READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE KARTILYA

Module 5: THE KKK AND THE KARTILYA NG  Andres Bonifacio long wanted to have a
KATIPUNAN (DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES) codified document listing the duties and
responsibilities of every member of the
Katipunan
The Kataastasan, Kagalang-galangang  As Bonifacio was drafting the document
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or and was about to consult Emilio Jacinto
Katipunan is the most important organization for comments on his draft, the latter
formed in the Philippine History presented his work to Supremo.
 After seeing the draft of Kartilya ng
Katipunan by Jacinto. Bonifacio was
A revolutionary society that espoused impressed with his style of writing and
independence and freedom for the Philippines decided to adopt the kartilya as the
through force of arms guidebook for the rules and regulations
of the Katipunan

Its main objective was separation of the

Philippines from Spain, at the same time the Aside from the maltreatment experience by
development of the Filipinos as citizens of their Filipinos from Spainiards, the following are the
own nation once independence was achieved. other factors that were influential in the
forming of the Katipunan and that of the
Kartilya:
The recruitment process of the Katipunan  Age of Enlightenment - Gave way to
followed the masonic initiation rites while its Liberalism and Classicism in the 20th
structure was base on Rizal’s aborted reformist century, Modernism. (secret societies
organization La Liga Filipina. like Masonry was established)
 French Revolution - Period of social and
political upheaval in France. this led to
The new members of the society were the spread of radicalism, liberalism and
indoctrinated with the katipunan rules and its nationalism which greatly influenced
teachings that emphasized the value of the love the illustrados in the Philippines and
of one’s country and fellow Filipinos. Europe.
 Masonry - Introduced to the Philippines
in 1856. masonry as a civic movement
Previous armed revolts had already occurred promoting fraternity, evidently
before the foundation of the Katipunan, but influenced the dynamics of the
none of them envisioned a unified Filipino Katipunan.
nation revolting against a colonizers  Propaganda Movement - This
movement helped Andres Bonifacio and
other Nationalist to realize a peaceful
Diego Silang was known as an Ilocano who took way of asking reform is not enough and
arms and led one of the longest running revolts staging of an armed rebellion against
in the country the Spanish colonial government
 La Liga Filipina - Established by Jose
Diego Silang was mainly concerned about his
Rizal when he decided to return to the
locality and referred to himself as EL REY DE
Philippines to continue to call for
ILOCOS (The King of Ilocos)
reforms through legal means.

BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Emilio Jacinto as the “Brains of the Katipunan”

 “Moses of the Filipino people”

 “Soul of the Revolution”
  “Eyes of the Katipunan” Its term was derived from the Spanish cartilla
which was the primer used for Grade schools
Emilio Jacinto was born December 15,1875 in
during the Spanish period. And like the cartillas
Tondo Manila
this document This document served as the
He was the son of Mariano Jacinto a primary lessons for the the members of the
bookkeeper and Josefa Dizon. katipunan.

Living a life of poverty, Jacinto still managed to

get a good education.
The “Kartilya” presents not only the teachings
He finished secondary education Colegio De San for the neophyte Katipunero but also the
Juan de Letran and studied law at the guiding principles of the society.
University of Sto. Tomas

He has to stop his studies when the Philippine

These teachings are expected from the
revolution began in 1896.
members even after the attainment of freedom
Jacinto joined the Katipunan in 1894 at age 18 from the colonizers.
and took the symbolic name PINGKIAN.

He wrote the Kartilya as well as the oath of the

The Kartilya ends with document of affirmation
Katipuneros.
by the member to society’s Teaching.
He also edited the Katipunan newspaper
Kalayaan and author of several literary writings
using the pen namen “DIMAS ILAW” The “Kartilya” was not just a document for the
katipunan. Its importance today is predicted on
He served the Katipunan in different capacities
the teachings that embodied the moral and
such as: Secretary, Fiscal, Editor and appointed
nationalistic Principles of a nation that fought
General by Bonifacio in 1897.
for independence.
He also served as an adviser to the Supremo

After the death of Bonifacio in 1897, Jacinto

These principles are relevant as the sense of
continued the fight against the Spaniards even
nationhood still holds true when the cultural
after the truce following the Pact of Biak na
and historical values of every Filipino are
Bato.
threatened by the onslaught of foreign
He was wounded in the Battle against the influences bought about today’s globalization.
Spaniards in Magdalena, Laguna and was
captured.
The Kartilya can be treated as the Katipunan's
He died on April 6, 1899 at age 24 (he
code of conduct. It contain fourteen rules that
contracted malaria)
instruct the way katipunero should behave, and
Catalina De Jesus – girlfriend which specific values should he uphold.

ABOUT THE TEXT The rules stated in the Kartilya can be classified
into two.
The “Kartilya” is the best known of all
Katipunan texts and the only document of any  The first group contains the rules that
length set in print by the Katipunan prior to will make the member an upright
august 1896 that is known to be still extant. individual.
 The second group contains the rules
that will guide the way he treats his
The “Kartilya” was printed as a small pamphlet fellow men.
that was distributed to the members of the
Katipunan.
III – True greatness consist in being charitable, The Katipunan's recognition of women as
in loving one’s fellow men and in adjusting important partners in the struggle, as reflected
every movement, deed and word to true reason not just in the Kartilya

IV– All men are equal, be color of their skin

black or white. One may be superior to another
But also in the organizational structure of the
in knowledge, wealth and beauty but cannot be
fraternity where a woman's unit was
superior in being
established is an endeavor advance for its time.
XIII- the nobility of a man does not consist in
being a King nor in the highness of the nose And
the whiteness of the skin nor in being A priest Honoring one's words and not wasting time are
representing God, nor in the exalted Position on teachings directed towards self development.
earth.

The Fourth and Thirteenth rules are an

invocation of the inherent equality between The Kartilya was instructive not just of the
and among men regardless of race , occupation Katipunan's conduct toward other people, but
or status. also for the members' development as
individuals in their own rights.

In the context of the Spanish colonial era where

the Indios were treated as inferior, the Module 6
Katipunan saw to it the alternative order they ACTA DE LA PROCLAMACION DE LA
wished through promulgate through their INDEPENCIA DEL PUEBLO FILIPINO (The Act of
revolution necessarily destroyed this kind of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino
unjust hierarchy People )

VI – to a man with sense of shame his word is Philippine Independence proclaimed on 12

inviolate - True to his words June 1898, in the province of Cavite.
VII– Don’t fritter away time; lost riches may be
recovered But time lost will never come again
- Procastination The event is a significant turning point in the
history of the country because it signaled the
end of 333 years of Spanish colonization.
Various provisions in the kartilya repeatedly
emphasized The importance of honor and
words and in action Reading the details of the document in
hindsight:
The teaching on how women should be treated
with honor and respect 1. The kind of government that was created
under Aguinaldo.
The tenth rule the document specifically stated
that men should be the guide of woman and 2. The forthcoming hand of the United States of
children and that he should set a good example. America in the next few years of the newly
created republic.
Otherwise the women and the children would
be guided in the path of evil.
The declaration was a short 2,000 word
document which summarized the reason
Women should treated as companions by men behind the revolution against Spain, the war
and not as playthings that can be exploited for for independence and the future of the new
pleasure republic under Emilio Aguinaldo.
The passage demonstrate the justification The Act of the Declaration of Philippine
behind the revolution against Spain. Independence (Acta de la Proclamacion de la
Specifically cited the abuse of the Civil Guard Independencia del Pueblo Filipino)
and the unlawful shooting of the prisoners
-Written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista had
whom they alleged as attempting to escape.
the intention to encourage Filipinos to fight
against the Spaniards

It mentions the avarice and greed of the clergy Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read the
like the friars and the Archbishop himself. declaration of Independence.

Signed by 177 persons, including an American

military officer.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOCUMENT

April 1898 - the Spanish- American War broke

out as a result of the U.S. intervention in the The Philippine National Anthem, then known
Cuban War of Independence. as “Marcha Nacional Filipina” composed by
Julian Felipe was played by the Banda de San
The U.S. attacked Spain’s Pacific Possession
Francisco de Malabon and the Philippine flag as
which led to its involvement in the Philippine
unfurled again.
Revolution

Commodore George Dewey sailed from Hong

Kong to Manila Bay aboard the U.S.S. Olympia May 24 - Aguinaldo announced the creation of
and led the Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy Dictatorial Government.

May 1898 - the Battle of Manila Bay ensued. A necessity when the growing nation needed a
strong leader, but only temporary, as prelude to
Emilio Aguinaldo decided to return to the
the establishment of a Republican form of
Philippines from Hong Kong, bringing with him
government
the first Philippine Flag sewn by Marcela
Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa. Lorenza The Proclamation of Independence also
Agoncillo invokes that the established Republic would be
led under the Dictatorship of Emilio Aguinaldo.

Another detail in the proclamation that is worth

Upon arriving in Manila, Aguinaldo proceeded
looking at is the explanation of the Philippine
to his mansion in Kawit, Cavite to rally the
Flag.
Filipinos to unite and fight against the Spaniards
in the historic battle cry “the Hour of 3 stars – Luzon, panay, Mindanao
Liberation”
White - Represent the emblem Katipunan

Sun- Gigantic strides by the sons of this land on

Together with the Americans , the Filipinos the road to progress and civilization
assaulted the Spaniards in the Battle of Manila
It eight rays symbolizing the eight provinces:
Bay.
Manila

Bulacan
‘TREATY OF PARIS” - The said battle was
perceived to be a mock battle as arrangements Batangas
were already made between the Americans and
the Spaniards that the latter would hand over Nueva Ecija
the Philippines, including Guam and Puerto Rico Pampanga
to the former.
Cavite

Bataan

Laguna
 The abuses specifically mentioned in the
proclamation like friar abuse, racial
Which were declared in a state of war almost as
discrimination and inequality before the law.
soon as the first insurrectionary movement was
initiated; There were mentions of past events that was
seen as important turning points of the
movement against Spain. The execution of
The colors blue, red and white commemorate GOMBURZA, and the failed Cavite mutiny of
those of the flag of the United States of North 1872
America. Our basic education omits the fact

That those colors were taken from. The flag of

This shows that they saw this event as a
the United States.
significance awakening of the Filipinos in the
ABOUT THE AUTHOR AMBROSIO RAINZARES real conditions of the nation under Spain.
BAUTISTA
Jose Rizal's Legacy and Martyrdom was also
Known as” Don Bosyong” mentioned, however the Katipunan as the
pioneer revolutionary movement was only
Born on December 17,1830 in Binan, Laguna mentioned once toward the end of the
A lawyer and author of the Declaration of document.
Philippine Independence. There was no mention of the Katipunan's
A distant relative of the Rizal family, Bautista foundation. Bonifacio and his co- founders were
frequently provided advice to Philippine left out.
national hero José Rizal during his school days in The enmity between Aguinaldo's Magdalo and
Manila. Bonifacio's Magdiwang in the Katipunan is no
He became the first adviser of President Emilio secret in the pages of history.
Aguinaldo in 1898. Nothing is more relevant to Philippine history
He was elected as president of the Philippines than the declaration of independence from
in the Revolutionary Congress in Tarlac and colonial rule.
was later appointed judge of the Court of First It must be understood that the independence
Instance of Pangasinan. we attained in
He died on December 4, 1903 (72 years old) 1898 was freedom that was fought for with the
from a fall from a horse drawn carriage. lives of Filipinos
The result was a sixteen page document that The goal or objective of this independence is
contained the aspiration of freedom and something that we might have failed to achieve
sacrifices made and the revolution that resulted and protect property.
from it.

Contrary to common belief it was Bautista and

not Aguinaldo who waved the Philippine Flag MODULE 7: THE TEJEROS ASSEMBLY
before the jubilant crowd on June 12,1898
The Tejeros Convention (alternate names
During the Philippine Proclamation of
include Tejeros Assembly and Tejeros Congress)
Independence in Cavite
The meeting held between the Magdiwang and
ANALYSIS OF THE “PROCLAMATION OF THE
Magdalo factions of the Katipunan at San
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE”
Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias, but
The Declaration, the sole document that proves the site is now at Rosario), Cavite on March 25,
the value Filipinos place on their freedom. 1897.

The documents reflects the general

revolutionary sentiment of that period.
The first days of the Philippine Revolution saw ARTEMIO RICARTE’S ACCOUNT
the defeat of the Katipunan in Manila, forcing
The following account was written by Gen.
Bonifacio and his men to retreat to the
Artemio Ricarte (nom-de-guerre) VIBORA
mountains of Montalban.
Who was one of the officials of the Magdiwang
The Katipunan in Cavite, under Emilio
factions
Aguinaldo managed to subdue the Spanish
forces by surprise and take control the province. During the Tejeros Assembly, he served as the
secretary of the convention when Bonifacio
The victory was short lived as the Cavite
began presiding over the session
Katipuneros- which is consisted of two groups.
The Magdiwang (Bonifacio) and Magdalo His account of the Philippines revolution
(Aguinaldo). (published in tagalog in 1927) Himagsikan ng
mga Pilipino laban sa Kastila

The session opened under the presidency of

Magdalo
Jacinto Lumbreras who explained The purpose
- BALDOMERO AGUINALDO (Cousin of of the meeting.
Emilio Aguinaldo)
Severino de las Alas rose to address those
- It was time to replace the Katipunan
present that before discussing the defense of
Magdalo Magdiwang small piece of territory in Cavite.

- MARIANO ALVAREZ (Uncle of Andres It would be well consider first the kind of
Bonifacio) government then existing in the Country as
- Did not want to replace the katipunan upon that government would depend whatever
defense might be Needed.

Unable to resolve their differences, Aguinaldo

Invited the Supremo Andres Bonifacio to THE KATIPUNAN GOVERNMENT
mediate
Supreme Council (Kataastaasang Sanggunian)
When he arrived it infuriated the Magdalos.
Provincial Council (Kataastaasang Bayan)
The two groups finally agreed to form a
Popular Council (Kataastaasang Balangay)
revolutionary government which would lead the
revolution.

The assembly was set to be held in friar’s estate chairman replied that from the time the
house in Barrio Tejeros, part of The town of Katipunan was established the country Had
San Francisco de Malabon. been ruled by the supreme council, the
provincial and popular councils.
On March 22, 1897 the Cavite Katipuneros as
well as representatives Of the katipunan from
nearby provinces converged at the estate
House. Severino de las Alas said that neither the letter
“K” on the flag Nor the flag itself has anything
Emilio Aguinaldo was not at the assembly as he to do with the character of the government
was commanding the Filipino forces at the then existing
frontlines in Pasong Santol, Barrio Salitran
Dasmarinas Facing imminent attack of the That is to say whether it was Monarchy or a
Spanish forces. Republic

Andres Bonifacio went to explain the

significance of the letter “K” in the center of
the sun on the flag, which stand for liberty
Andres Bonifacio replied that the katipuneros BONIFACIO in a loud voice:
recognize the principle of Union, Fraternity and
As president of the session and also president of
Equality- on which account it was very clear
the supreme council of the katipunan declared
that the government of the katipunan was
The assembly closed and annul everything That
Republican in form
has been done therein.
THE SESSION BROKE UP IN DISORDER
ANDRES BONIFACIO’S ACCOUNT
ORDER BEING RESTORED
• This account by Bonifacio is from a letter he
They proceeded to the election of the following: wrote to Emilio Jacinto On April 24,1897 a
President, Vice President, Captain General month after the Tejeros election.
Directors of War, interior, State, Finance,
• This would be the first time the others
Commerce and Justice
members of the supreme Council would hear of
Ballots were the distributed and one hour later the events that happened in Cavite
The votes were counted
• This was published in Jose P. Santos- Si Andres
The result of the vote EMILIO AGUINALDO Was Bonifacio at ang Himagsikan (1932)
elected President defeating Andres Bonifacio
Mariano Trias.
Because of the tumult that occurred, the
President of the Magdiwang announced That
They then proceeded to the election of the Vice this was not an assembly of gentleman Because
President. Severino de las Alas remarked that everything they did had no evidence
in as much as Andres Bonifacio Had secured
Also I discovered that even before the elections
the second largest number of votes in the
Were made some of those who are from Imus
election of President , he should be proclaimed
Had secretly spread the word that it was not
Vice President
Good for them to be under the leadership of
Mariano Trias was elected Vice President Someone from another province, it was for this
reason that Captain Emilio Aguinaldo was
The election of Minister of Interior was
elected President
proceeded

The result ANDRES BONIFACIO was elected

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ’S ACCOUNT
We have in our province a lawyer Jose Del
Rosario Hence we must protest against the Baldomero Aguinaldo wanted the elections to
election of the person elected And acclaimed. Be finished before it got too dark, to facilitate
Let us vote for Jose del Rosario, the lawyer the Counting of votes he suggested that for all
others Positions to be voted upon, voters
should stand On one sides of the hall if in favor
BONIFACIO’s pride being wounded, he rose and and on the Other side if against.
spoke:

Have we not agreed that we shall obey the will

After the elections, ACTA DE TEJEROS as
of the majority whatever might be the social
drafted It was signed by Andres Bonifacio and
position of the person elected?
leaders of The Magdiwang faction.
BONIFACIO drew his revolver and was about to
fire Tirona But the secretary of the session
(Ricarte) seized his hand The incident passed ACTA DE TEJEROS (Naic Cavite) –proclaiming
without ado the Tejeros Convention as invalid because of its
lack of due process

ACTA DE NAIK –proclaiming that some leaders

of the Katipunan had betrayed the revolution
and had committed Treason.
The Tejeros convention, the archetype of
Philippine polls for in this our first Election.

Rigged Election

Rich vs Poor

Regionalism

All familiar ingredients already appear: THE

BODYGUARDS, THE DRAWN GUN THE BALLOTS
PREPARED BY HAND, THE VIOLENT PROTEST,
THE ATTEMPT TO ANNUL THE VOTER’S WILL.

• Though Bonifacio’s Magdiwang dominated

the convention, the Supremo lost

• The Magdiwang elected its leaders into office

but choose Aguinaldo of Magdalo for their
President.

In way Bonifacio had united the two factions

just by pushing the idea That he an outsider
should head the revolutionary government in
Cavite.

The two factions fused against him and the

government they form Supplanted the
katipunan.

THE TRIAL OF BONIFACIO BEGINS IN NAIC

May 6 the court found Andres and Procopio

Bonifacio guilty of Trying to overthrow the
government and asked for the DEATH PENALTY

Instead of confirming the proposed penalty

Aguinaldo changed it to INDEFINITE
BANISHMENT

Which amounted to an order of pardon- but

was persuaded by a group to withdraw the
order of pardon and allow the execution of the
Prisoners.

The execution of BONIFACIO end in

Maragondon

On morning of May 10, 1897, Bonifacio and his

Brother were taken to the mountains and shot.