Philippine History in Retrospect: 06/08/13

On this sunny day in May, we have started an early trek and visited a few significant historical sites in Cavite. We headed first to Kawit, Cavite and then to Rosario, Cavite where the Tejeros Convention was held.

Casa Hacienda of Tejeros

Historical Marker of the Tejeros, Convention

The Tejeros Convention was held in Casa Hacienda de Tejeros where, presided by Andres Bonifacio, decided to establish a central revolutionary government. We stopped to get a better look of the building. Although it was located along the highway, this big building seems deserted. When Dennis and I went inside, we saw a few people who were apparently doing something. They saw us, yes, but did not ask us about our presence in that building. It seemed that they were busy preparing for an event. We saw the busts of some renowned individuals who have played a significant role during this event.

Gen. Mariano M. Alvarez

Josephine L. Bracken

Don Severino delas Alas

Gen. Pascual J. Alvarez

Gen. Mariano C. Trias

Gat Andres C. Bonifacio

Gen. Emilio F. Aguinaldo

Gen. Baldomero B. Aguinaldo

Gen. Emiliano Riego de Dios

History says that when the Revolution broke out on August 23,1896, the Katipunan ceased to be a secret society. Later in the year, it was proposed that a new government be established to unite the Katipuneros under a single leadership. The Magdalo faction nominated Emilio Aguinaldo, a young Katipunan leader from Kawit. The Magdiwang faction maintained that Bonifacio, the Katipunan's Supremo, should settle the leadership issue. Bonifacio was invited to an assembly in Tejeros, Cavite, on March 22, 1897.(Tejeros Convention)

The Trial of the Father of the Revolution

At the Tejeros Convention, a Revolutionary Government was established with Aguinaldo as president and Bonifacio as minister of the interior. While Bonifacio was being proclaimed, Daniel Tirona, a Magdalo, stood up and questioned his qualifications. A lawyer, he said, should fill that position. Gravely insulted, Bonifacio, invoking his authority as presiding officer, declared the proceedings null and void and went on to establish his own government in Naic, Cavite.

On Aguinaldo's orders, Bonifacio was arrested in Barrio Limbon in Indang, Cavite, for refusing to recognize the revolutionary government. Also arrested were his wife Gregoria and brother Procopio. In the brief but intense struggle, Bonifacio was stabbed in the throat and grazed by a bullet on the shoulder. His brother Ciriaco was killed. The wounded Bonifacio was placed in a hammock and brought back to Naic, along with Gregoria and Procopio, for a pre-trial hearing. Based on sufficient cause, a military court was quickly convened in Maragondon, Cavite, on May 4. The following day, the court charged the Bonifacio brothers with treason and sedition. On May 6, they were sentenced to death.(Trial of Bonifacio)

Bonifacio Trial House

"K" in the alibata representing the Katipunan

Historical Marker of the Trial House

Entrance to the Trial House

We reached the Trial House of Bonifacio in Poblacion Maragondon, Cavite about 4pm. The house was locked already and so we just contented ourselves looking around the vicinity, taking some shots and reading the historical marker. I was thinking how this neighborhood would have felt like during those times that Andres Bonifacio together with his brother was being tried. Was it a fair trial then?

The trial house has been turned into a museum commemorating a significant, if dark, episode in our history. Its centerpiece is a life-size diorama recreating the trial scene. It was declared a National Heritage Site during the time of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. (bonifacio-trial-house)

We so wanted to complete this trek so we pursued and went to Mount Nagpatong although it was already getting late that afternoon. It was not easy travel when we reached the foot of the mountain because the road was rough. Along the way, we asked some few men, if we were on the right track. We passed through two gated stops. The enclosure consisted of bamboos where you have to go down, remove the bamboo one at a time to get in and get down again to put back the bamboos one by one. We learned that they used this to prevent the cows from getting astray outside the vicinity.

When we reached Mt. Nagpatong, the gate was closed. We forced ourselves in, after attempts of calling because we knew someone was inside, just to take a peek of the site of execution. This was so important to us because this would complete the last leg of our journey about Andres Bonifacio.

The Execution site of Andres Bonifacio in Mt. Nagpatong, Maragondon, Cavite

From our research, it was said that on the morning of May 10,1897 the Bonifacio brothers were taken by Major Lazaro Makapagal to Mount Tala. When they reached Hulog, a barrio in the vicinity of Mount Nagpatong, Makapagal, upon Bonifacio's insistence, opened his sealed orders. The order was for the execution of the two brothers, with a warning of severe punishment should he fail to execute the order. To this day, the death of the Father of the Revolution remains a controversial issue in the nation's history.(Mt. Nagpatong)

Although we were not successful in some of the places that we wanted to see, Dennis left a statement "we need to go back". Indeed, I would agree with him because up until now, although I am not really adept about historical events, and he is, I really would want to learn more about the controversial issues between Aguinaldo and Bonifacio. Was Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution, really deserving of his death?

Philippine History in Retrospect

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Andres Bonifacio's Trial and Execution