Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
GEC 2: READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
First Semester S.Y. 2022-2023
LEARNING MATERIALS
LESSON 5: THE KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
a. Examine the context and perspective of the document;
b. Determine the main teachings and guiding principles of the Kartilya;
c. Recognize the importance of the Kartilya to the past and today’s society.
DISCUSSION:
Historical Context
The first move towards independence began on July 7, 1892 when the Katipunan
was established by Andres Bonifacio. This was a result of the failure of the Reform
Movement in Spain in which Filipinos attempted to demand reforms for the Philippines
from the Spanish Government. Bonifacio saw the futility of the efforts of the Filipino
propagandists and organized an underground movement against Spain.
The Kataastaasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or
KKK was 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 and, at the same time, the development of the Filipinos as citizens of their
own nation once independence was achieved. The latter was done through the written
works by Bonifacio and fellow Katipunero, Emilio Jacinto, who wrote a number of
poems and essays for the society members.
The recruitment process of the Katipunan followed the Masonic initiation rites
while its structure was said to be based on Rizal’s aborted reformist organization, the 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.
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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
About the Author
Emilio Jacinto was born on December 15, 1875 in the district of Trozo 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 his elementary
education in a private school then took up his secondary education at the Colegio de San
Juan de Letran. He later studied law at the University of Santo Tomas where he
developed a love of reading and improved his skills in Spanish. Unfortunately, he had to
stop his studies when the Philippines Revolution began in 1896.
Jacinto joined the Katipunan in 1894 at the age of 18 and took the symbolic name
Pingkian. It was during this time that he developed his nationalistic ideals. Through his
enthusiasm and ideas, Jacinto became a guiding light to the members of the society. He
wrote the Kartilya as well as the oath of Katipuneros. He also edited the Katipunan
newspaper, Kalayaan, and was the author of several literary writings using the prename “Dimas Ilaw”. He served the Katipunan in different capacities such as secretary,
fiscal, editor, and later was appointed General by Bonifacio in 1897. He also served as an
adviser to the Supremo.
After the death of Bonifacio in Cavite in 1897, Jacinto continued the fight against
the Spaniards even after the truce following the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. He was wounded
in a battle against the Spaniards in Magdalena, Laguna and was captured. Upon
investigation, Jacinto was released after he managed to convince the Spanish soldiers he
was a spy in their service when he showed them a military pass issued to a man he
killed several months ago. Jacinto quickly went into hiding in Manila. There he sent a
letter to Apolinario Mabini in Malolos, Bulacan stating his plan to continue his law
studies at the newly-established Literary University of the Philippines. But this plan was
discontinued when Jacinto had to go back to Laguna to lead his fellow patriots in the
war against the new enemy, the Americans. He established his headquarters in the town
of Majayjay where he, unfortunately, contracted malaria. He died on April 6, 1899.
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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
About the Text
In his study of the Katipunan history and its documents, Jim Richardson said that
“the Kartilya is the best known of all Katipunan texts” and that it is “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 cartillas, this
document served as the primary lessons for the members of 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 a document of affirmation by the member to the society’s teachings.
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 brought about by today’s
globalization.
Relevance
The current relevance of the Kartilya lies in the fact that it established not only
the rules for the members of the organization but the principles for the citizens of a
nation once independence had been achieved. Though written in the 19th century, the
Kartilya is significant to the lives of modern Filipinos as it reads like a simple creed for
living in the light of the many changes occurring at present.
EVALUATION: (See the separate file for Learning Activity)
REFERENCES:
Torres, Jose Victor. BATIS: Sources in Philippine History. C&E Publishing Inc. (2018)
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Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Asuncion, Nestor M. et. al. Readings in Philippine History. C&E Publishing Inc. (2019)
Prepared by:
John Rey R. Buan
Instructor
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