Andres Bonifacio read a lot
I FIND it providential that the last day of National Book Week (November 24-30) falls on the birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, whose 153rd birthday we are observing today.
Relatively recent evidence effectively debunks the myth of the “unlettered” Katipunan Supremo — obviously a demolition job perpetrated by political detractors. (Remember the fake news about syphilis being the cause of Apolinario Mabini’s paralysis?)
La Salle history professor Michael “Xiao” Chua concedes that Andres Bonifacio attended the private school of Guillermo Osmena and attained the present day equivalent of Second Year High School or Grade 8 under the K-12 curriculum. But Bonifacio made up for his incomplete formal education by reading a lot. Yes, Bonifacio (like Ninoy Aquino and the late Blas Ople) was a voracious reader.
Historian Chua cites Doña Elvira Prysler, proprietor of a mosaic tile factory where Bonifacio used to work as a warehouse keeper. Prysler, Chua said, recalled her impression of
Bonifacio whom she often saw with open book in hand during lunch time.
What types of books appealed to Bonifacio when hostilities broke out between the Katipuneros and the Spaniards, the authorities raided the offices where Bonifacio worked or used to work. In the German firm Carlos Fressel and Co, where Bonifacio worked as warehouseman and later as
sales agent, the raiding authorities seized the following books among Bonifacio’s personal effects.
Top of the list were the two novels of Jose Rizal, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.” During that time, mere possession of these two books was enough to land anybody in jail.
Also among the “subversive books” were “History of the French Revolution” and “The Ruins of Palmyra: Meditations of the Revolution of the Empire.”
Also probably considered “subversive”was “Lives of the Presidents of the United States
" Under my watch, I will not tolerate any of my personnel who will be involved in any form of illegal activity particularly in receiving bribes from illegal gambling and other illegal activities. Also, I never allow somebody to use my name for them to operate their illegal business or to collect for me. Whoever would dare use my name will be arrested immediately," De Leon said..
PRO3 continues to mount full-scale operations against illegal gambling and strictly imposes the full force of the law as it steps up on its campaign against all forms of lawlessness to minimize criminality in every locality.
(Ric Sapnu)