Bonifacio@150 at SM City North EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - Mallgoers had the rare opportunity to view the life, works, and heroism of Gat Andres Bonifacio and the katipuneros during the “Bonifacio@150” celebrations at The Block, SM City North EDSA.

The event also launched the Department of Tourism’s “BiyahenBonifacio, Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan” tour that follows the footsteps of the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

A joint project of the SM Supermalls with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and Department of Tourism (DOT), this event kicksoff the year-long commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, which culminates on Nov. 30.

The event featured back-to-back exhibits: the first on Bonifacio’s life and times, and the second on historic sites featured in the “Biyaheng Bonifacio, Biyaheng Bayani ng Bayan” tour. The latter featured showcase replicas of four of the sites:  Binondo Church where Bonifacio married Gregoria de Jesus in 1893; the Bahay Toro where the historic tearing up of the cedulas that symbolically started the revolution against Spain; the Pamitinan Cave where Andres Bonifacio together with eight katipuneros declared the first independence against Spain in April 12, 1985; and the Tejeros Convention, which brought together the members Katipunan for the election of the first president and vice president, leading to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic.

At the center of these is a circular display of the flags of the Philippine Revolution, which were used by the Katipunan.

Guests had the chance to sample some of the favorite food items of the katipuneros as featured in Milagros S. Enriquez’s Kasaysayan ng Kaluto ng Bayan.  Among these were Andres Bonifacio’s nilitsong manok sa saha and Gregoria de Jesus’s pinatisang alimango; as well as survival food of the katipuneros: pindang na kalabaw, pinalundag na bulig and nilasing na mangga.

Bonifacio descendant lawyer Gary Bonifacio, Tourism assistant secretary Rolando Cañizal, NHCP chair Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, NHCP executive director Ludovico D. Badoy and SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, along with SM Supermalls regional operations manager Renee Bacani, and AVP for marketing Ruby Reyes cut the ceremonial ribbon during the opening.

DOT NCR officer-in-charge Cathy Agustin, DOT Office of Product Research & Development head Warner Andrada, DOT tourism operation officer III Ryan N. Sebastian, and NHCP Deputy executive director for programs & projects architect Veronica A. Dado also attended the event.

The “Bonifacio@150” festivities honor the Father of the Philippine Revolution, bringing his legacy of heroism to a new generation of Filipinos.

The exhibit will travel to different SM Malls around the country, culminating in a grand celebration of Andres Bonifacio’s 150th birth anniversary on Nov. 30 at SM Mall of Asia.

“Bonifacio @150” is one of the many exciting cultural events at the SM Supermalls.