Ang Kartilya ng mga Anak ng Bayan
“Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge, wealth, and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by nature.” ─Emilio Jacinto, Kartilya ng Katipunan. Katipunan. Emilio Jacinto, born on December 15, 1875, was an eloquent and brave young man known as the brain and soul of the Katipunan and was considered one of the greatest military strategists during his time. Emilio played a vital role in the fight for Philippine independence from Spain and laid out the ethics code or guidebook for members of the KKK, the Kartilya ng Katipunan. Katipunan. He was only an 18year-old law student at the Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas when he joined the movement. He became the youthful adviser on fiscal matters and secretary to Andres Bonifacio because of his intelligence, and was appointed as a commander of the Katipunan in Northern Luzon. Emilio died on April 16, 1898 due to malaria. The Katipunan’s official code of conduct, the Kartilya, Kartilya, whom Emilio wrote himself, comprises fourteen steering principles and ideals used to guide the actions acti ons of Katipuneros and instruct how one should behave including which particular values should he uphold. It details not only the vision of the Katipunero, but also the vision of an egalitarian e galitarian and morally-sound Filipino nation. Upon joining the said propaganda movement, members were required to read the Kartilya and adhere to its code of conduct. It explicates the duties and responsibilities of a brave Katipunero in his country, family, society and people. Every Katipunero must lay down his life for the great cause of the revolutionary movement; respect every person regardless of their status, race, physical appearance or gender; recognize rec ognize the importance and value of women in the society; help those in need; defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor. It is through t hrough the heartfelt and courageous execution of these principles that the ideal victory of the Katipunan is fully achieved. Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya is Kartilya is the best known among all Katipunan texts which immensely played a part in i n the revolutionary organization’s objective to unify the Filipinos and free the Philippines from Spain through revolt. It was the moral and intellectual foundation of the Katipunan which probably is the most significant revolutionary society founded in the Philippine history for it was the only organization that envisioned a united Philippines that would revolt against the colonizing Spaniards for the total separation and self-rule of the nation from Spain, contrasting to other movements like the ilustrados and of Diego Silang. Although the purpose of the Kartilya was to direct the action of the members, its rules remain most relevant today amidst our nation’s crises. It inculcates the value of unity towards the common good in which everybody should stop fighting and start to truly trul y work together. When everybody contributes their support, the combined strength that we generate grows and by that very action takes us one step towards true peace that we need to change our nation for the better, however dismal circumstances may be.
Kristella Salang Syvel Mae Magallano Loryjean Berce Anny Jane Makiling Relyn Bihag