My Kas 1 Field Trip to Cavite... In Honor of Gat Andres Bonifacio's 109th Death Anniversary

Not many people get to go to Mt. Nagpatong to see the shrine erected in memorial of (arguably) our first president and (arguably) the greatest hero of our country, Gat Andres Bonifacio. I'm just glad I was able to go.

I went with my Kas 1 class on a special field trip to celebrate his 109th death anniversary.

Warning: Very anti-Aguinaldo content to follow... pro-Aguinaldo people might want to stop here.

(Aside: It's interesting that Rizal day is celebrated on the day of his death, while Bonifacio Day is celebrated on the day of his birth. Wanna know why? Because Aguinaldo did not want people to remember how the Bonifacio brothers were MURDERED, in cold blood, under his command. The spineless ******* who did the foul deed was one Lazaro Makapagal. Bonifacio was robbed of his clothes, his corpse chopped up into pieces [hence the poem that goes "Andres Bonifacio, atapang a tao, a putol a ulo, etc..."], and buried in an unmarked grave. Indeed, karumaldumal ang pagkamatay niya ---> said Prof. Villan)

Our first stop was the Bonifacio marker in Tutuban, near Divisoria. It was so disheartening because we were the only ones there, and only one flower offering was given (courtesy of Lito Atienza). It's as if no one remembers him anymore. I felt this was so all throughout the field trip, at almost all our stops.

Next we went to the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. His house is well-kept, and in beautiful condition. We were shown around by a kindly old caretaker, who thoughtfully showed us the family rooms, the banquet area, and even the secret passages!! One of the tour's highlights, hehe.

Ang saucey naman ni Aguinaldo... may bowling alley pa sa bahay. Haha!

We expected that the following historical landmarks we would visit (this time, connected to Bonifacio) would be in the same condition as Aguinaldo's Shrine. We were dead wrong.

The Hacienda de Naic, where the Bonifacio brothers were held prisoner by Aguinaldo's men, is now a school. There is only a plaque to give any clue that anything historical actually happened. Here, the wounded brothers were kept for several days in a dark, damp, tiny cell... their wounds (both were wounded rather seriously) left untreated to fester and rot... and only fed twice with gruel "not fit for animals to eat."

(By this time, a very strong feeling of hatred against Aguinaldo was building up in us...)

The Trial House of Bonifacio was in slightly better condition compared to the Hacienda de Naic, but we were shocked to find out that the land it is on isn't owned by the government, but only being leased. :( The contract's good for 15 years, so if you folks plan to visit, better do it soon. One of these days, this very important historical landmark will be gone.) Here, the mock trial of the Bonifacio brothers was held. Everything was orchestrated, and the sentence was already decided upon even before the brothers set foot inside the house. Here, the brothers were sentenced to die.

The Bonifacio Shrine in Mt. Nagpatong is rather difficult to get to. There is only a dirt road that leads to it. We had to hike the 2.5 km (times two... that's 5 km!!) to and fro... we're talking rocky, sandy, uphill walking here! In the terrible heat.  NOT for the faint of heart.

Ate Mimai and I sang "Bayan Ko" as tribute to Gat Andres before we left the shrine. It was sad because I think we were the only ones in the class who knew the song. Our prof wanted all of us to sing but only Ate Mimai and I actually did. (sigh) It's as if they don't care...

It's very disheartening to think that this great hero, arguably our REAL National Hero, is fast being forgotten by us Filipinos. How ironic, when we owe all the freedom and rights we enjoy now to this man.

The story of Bonifacio and Aguinaldo is very telling of human nature. We would do well to study our history, because THIS is what they don't teach you in grade school and high school textbooks. 

The Supremo founds a noble organization, and puts his sweat and blood into it. Aguinaldo, a mere general under this man, becomes envious and starts getting ambitious. He finds a way to rally others to his sadly misled cause, and sabotages the well-laid plans of the Supremo [the Katipuneros WOULD have overrun Intramuros if Aguinaldo had fulfilled his part in the battle... but the coward stayed in Cavite, against the Supremo's orders]. This underling general wants to lead the organization by himself. Next, he assassinates the character of his noble political adversary (spreading rumours about the Supremo's incompetence, saying that his sister is the kabit of a prayle, etc.) And then, he lures Bonifacio into a trap. Bonifacio, never thinking for a minute that a fellow countryman and comrade-in-arms would betray him, goes to Cavite [Aguinaldo's territory] to ask why the underling general didn't follow orders. He never leaves Cavite alive... nor whole, for that matter.

Human nature. ;)

Anyway, I'm really sad that Bonifacio is barely remembered by us Filipinos nowadays. May 10 SHOULD be marked red in the calendar, should be a national holiday, in fact! In truth, we owe this man our FREEDOM.

I like what our prof said. "Rizal may be our national hero, pero si Bonifacio ay ang ating Pambansang Bayani."

Mabuhay si Gat Andres Bonifacio!!