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Top 15 Remarquable Facts about Andres Bonifacio

*Originally published by Philipp A on October 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R in March 2024

Scholars point to him as the Great Plebeian, the Supremo of the Katipunan, the Father of the Philippine Revolution, and the Unofficial First President of the Independent Philippines. However, how well do we know Andres Bonifacio?

Every November 30, the Philippines commemorates the brave Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary and heroism. There is nothing more appropriate on his 156th birthday than learning more about Bonifacio’s fascinating life and tragic death, which forever changed Philippine history.

In honour of Andres Bonifacio’s heroism, we’ve compiled a list of some of the lesser-known facts about his fascinating life and tragic death, which forever altered Philippine heritage.

1.Who murdered Andres Bonifacio?

Some may be surprised to learn that, while Aguinaldo denied any involvement in Luna’s murder until his death, he openly admitted to ordering Bonifacio’s execution.

On March 22, 1948 (the day before his birthday), Aguinaldo issued a letter stating that he was indeed the one who ordered Bonifacio and his brother Procopio’s execution (the letter was certified authentic by Teodoro Agoncillo and published in his book ‘Revolt of the Masses’).

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2.Bonifacio was murdered with a bolo

Andres and his brother, Procopio Bonifacio, were convicted of treachery and sentenced to death at the hands of Aguinaldo’s men.

The execution team led by Lazaro Makapagal brought the Bonifacio brothers to the bushy mountain of Maragondon on May 10, 1897. There, numerous gunshots killed the two instantaneously (or so we were told).

However, one of Makapagal’s men, Gen. Guillermo Masangkay, claimed that while Procopio was shot, Andres was stabbed with a bolo (large Filipino machete).

Skeletal remains, reportedly of Andres Bonifacio, were dug up in Maragondon in 1918. It featured a cracked skull, which backed up Masangkay’s version of events.

So many scholars, including the hero’s great-great-grandnephew, Atty. Gary Bonifacio, have long advocated the “death by bolo” hypothesis.

3.Inside a cave, he issued his first statement of independence

Andr茅s Bonifacio, titled “President” of the Tagalog Republic. Photo by La Ilustraci贸n Espa帽ola y Americana –Wikimedia commons

While the image of Andres Bonifacio and his followers tearing up their cedulas in the Cry of Balintawak (Pugadlawin) is indelible in the minds of Filipinos, it is little known that the Supremo issued his first statement of independence more than a year before the Revolution began.

In comparison to the fiery Cry of Balintawak (Pugadlawin), Bonifacio’s declaration of independence inside Pamitinan Cave in Montalban, Morong province (now Rodriguez, Rizal) was much more sombre, simple, and restricted.

4.Bonifacio as a theater performer

Andres Bonifacio was a part-time theater actor who showed up in many moro-moro plays before founding Katipunan. He frequently portrayed Bernardo Carpio, a fictional Tagalog folklore character. Aurelio Tolentino and Macario Sakay are two other famous people who were naturally gifted performers.

5.”SOKA” by Bonifacio (State of the Katipunan Address)

While there have been many fun facts and trivia about the various SONAs given by various presidents (the late President Marcos had the most SONAs and gave the longest one in 1969, whereas former President Gloria Arroyo gave the shortest with only 1,551 words in 2005), neither of them seem to to be as covered in mystery as the “State of the Katipunan Address” (SOKA) allegedly given by Andres Bonifacio at the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897).

Quoted several times in legitimate spreadsheets, online sites, and even books, Bonifacio鈥攁s Katipunan national council president鈥攁llegedly recalled the Katipunan’s achievements from its founding in 1892 until the start of the Revolution in August 1896.

Furthermore, he allegedly laid out the future direction of the revolutionary group by outlining his programs.

6.Bonifacio came from a middle-class family in the Philippines

Andr茅s Bonifacio, titled “President” of the Tagalog Republic. Photo by La Ilustraci贸n Espa帽ola y Americana –Wikimedia commons

Despite common belief, Bonifacio was not a destitute indio who could only handle three meals a day.

Andres Bonifacio was born in a middle-class family to a half-Spanish mother. Only one Katipuneros worked as a workman, according to British historian Jim Richardson. The remainder, including Andres Bonifacio, were mostly white-collar workers.

Bonifacio started working as a bodeguero for a German-owned company, not to carry heavy items, but to handle its warehouse inventory.

7.Bonifacio was self-taught

Despite having only completed today’s equivalent of Grade 4, Bonifacio was far from illiterate.

Bonifacio was able to learn to read and write with the help of a tutor thanks to his father, who was a well-paid tailor at the time.

Ambeth Ocampo, a historian, disclosed that Andres Bonifacio was born and raised to be a bookworm. His reading list includes, among other things, the History of the French Revolution, the Bible, and Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.

8.His top pick for meals

Bonifacio’s favourite home-cooked meal, according to Milagros S. Enriquez’s Kasaysayan ng Kaluto ng Bayan, was “nilitsong manok sa zaha.”

The chicken is wrapped in banana and sampaloc leaves before being grilled over charcoal. It is then accompanied by a sarsa made of chicken liver and lemongrass.

Gregoria de Jesus, Bonifacio’s 12-year-old wife, had her own favourite: “pinatisang alimango,” which was made by cooking blue or mud crabs in fish sauce (patis) to make the aligue extra saucy.

Katipunan dishes that are popular which has, nilasing na manga, pinalundag na bulig, and pindang ng kalabaw.

9.His sole surviving photograph

Mention 鈥淎ndres Bonifacio鈥�  individuals, including students, will picture a man in his early thirties wearing a camisa de chino and red shorts when they hear the name “Andres Bonifacio.” Nevertheless, evidence has revealed that Bonifacio’s only known photograph is one of him in a coat and tie.

As per Ambeth Ocampo, a historian, Bonifacio leased his middle-class apparel for the studio picture. Others believe the now-fading photograph was taken on his wedding day.

10.Bonifacio used to dress as a woman

Andr茅s Bonifacio, titled “President” of the Tagalog Republic. Photo by La Ilustraci贸n Espa帽ola y Americana –Wikimedia commons

Andres Bonifacio, equipped with his iconic bolo, was about to pass through a Guardia Civil checkpoint in Balintawak. He chose to disguise himself by dressing as a woman. Our transgender hero then passed his weapon to an unknown companion.

Of course, Bonifacio finally outwitted the Spanish soldiers, but his weapon, which was reportedly damaged during the Manila Liberation, has never been found.

11. Bonifacio was a skilled poet and writer

Andres Bonifacio was not only a revolutionary leader but also a talented writer and poet. He wrote several poems and essays that expressed his deep love for his homeland and his desire for freedom from Spanish colonial rule.

One of his most famous works is “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” (Love for One’s Homeland), which showcases his patriotism and his belief in the importance of fighting for one’s country. Another notable work is “Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Z. Ll. B.” (Duties of the Sons of the People), which outlines the responsibilities of Filipinos in the struggle for independence. These literary works provide a glimpse into Bonifacio’s ideals and his vision for a free Philippines.

12. He worked as a warehouse keeper

Before becoming a revolutionary leader, Andres Bonifacio held a job as a warehouse keeper for a German trading firm called Fressell & Company in Manila. He worked there for several years, and his experiences as a laborer exposed him to the struggles and hardships faced by the working class under Spanish rule.

This exposure played a significant role in shaping his political beliefs and his desire to fight for the rights of the oppressed. Despite the challenges of his job, Bonifacio remained committed to his education and continued to read and learn about history, politics, and philosophy in his spare time.

13. Bonifacio was married twice

Andres Bonifacio’s personal life was marked by tragedy and resilience. His first wife, Monica, died of leprosy, leaving him a widower at a young age. Despite this loss, Bonifacio found love again and married Gregoria de Jesus in 1893.

Gregoria, also known as “Lakambini” (princess), was a strong and influential figure in the Philippine Revolution. She served as a messenger and a spy for the Katipunan, and she played a crucial role in supporting her husband’s revolutionary activities. Their marriage was a partnership built on shared ideals and a commitment to the cause of Philippine independence.

14. He established a secret society called Kataas-taasang

Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK): Andres Bonifacio is best known for founding the Katipunan, a secret society that aimed to overthrow Spanish colonial rule through armed revolution.

The Katipunan, also known as the KKK, was established on July 7, 1892, with the goal of uniting Filipinos from all walks of life in the fight for independence. Bonifacio served as the Supremo (Supreme Leader) of the Katipunan, and he worked tirelessly to recruit members, organize meetings, and plan the revolution. The Katipunan played a crucial role in the Philippine Revolution, and its legacy continues to inspire Filipinos to this day.

15. Bonifacio’s remains were never found

The death of Andres Bonifacio is shrouded in mystery and controversy. After being sentenced to death by a military tribunal, Bonifacio was executed on May 10, 1897, in the mountains of Maragondon, Cavite. However, his body was never recovered, and the exact location of his grave remains unknown.

Some historians believe that his remains were buried in an unmarked grave, while others speculate that his body may have been secretly moved to another location. The absence of Bonifacio’s remains has led to numerous theories and legends surrounding his death, and it has only added to his status as a martyr and a symbol of the Philippine struggle for independence.