Chloe Dellosa
May 2013
P.I. 100
Prof. Jimmuel Naval
Rizal Day vs. Bonifacio Day Behind the red numbered holidays of November 30 and December 30 are two significant icons in the history of Philippine revolution and nationalism. On a clear observation, November 30, which is Bonifacio Day, is being celebrated for the birth of the Supremo while on the other hand, Rizal is being commemorated for his death date. Why is this so? Bonifacio day: a celebration of his birth On November 30, 1896, Catalina de Castro gave birth to Andres who was named after a Saint indicated on their calendar, St. Andrew. Though sometimes mistaken as National Hero's Day, this date is oddly celebrated for the birth of such hero. Very few historical records narrate about his childhood days because unlike Rizal, he did not keep a written record of his life experiences. Instead, some few letters and testimonials by his fellow Katipuneros shed light to his later years and to him as a person as well. Though the latter part of his life marked the climax of his cause, we do not celebrate Bonifacio for his death (May 10, 1897) because of one major reason: his execution was done by his fellow citizens. Rizal was ordered to be executed by the Spanish colonizers while Bonifacio was not. More specifically, they were Filipinos who belong to the principalia who seek to supersede the previous Katipunan movement led mostly by the masses. According to one writer named Patricio Mangubat, to highlight the death of Bonifacio will be like "opening a can of worms" that would reveal past issues and hurts. The death of Bonifacio is a topic of much debate because up until now the events that happened around his death remains argumentative. It is also an inevitable controversy if opened up today because big names in the political scene such as the Paternos, Aguinaldos, Makapagals and Aquinos have ancestors who were involved in the execution of this great revolutionary leader. In an audio visual presentation done by Deputy Congen Daniel R. Espiritu during a program about the birth of Andress Bonifacio before his 150th anniversary, he exposed several truths and issues surrounding the death of the pioneer of Philippine Revolution. There were several accounts sourced from biographies and writings of those closely related to Bonifacio such as Gregoria de Jesus, Julio Nakpil and Apilinario Mabini. Gregoria described how the forces of Aguinaldo tortured the brothers, Procopio and Andress. She was even compelled to spill where the money of the Katipunan is and was tied to a tree. Mabini, who is the "Brains of the Revolution" and the adviser of Aguinaldo saw the killing of Bonifacio as a condemnation to the President. Mabini even said that it “was a repulsive and shameless act by Aguinaldo, the triumph of self-interest over that of heroism.” To be able to come to know that the death of Bonifacio as a very tragic event in the outset of revolution in the Philippines would lead one to the conclusion that it is not in any way reasonable to commemorate. The instances that happened only revealed that shameful stain in the morals of our
historical leaders. One selfish act lead to the end of the life of a very important person who sparked the revolutionary minds of the Filipino people to act with all might against the Spaniards. Rizal Day Mangubat gave three reasons explaining why Rizal's death served as a turning point to the nationalistic hopes of the countrymen: First is that it served as a signal to the Katipunan to raise up arms against the Spaniards and begin the revolution. It is important to note that it was not formed after the death of Rizal, rather, the event at Bagumbayan on December 30 crystallized the motives of the organization. Second, his execution also served as a realization to the elite that they weren't an exemption to the despotism of the Spanish rule. Many other sectors joined in the Katipunan as the revolutionary and nationalistic mind began to settle on them. Lastly, because the event happened at the turn of the century, it was also significantly considered as a "New Beginning" for the country. Emilio Aguinaldo gave the first decree to declare December 30 as "national day of mourning" and as anniversary of Jose Rizal's death. To observe this, he ordered that all flags must be hoisted at half mast on December 29 and on the following day, there would be no government offices. The first ever monument of Rizal erected was on Daet, Camarines Norte and its unveiling is simultaneous to the first observance of Rizal day on December 30, 1898 by the Club Filipino. February 1, 1902, the Philippine Commission ordained Act no. 345 which issues December 30 as Rizal day and as national holiday observed each year. According to Ambeth Ocampo, oftentimes, heroes are remembered more on their deaths than their births. However, Mangubat mentions that the death of Rizal would not have that been more meaningful were it not for birth and life spent for the betterment of our country. There are many moves that wish to change the date of Rizal Day to June 19 because it has a more positive sense and that it is close to June 12 and May 28 which are the Philippine Independence day and the National Flag Day, respectively. On the other hand, December 30 is nearer to the much more celebrated holidays of Christmas and New Year which often overshadow the hero's celebration. For me personally, although his birth date is a much more joyous celebration, his death can be a better perspective to look at the entirety of Rizal's life and why he was willing to die for the sake of his love for the country.
Sources: Quennie Anne Palafox. Why We Celebrate Rizal every 30th day of December. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Joomla. 2013. http://www.nhcp.gov.ph/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=418. May 2013.
Mangubat, Patricio. Rizal's Death Lead to Elite leadership in KKK. New Philippine Revolution. Blogger. 2008.
http://www.newphilrevolution.com/2008/12/rizals-death-led-to-elite-leadership-in.html. May 2013.
Grava Dionesio. Bonifacio Day: Recounting the Heinous Execution of a hero. Pinoy WatchDog.com|The Filipino American Community. www.iSynerji.com. January 8 2013. http://www.pinoywatchdog.com/bonifacio-day-recounting-the-heinous-execution-of-a-hero/. May 2013. Ocampo, Ambeth. The Katipunan Supremo: A self-taught Revolutionary. Bonifacio Day. November 27 2002. http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/bonifacio_day.htm. May 2013.
