READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Module 6: THE KKK AND THE KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN
(DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES)
The Kataastasan, Kagalangglangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan is the most important organization
formed in the Philippine History
A revolutionary society that espoused
independence and freedom for the
Philippines through force of arms
Its main objective was separation of the
Philippines from Spain, at the same time
the development of the Filipinos as citizens
of their own nation once independence
was achieved.
The recruitment process of the Katipunan followed the masonic initiation rites while
its structure was base on Rizal’s aborted reformist organization La Liga Filipina.
The new members of the society were indoctrinated with
the katipunan rules and its teachings that emphasized the
value of the love of one’s country and fellow Filipinos.
Previous armed revolts had already occurred
before the foundation of the Katipunan, but
none of them envisioned a unified Filipino
nation revolting against a colonizers
Diego Silang was known as an Ilocano
who took arms and led one of the longest
running revolts in the country
Diego Silang was mainly concerned about
his locality and referred to himself as EL
REY DE ILOCOS(The King of Ilocos)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE KARTILYA
Andres Bonifacio long wanted to have a codified
document listing the duties and responsibilities of
every member of the katipunan
As Bonifacio was drafting the document and was
about to consult Emilio Jacinto for comments on
his draft, the latter presented his work to Supremo.
After seeing the draft of Kartilya ng Katipunan by Jacinto. Bonifacio was impressed
with his style of writing and decided to adopt the kartilya as the guidebook for the rules
and regulations of the katipunan
Aside from the maltreatment experience by Filipinos from Spainiards, the following are the other
factors that were influential in the forming of the Katipunan and that of the Kartilya:
French Revolution
Age of Enlightenment
Period of social and political upheaval in France. this led to
Gave way to Liberalism and Classicism in the 20th the spread of radicalism, liberalism and nationalism which
century, Modernism. (secret societies like Masonry greatly influenced the illustrados in the Philippines and
was established) Europe.
Propaganda Movement La Liga Filipina
This movement helped Andres Bonifacio and other Established by Jose Rizal when he decided
Nationalist to realize a peaceful way of asking reform to return to the Philippines to continue to call
is not enough and staging of an armed rebellion for reforms through legal means .
against the Spanish colonial government
BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR
Historian regard Emilio Jacinto as
the “Brains of the Katipunan”
“Moses of the Filipino people”
“Soul of the Revolution”
“Eyes of the Katipunan”
Emilio Jacinto was born December 15,1875 in Tondo
Manila
He was the son of Mariano Jacinto a bookkeeper and
Josefa Dizon.
Living a life of poverty, Jacinto still managed to get a
good education.
He finished secondary education Colegio De San Juan
de Letran and studied law at the University of StoTomas
He has to stop his studies when the Philippine revolution
began in 1896.
Jacinto joined the Katipunan in 1894 at age 18 and took the
symbolic name PINGKIAN.
He wrote the Kartilya as well as the oath of the Katipuneros.
He also edited the Katipunan newspaper Kalayaan and author
of several literary writings using the pen name “DIMAS ILAW”
He served the Katipunan in different capacities such as:
Secretary, Fiscal, Editor and appointed General by Bonifacio
in 1897.
He also served as an adviser to the Supremo
After the death of Bonifacio in 1897, Jacinto
continued the fight against the Spaniards
even after the truce following the Pact of Biak
na Bato.
He was wounded in the Battle against the
Spaniards in Magdalena, Laguna and was
captured.
He died on April 6, 1899 at age 24 (he
contracted malaria)
ABOUT THE TEXT
The “Kartilya” is the best known of all Katipunan texts and the
only document of any length set in print by the Katipunan prior
to August 1896 that is known to be still extant.
The “Kartilya” was printed as a small pamphlet that was
distributed to the members of the Katipunan.
Its term was derived from the Spanish cartilla which was the primer used for
Grade schools during the Spanish period. And like the cartllas this document
This document served as the primary lessons for the the members of the
katipunan.
The “Kartilya” presents not only the teachings for
the neophyte Katipunero but also the guiding
principles of the society.
These teachings are expected from the members even
after the attainment of freedom from the colonizers.
The Kartilya ends with document of affirmation by
the member to society’s Teaching.
The “Kartilya” was not just a document for the katipunan.
Its importance today is predicted on the teachings that
embodied the moral and nationalistic Principles of a
nation that fought for independence.
These principles are relevant as the sense of nationhood
still holds true when the cultural and historical values of
every Filipino are threatened by the onslaught of foreign
influences bought about today’s globalization.
KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN
The Kartilya can be treated as the Katipunan's code of
conduct. it contain fourteen rules that instruct the way
katipunero should behave, and which specific values
should he uphold.
The rules stated in the Kartilya can
be classified into two. The first
group contains the rules that will The second group contains
make the member an upright the rules that will guide the
individual. way he treats his fellow men.
III – True greatness consist in being charitable,
in loving one’s fellow men and in adjusting
every movement, deed and word to true reason
IV– All men are equal, be color of their skin black or
white. One may be superior to another in knowledge,
wealth and beauty but cannot be superior in being
XIII- the nobility of a man does not consist in
being a King nor in the highness of the nose
And the whiteness of the skin nor in being
A priest representing God, nor in the exalted
Position on earth.
The Fourth and Thirteenth rules are an invocation
of the inherent equality between and among men
regardless of race , occupation or status.
In the context of the Spanish colonial era where the Indios
were treated as inferior, the Katipunan saw to it the alternative
order they wished through promulgate through their revolution
necessarily destroyed this kind of unjust hierarchy
VI – to a man with sense of shame his word is inviolate
True to his words
VII– Don’t fritter away time; lost riches may be recovered
But time lost will never come again
Procastination
Various provisions in the kartilya repeatedly emphasized
The importance of honor and words and in action
The teaching on how women should be treated with honor
and respect
The tenth rule the document specifically stated
that men should be the guide of woman and
children and that he should set a good example.
Otherwise the women and the children would
be guided in the path of evil.
Women should treated as
companions by men and not as
playthings that can be exploited for
pleasure
The Katipunan's recognition of women as
important partners in the struggle, as reflected
not just in the Kartilya
But also in the organizational structure of the
fraternity where a woman's unit was
established is an endeavor advance for its
time.
The Kartilya was instructive not just of the Katipunan's
conduct toward other people, but also for the members'
development as individuals in their own rights.
NEXT LESSON MODULE 6 :
ACTA DE LA PROCLAMACION DE
LA INDEPENCIA DEL PUEBLO FILIPINO
(The Act of Proclamation of Independence of the
Filipino People
