Metro Infanta Foundation

In the “Noli” as well as in his subsequent novel, the “Fili”, Rizal
presented solution to the “social ills” afflicting the body of
Philippine society – either the use of peaceful means (reforms
through education) or subversion (filibuster) and violence - the use
of force.

Rizal, the educated elite, opted for peaceful reforms without
severing ties from Spain compared to Bonifacio, the commoner, who
advocated the use of force or revolution to free the Philippines from
foreign domination. In other words, the Filipinos were presented
means of achieving freedom and progress – through the point of a pen
or the blade of a “tabak”(sword). As emblazoned in the national
symbol of Chile, “Por la razon o fuerza”? (Elightenment or Strength).

In the “Fili”, Rizal settled for righteousness and peaceful means.
Through the mouth of a native priest, Father Florentino, Rizal told a
dying Simoun, the main character in the “Fili” who was Ibarra in the
“Noli”:

“ I do not mean to say that our liberty will be secured at the
sword's point, for the sword plays but little part in modern affairs,
but that we must secure it by making ourselves worthy of it, by
exalting the intelligence and the dignity of the individual, by
loving justice, right, and greatness, even to the extent of dying
for them. . .”

Speaking through the mouth of Padre Florentino, Rizal told a dying
Simoun why efforts to attain freedom and progress failed in the
following words:

“When our people is unprepared, when it enters the fight through
fraud and force, without a clear understanding of what it is doing,
the wisest attempts will fail, and better they do fail, since why
commit the wife to the husband if he does not sufficiently love her,
if he is not ready to die for her?”

But in Rizal's last novel – the “Fili - he did not leave future
generations without hope. Again through the mouth of Father
Florentino, he said after throwing the treasure chest of a dying
Simoun into the bottom of the ocean:

“May nature guard you in her deep abysses among the pearls and corals
of her eternal seas. . .When for some holy and sublime purpose man
may need you, God will in his wisdom draw you from the bosom of the
waves. Meanwhile, there you will not distort justice, you will not
foment avarice!”

On the other hand, Andres Bonifacio, a commoner and founder of the
Katipunan opted for the use of arms although he did not discard the
use of propaganda. Thus, wrote columinist Bernard Karganilla in
Malaya newspaper of 26 November 2009, titled: “BANNERING BONIFACIO”:

‘Bonifacio is our template of the hopeful and productive Filipino.’

ANDRES Bonifacio, initiator of the Philippine Revolution and co-
founder of the KKK (Most Elevated and Esteemed Society of the Sons of
the People), is our template of the hopeful and productive Filipino.

x x x x x x

Bonifacio had to command freedom fighters in an armed struggle
against a European power. He knew that a mix of weapons like arrows,
spear traps (balatek) and native cannons (lantakas) was necessary,
with firearms as the priority. He was engaged in the accumulation and
employment of powder and saltpeter, guns and cartridges, and bullets
and percussion-caps. In fact, he cited the Mauser as "the first
weapon we used in the war." Further, he reminded his brothers-in-arms
of the imperative of the occupation of pueblos (towns), "as it will
give us time to prepare ourselves properly and establish an ordnance
depot and will be feasible at any time; besides it will give us an
advantage over the enemy, as we would otherwise have to take the
offensive not having any arms." [Letter to Emilio Jacinto, March 8,
1897]

Bonifacio, in his usual collegial manner, appreciated the talents of
fellow Revolutionaries. For example, he described Miguel Malvar, the
liberator of Batangas Province, as "a very intelligent man." He also
concurred with the strategic sense of his republican colleagues like
the Batangueños who wished Bonifacio to establish himself in their
province, "in order to be able, as they say, to carry the war into
Camarines." [Letter to Emilio Jacinto, April 16, 1897]

Bonifacio knew that the momentum of victory was on the side of the
revolutionaries, thus, he tirelessly encouraged his compatriots to
keep the faith and pass the ammunition. As he assessed in the eighth
month of the War of Independence: "The Revolution here (Cavite) is
spreading and getting much stronger due to the towns of Batangas and
Laguna crossing over, and perhaps Tayabas, Mindoro and Camarines will
cross over also." [Letter to Julio N. Nakpil, Exalted President of
the Council in the Northern District, April 24, 1897]

Bonifacio, in command of the republican riflemen and volunteer
bolomen, did not neglect the power of the pen.

In separate letters, he informed Nakpil that he would "receive the
printed copies of Mr. Rizal’s poem, and we will also be printing the
Cartilla" and Jacinto that they were carrying the "printing press,
the necessary books, (and) the big map."

Bonifacio, the first president of the sovereign Filipino people,
conceived, implemented and inspired the War of Independence by which
the Republic of the Philippines was created. His grateful descendants
have wisely chosen to salute him with a national holiday, November
30, and a national monument.

Sadly, that monument is threatened with neglect brought about by
urban blight and amnesiac politicians. But Bonifacio fortunately has
adherents who will not be brought low by social inertia and apathy.
Here is one effort in behalf of the "Father of Philippine Democracy."

"The Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City is considered by many
Filipinos to be the greatest monument to valor and to love of freedom
on earth honoring as it does the Philippines’ greatest revolutionary
hero, Andres Bonifacio, and the brave band of selfless men and women
who joined him in igniting the firestorm of the Philippine Revolution
in August 1896.

"Its creation was mandated by Act No. 2760 of the Philippine
Legislature on February 23, 1918 to be a lasting monument to the
memory of Gat Andres Bonifacio and to the Katipuneros he led in 1896
in Asia’s first national uprising against European colonial misrule.
Act No. 2760 predated by three years the passage of Act No. 2946 by
the Philippine Legislature on February 16, 1921 making November 30 of
each year a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of Andres
Bonifacio. Aside from Dr. Jose Rizal, Bonifacio is the only national
hero to have a legal holiday marked in his honor. The passage in 1918
of Act No. 2760 is that much more remarkable and historic because, at
that time, the Flag Law which forbade the display of the Philippine
flag (and even emblems of the Katipunan) was still in effect and
would be lifted only on October 22, 1919 when the Flag Law was
repealed by Act No. 2871.

"The Monumento World Heritage Global Campaign and this online
petition signing effort are part of the year-long commemoration of
the diamond jubilee (75th anniversary) of the Monumento which was
completed by renowned Filipino national artist Guillermo Tolentino in
1933.

"Today, the integrity of the Monumento, as the Bonifacio Monument is
fondly called, is under threat with the closing of the loop of the
LRT and MRT. It is ironic but the greatest monument to freedom faces
the risk of being imprisoned by the light rail ring of concrete and
steel that is steadily going up around it. Today, giant billboards
have sprung up around the Bonifacio Monument thereby unduly
diminishing its stature and importance.

"Filipinos everywhere are called upon to appeal to the government of
the Philippines and the UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) to save the Monumento from
further desecration. The best way this can be done is by having the
Monumento enshrined in its rightful place among the UNESCO World
Heritage cultural sites. Andres Bonifacio gave us our freedom. The
least that we can do is to defend the integrity of the monument that
is the enduring symbol of our nation’s honor and dignity." [http://
www.gopetition.com/online/23996.html]

This petition is the brainchild of Rolando G. Ocampo, Founding
Member, Caloocan City People’s Council. It is supported by the
Knights of Rizal through the Knights’ International Assembly held in
Calamba City, Laguna last February 2009. The KOR resolution was
signed last on October 6 by Sir Virgilio Esguerra, KGCR, Supreme
Commander, and Samuel Samuela, KGOR, Supreme Pursuivant.

To ignore this issue would be to send an unfortunate signal to the
people that developing a keen sense of history and national honor is
not among their priorities.

Concluding comments
We should honor both the quill (pen) and the “tabak” as means of
achieving freedom and independence. Therefore, in commemoration of
our National Heroes Day, let us support the laudable move to have the
“Monumento (of Bonifacio) enshrined in its rightful place among the
UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites”; and hopefully that of the
Rizal Monument at Rizal Park as well.

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