THOUGHTS ON BONIFACIO'S BIRTHDAY
By Rudy A. Arizala
30 November 2008
Prof. and columnist Randy David, in his PDI column of 30 November 2008, in commmorating the birthday of Andres Bonifacio, summarized for his readers briefly but adequately, what happened to the Philippine Revolution initiated by a Tondo "bodeguero"(Andres Bonifacio), a man of the masses, but due to personal rivalries among top leaders of the uprising, it was predominated by the "ilustrados" or "elites" of our society at that time, and continued by them up to its tragic end. It left to us up to this day, what some historians called "the Unfinished Revolution".
The Philippine 1898 revolution ended in failure. Why ?
Columnist Randy David himself provided the answer in his column when he wrote :
« But perhaps the unkindest of all was when at the moment of truth, her educated sons, who, only a few months before, were busy writing the constitution, swiftly abandoned her in exchange for positions in the new colonial government. »
If I may make further comments on the failed Philippine Revolution, unlike the succesful French Revolution of 1789, started by the masses (townsfolk) when they stormed the Bastille armed only with muskets, pistols, swords, daggers, clubs, etc., the Philippine Revolution which was also started by the masses in the end was dominated by the « elites » or the « Ilustrados » , who have their own self-interests to protect. After the death of Bonifacio and resignation of Mabini, it has been observed by some historians there has been neither vision nor audacity. A successful struggle for liberty and democracy needs the audacity of the common masses and the vision of the elites.
In other words, as pointed out by Mr. David in his column, our country needs "the unerring vision of Mabini and the audacity of Bonifacio". As we ceñebrate the birth of Andres Bonifacio today, it is worth remembering that we need both the audacity of Bonifacio and the vision of Mabini for the peace, security and prosperity of our nation.
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