Today in the Past

Today, January 3, 1894, Andres Bonifacio issues a general guideline for admitting members into the Katipunan.

He decrees among others, that no gambler, drunkard or notorious person should be accepted in order that the dignity of the Association be preserved.

Andres Bonifacio was born in the district of Tondo, Manila, on November 30, 1863. His parents were Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro.

They were very poor. Andres Bonifacio earned his earning, first, by peddling walking canes and paper fans; later, by working as a messenger for the firm of Fleming and as a salesman of tar and other goods handled by the same firm; and lastly, by acting as warehouse keeper for Fressell and Co. until the tumultuous events of 1896.

He completed only the second year in high school.

He devoted his leisure hours to reading books on revolutions.

Found among his papers and books were letters of Luna, of del Pilar, of Rizal, masonic documents and copies of revolutionary speeches.

His library included the biographies of U.S. Presidents; books on the French Revolution, International law, Religion, etc.

A collection of La Solidaridad, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo of Rizal, Les Miserables of Victor Hugo, The Wandering Jew, and the Ruins of Palmyra were also found.

He wrote in Tagalog, articles and poetry, revolutionary and patriotic in character, which inspired and liberated the spirit of the Katipunan.

He also penned a compendium which he called "The Duties of the Sons of the People," a decalogue.