Wednesday, November 30, 2016

BE LIKE ANDRES BONIFACIO

A revolutionary leader, Andres Bonifacio was a Filipino hero most commonly known as the founder and father of Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or simply called Katipunan or KKK, a secret movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colony.  As the father of Katipunan, Andres was called “Ang Supremo”.  His other titles included “The Great Plebeian” and “Father of the Philippine Revolution”. 

Aside from born on the same birth date, there are something in common that I want to write about Andres Bonifacio and me.  As I have naming them, it may not necessarily and exactly the same but each one is somehow in parallel with our personalities, characters and interests.  But let me assure this that I did not intend to uplift myself to compare me in the huge achievement and reputation of Andres Bonifacio, much more to praise me is a big no but what I just wanted is to see our incidentally and coincided few similarities that each one is speaking us in one way or another.  I know it is a big and far comparison and I would stick on that.

In arts, there is artistry in writing to call Andres an artist.  Agapito Bagumbayan  and Aguinaldo Magdalo as his pen names, Andres wrote poems, essays and political articles.  As a writer, he preferred to write in Tagalog as his show of patriotism and love to his native language.  His most famous poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” sees his trademark in writing which is easier to grasp for the masses.  He had also an art in calligraphy, blessed with good hands in craftsmanship and visual arts.  He used this talent in making walking canes and paper fans to earn a living during his early age as an orphan.  Aside from these, he was also making posters for business firms to augment his income.  Andres was also into theatre when he used to work as part-time actor performing in moro-moro plays.

As worker, Andres valued work and the virtue of not wasting time.  From a very young age, he learned to work hard as the head of the family to support and raise his siblings after their parents passed away.   When he grew older, Andres worked more on clerical or administrative function.  He worked as a clerk-messenger, sales agent and later storehouse keeper.  There are lessons to learn in Andre’s diligence in work that can inspire every Filipino workers of today, these are the hard work and time-oriented attitude.  Andres showed not wasting times that if we will do as well we will be more productive that in our collective output, our country’s progress and development will not be possible.

As a Filipino, Andres did not settle to keep passive in the ongoing oppression of Spanish colonial administration.  He knew every Filipino must have social responsiveness so he took the need to speak out against the tyranny and fought the freedom that every citizen must accord.  There must no oppression.  Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan in an aim to gain independence from Spain.  Through that movement, Andres Bonifacio actively responded to the call of the time to make a change.  Andres Bonifacio rendered his life for his country just for the freedom that until now every Filipino preserved and appreciated.


Since his childhood, Andres was already optimistic, instead of crying when his parents died, he stood on his feet and assumed the strong responsibilities to raise his younger siblings by working at a young age.  Until he grew up, he was not discouraged to learn and be positive.  Through self reliance, he did not become illiterate and instead became a respected leader in fighting our sovereignty.  I wish I had been like Andres Bonifacio to have his bravery since childhood that I can bring today in my own way of defending my country.

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