Lesson 2

THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT AND THE KATIPUNAN

The education of many Filipinos opened their eyes and thought of themselves as one nation with a
common origin, common customs and traditions, common history, and common aspiration. These made
them separated and be freed from Spain.

Nationalism among Filipinos came about when they became united and worked together for common
goal s and visions. The birth of Philippine nationalism in the 19 th century was caused by:

 Influences from abroad on freedom and the rights of men.The opening of the Philippines to
world trade brought about knowledge in terms of modern ideas found in books and newspapers
read by many Filipinos. The reading materials taught the Filipinos about freedom and the
natural rights of men to life, liberty, and te pursuit of happiness. They also learned about the
causes of the French and American revolutions in the 18" century and which embolden them to
ask reforms from the Spanish government.
 Then revolution in Spain in 1868. The monarchy in Spain was overthrown by a revolution in
1868 and brought about a new government. This new government gave way to a better
treatment to Filipinos in terms of freedom and rights. This led to the invitation of Filipinos to
Malacanang Palace by the new Governor-General, Carlos Maria de la Torre.
 The prejudice against Filipino priests.By the 19th century, many Filipinos became priests but
were booked down by Spanish priests. They were not given their own parishes so they
campaigned for reforms in the church. It was the "secularization" controversy by Fathers Pedro
Pelaez., Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Zamora, and many others.
 The Suez Canal opening.The opening of the Suez Canal shortened the distance from the
Philippines to Europe which led faster travel, communications and trade. The opening brought
about more Filipino travellers to Europe and more information to the Philippines.
 The execution of Gom-Bur-Za. In 1870, Rafaelde Izquierdo, a tyrant, replaced Governor dela
Torre as governor general.He returned dictatorship, stopped all reforms, took away the rights
and liberty of Filipinos, and oppressed them. Because of these, Filipino soldiers and workers at
the Cavite arsenal mutinied on the night of February 10, 1872, captured the fort and killed the
Spanish officers. They, however, lossy the following day resulting in the death of many
mutineers. Many were arrested and tried in military courts. Most famous among the victims of
the Cavite mutiny trials were Fathers.

Initiation of the Katipunan

Initiation of new members of the society was kept very secret. A candidate before he enters a secret
room was blindfolded. Upon removal of Che blindfold, a candidate would see a table with a lamp, a skull
and a bolo.A test on Philippine history was given to him to find out if he knew about Che oppression
done by the Spanish officials and friars. A blood compact followed with the candidate making a cut on
his left arm and the blood was used to sign his name on the list of the Katipunan. He also took an oath.

Katipunan Literature

To show their patriotism, nationalism and love of country, the katipuneros wrote beautiful and inspiring
works. There were three writers of the Katipunan. Bonifacio wrote the Decalogue of the Katipunan
which was a collection of wise sayings for Katipuneros. He also wrote Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa, a
patriotic poem. Emilio Jacinto who was called the "Brain of the Katipunan" because he was its greatest
writer wrote Kartilla ng Katipunan, a collection of teachings to members. He also wrote patriotic poems
like A La Patria (To Country). Dr. Pio Valenzuela helped Bonifacio and Jacinto edit the Katipunan
newspaper. Like the two, he also wrote patriotic articles that included Catwiran? (Is It Fair), an essay.

The Katipunan published its first and only issue of its newspaper on January 1896 because Spanish
officials learned about its printing press.

The Katipunan Plot and its Discovery

On April 10, 1896, Bonifacio, Jacinto, Aurelio Tolentino, Faustino Mañalac, Guillermo Masangkay and
many others met in a cave in San Mateo,Rizal and hatched an uprising against the Spaniards. They
affixed their signatures on the walls of the cave and shouted "Long Live Philippine Independence". The
date set for the revolt was August 29, 1896 and that it would start seven in the evening. It would start at
the gates of Manila, then enter Intramuros killing as many Spanish officials and friars on their way.

It was unfortunate that before Bonifacio and his men could strike, a katipunero by the name of Teodoro
Patiño told his sister Honoria about theplot because he was afraid her sister might get killed because she
lived in the Augustinian orphanage. His sister and a nun told him to tell everything to Father Mariano Gil,
the Spanish priest of Tondo.

Patiño told everything to the priest in the evening of August 19, 1896 and on the same night, Fr, Gil and
government soldiers raided the office of the press used by the Katipuneros. There they found some
secret receipts a printing stone. Many Filipinos were immediately arrested and put in prison.
Fortunately, Bonifacio and many of his men were able to escape and fled to the hills of Balintawak.

Binakayàn, Cavite on November 9-11, 1896. Aguinaldo and his men beat the forces of General Blanco.

The victory in Binakayan inspired many Filipinos in nearby provinces. They captured Zapote, Las Piñas,
Parañaque, and other towns around Manila.

Disunity among Filipinos

While the revolution continued, a rivalry on leadership split the ranks of the Filipino revolutionaries. The
Magdiwang and Magdalo groups competed for leadership. Bonifacio had the support of the
Magdiwangs because he started the revolution while Emilío Aguinaldo had the Magdalos support
because he won his battles while Bonifacio lost all his battles. Thus, when the other group was attacked,
there was no support given by the other group.

To settle the controversy, both rival groups decided to meet at Tejeros, Cavite to elect the officers of the
Revolutionary Government. Bonifacio presided over the meeting because Aguinaldo was then fighting
the Spaniards at Imus. This made Bonifacio confident that he would win but due to his losses in battles,
Aguinaldo won the Presidency. Bonifacio was elected to the last office of secretary of the interior but his
election was even questioned as the position needed a lawyer. This made Bonifacio lost his temper and
insisted he was still the leader of the revolution.
The insistence of Bonifacio that he was still the leader made trouble to the revolution so ít was now a
fight among Filipinos. When he and his men lost in the Battle of Limbon, he and his men were taken
prisoners. Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were tried by the Revolutionary government through a
military court at Marangondon on May 5, 1897. They were found guilty of sedition and were sentence to
life imprisonment but other revolutionary leaders refused. On May 10, 1897, Bonifacio and his brother
were executed at Mount Buntis near Marangondon by a squad of Aguinaldo.

The Biak-na-bato Republic

The fight against the Spaniards continued after the death of Bonifacio. Because of fresh reinforcements
from Spain, Aguinaldo and his men suffered losses. He moved his camp many times and finally settled in
the upland barrio of Biak-na-bato, San Miguel, Bulacan.

On November 1, 1897, the Filipino revolutionary leaders approved a constitution for a new
government.. This became the Biak-na-bato Republic which lasted from November1 to December 30,
1897. Here, Aguinaldo was again voted as president of the Biak-na-bato Republic.

Pact of Biak-na-bato

Because the Filipinos could not win due to disunity and inferior weaponry and Spain could not also win
because the Filipinos were hell bent on gaining their liberty, Governor Primo de Rivera offered peace to
the Filipinos. Dr, Pedro A. Paterno acted as the mediator of the Filipinos. After several talks, an
agreement to end the fighting between the Filipinos and Spaniards was arrived at. This was the historic
Pact of Biak-na-bato signed Dy General Aguinaldo and Governor Rivera on December 14 and 15, 1897.

After peace was proclaimed in the Philippines, Aguinaldo and his companions went on exile to Hong
Kong as part of the agreement to end the fighting. They arrived in Hong Kong on December 30, 1897.

There was really no peace after the pact because both sides cheated.Spain only paid 600,000 pesos of its
indemnity of 1.7 million. Also they continued to arrest and punish Filipinos.

On the Filipino side, they used the money to buy more arms and ammunition. They did not surrender all
their weapons because they wanted to continue the revolution. Fighting with Spanish forces continued
in some places in the country.