Who can doubt the sincerity of one Great Plebian to hold hisfellow suffering countrymen and a raucous nation searching for independence?

More than just forming the Katipunan and instilling himselfthe revolutionary leader, Andres Bonifacio wanted the atrocities to cease andguide Filipinos to the light of freedom. But, sadly, reaching that dream hadbecome blurred and eventually lost in his sight as he laid dead in the hands ofthe same countrymen he was fighting for.

Tragic story

This is one tragic story we hear and read again and again,especially when the true story about Bonifacio finally emerged in recent years,thanks to well-meaning historians.

And this was effectively depicted in Enzo Williams’ Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo, whichbrought all of us back into that tragedy and incredible injustice done to thewell-meaning hero.

While we witnessed once more the glaring context behind hisrebellious schemes, there was one aspect of the story that was all so manifestand flagrant—the circumstances leading to his death seen as not only as abetrayal but also criminal.

Unfortunate tendency

It presents the Filipinos’ unfortunate tendency forinfighting, even at the throes of that fight for freedom, wherein unity andtogetherness are crucial elements for success. And that infighting even goes tothat boiling point of discrimination, lust for power, and eventually historicalcredit—as we are sure his opponents had raised eyebrows as he claimed he wasthe Republic’s first president.

This becomes quite an eye-opener for those who have knownthe tale and seen the movie. Especially for those youngsters who learn aboutthe true story of Bonifacio—how we need to forget our own interests for thebest of all; how we need to really work together and find and agree to solve acommon goal without any consideration of a personal benefit or advantage.

Sad reality

However, the sad reality is that this remains a dream. Morethan what Bonifacio wished, as admirably uttered by Robin Padilla portrayingthe Magdiwang faction leader as he faced death, about attaining independencefrom Spain, a yearning far more real and existent through epochs even beyondthe revolution must be fulfilled.

It is that we should forget ourselves, our egos, ourinterests and think of what’s the best for the country more—a dream Bonifacioit seemed he brought to his unknown grave.

Photo credit to the owner