Andres Bonifacio (Katipunan Supremo)

Katipunan Supremo

November 30,1863-May 10,1897

Andres Bonifacio was born on November 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila. His parents were Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro.

Bonifacio worked as a messenger-clerk at Flemming and Company and later at Fressel and Company, both companies owned by foreigners.  He likes to read, he read the novels written by Jose Rizal. He joined the La Liga Filipina, an organization formed by Rizal in 1892. Soon Bonifacio realized that reforms in the Philippines could only be attained by revolution. Hence, he helped establish on July 7, 1892 the Katipunan: Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, a secret organization aimed to free Philippines from Spanish rule by means of revolution.

But the existence of the Katipunan was discovered by the Spaniards in August 1896. Many Katipunan members were arrested. On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio and other Katipunan members tore their cedulas to show their protest against the Spanish government. This incident is now known as the "Cry of Pugad Lawin". The Katipunan members attacked the Spanish arsenal in San Juan on August 29, 1896, but they were overpowered by the Spaniards.

Meanwhile, Katipuneros in Cavite were winning against the Spaniard forces. But the two Katipunan groups, the Magdiwang and the Magdalo, were having territorial disputes. Bonifacio went to Cavite to mediate. On March 22, 1897, Tejeros Convention was held and Emilio Aguinaldo was elected President of the Revolutionary Government and Bonifacio was Director Interior. When objections to his election were raised, Bonifacio declared the entire election null and void.

Bonifacio was later declared a danger to the revolution. He was arrested, with his brother Procopio and wife Gregoria. His other brother, Ciriaco was killed during the arrest of Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were tried in Maragondon and were sentenced to die for teachery. On May 10, 1897, they were executed on Mount Buntis, allegedly on orders of Ahuinaldo.

Bonifacio was married twice. His first wife was named Monica, she died of leprosy. His second wife was Gregoria de Jesus. They were married in Binondo Church in 1893.

To honor the heroism of Bonifacio, November 30, the date of his birth has been declared an official public holiday.

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(Tagalog Version)

Ipinanganak si Andres Bonifacio noong Nobyembre 30, 1863 sa Tondo, Maynila kina Santiago Bonifacio at Catalina de Castro.

Si Bonifacio ay nagtrabahong mensahero-klerk sa Flemming and Company at Fressel and Company, mga pag-aari ng banyaga. Mahilig siyang magbasa, binasa niya ang mga nobela ni Jose Rizal. Sumapi siya sa La Liga Filipina, samahang itinatag ni Jose Rizal noong 1892. Napagtanto ni Bonifacio na ang reporma sa Pilipinas ay matatamo lamang sa paraan ng rebolusyon. Kaya tumulong siyang itatag noong Hulyo 7, 1892 ang Katipunan: Kataas-tKataas-taasan, KaKagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan. Ito'y lihim na samahang nasang palayain ang Pilipinas sa mga Kastila sa pamamagitan ng rebolusyon.

Subalit ang Katipunan ay natuklasan ng mga Kastila noong Agosto 1896. Maraming kasapi ng Katipunan ang hinuli. Noong Agosto 23, 1896, pinagpupunit nina Bonifacio at ng mga kasapi ng Katipunan ang kanilang cedula bilang pakita ng hayagang pagtutol sa pamahalaang Kastila. Ang pangyayaring ito ang kinilalang "Unang Sigaw ng Pugad Lawin". Sinalakay ng Katipunan ang Polvorin sa San Juan noong Agosto 29, 1896, ngunit naitaboy ng mga Kastila.

Samantala, ang mga Katipuneros sa Cavite ay nananalo sa mga Kastila. Ngunit ang dalawang pangkat ng Katipunan doon, ang Magdiwang at Magdalo ay hindi magkasundo sa teritoryo. Pumunta roon si Bonifacio upang mamagitan. Noong Marso 22, 1897, sa Kombensyon sa Tejeros, ay nahalal na pangulo ng Rebolusyong Gobyerno si Emilio Aguinaldo at Kalihim Panloob si Bonifacio. Nang tinutulan ang pagkahalal sa kanya ay ppinawalang-bisa ni Bonifacio ang buong halalan.

Idineklarang mapanganib sa kilusang rebolusyonaryo si Bonifacio. Ipinadakip siya, ang kapatid na si Procopio at asawang si Gregoria. Sa pagdakip, napatay ang kapatid niyang si Ciriaco at siya'y nasugatan. Si Bonifacio at ang kapatid niyang si Procopio ay nilitis sa Maragondon at hinatulan ng kamatayan sa salang pagtataksil. Noong Mayo 10, 1897, pinatay sila sa Bundok Buntis, diumano, sa utos ni Aguinaldo.

Dalawang ulit nag-asawa si Bonifacio, una kai Monica na namatay sa ketong. Muling nag-asawa si Bonifacio at nakasal kay Gregoria de Jesus sa simbahan ng Binondo noong 1893.

Bilang pagunita sa kabayanihan ni Bonifacio ang kanyang kaarawan, Nobyembre 30 ay idineklarang pista opisyal.