Father Mariano what he knew of the secret society. Father Mariano and the owner of
the Diario de Manila searched the printing shop, discovering the lithographic stone
used to print pring Katipunan receipts. After this discovery the locker of
Policarpio Turla, whose signature appeared on the receipts, was forced open and
found to contain a dagger, the rules of the society, and other pertinent documents.
These were turned over to the police, leading to the arrest and conviction on
charges of illegal association and treason of some 500 prominent men.[80]

In another version, the existence of the Katipunan eventually became known to the
authorities through Teodoro Patiño, who revealed it to the Spaniard La Font,
general manager of the printing shop Diario de Manila.[65]:29–31 Patiño was engaged
in a bitter dispute over pay with a co-worker, Katipunero Apolonio de la Cruz, and
exposed the Katipunan in revenge.[65]:30–31 La Font led a Spanish police lieutenant
to the shop and the desk of Apolonio, where they "found Katipunan paraphernalia
such as a rubber stamp, a little book, ledgers, membership oaths signed in blood,
and a membership roster of the Maghiganti chapter of the Katipunan."[65]:31

First Filipino republic Edit

From August 24, 1896, the Katipunan became an open insurgent government, and
regarded themselves as a genuine government.[20] Even though the society did have a
unified structure, own laws and a centralized leadership, it turned to be working
only when the revolution began.[clarification needed What is this sentence trying
to say?][81]

Revolution Edit

Main article: Philippine Revolution

When the Katipunan leaders learned of the arrests, Bonifacio called an assembly of
all provincial councils to decide the start of the armed uprising. The meeting was
held at the house of Apolonio Samson at a place called Kangkong in Balintawak.
About 1,000 Katipuneros attended the meeting but they were not able to settle the
issue.

They met again at another place in Balintawak the following day. Historians are
still debating whether this event took place at the yard of Melchora Aquino or at
the house of her son Juan Ramos. The meeting took place either on August 23 or
August 24.[65]:35 It was at this second meeting where the Katipuneros in attendance
decided to start the armed uprising and they tore their cedulas (residence
certificates and identity papers) as a sign of their commitment to the revolution.
The Katipuneros also agreed to attack Manila on August 29.[65]:35

But Spanish civil guards discovered the meeting and the first battle occurred with
the Battle of Pasong Tamo. While the Katipunan initially had the upper hand, the
Spanish civil guards turned the fight around. Bonifacio and his men retreated
toward Marikina via Balara (now in Quezon City). They then proceeded to San Mateo
(in the province now called Rizal) and took the town. The Spanish, however,
regained it three days later. After regrouping, the Katipuneros decided not to
attack Manila directly but agreed to take the Spanish powder magazine and garrison
at San Juan.


Typical Katipunero bolo.
On August 30, the Katipunan attacked the 100 Spanish soldiers defending the powder
magazine in the Battle of San Juan del Monte or Battle of Pinaglabanan. About 153
Katipuneros were killed in the battle, but the Katipunan had to withdraw upon the
arrival of Spanish reinforcements. More than 200 were taken prisoner. At about the
same time, Katipuneros in other suburban Manila areas, like Caloocan, San Pedro de
Tunasan (now Makati City), Pateros and Taguig, rose up in arms. In the afternoon of
the same day, the Spanish Gov. Gen. Camilo de Polavieja declared martial law in
Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and
Nueva Ecija. The Philippine Revolution had begun.

In Bulacan, the Bulacan Revolutionary Movement were attacked by the strongest

artillery forces ever converged in the capital town of Bulacan. This subsequently
led to the Battle of San Rafael, where Gen. Anacleto Enriquez and his men were
surrounded and attacked in the Church of San Rafael.

The Battle of Kakarong de Sili Edit

Main article: Battle of Kakarong de Sili

Inang Filipina Shrine

Panorama of the Park and the Shrine

Facade
Pandi, Bulucan played a vital and historical role in the fight for Philippine
independence, Pandi is historically known for the Real de Kakarong de Sili Shrine –
Inang Filipina Shrine, the site where the bloodiest revolution in Bulacan took
place, where more than 3,000 Katipunero revolutionaries died. Likewise, it is on
this site where the 'Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili' of 1896, one of the
first Philippine revolutionary republics was established. It was in Kakarong de
Sili, which about 6,000 Katipuneros from various towns of Bulacan headed by
Brigadaire General Eusebio Roque, better known as "Maestrong Sebio or
Dimabungo"[82]—List of Filipino Generals in the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and
the Philippine–American War of 1899 that the Kakarong Republic was organized
shortly after the Cry of Pugad Lawin referred to as 'The Cry of Balintawak'—Andrés
Bonifacio a Filipino nationalist and revolutionalist who led in 'The Cry of
Balintawak'.

Kakarong Republic Edit

History and researchers, as well as records of the National Historical Commission,
tells that the 'Kakarong Republic' was the first and truly organized revolutionary
government established in the country to overthrow the Spaniards antedating event
the famous Malolos Republic and the Biak-na-Bato Republic. In recognition thereof,
these three "Republics" established in Bulacan have been incorporated in the seal
of the province of Bulacan.

According to available records including the biography of General Gregorio del

Pilar entitled Life and Death of a Boy General written by Teodoro Kalaw, former
director of the National Library of the Philippines, a fort was constructed at
'Kakarong de Sili' that was like a miniature city. It had streets, an independent
police force, a musical band, a factory of falconets, bolos and repair shops for
rifles and cartridges. The 'Kakarong Republic' had a complete set of officials with
Canuto Villanueva as Supreme Chief and 'Maestrong Sebio'—Eusebio Roque as
Brigadaire General of the Army. The fort was attacked and totally destroyed on
January 1, 1897 by a large Spanish force headed by the Commandant Olaguer-Feliu.
[83] Gen. Gregorio del Pilar was only a lieutenant at that time and 'The Battle of
Kakarong de Sili' was his first "baptism of fire." This was where he was first
wounded and escaped to nearby barangay 'Manatal.'

The Kakarong Lodge No. 168 of the 'Legionarios del Trabajo' in memory of the 1,200
Katipuneros who perished in the battle erected a monument of the Inang Filipina
Shrine – (Mother Philippines Shrine) in 1924 in the barrio of Kakarong of Pandi,
Bulacan. The actual site of the 'Battle of Kakarong de Sili' is now a part of the
barangay of 'Real de Kakarong'. No less than one of the greatest generals in the
Philippines' history, General Emilio Aguinaldo who became first Philippine
president visited this sacred ground in the late fifties.

Spanish response Edit

Even before the discovery of the Katipunan, Rizal applied for a position as doctor
in the Spanish army in Cuba in a bid to persuade the Spanish authorities of his
loyalty to Spain. His application was accepted and he arrived in Manila to board a
ship for Spain in August 1896, shortly before the secret society was exposed. But
while Rizal was en route to Spain, the Katipunan was unmasked and a telegram
overtook the steamer at Port Said, recalling him to the Philippines to face charges
that he was the mastermind of the uprising. He was later executed by musketry on
December 30, 1896 at the field of Bagumbayan (now known as Luneta).

While Rizal was being tried by a military court for treason, the prisoners taken in
the Battle of Pinaglabanan—Sancho Valenzuela, Ramón Peralta, Modesto Sarmiento, and
Eugenio Silvestre—were executed on September 6, 1896 at Bagumbayan.

Six days later, they also executed the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite at Fort San
Felipe Fort in Cavite.

The Spanish colonial authorities also pressed the prosecution of those who were
arrested after the raid on the Diario de Manila printing press, where they found
evidence incriminating not only common folk but also wealthy Filipino society
leaders.

The Bicol Martyrs were executed by firing squad on January 4, 1897 at Bagumbayan.
They were Manuel Abella, Domingo Abella, priests Inocencio Herrera, Gabriel Prieto
and Severino Díaz, Camio Jacob, Tomas Prieto, Florencio Lerma, Macario Valentin,
Cornelio Mercado and Mariano Melgarejo.

They arrested and seized the properties of prominent businessmen Francisco Roxas,
Telesforo Chuidian and Jacinto Limjap. While there may be circumstantial evidence
pointing to Chuidian and Limjap as financiers of the revolution, the record showed
no evidence against Roxas except that he was involved in funding the Propaganda
Movement. Even Mariano Ponce, another leader of the Propaganda Movement, said the
arrest of Roxas was a "fatal mistake". Nonetheless, Roxas was found guilty of
treason and shot on January 11, 1897 at Bagumbayan.

Roxas was executed with Numeriano Adriano, José Dizon, Domingo Franco, Moises
Salvador, Luis Enciso Villareal, Braulio Rivera, Antonio Salazar, Ramon P. Padilla,
Faustino Villaruel and Faustino Mañalac. Also executed with the group were Lt.
Benedicto Nijaga and Corporal Geronimo Cristobal, both of the Spanish army.[84]

On February 6, 1897, Apolonio de la Cruz, Roman Basa, Teodoro Plata, Vicente

Molina, Hermenegildo de los Reyes, Joes Trinidad, Pedro Nicodemus, Feliciano del
Rosario, Gervasio Samson and Doroteo Domínguez were also executed at Bagumbayan.
But the executions, especially Rizal's, only added fuel to the rebellion, with the
Katipuneros shouting battle cries: Mabuhay ang Katagalugan! (Long Live
Katagalugan!--Katagalugan being the Katipunan term for the Philippines) and Mabuhay
si Dr. José Rizal! (Long Live Dr. José Rizal!). To the Katipuneros, José Rizal is
the Honorary President of the Katipunan.

Schism and transfer of authority Edit

In the course of the revolution against Spain, a split developed between the
Magdiwang faction (led by Gen. Mariano Álvarez) and the Magdalo faction (led by
Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo, cousin of General Emilio Aguinaldo), both situated in
Cavite.

At a convention in Tejeros, Cavite, the revolutionaries assembled to form a

revolutionary government. There, Bonifacio lost his bid for the presidency of the
revolutionary government to Emilio Aguinaldo, who was in Pasong Santol, fighting
the Spanish forces and instead was elected Secretary of the Interior. When members
of the Magdalo faction tried to discredit him as uneducated and unfit for the
position, Bonifacio declared the results of the convention as null and void,
speaking as the Supremo of the Katipunan. Despite this, Aguinaldo took his oath of
office as president the next day in Santa Cruz de Malabon (present-day Tanza) in
Cavite, as did the rest of the officers, except for Bonifacio.[85] Andrés Bonifacio
and his brother Procopio were later arrested due to alleged incidents in Indang
and, upon the orders of the Council of War and approved by Gen. Aguinaldo, they
were both executed on May 10, 1897, at Mount Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite. He and
his brother were buried in an unmarked grave.[86]

The First Philippine Republic Edit

The crowning achievement of the Katipunan was the establishment of the first
Philippine Republic. The Philippine Republic, more commonly known as the First
Philippine Republic or the Malolos Republic was a short-lived nascent revolutionary
government in the Philippines. It was formally established with the proclamation of
the Malolos Constitution on January 23, 1899 in Malolos, Bulacan, and endured until
the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo by the American forces on March 23, 1901 in
Palanan, Isabela, which effectively dissolved the First Republic.

Foreign members of the Katipunan and the Philippine revolutionary army Edit

Attracted by the universal appeal of the Katipunan's Kartilya, there were several
members who were not native Filipinos at all yet joined the Katipunan and/or,
later, the Philippine Revolutionary Army (PRA) in the spirit of national
liberation. Among the foreign-born Katipuneros were: General Juan Cailles, an
Indian (From India) and French[87] mestizo, General Jose Ignacio Paua[88] who was a
full-blooded Chinese and the famous African-American, PRA Captain David Fagen who
defected from the Americans to join the Filipinos due to his disgust of racism and
imperialism.

Dissolution Edit

Following the victory of the United States against the First Philippine Republic in
the Philippine–American War, the Americans exterminated any remaining vestige of
the Katipunan.[89][not in citation given]

See also

References
External links

Last edited 1 day ago by InternetArchiveBot

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