8 Things That Remind Us of Bonifacio

As the country marks Bonifacio Day on November 30, the Philippines News Agency listed some of the things and places that remind us of ‘Gat Andres’, a great hero.

1. Bonifacio Global City – The place, though it looks modern and houses the different foreign embassies, but it carries the name of a hero.

The whole district used to be part of the main Philippine Army camp. It was in 1995 when the Bonifacio Land Development Corporation planned a major urban development for the place.

2. Camisa de Chino – In schools, every student who would depict Andres Bonifacio wear camisa de Chino during presentations for Independence Day. They usually combine it with red pants (patadyong) and a red scarf.

While Bonifacio is commonly described and depicted wearing that outfit, there are some actual photos where he was wearing a coat and a bowtie, and one where he was wearing a coat and nectie.

3. Films – There are several films such as “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo”, “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio”, “Supremo”.

In the Philippine Star’s interview with Gary Bonifacio, a great-great grandson of Andres’ younger brother, Procopio, he said that the way Andres’ life was depicted in “Supremo” was closer to the truth.

“Supremo” is an indie film starring actor turned politician Alfred Vargas.

4. Tayuman – His mother’s family used to own what we know now as Tutuban in Manila. According to research, that property was not productive, so it was sold to the railway and is now a site of a mall.

5. Bernardo Carpio – Andres Bonifacio was an actor theater, and had often played the role of Bernardo Carpio — a legendary character in Philippine Methodology who is said to be the cause of earthquakes. In some tales, meanwhile, Bernardo is depicted as a giant.

6. Tejeros Convention – It was held in Cavite to discuss the province’s defense against the Spaniards. The convention was said to have turned to an election to decide who will be leaders of the revolutionary movement.

Andres Bonifacio, being the “Supremo” or leader of Katipunan, presided over the election.

7. Blood compact – The blood compact (sandugo) was said to be a test to be a Katipunero. Also, Katipunan members wrote their oath using their blood.

8. Bolo – If Jose Rizal is usually depicted as someone holding a book or a pen, Bonifacio, on the other hand, is commonly depicted as the warrior holding a bolo, a large cutting tool. (PNA) CTB/MCCA