Andres Bonifacio y de Castro was a nationalist and revolutionary in Philippines (1836-1897), and every year his birthday is celebrated on 30th November. He is most celebrated for his leadership of the Katipunan movement which succeeded in ending the Philippines long rule under the Spanish. Due to his success, he became a national icon and is still treasured to this day. Many people also hold Andres Bonifacio to be the country’s first president - though officially he is not recognised as such.

The history of Bonifacio Day

The eldest of six children, Bonifacio was born into a fairly modest Philippino family.Although his father was a tailor, he also served as deputy town mayor. His mother worked in a cigarette factory. However by his late teens, Bonifacio was orphaned; his parents both dying within a couple of years of each other.Bonifacio was forced to drop out of school and work to support his family. Bonifacio worked as a clerk in an English trading firm called Fleming & Company; his job was eventually to become the agent for tar and other commodities.

He also set up a family business of selling canes and paper fans. Bonifacio has two marriages; his first wife died of leprosy. Bonifacio was to face more hardship when his son with his second wife died in infancy. Despite not finishing formal education, Bonifacio was self-educated. Bonifacio was a Freemason and a member of the Gran Oriente Español (Spanish Grand Lodge).

It wasn’t until 1892 that he joined the Philippine League which was a party calling for political reform. However, this involvement was short-lived as the party in question was disbanded; the leader Rizal being deported to another part of the country. Undeterred, the party re-formed without Rizal, and Bonifacio set about organising the involvement of locals with the party.

La Liga Filipina contributed moral and financial support to Filipino reformists in Spain. On July 7, 1892, the day after Rizal’s deportation was announced, Bonifacio and others founded the Katipunan, Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang “Highest and Most Respected Society of the Sons of the Country” The secret society sought independence from Spain through armed revolt.

What Happens On Bonifacio Day?

The 30th November is always a public holiday in the Philippines. This is to remember him as a model of preseverence and heroism- and ultimately for his fighting spirit during the Spanish-Filipino war.As Philippines celebrated Bonifacio Day and it’s a public holiday, all Filipinos in all areas especially who is in the government visit to the monuments of Andres Bonifacio and offer him flowers to thank him for the heroics he did for Philippines.

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