Nasing, Gwyneth Anne D.
BS ARCH 1-B
June 1, 2021
ANG UNANG PANGULO
(ANDRES BONIFACIO)
A Reflection Paper
The life and work of Andres Bonifacio staged during his period. For me he was the
“Lionhearth” of Tondo, Manila. His life and story were not so much documented due to many
conflicting ideas and information. However, detailed life of Andres Bonifacio was documented
thru a movie.
The life story of Bonifacio as shown in the movie was fascinating, captivating, and
inspiring. He gave us the good example of what a true Filipino is. A Supreme one. At first, the
story in the movie shows how he nurtured his life taking good care of his siblings, how he nurtured
his siblings with values, and following the system of the Spaniards. Though, living in a life full of
sorrow, grief and hell, Andres Bonifacio manage to remain steadfast. Andres Bonifacio is a lovingkind person whose dream in life is freedom for his country and for the Filipinos and living in a
peaceful manner. He was married to Gregoria De Jesus, who conceived their child but died later
due to a sad tragedy. His wife always stood by him in any battle and in remorse. He joined the La
Liga Filipina under the leadership of Dr. Jose Rizal before our national hero was not yet imprisoned
and executed.
Subsequently, his being patriotic, nationalistic, and feeling of grief towards the death of
the three (3) priest, Gomes, Burgos, and Zamora known as the GOMBURZA by a Garrote that led
Andres Bonifacio established the said strong organization known as the Katipunan whose
objective is to stabilize and dissolve the Spaniards strength, after having the knowledge that Dr.
Rizal was captured and imprisoned. He even though attempted to rescue Dr. Rizal, but he failed.
While I was watching the movie, I was contemplating about the movie El Presidente there were
parts in the scene that are inconsistent about Andres Bonifacio. How he fights for freedom, handles
the Katipunan, deals with Filipino katipuneros and non Katipuneros. How he begets his position
as their Supremo with dignity, respect, and love for others and for the Motherland. Andres
Bonifacio’s purpose the way I look at it in both movies “Ang Unang Pangulo and El Presidente
was totally clean, true, honest and with dignified personality. The way I understood his purpose
and mission is to free his fellow men from injustices, bondage, and cruelty of the Spaniards.
Nonetheless, he was still judged and assumed to have another agenda or negative intentions by the
group of Emilio Aguinaldo. If we are to look at any angles of the two (2) movies or to compare
the presentation of the data, information about the life and works of Andres Bonifacio some were
inconsistent in their interpretation, absurd and erroneous. Like for example, the election happens
in Cavite where he was bullied and underestimated. Second, he was presumed enemy of the
government without the benefit of the doubt. And the 3rd one, he was sentenced to death
I have watched the movie three times, I was just wondering, and I just do not get the sense,
why Andres Bonifacio was bullied in the election. Is it because majority attended were Caviteños?
Or is it because they wanted Andres Bonifacio out of the role or scene so that they will be the one
to rule? Having the poorness in intelligence as well as in the status of life if one is poor or not does
not deprive one of his/her respect and of being a leader.
“How greater are those who are born brave, intelligent and strong in their own land for they
can easily butcher a man who is weak and meek in his native land.”
Ang Unang Pangulo, the title itself gave us the boost and confidence that Andres Bonifacio
indeed the President of our First government and not Aguinaldo himself. It was inspiring and
challenging movie. But, with deep grievances and anger how they treated Bonifacio unfairly. As
if he was not a Filipino or shall we say he was considered as their enemy as such without giving
him the benefit of the doubt. The life of Andres Bonifacio were many ups and downs due to his
benevolentness. He even forgotten his son’s death. His triumph over his enemy, building the nation
and his failure to some of his battle and his family does not break his focus and objective in
liberating the Filipinos. Even though forgotten his wife and son his ideal personality was never
tarnish because of his strong foundation of personality. Having the strong values emanated by him,
he remains kind, generous, respectful, and patriotic the kind characteristics or traits that a leader
has. Although, they were many traitors, crocodiles, and termites in the organization, Andres
Bonifacio remains simple but strong and steadfast to his friends, and common enemies.
Moreover, many were contesting the capability and wisdom of Andres Bonifacio as a
leader, but many were trying to protect him. Many were trying to get his position to lead the
government capable of maneuvering the entire community and society. The title itself gave an
emphatic and sound admiration to all Filipinos. That becoming a leader is not measured only thru
your full intelligence and bravery per se, rather, having all those characteristics and traits gain or
achieve to be a leader.
A good man is one that knows how to respect, understand others, and listen to them are the
examples inculcated to the Filipinos, most especially, to those who are in one way or the other
manage to understand the messages stipulated in the movie. Precisely, the movie itself is
responsible and accountable for his deeds. The concept of the movie knows how to lock and unlock
the difficulties, frustration, and weak interpretation of the people or of those who watch this movie.
In conclusion, no matter how strong the wind is, no matter how high you fly, no matter
how short or small your wings are, soar high and be like Andres Bonifacio. A supremo, a hero,
from something to a monument, and from nothing to a Holiday. A person is without a patriotic and
nationalistic heart inflame in his heart is like a piece of rag that has no value at all.