BAGUIWA JAMES JR. L.

DEC/ 16/2020
BSEDIII- ENGLISH
“Traditional Criticism on Rebublikang Basahan”
- Teodoro Andal Agoncillo

Teodoro Andal Agoncillo was a prominent 20th-century Filipino historian. He and his
contemporary Renato Constantino were among the first Filipino historians renowned for
promoting a distinctly nationalist point of view of Filipino history. He was also an essayist and a
poet. Born in Lemery, Batangas to Pedro Agoncillo and Feliza Andal, both from landed families
in Batangas, Agoncillo obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of the
Philippines in Manila, in 1934, and a master's degree in the arts from the same university the
following year. He earned his living as a linguistic assistant at the Institute of National Language
and as an instructor at the Far Eastern University and the Manuel L. Quezon University. In
1956, he published his seminal work, Revolt of the Masses: The Story of Bonifacio and the
Katipunan, a history of the 1896 Katipunan-led revolt against Spanish rule and its leader,
Andres Bonifacio. He garnered acclaim for this book, as well as criticisms from more
conservative historians discomfited by the work's nationalist bent.
This poem titled, “Republikang Basahan” by Teodoro Agoncillo actively illustrates the life
of Filipino people during the time he wrote this poem that is probably during 1890’s or the
Spanish regime. Accordingly, the poem discussed how numerous are the number of Spanish
people in the country, no right to talk against, you’re eyes are widely open but considered as
blind, a convict of your own country, to sum up everything that has been stated, during this time,
there’s no room for freedom. Spaniards are enjoying their lives living in the country while the
country’s citizens became their servants as well as slaves. This poem also mentioned
about,”Kalayaan! Republika! Ang bayani’y dinudusta.” Which means our heroes dedicated their
lives to their land. They don’t stay mute, deaf, or even blind. They did this not to free themselves
yet an attempt to free their countrymen.
Slavery, absence of freedom and inhumane activities led our national heroes to fight
against these colonist. It says there, “Subalit ang iniisip ay huwag mong bibigkasin” which it
means a lot, as of this moments, there’s no one to trust than only yourself. Actions against the
government during this regime was strictly forbidden and will led anyone to death. But these
consequences does not stop the “Katipunan” on their revolt against Spanish rule. The reason
for this occurrence is that, living is more than death. Thus, the conclusion is that, it’s better to
die in the battlefield than to die in the shadow of a coward.
The poem is highly organized and the meaning of each paragraph allows the reader to
delve with it deeply. The statement, “”Bawat hakbang na gawin mo sa Templo ng kalayaan ay
hakbang na papalapit sa bungaga ng libingan” which losing our national heroes is a proof of this
statement. That we are free today in the temple of freedom our heroes dug their own graves
through the use of their full strength, dedication and love of their country. Freedom is the
sweetest word a poor man have ever heard after 333 years of slavery.
In conclusion, the poem “Republikang Basahan” is a poem that discusses how dusty,
and how messy the government is during this time. Teodoro Agoncillo gave emphasis on the
sufferings of our countrymen during the Spanish regime.