Andres Bonifacio: “The Next National Hero?” (EDITORIAL)

          Last November 30, 2012, not just Andres Bonifacio College but the whole Philippines, celebrated the 150th death anniversary of the “Father of Philippine Revolution” which is Andres Bonifacio. At the same time it was also the 72nd foundation day of ABCollege. Andres Bonifacio has been dubbed by many names. He was often called “The Great Plebeian” and “The Founder of the Katipunan”. Who is this Andres Bonifacio and why is he so much celebrated in our national holidays?

         Andres Bonifacio was one of the leading pioneers in the rise of Philippine Revolution during the Spanish Colonial period. Even though he has fought many battles and lost most of them, he proved to the Filipino people that he has a lot to give in the name of Philippine independence. Andres Bonifacio may have been an undergraduate and had come from a poor family but because of his determination to seek independence against the Spanish Government, he has organized an Anti-Spanish movement called the “Katipunan” with hopes of liberating the Philippines. During his teenage years, he struggled to find a living in order to sustain his siblings and to send them all to school. For Andres Bonifacio, education is a real ‘treasure’ to keep and he has always been self-educated despite his meager time to study. He has served the Katipunan for many years and once acted as one of the chief officers of the Katipunan. He also served as the society’s comptroller and its fiscal. He also joined the La Liga Filipina which Rizal had organized and was one of the active members during its conception. He was also one of the members of the La Liga Filipina who revitalized the organization when Rizal left to do medical work in Cuba. He was the one responsible for the epic battles in the history of the Philippines dubbed as “The Cry of Balintawak” where all the Katipuneros tore their community tax certificates (cedulas) and shouted for freedom. Unlike Jose Rizal, our national hero, Andres Bonifacio did not fight with pen and paper but he fought with bolos and spears. And unlike Rizal, who attended formal schooling, Bonifacio was self-studied and relied on his instincts to surpass any obstacle.

         There have been debates going on that Andres Bonifacio should also acquire the “national hero” status because of his many contributions in the recorded history of Philippine Revolutions. Historians have said that Bonifacio deserved more to be the national hero because of the fact that he started the revolution and that he found his support among the Filipino people. Historians also noted that after Emilio Aguinaldo lost the Philippine-American war, the Americans promoted Rizal to be the peaceful political advocate preventing further Filipinos to resist under the American rule. This made Rizal labeled as a “United-States sponsored” hero. But other historians also claim that before Bonifacio conceptualized the Katipunan, Rizal’s novels and writings that were all about the revolution acted as a “trigger” and “motivation” to Andres Bonifacio to start the movement. But nevertheless, both heroes were said to be celebrated and respected for their great contributions to the history of Philippine Revolution. According to historians, there is no need to proclaim any “national hero”, for the both of them deserve to become the Philippines’ greatest heroes.

         And as for Bonifacio, his undying love for Philippine independence has garnered the hearts of the Filipino people in its continuing struggle for its development and liberation against corrupt and abusive forces. His spirit will always be with the Filipino people and to more generations to come. And he will always be remembered as the “Great Plebeian” and the” father of Philippine Revolution” regardless of any national hero title.