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Philippine Revolution 1896
(click on picture to see more detail)
THIS IS OUR MOST POPULAR SHIRT!! I THINK SOME PEOPLE LOVE
THE COLORS AND OTHERS LOVE THE ARTIST (CARLOS FRANCISCO) AND SOME PEOPLE LOVE THE SUBJECT
(THE KATIPUNAN AND THE FILIPINO FIGHTING SPIRIT).
THIS SHIRT IS DOUBLE SIDED (available
in large and extra - large size) AND COSTS $10.00 +
Shipping & Handling. You may find a selection of this shirt and others by
clicking t shirts.htm.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT PHILIPPINE HISTORYhistory.htm
The artwork on this shirt is from a mural (at
Manila City Hall) painted by the great Filipino artist CARLOS ( Botong) FRANCISCO. (born
1912 in Angono, Laguna de Bay) Botong received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in
1964. He was commissioned to do a mural on the Filipino struggle for liberty to be placed
at the Bulwagang Katipunan of the Manila City Hall. Botong's work is made authentic by his
research into Philippine history. The most dynamic section of this mural is the central
figure: Andres Bonifacio. Much of the power springs from the image of Bonifacio who
personifies the revolutionary spirit.
ANDRES BONIFACIO & THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION OF 1896
The main subject of this shirt is Andres Bonifacio and his
katipuneros. The failure of the reform movement became quite evident in 1892 when Rizal
was arrested and banished to Dapitan. Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan on the very
night that the news of Rizal's deportation to Dapitan leaked out. Bonifacio and his
followers did not dream of mere reforms. They were interested in liberating the country
from the tyranny of the Spaniards and the only way, in their minds, to accomplish their
end was to prepare the people for armed conflict. Thus the Katipunan was founded on a
radical platform, namely to secure the independence and freedom of the Philippines by
force of arms. The official name of this secret organization was Kataastaasan,
Kagalang-galan'g na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Respectful Society Of
The Sons Of The People) or Katipunan or KKK for short. KATIPUNAN BLOOD COMPACT
The Katipunan kept its activities secret. If they were
caught, the Spanish authorities would surely kill them and punish their families. So they
only accepted new members after very secret and solemn rites.
The first initiation rite occurred on July 7, 1892, just
after the Katipunan's first meeting. From that time on, the small band of revolutionaries
grew into the fighting army of 1896.
Anyone joining the Katipunan was subjected to an elaborate
initiation rite. He had to answer the following questions:
Ano ang kalagayan nitong Katagalugan noong unang panahon?
(What was the country's past condition?)
Ano ang kalagayan sa ngayon?
(What is the country's present
condition?)
Ano ang magiging kalagayan sa darating na panahon?
(What is
in store for the country?)
After answering, he underwent ordeals to test his loyalty.
The ceremony of the "blood compact" followed the
tests. The candidate cut his left arm with a knife. Finally, he signed his name with blood
from his left arm as he swore an oath as follows:
"In the name of God and my country, I promise to defend
with valor and integrity the aims of the Katipunan, to keep its secrets, to obey its
orders, to help the members in times of danger and needs, to recognize the authority of
its leaders, and not to be a traitor to its rules."
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