Position Paper
Controversy: Andres Bonifacio as the First President of the
Philippines
Several issues of contention surround Bonifacio's historical evaluation. His
death is considered as both a legitimate execution for treason and a "legal
murder" motivated by politics. Some historians believe he was the rightful
first President of the Philippines, rather than Aguinaldo. Some historians
have even suggested that Bonifacio should share or perhaps take the place
of José Rizal as the Philippine national hero, which is absurd. The alleged
finding of Bonifacio's remains has also been called into doubt. This paper will
tackle about the life of Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan, and Andres
Bonifacio as the first President of the Philippines.
Andres Bonifacio y de Castro was born on November 30, 1863 in a modest
cabin on Calle Azcarraga in Tondo, Manila, which is now Claro M. Recto
Avenue. Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro were his parents. Andres
was the eldest of five children. Ciriaco, Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona, and
Maxima were his other siblings. He received his basic schooling from a man
named Guillermo Osmea of Cebu. Andres' family was orphaned when he was
only fourteen years old. Andres took up the task of raising his younger
siblings as a results of this. So as to fund his family's necessities, he honed
his craft talents and sold paper fans and canes. Additionally, he worked as a
messenger for Fleming & Company. He eventually transferred to Fressel &
Company, where he worked as a warehouseman until 1896. Andres' quest
for education was unaffected by his poverty. He spent most of his time
reading books and trying to increase his knowledge in Fressel & Company's
warehouse, which doubled as his library and study area.
Andres was married to Gregoria de Jesus, who was his second wife. Monica,
his first wife, died of leprosy a year after their marriage. When their affection
blossomed, Gregoria was only sixteen years old and Andres was twenty-nine.
Gregoria's parents were initially opposed to their relationship, but eventually
agreed to allow the pair to marry in Catholic rituals. The couple married in
both Catholic and Katipunan rites in 1892. Gregoria picked the moniker
"Lakambini" for herself.
Andres Bonifacio led the founding of the secret revolutionary movement
Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
(KKK), also known as "Katipunan," on July 7, 1892, which spearheaded the
uprising against the Spanish colonizers and laid the groundwork for the first
