Manila school to be renamed after Andres Bonifacio

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday said the City College of Manila will soon be renamed Pamantasang Gat Andres Bonifacio.

Lim made the statement as the city commemorates on Friday National Heroes’ Day and the 144th birth anniversary of hero Andres Bonifacio.

Run by the city government, the City College of Manila was founded in 1992 during Lim’s first term as Manila mayor.

It was, however, renamed Universidad de Manila during the term of Lito Atienza. When Lim regained his former post this year, it was again changed into City College of Manila. 

A resolution was filed at the city council last October for the most recent change, and is waiting for the concurrence of the entire council.

Lim said the city government is also set to cite the heroism of fire volunteers on Friday.  

“Leading the pack of modern-day heroes are our fire volunteers who are always the first to arrive at the fire scene to save property and life. We will honor them by giving them the city’s appreciation for always doing a good job,” Lim said in a statement. 

At the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center, hospital director Dr. Evangeline Morales said there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Bonifacio in front of the hospital.

A son of a government official, Bonifacio was born in Manila in 1863. When his parents died in the 1870s, he left school to support his five brothers and sisters.

By mid-1880s, he had become a fervent nationalist, even becoming a member of La Liga Filipina, which was founded by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

After Rizal’s arrest in July 1892, Bonifacio decided the country would only achieve independence through a revolution.

He then founded the Katipunan, which was a secret society open to peasants and middle class. This society would later spark the Philippine Revolution of 1896.