Datuin, Irish Gwen V,

DVM – 1A

PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS: 

DOCUMENT: Kartilya (Ang Kartilya ng Katipunan/The Kartilya of the Katipunan) by Emilio
Jacinto

Title of Source: Emilio Jacinto, "Katipunan nang manga A. N. B. - Sa may nasang makisanib
sa katipunang ito" (The "Kartilya")

Type of Primary Source: Document

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1.     What is the socio-political context when the Kartilya was written? How crucial was this
document in the 19th century Philippines? (10pts)
- The rules and duties made by Emilio Jacinto made Filipinos realize that the only way to save
the country and be a better Filipino is to be disciplined and follow what is given to them.
Changing Filipino’s attitudes by relinquishing any depraved practices and ensuing the rules
made by the authority abetted us to become a better citizen. The document of Kartilya in the
19th century the Philippines was decisive in the sense that it serves as the moral and diligent
foundation utilized to superintend the actions of Katipuneros.

2.     How would you describe the Kartilya  in terms of its form/writing style and content?
What are the main teachings and how are they presented? (10pts)

- The Kartilya encompasses thirteen lessons that detail not only the vision of the Katipunan,
but the vision for an egalitarian and morally sound Filipino nation. For the Katipunan
leadership, such as Emilio Jacinto, the ideas of Right and Light, Katwiran and Kaliwanagan,
were of utmost prominence. The main teachings and how they presented are; A life that is not
dedicated to a noble cause is like a tree without a shade or a poisonous weed. A deed lacks
nobility if it is motivated by self-interest and not by a sincere desire to help. True piety resides
of being charitable, loving one’s fellow men, and being judicious in behavior, speech and
deed.

3.     Research on why Andres Bonifacio, who was then the Supremo or Supreme Leader of
the Katipunan, opted to adopt Emilio Jacinto’s Teachings of the Katipunan instead of his own
draft of the Dekalogo ng Katipunan (Katipunan Code of Conduct).  Do you find this decision
sound? How are their perspective different and alike? (10pts)

- Andres Bonifacio, the father of the Philippine Revolution, and once the President of the
Supreme Council of the Katipunan, penned the Duties of the Sons of the People, a list of the
duties and responsibilities to be followed strictly by every member of the organization. The
rules constituted a decalogue, and embodied Bonifacio’s passionate beliefs he choseto adopt
the Teachings of the Katipunan written by Emilio Jacinto was because it is not just similar as
the Decalogue. Hence, it is written to introduce the principles and values that guides every
member of the organizations.

4.     Why can the Kartilya be considered timeless and relevant to the industrializing and
globalizing present? (10pts)

- It was considered as timeless and relevant to the industrialization and globalization is

because it shows us that there are circumstances that cross the threshold to us, how we settled
our society, even it rises and develops large-scale industries – we mold compassion, diligence,
and love to our country. Every people are in obstacles, which portrays the problems that
surrounds in our life – every problem has a tenacity in our life, and knowing that the Almighty
is not putting us in a hurdle if we cannot resolve it and escape it.

5.     As a student, how will you embody the main teachings and guiding principles of the
Kartilya? Concretize your answer and cite specific lines from the document. (10pts)

- As a student I embody the main teachings and guiding principles of the Kartilya is to
understand well the meaning of each content, because every people has a different perspective
in life. “The fourth tenet highlights equality. Every Katipuneros are treated equally no matter
what race or educational background he has” We are in a world of full of being a racist,
judging every people appearance without knowing the real identity of a person. We should
learn how to respect every people, because we are all equal. Even how rich you are and poor
you are, we are in the same world struggling and surviving. Whether we are black or white, all
people are equal: one may be superior in knowledge, wealth, beauty but not superior in
personality.

Source:

Adrian E. Cristobal, The Tragedy of the Revolution (Makati City: Studio 5 Publishing Inc.,
1997) 46; José P. Santos, Buhay at mga sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto (Manila: José Paez Santos,
1935), 59–63. Accessed from: http://www.kasaysayan-kkk.info/membership-documents/emilio-
jacinto-katipunan-nang-manga-a-n-b---sa-may-nasang-makisanib-sa-katipunang-ito-the-kartilya
Accessed when: October 11, 2021

Andres Bonifacio’s Decalogue, and the Kartilya ng Katipunan (Malacañang Palace –

Presedential Museum & Library) Accessed From http://malacanang.gov.ph/7013-andres-
bonifacios-decalogue-and-the-kartilya-ng-katipunan/ Accessed when Oct. 11, 2021