2. Under the strain of increasing
exploitation, as oppression stepped up, the
sprit of resistance among ruled, especially
the Filipino peasant, became heightened
until the Philippine Revolution of 1896
broke out. Thus, Philippine revolution was
said to be a national struggle were
revolutionaries aimed for a total
independence from the Spanish colonizers.
3. The Katipunan Movement
The Katipunan (meaning "Association") planned and initiated
the Philippine Revolution. It was founded in Tondo, Manila, by
Andres Bonifacio and a few other fellow urban workers on July
7, 1892. Its full Tagalog name is Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang
na Katipunan nang ma nga Anak ng Bayan (Highest
and Most Venerated Association of the Sons and Daughters of
the Land). From its inception, Katipunan was forged by blood,
with all its members enacting the traditional blood compact
and signing their names with their own blood. The foremost
goal of the Katipunan was political, the separation of the
Philippines from Spain. Its members also recognized and
performed a civic duty which was mutual assistance and the
defense of the poor and the oppressed.
4. The Katipunan brotherhood
The birth of the Katipunan began with La Liga
Filipina, a peaceful, anti-colonial group pushing
for reforms in Spanish rule, founded by Filipino
patriot and writer Rizal. On the night of 7 July
1892, Rizal was arrested by the colonial Spanish
powers for reported involvement in a nascent
rebellion, and exiled to the coastal city of
Dapitan as punishment. Angered by the
Spaniards' crackdown on the peaceful La Liga,
some of Rizal's fellow patriots decided to take
more forceful action.
5. The katipunan membership
". Any man who wanted to join the Katipunan had to pass first
a number of tests to prove his courage and sincerity. Wearing a
black robe, the new recruit was led blindfolded into a archly lit
room. He was told to answer these questions: (1) "In what
condition did the Spaniards find the Filipino people when they
came?"; (2) "In what condition do they need themselves now?";
and (3) What hope do the Filipino people have for the future?"
This was followed by other tests for the would-be-Katipunero.
The final test was the sandugo or "Blood compact". The recruit was
asked to make a small cut on his left forearm with a sharp knife. He
then signed the Katipunan oat in his own blood. Afterwards, the
new member chose a symbolic name for himself. For example,
Bonifacio was called "Maypag-asa