Republic of the Philippines

Commission on Higher Education

Region V (Bicol)
Legazpi City
Bicol University, Polangui Campus
Polangui, Albay

Subject Code: GE 12 Subject Title: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

I – MODULE TITLE No. 7: ANALYZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRIMARY SOURCES TO
THE HISTORY OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
Section 3: Kartilya ng Katipunan by Emilio Jacinto
II – MODULE DESCRIPTION: This module is a collection of primary sources that significantly
contributed to the shaping of Philippine History. It analyzes the significance
of primary sources to the grand narrative of the history of the Filipino people
by providing concrete facts and details coming from first-hand witnesses of
the country’s specific historic events.
III – EXPECTED OUTCOME/OBJECTIVES: At the end of this section, the students are
expected to:
1. Enumerate the different points given in the Kartilya ng Katipunan
2. explain the importance of the Kartilya to the grand narrative of the Philippine history; and
3. Evaluate the relevance of the document to present time.

IV – PRE-TEST
Instructions: Every organization has a code of conduct in order to maintain cooperation and
respect among its members. If these rules are broken, there are corresponding sanctions and
consequences. Cite one rule or regulation you have in an organization you are part of and explain
the importance of compliance and the sanctions for non-compliance.
The Organization and its employees must, at all times, comply with all applicable laws
and regulations. The Organization will not condone the activities of employees who
achieve results through violation of the law or unethical business dealings. This includes
any payments for illegal acts, indirect contributions, rebates, and bribery. The
Organization does not permit any activity that fails to stand the closest possible public
scrutiny.

V – LESSON CONTENT
 SECTION 3: KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN BY EMILIO JACINTO
OVERVIEW INTRODUCTION
This section sheds light on Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng Katipunan which enumerates the guidelines
that new members of the Katipunan have to follow. The Kartilya served as the guide of the Katipunan. It
contains thirteen “teachings” that the members were required to adhere to.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Historical – relating to history; arranged in the order that things happened or came to be
Decalogue - a basic set of rules carrying binding authority
INFORMATION SHEET/DISCUSSION OF THE TOPIC
Background of the Author
Historians regard Emilio Jacinto as the “Brains of the
Katipunan.” Artemio Ricarte called him the “Moses of the
Filipino people” while Epifanio de los Santos considered
him as the “Soul of the Revolution” and the “Eyes of the Katipunan”
Emilio Jacinto was born in Trozo, Manila on December 15, 1875.
His father was Mariano Jacinto who, according to Zaide,
was a bookkeeper but according to E. delos Santos, was a
merchant. His mother Josefa Dizon was a manghihilot or midwife.
He studied at the private school of Maestro Ferrer and later, at the private school of Jose Dizon. He
was enrolled by his uncle at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran for his bachelor’s degree and he later
transferred to the University of Santo Tomas to study law. He used the pen names Pingkian, Dimasilaw,
and Ka Ilyong. He joined the Katipunan in 1894 and was the youngest member at 19 years old. He was the
fiscal, secretary, editor, and later, general of the Katipunan. He also became the director of the printing
shop and library of the Katipunan. The library contained written works on tactics and weaponry, the
French Revolution, and works of demagogues. Jacinto was proclaimed generalissimo of the North (Punong
Hukbo sa Hilagaan), became the adviser of the Supremo, and furnished Bonifacio with weapons, money,
printing materials, and musical compositions. He was also the editor of the newspaper Kalayaan. He died
of malaria on April 16, 1899 at 23 years old.

Historical background of the Document

Andres Bonifacio long wanted to have a codified document listing the duties and responsibilities of
every member of the Katipunan, Incidentally, as Bonifacio was drafting the said document, Emilio Jacinto
was writing one as well. By the time that Bonifacio was about to consult Jacinto for comments on his draft,
the latter presented his work to the Supremo. After seeing the draft of Kartilya ng Katipunan by Emilio
Jacinto, Bonifacio was impressed with Jacinto’s style of writing and decided to adopt the Kartilya as the
guidebook for the rules and regulations of the Katipunan.
Aside from the maltreatment experienced by Filipinos from the Spaniards, the following are the
other factors that were influential in the forming of the Katipunan and that of the Kartilya:
1. The Age of Enlightenment gave way to Liberalism and Classicism and in the 20th century,
modernism. In this period, secret societies like the Freemasons were established. Coffeehouses,
newspapers, and literary salons flourished as new places for ideas to circulate and transfer.
2. The French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval in France. It became the
focal point for the development of all modern political ideologies. This led to the spread of radicalism,
liberalism, and nationalism which greatly influenced the Illustrados in the Philippines and in Europe.
3. Masonry was introduced to the Philippines in 1856 when a Spanish naval officer organized a
lodge in Cavite under the auspices of the Portuguese Gran Oriente Lusitano. However, the true roots of
Philippine Masonry sprouted in 1889 when Graciano Lopez-Jaena organized the Logia Revoluccion in
Barcelona under the auspices of Grande Oriente Espanol. Through Flipino students studying in Spain,
masonry further spread in Philippine circles, among Marcelo H. del Pilar, Jose Alejandrino, brothers
Antonio and Juan Luna, Jose Rizal and more. Masonry, as a civic movement promoting fraternity,
evidently influenced the dynamics of the Katipunan. The Spanish friars believed that Masonry was the root
of the problems and the establishment of the Katipunan. Jesuit Francisco Foradada, wrote that Filipino
filibusterism (subversion) was against righteousness, morality, or justice, and that Masonry was the enemy
of God.
4. The Propaganda Movement was propelled by the execution of the three priests GOMBURZA
in 1872 which left a profound effect on many Filipinos including Jose Rizal. After the execution, many
Filipinos started questioning Spanish authorities and asked for reforms. The Illustrados demanded for
reforms through a systematic and peacefu movement later called the Propaganda Movement. This
movement helped Andres Bonifacio and other nationalists to realize that a peaceful way of asking for
reforms was not enough, leading to the establishment of the Katipunan and the staging of an armed
rebellion against the Spanish colonial administration.
5. The La Liga Filpina was established by Jose Rizal when he decided to return to the Philippines
to continue to call for reforms through legal means. However, the operations of La Liga were cut short
when Rizal was arrested and exiled to Dapitan. Left without a leader. La Liga split into two factions - the
katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and the Cuerpo de Compromisarios led by Numeriano Adriano. The
former was knownn to be composed of the radicals while the latter was composed of conservatives,
adhering to the original aspirations of Jose Rizal. Andres Bonifacio saw Rizal’s exile to Dapitan as a sign
that askng for reforms through legal means was futile. This prompted him to formally establish the secret
revolutionary organization, the Katipunan.

Decalogue of the Duties of the Sons of the People

By: Andres Bonifacio

1. Love God with all your heart.

2. Bear always in mind that the love of God is also the love of Country, and this too, is love of one's
fellow-men.
3. Engrave in your heart that the true measure if honor and happiness is to die for the freedom of
your country.
4. All your good wishes will be crowned with success if you have serenity, constancy, reason, and
faith in your acts and endeavor.
5. Guards the mandates and aims of the K.K.K. as you guard your honor.
6. It is the duty of all to deliver, at the risk of their own lives and wealth, anyone who runs great risks
in the performance of his duty.
7. Out responsibility to ourselves and the performance of our duties will be the example set for our
fellow-men to follow.
8. Insofar as it is within your power, share your means with the poor and the unfortunate.
9. Diligence in the work that gives sustenance to you is the true basis of love -- love for your self, for
your wife and children, and for your brothers and countrymen.
10. Punish any scoundrel and traitor and praise all good work. Believe, likewise, that the aims of the
K.K.K. are God-given for the will of the people is also the will of God.

Kartilya ng Katipunan

Emilio Jacinto
Mga Aral nang Katipunan ng mga A.N.B.

1. Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy na walang lilim,
kundi damong makamandag

2. Ang gawang magaling na nagbubuhat sa pagpipita sa sarili, at hindi sa talagang nasang gumawa ng
kagalingan, ay di kabaitan.

3. Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang gawa, ang pagibig sa kapua at ang isukat ang bawat kilos,
gawa’t pangungusap sa talagang Katuiran.

4. Maitim man at maputi ang kulay ng balat, lahat ng tao’y magkakapantay; mangyayaring ang isa’y higtan
sa dunong, sa yaman, sa ganda…; ngunit di mahihigtan sa pagkatao.

5. Ang may mataas na kalooban inuuna ang puri sa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may hamak na kalooban inuuna
ang pagpipita sa sarili sa puri.
6. Sa taong may hiya, salita’y panunumpa.

7. Huag mong sasayangin ang panahun; ang yamang nawala’y magyayaring magbalik; nguni’t panahong
nagdaan na’y di na muli pang magdadaan. Value of time

8. Ipagtanggol mo ang inaapi, at kabakahin ang umaapi.

9. Ang taong matalino’y ang may pagiingat sa bawat sasabihin, at matutong ipaglihim ang dapat ipaglihim.

10. Sa daang matinik ng kabuhayan, lalaki ay siyang patnugot ng asawa’t mga anak; kung ang umaakay ay
tungo sa sama, ang patutunguhan ng iaakay ay kasamaan din.

11. Ang babae ay huwag mong tignang isang bagay na libangan lamang, kundi isang katuang at karamay
sa mga kahirapan nitong kabuhayan; gamitan mo ng buong pagpipitagan ang kaniyang kahinaan, at
alalahanin ang inang pinagbuhata’t nagiwi sa iyong kasangulan.

12. Ang di mo ibig na gawin sa asawa mo, anak at kapatid, ay huag mong gagawin sa asawa, anak, at
kapatid ng iba.

13. Ang kamahalan ng tao’y wala sa pagkahari, wala sa tangus ng ilong at puti ng mukha, wala sa
pagkaparing kahalili ng Dios wala sa mataas na kalagayan sa balat ng lupa; wagas at tunay na mahal na
tao, kahit laking gubat at walang nababatid kundi ang sariling wika, yaong may magandang asal, may
isang pangungusap, may dangal at puri; yaong di napaaapi’t di nakikiapi; yaong marunong magdamdam at
marunong lumingap sa bayang tinubuan.

14. Paglaganap ng mga aral na ito at maningning na sumikat ang araw ng mahal na Kalayaan dito sa
kaabaabang Sangkalupuan, at sabugan ng matamis niyang liwanag ang nangagkaisang magkalahi’t
magkakapatid ng ligaya ng walang katapusan, ang mga ginugol na buhay, pagud, at mga tiniis na
kahirapa’y labis nang natumbasan. Kung lahat ng ito’y mataruk na ng nagiibig pumasuk at inaakala niyang
matutupad ang mga tutungkulin, maitatala ang kaniyang ninanasa sa kasunod nito.
 
SELF CHECK
1. Who is the Brain of the katipunan? How old is he when he became a member of the katipunan?
Emilio Jacinto was an eloquent and brave young man, known as both the soul and the brain of
the Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio's revolutionary organization. In his short life, Jacinto helped
to lead the fight for Filipino independence from Spain. He did not finish college and, at the age
of 19, joined the secret society called Katipunan. He became the advisor on fiscal matters and
secretary to Andrés Bonifacio.
_________________________________________________________________
2. What are the pen names he used when he writes in the newspaper?
Jacinto also wrote for the Katipunan newspaper called Kalayaan. He wrote in the newspaper
under the pen name "Dimasilaw", and used the alias "Pingkian" in the Katipunan.
_________________________________________________________________
3. Why does Emilio Jacinto uses pen names?
To hide his identity.
_________________________________________________________________
4. What are the factors that influences in forming the Kartilya of the Katipunan
The Kartilya comprises thirteen lessons that detail not only the vision of the Katipunan, but the
vision for a 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
importance.
_________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY 2.3.1
KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN IN THE MODERN WORLD
Name: _______________________________________________ Course/Year/Block:______________
A. Instructions: Read the provisions of the Kartilya ng Katipunan and through it, visualize the dynamics of
the Katipunan as an organization. Considering the present circumstances in the modern world, do you
think the provisions of the Kartlya ng Katipunan will help address some of the problems of the Philippine
society? Cite examples and defend your answer

I think that the provisions of the Kartilya ng Katipunan are essential inour society because the objective of
that organization is to promote peace and orderin our country during their time. Some provisions of
Kartilya ng Katipunan liketreating other people equally and defending the oppressed from the oppressor
isone of the most helpful teachings of Kartilya ng Katipunan. The problem in ourcountry today are
discrimination and oppressing the poor. The teachings of theKartilya ng Katipunan are against that and I
think that we should study and applytheir teachings in our country to promote peace and other in our
surroundingsbecause with that teachings bear in our mind we can prevent chaos from happeningin our
country.
______________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY 2.3.2
COMPARING THE KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN AND THE DECALOGUE
Name: _______________________________________________ Course/Year/Block:______________
B. Instructions: Prior to the Kartilya ng Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio drafted the “Decalogue of the Duties
of the Sons of the People” or the “Decalogue.” It was patterned after the Ten Commandments of the
Roman Catholic church to serve as list of duties and responsibilities to be followed by every member of the
Katipunan by Emilio Jacinto, he was impressed with Jacinto’s style of writing and decided to adopt is as
the official guidebook of the rules and regulations of the organization.
Read the “Decalogue of the Duties of the Sons of the People” by Andres Bonifacio and compare it
with the Kartilya ng Katipunan by Emilio Jacinto. In your opinion, which better suits the needs of
Philippine society during the time of the revolution? Explain your answer in 150-250 words.

For me, I think the Kartilya ng Katipunan better suits the needs of Philippinesociety during the time of
revolution. While, “Decalogue of the Duties of the Sons of the People” is now for our modern days. The
Kartilya ng Katipunan was longer, more literary and philosophical. It presented its concept of virtuous
living as lessons for self-reflection, rather than as direct prescriptions. It asserted that it was the internal,
not the external qualifications that make human greatness. The Kartilya ng Katipunan comprises thirteen
lessons that detail not only the vision of the Katipunan, but the vision for an egalitarian and morally sound
Filipino nation. While, The Decalogue of the Duties of the Sons of the People had only ten points and dealt
primarily with one’s duties to God, country, family, neighbor.

ACTIVITY 2.3.3
ASSESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRIMARY SOURCES IN UNDERSTANDING THE
GRAND NARRATIVE OF THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Name: _______________________________________________ Course/Year/Block:______________
C. Instructions. Give (3) three reasons why the Kartilya ng Katipunan, is important to the grand narrative
of the Philippine history.
1. Text is one of the few texts recorded at that time. It helps us to get a glimpse of the ideas of Katipunan and
its representatives today. This encourages us to think more about the goal.  
2. It also encouraged the participation of the people to join the movement and put a sense of nationalism into
practice in some way possible. This refers to the independence of the Philippines.  
3. It lays the foundation for the way the Filipinos think in general. Many of the concepts in Kartilya can also
be applicable today to our daily personal life and to the life of the country at present.  

REFERENCE
De Veyra, L. (2011, April 19). Word of the Lourd: Emilio Jacinto. TV5 The Evening News

Richardson, J. (2013). Emilio Jacinto, Kartilya ng Katipunan. In Declaration of Principles, pp. 121-137.

VI – POST TEST
Applying the principles of the Kartilya ng Katipunan
Name: _______________________________________________ Course/Year/Block:______________
Instructions: Read the fourteen (14) points presented in the Kartilya ng Katipunan. Select five(5) from
them and explain their significance in maintaining a peaceful and orderly community

1. Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy na walang lilim, kun
di damong makamandang.

 The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without a shade, if not a
poisonous weed.

The First code of conduct simple tells us that we must have a purpose-driven life. We must know how to

set our goals and find meaning to our life because without knowing our purpose, we will suffer from

unwanted situations.

2. Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang gawa, ang pagibig sa kapwa at ang isukat ang bawat kilos,
gawa’t pangungusap sa talagang katuiran.

 It is rational to be charitable and love one’s fellow creature, and to adjust one’s conduct, acts and
words to what is in itself reasonable. 

It gives us the real definition of true act of kindness – Being kind is simply seen by the service and love

one gives to his/her fellowmen without asking anything in return.

3. Maitim man at maputi ang kulay ng balat, lahat ng tao’y magkakapantay: mangyayaring ang isa’y higtan
sa dunong, sa yaman, sa ganda…, ngunit di mahihigtan sa pagkatao.

 Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge, wealth and beauty
are to be understood, but not superiority by nature. 

The 4th rule highlights EQUALITY. We are all born to be equal no matter what race, status, and

educational background we have. Our society may have divided us into groups but we must all understant

that no one is a superior of anyone.

4. Ang may mataas na kalooban inuuna ang puri sa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may hamak na kalooban, inuuna
ang pagpipita sa sarili sa puri.

 The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel, gain to honor. 

A good person must understand that honoring oneself also means he or she values honor rather than

personal interest. True honor means having a high moral standard behavior

Prepared by:

ROBERTO R. RIPARIP
BUPC Lecturer