Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Biyaheng Bonifacio (Part 1): Metro Manila Trail

When I was studying, I always recall some of our lessons about Philippine heroes in our History subjects. One of the most remarkable heroes that I remember is Andres Bonifacio. He is one of the heroes who fought for our country during the Philippine Revolution in 1896. Bonifacio is known as "The Supremo" because he is the founder of Katipunan, a Philippine revolutionary society which aims to gain independence from Spain through revolution.  
Front cover of Biyaheng Bonifacio.
The historical sites to visit in Biyaheng Bonifacio.

This year is the 150th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio which is on November 30, 2013 (he was born in the year 1863). Recently, the Department of Tourism and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines launched "Biyaheng Bonifacio: Biyaheng Bayani ng Bayan" in order to commemorate the life of Andres Bonifacio by visiting different historical places which is relevant in his lifetime. There are sixteen sites located in Cavite, Metro Manila and Rizal.

I decided to have this opportunity to visit the six out of eight sites in Metro Manila. These sites are located in Manila, Mandaluyong City, San Juan City and Pasig City.
Binondo Church, one of the Baroque churches built in the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
1. Binondo Church
Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila

This is the first site that I visited on that day after I entered the arch of Chinatown. Binondo Church is one of the Baroque churches in Manila and it is the place where Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria De Jesus was married. Gregoria de Jesus is called as the Lakambini of the Katipunan.

The monument of Andres Bonifacio in front of Tutuban Mall, a shopping mall famous for its affordable goods.
Andres Bonifacio Monument
2. Tutuban Mall
C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila

Located in the busy and crowded streets where people buy cheap goods in an affordable price, the famous Tutuban Mall is the present site of the birthplace of Andres Bonifacio. He was born on November 30, 1863 to Catalina de Castro and Santiago Bonifacio in a small hut at Calle Azcarraga, presently known as Claro M. Recto Avenue in Tondo, Manila.
The tableau of KKK Foundation Site located in the busy streets of Divisoria.
3. K.K.K. Foundation Site
El Cano St. cor. Recto Avenue, Manila

A few walks away from Tutuban Mall and within the busy and crowded streets as well with numerous stalls and stores of products and goods in Divisoria, you can found the tableau of K.K.K. Foundation Site. It is located at El Cano St. cor. Recto Avenue. On the night of July 7, 1892, a revolutionary society called Kataasataasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Respected Society of the Sons of the People) known as K.K.K. or Katipunan. This society was founded in 72 Azcarraga, Tondo, Manila by Andres Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, Teodoro Plata, Deodato Arellano, Valentin Diaz and Jose Dizon. It aimed to unite all Filipinos in their struggle and to gain independence from Spain.
Battle of Pinaglabanan Shrine
Stairs to Pinaglabanan Shrine
4. Pinaglabanan Shrine
Pinaglabanan St., San Juan City

Located near in the city hall of San Juan City, you can visit the Pinaglabanan Shrine. At the dawn of August 30, 1896, Bonifacio and his army of poorly-armed and untrained katipuneros rashly attacked the polverin (powder depot) in San Juan which was defended by 100 well-armed and trained artillerists and infantrymen. The battle turned out to be a massacre because of an unequal combat - Spanish artillery and modern rifles against Filipino bolos, bamboo spears, amulets and old firearms. Because of that incident, Bonifacio and his troops lead into the Pasig River  to attack the water reservoir where 153 Katipuneros died from the battle.
Andres Bonifacio Shrine in Brgy. Hagdang Bato
5. Hagdang Bato
Hagdang Bato Barangay Center, A. Bonifacio St., Mandaluyong City

A barangay in Mandaluyong called Hagdang Bato is the place where Andres Bonifacio transferred from Balara to the mountain called Mt. Balabak which is located in this barangay on August 27 to 28, 1896. They held their meetings in that place for the attack of Manila. When I visited that shrine during that time, the barangay center was under renovation but I still decided to took photos in that place.
Valentin Cruz Marker
Pasig Catholic Church
6. Valentin Cruz Marker / Pasig Catholic Church.
M.H. Del Pilar St., Pasig City

Located in the center of Pasig City, there is the Valentin Cruz Marker which can be found near the Pasig Catholic Church. In this place, Bonifacio gathered his troops to have a meeting at the house of Valentin Cruz, a Katipunero who lived near in the Pasig Church.
Andres Bonifacio Monument in Liwasang Bonifacio, located in front of Manila Post Office Building.

Bonifacio Shrine located in Manila City Hall
Kartilya ng Katipunan at the back of Bonifacio Shrine.
Aside from these sites, you can also try to visit Liwasang Bonifacio which is located in front of Manila Post Office Building and the Bonifacio Shrine located in front of Manila City Hall.

These are the first six sites that I accomplished on that day. Beside of all the challenges in traveling and visiting the sites, I am eager to finish this task on the coming days in order to commemorate the anniversary of a hero who showed his courage and valor to the country, Andres Bonifacio. I will continue the Biyaheng Bonifacio series with the Cavite trail and Quezon City - Rizal trail.

You can read the Biyaheng Bonifacio - Cavite Trail here.

Date of Travel: April 13, 2013

9 comments:

  1. What a good head start! It is just about right for Filipinos to know the relevance of Andres Bonifacio in fighting for our country's freedom.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jon. My first time here.
    I'm assuming Part 3 would be Wawa-Pugad Lawin-Krus na Ligas? At any rate, I look forward to the final leg of your Byaheng Bonifacio series.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a nice tribute for Andres Bonifacio as he was a valiant hero of the Country.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was amazed with all the different kind of statue of Bonifacio! Great photos indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Truly, Bonifacio is one of the most underrated heroes in our country. I do hope more and more people would know more about his heroic deeds.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Funny how I haven't visited these places. I should check each of the places.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really like this Church in Binondo. I just don;t have the time always to get down and take pictures due to heavy traffic

    ReplyDelete
  8. From the Pinaglabanan monument is the powder depot itself which is located within the San Juan City Hall grounds, its only about 10-15 min ride from the pinaglabanan shrine, Did you miss it?

    ReplyDelete

© No copyright infringement intended.