replace the Katipunan.
  The assembly ended without the issue being
ANDRES BONIFACIO AND THE KATIPUNAN
Andres Bonifacio was born on November 30, 1863 in a small hut at Calle
Azcarraga, presently known as Claro M. Recto Avenue in Tondo, Manila.  same period, Freemasonry and its doctrine gained popularity.
His parents were Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro.
    Andres was the eldest in a brood of five.  His other siblings were Ciriaco,
Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona and Maxima.  He obtained his basic
education through a certain Guillermo Osmeña of Cebu.  The Bonifacio
family was orphaned when Andres was barely fourteen.  With this, Andres
assumed the responsibility of raising his younger siblings.
     In order to support the needs of their family, he maximized his skills in
making crafts and sold paper fans and canes.  He also worked as messenger
in Fleming & Company.  Eventually, he moved to Fressel & Company,
where he worked as warehouse man until 1896.  Poverty never hindered
Andres’ thirst for knowledge.  He devoted most of his time reading books
while trying to improve his knowledge in the
Spanish and Tagalog language.  The warehouse of Fressel & Company
served as his library and study room.
     Andres was married to Gregoria de Jesus who happened to be his second
wife.  His first wife – Monica- died of leprosy a year after their marriage.   of the Philippines from Spain and the expulsion of the Spaniards in the
Gregoria was only sixteen years old and Andres was twenty-nine when their
romance sprung.  At first, Gregoria’s parents were against their relationship,
but in time, allowed the couple to be married in Catholic rites. The two were
married in 1892, both in Catholic and Katipunan rites.  Gregoria chose
“Lakambini” as her nom de guerre.
THE TEJEROS CONVENTION
    On March 22, 1897, a convention was held in Tejeros in order to settle the
dispute between the two councils and to decide on what type of government
should be installed.  During the early phase of the convention the crowd
became unruly, causing a recess.  When the convention resumed, Bonifacio
was assigned to preside in the election of the officers of the new government
that was to be set up.  Before this, however, Bonifacio laid down the rule that
the assembly should respect whatever would be the outcome of the election.
     When Bonifacio was elected Secretary of Interior, Daniel Tirona
contested and argued that a lawyer should handle the position.  Bonifacio felt
insulted and demanded an apology from Tirona.  Because of humiliation and
anger, Bonifacio declared that all matters convened in the Tejeros
Convention were null and void.  Together with his supporters, he left the
estate house.
“ACTA DE TEJEROS,” “NAIC PACT” AND THE REVOLUTIONARY
GOVERNMENT OF AGUINALDO
       The next day, Bonifacio stressed out his reason for invalidating the
Tejeros Convention through a document known as “Acta de Tejeros” signed
by his supporters.  Meanwhile, the elected officers of Magdalo held a
meeting at Sta. Cruz de Malabon.  That night, Aguinaldo and the other
elected officers in Tejeros took their oath of office.
      Bonifacio decided to establish another government independent from that
of Aguinaldo in accordance with the “Naic Pact” enacted by him which
signed by his 41 supporters including two of Aguinaldo’s general.  These
two generals, however, turned their back on Bonifacio after a talk with
Aguinaldo, pledging loyalty to the latter, instead.
      The Revolutionary Government was established without the customary
elections on 17 April 1897 with Aguinaldo completing his Cabinet members
through appointment.
THE CRY OF PUGADLAWIN
      On 23 August 1896, the Supremo and his troops formally launched an
armed revolution against Spain. They tore their resident certificates or
cedulas which symbolized their defiance against from the colonizers. This
became known in history as “The Cry of Pugadlawin.”
CONTINUED STRUGGLES
      On 29 August 1896, Katipunan members tried to seize Mandaluyong,
Pandacan and Pasig. However, the attacks were unsuccessful.  The Battle at
San Juan del Monte was a military disaster after the death of more than a
hundred Katipuneros.  Gen. Ramon Blanco, as a response, declared in a state
of war in the eight provinces believed to be the hotbeds of revolution
namely: Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija
and Pampanga.
MAGDIWANG VS. MAGDALO
      Bad blood erupted between the two Katipunan Councils in Cavite—the
Magdalo and Magdiwang due to lack of respect and territorial competition
prompting  Mariano Alvarez to invite Bonifacio to Cavite and intercede.  On
17 December 1896, Bonifacio together with his brothers, wife and troops
went to Cavite –the province where the Supremo met his tragic fate.
     An assembly was held at Imus estate house on December 29 with both
Magdalo and Magdiwang members attending. A disagreement arose between
the two councils on the issue of establishing a revolutionary government to
resolved. 
SITUATION DURING BONIFACIO’S TIME
      Andres Bonifacio was born in an era when the natives were considered
Indios and the Spanish friars were believed to be God’s representative on
earth.  He observed that the Filipinos during his time were not free and the
Spanish government and the Catholic Church enslaved them.  During the
 
      Bonifacio admired Jose Rizal for his great effort in awakening Filipino
nationalism. He even witnessed and joined the founding of La Liga Filipina
spearheaded by Rizal on 3 July 1892.  Sadly, the organization died naturally
after Rizal was exiled in Dapitan.  Prior to his involvement in free masonry
and Liga, Bonifacio continued to work in Fressel & Co. and sell fans and
canes. He met Ladislao Diwa, and Teodoro Plata who would play major
roles in the establishment of the Katipunan.
THE KATIPUNAN
      On July 7, 1892, the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng
mga Anak ng Bayan was founded in the house of Deodato Arellano at 734
Calle El Cano cor. Azcarraga.  Membership was through blood compact
symbolizing the foundation of the secret society, which aimed the separation
country.  The first Supremo of the Katipunan was Deodato Arellano,
followed by Roman Basa and finally, Andres Bonifacio.
     In 1893, women were given the chance to join the organization.  The first
members were Gregoria de Jesus, Josefa Rizal, Marina Dizon and Angelica
Lopez.  They served as the keepers of important and confidential documents
of the Katipunan and staged galas as fronts for the regular meetings of the
male members.  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.”
THE PLAN FOR A REVOLUTION
      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 DISCOVERY OF THE KATIPUNAN
      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.
ILL FATED DESTINY
     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.