A hero’s life is much more than his birthplace

I thank the Inquirer for the article “Andres Bonifacio: a monument of lies” by Pio Andrade (Front Page, 11/30/14). The article and photo are a reminder of why Nov. 30 is a national holiday. Unfortunately, the article focuses only on the controversy regarding Bonifacio’s birthplace. While determining its accuracy is a real concern of history, the life of a hero is much, much more than his or her birthplace.

Bonifacio is a hero because he dedicated his talents and abilities, his life and works, in the service of the people. He saw that the colonial structure, whereby native Filipinos were stripped of their right to till the land and reap the fruits of their labor in their own country, was unjust and oppressive. He wanted to change the system and had the wisdom to realize that this was a task that he can do not by his lonesome but with the people.

He joined La Liga Filipina, a group organized by Jose Rizal, which sought reforms from the Spanish colonial government. After only a few days, Rizal was arrested and exiled to Dapitan. Thereupon, Bonifacio saw the futility of reforms and organized Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, which aimed to change the system through armed revolution and establish a republic with land reform as a major agenda. Freedom and economic emancipation inspired Bonifacio and the Katipuneros to gallantly face their better-equipped enemies in battle.

To ensure a rightful and sustainable victory, the Katipunan pushed for cultural transformation—one that upheld love of country, valued honor and encouraged a life in the service of the people. (Even if only for this, Bonifacio remains relevant.)

Indeed, historians, especially those from national institutions, have a responsibility to examine carefully their sources and data as errors could distort Philippine history. This is an important task because the people should be enlightened on whom to denounce as villains and whom to exalt as heroes.

—JULIE L. PO,
Linangan ng Kulturang Pilipino,
[email protected]