Bonifacio @ 150 in SM City North Edsa

MANILA, Philippines - Mallgoers had the rare opportunity to view the life, works, and heroism of Gat Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros during the Bonifacio@150 celebrations at The Block at SM City North EDSA.  The event also launched the department of tourism’s "Biyaheng Bonifacio, Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan" tour that follows the footsteps of the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

A joint project of the SM Supermalls with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and DOT, this event begins the year-long commemoration of the 150 th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, which culminates on Nov. 30. 

The event featured back-to-back exhibits: the first on Bonifacio’s life and times, and the second on historic sites featured in the "Biyaheng Bonifacio, Biyaheng Bayani ng Bayan" tour.

The latter featured showcase replicas of four of the sites:  Binondo Church where Bonifacio married Gregoria de Jesus in 1893; the Bahay Toro where the historic tearing up of the cedulas that symbolically started the revolution against Spain; the Pamitinan Cave is where Andres Bonifacio together with eight Katipuneros declared the first independence against Spain in April 12, 1985; and the Tejeros Convention which brought together the members Katipunan for the election of the first President and Vice President, leading to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic.

At the center of these is a circular display of the Flags of the Philippine Revolution, which were used by the Katipunan.  Guests enjoyed going around the exhibits, learning more about Bonifacio, and have their souvenir photographs taken. 

They also had the rare chance to sample some of the favorite food of the Katipuneros as featured in Milagros S. Enriquez’s Kasaysayan ng Kaluto ng Bayan.  Among these were Andres Bonifacio’s nilitsong manok sa zaha and Gregoria de Jesus’s pinatisang alimango; as well as survival food of the Katipuneros while fighting against the colonizers: Pindang na kalabaw, pinalundag na bulig and nilasing na manga.

Bonifacio descendant Atty. Gary Bonifacio, DOT assistant secretary Rolando Cañizal, NHCP chair Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, NHCP executive director Ludovico D. Badoy and SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon along with SM Supermalls regional operations manager Renee Bacani, and AVP for marketing Ruby Reyes shared honors during the event’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

DOT NCR officer-in-charge Cathy Agustin, DOT office of product research & development head Warner Andrada, DOT tourism operation officer III Ryan N. Sebastian, and NHCP deputy executive director for programs & projects Veronica A. Dado also attended the event.

The Bonifacio@150 festivities honor the Father of the Philippine Revolution, bringing his legacy of heroism to a new generation of Filipinos. Andres Bonifacio was born in Tondo, Manila on November 30, 1863, the eldest son of Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro. Orphaned at an early age, he took odd jobs together with his brothers and sisters to meet their basic necessities. They made and sold cane and paper fans.

Because of poverty, Andres never made it to college. He learned to read and write under the supervision of his aunt and he finished elementary education in a public school. Andres was a wide reader and read books that aroused his nationalism that made him decide to eventually join the La Liga Filipina. When La Liga ceased its operations, he established the Katipunan on July 7, 1892. When the secret of the organization was exposed, Bonifacio and his men started the Revolution of 1896. On August 26, they tore their poll taxes and waved their red flag as a sign of the start of the Revolution, “Liberty or death” was his battle cry.

Bonifacio @150 is one of the many exciting cultural events at the SM Supermalls.