Bonifacio’s activism lives!

By Herman M. Lagon

Every country has a hero whose life has a lasting impact that spans centuries and connects the past and present with unwavering courage and moral convictions. One such person who stands tall is Gat Andres Bonifacio, a revolutionary whose spirit lives on 161 years after his birth. Even though the nature of the struggle may have changed, Bonifacio’s cry for freedom would still resound in the streets if he were still alive today. But as we go through the current environment of injustice, corruption, inequality, and modern-day colonialism, it is essential to consider who among us best represents the activism, bravery, and love of the country of the Supremo.

Because of his personal experience with injustice and poverty, Bonifacio had a profound understanding of the struggles faced by the average Filipino, which served as the foundation for his legacy. In contrast to José Rizal, a contemporary, he was not born into affluence or privilege and could not receive a formal education. However, Bonifacio’s thirst for knowledge fueled his zeal for revolution. Fully immersed, he became acutely aware of social injustices, augmented by his self-taught studies of revolutionary texts, Rizal and Victor Hugo, and his writings. His activism sprang from his lived experience—a close relationship to the struggles of the people he aimed to free—rather than from theoretical frameworks in academia.

The activism of leaders who emerge from among the people and defy oppressive structures today resembles Bonifacio’s commitment. Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Senator Leila de Lima, and Rappler CEO-Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa are examples of contemporary individuals who fight for justice, frequently at high personal cost. Just as Bonifacio did not back down from his opposition to the Spanish regime, De Lima, who was imprisoned for her vocal opposition to corruption, has come to represent resistance. Hontiveros personifies Bonifacio’s conviction that she continues to fight for and support the underrepresented groups despite being the lone legitimate opposition. Similarly, Maria Ressa’s relentless fight for press freedom and human rights against a despotic administration echoes Bonifacio’s bravery in holding the line for truth and justice.

When Bonifacio put forth great effort to form the Katipunan, a covert organization dedicated to toppling Spanish rule, it was evident that his patriotism was deep-seated. He supported a diverse movement in which workers and peasants coexisted with members of the upper classes. This inclusivity was a stark contrast to the elitism of other reformist groups and was based on the idea of Inang Bayan (Motherland). Not only did Bonifacio use words to bring Filipinos together, but he also took concrete action. Whether in the fight against political oppression or social injustice, this kind of collaboration and spirit of group effort are still essential today.

The movements headed by the Lumad leaders, who are Indigenous peoples battling for their rights and ancestral lands, are examples of contemporary iterations of this inclusive activism. Their struggle reminds us that the fight for freedom is never really won since it is similar to Bonifacio’s struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. Their systemic problems, identical to those that Bonifacio faced, highlight that our country’s independence will not be fully achieved as long as inequality exists.

However, Bonifacio’s life was also characterized by betrayal in addition to bravery. His execution by his fellow Katipuneros as a result of internal conflicts within the revolutionary movement serves as a sobering reminder of the perils associated with division and power struggles. The political climate of today is not impervious to such betrayals. Power jockeying, factionalism, and corruption still afflict our political system, eroding democracy. Would Bonifacio condemn these betrayals with the same fervor he used to tear up his cedula in protest of colonial rule, or would he remain silent if he were still around today?

Instead of hiding away in secret societies, today’s Katipuneros, Bayanis, Dakilas, or activists continue to fight for the same freedom, justice, and equality Bonifacio believed in through grassroots movements, non-governmental organizations, parliamentary lobbying, and protests. These modern warriors may not brandish spears or bolos, but the battles they wage against environmental degradation, political oppression, and systemic poverty are no less vital. Ideas, activism, and an unwavering desire to build a better future for all are their weapons. Bonifacio’s spirit continues to reside in these spaces, uncompromising and unyielding.

Bonifacio’s influence is still felt in schools, especially among young people whose activism and critical thinking reflect his values. Today’s educators are raising a new generation of Bonifacios—young minds that will not remain silent in the face of injustice—by pushing students to challenge the status quo and interact with the outside world. However, it is a challenge to ensure that this critical thinking is a call to action and an academic exercise. Knowledge is only as powerful as the actions it inspires, as Bonifacio himself proved.

While we consider Bonifacio’s lasting influence, we must also be aware of how our society has yet to acknowledge his contributions fully. His life story, frequently eclipsed by other historical heroes and personalities, demonstrates the complexity of revolutionary movements. Aguinaldo’s forces’ execution of Bonifacio and the subsequent erasure of his contribution to the establishment of the Philippine Republic serve as a warning about the perils of changing history to benefit the victorious. It is now more than ever crucial to ensure that Bonifacio’s story and the lessons it contains are remembered, given the rise of historical revisionism.

Ultimately, Bonifacio’s battles were not limited to toppling a colonial regime. He battled for the Filipino people’s freedom, dignity, and right to self-determination—their soul. We are still engaged in these same conflicts today. The essence of the struggle has not altered, even though the context has changed from Spanish colonization to contemporary issues of corruption, inequality, and misinformation.

There is more than one Andres Bonifacio in the modern era. He represents all of us who speak out against injustice, resist being intimidated by it, and are still fighting to realize freedom, equity, and peace in the country. His legacy exhorts us all to be courageous in the face of difficulty, act compassionately, and never give up on building a just and humane country. For Bonifacio, the struggle for liberation had not ended with his passing, but had just begun. And so it goes on, with each of us continuing to hold the torch he ignited over a century ago.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ‘student of and for life’ who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world that is grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views herewith do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.