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Andres Bonifacio

Katungkulang gagawin ng mga ZxxxLlxxxBxxx  [Decalogue]

                                        

Source: Photograph of original handwritten document in Adrian E. Cristobal,

The Tragedy of the Revolution (Makati City: Studio 5 Publishing Inc., 1997) p.40.

 

 

Introduction

 

Transcribed below is the document commonly known as “Bonifacio’s Decalogue”, which was reportedly never been published during the lifetime of the Katipunan because Bonifacio himself felt that the "Kartilya" written by Emilio Jacinto was superior.[1]

 

 

 

 

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KxxxKxxxKxxx

Katungkulang gagawin ng mga

ZxxxLlxxxBxxx[2]

 

1.         Sumampalataya sa MayKapal ng taimtim sa puso.

 

2.         Gunamgunamin sa sarili tuina, na ang matapat na pag sampalataya sa Kanya ay ang pag ibig sa lupang tinubuan, sa pagkat ito ang tunay na pag ibig sa kapwa.

 

3.         Ykintal sa puso ang pag asa na malabis na kapurihan at kapalaran na kung ikamamatay ng tawoy mag bubuhat sa pagliligtas sa kaalipinan ng bayan.

 

4.         Sa kalamigan ng loob, katiagaan, katuiran at pag asa sa ano mang gagawin nag bubuhat ang ikagaganap ng mabuting ninanais.

 

5.         Paingat ingatang gaya ng puri ang mga bilin at balak ng K... K... K....

 

6.         Sa isang na sa sapanganib sa pag tupad ng kanyang tungkol, idadamay ng lahat, ang buhay at yaman upang maligtas yaon.

 

7.         Hangarin na ang kalagayan ng isatisa, maging fuaran[3] ng kanyang kapwa sa mabuting pagpapasunod at pag tupad ng kanyang tungkol.

 

8.         Bahaginan ng makakaya ang alin mang nagdaralita.

 

9.         Ang kasipagan sa pag hahanap-buhay ay siyang tunay na pag ibig at pag mamahal sa sarili sa asawa, anak at kapatid o kabayan.

 

10.       Lubos na pag sampalataya sa parusang ilinalaang sa balang sowail at magtaksil, gayon din sa pala na kakamtan ukol sa mabuting gawa.  Sampalatayanan din naman na ang mga layong tinutungo ng K... K... K...

ay kaloob ng Maykapal, sa makatwid ang hangad ng bayan ay hangad din Nya.

 

--------------

English translation[4]

 

KxxxKxxxKxxx

Duties of the Sons of the People

 

 

1.       Believe with a fervent heart in the Creator.

 

2.       Reflect always that a sincere faith in Him involves love of one’s native land, because this shows true love for one’s fellows.

 

3.       Engrave on the heart the conviction that to die for the liberation of the country from enslavement is the highest honour and fortune.

 

4.       In any endeavour, the realisation of good aspirations depends on calmness, perseverance, reason and hope.

 

5.       Guard the instructions and plans of the K... K... K... as you would guard your own honour.

 

6.       Anyone who falls into danger whilst carrying out their duties should be supported by all, and rescued even at the cost of life and riches.

 

7.       Let each of us strive in the performance of our duty to set a good example for others to follow.

 

8.       Share whatever you can with whoever is needy.

 

9.       Diligence in earning a livelihood is a true expression of love and affection for self, spouse, children and brothers or compatriots.

 

10.     Believe absolutely that scoundrels and traitors will be punished and good deeds will be rewarded.  Believe, likewise, that the aims of the K... K... K... are blessed by the Creator, for the will of the people is also His will.           

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Notes


[1] Epifanio de los Santos,  "Andres Bonifacio", translated into English by Gregorio Nieva,  Philippine Review (Revista Filipina), III:1-2 (January-February 1918), p.?

[2] “Z.Ll.B” was the Katipunan code for “A.N.B.” – “Anak ng Bayan” or “Sons of the People”.

[3] Presumably “huaran” - the letter “h” was rendered as “f” in the Katipunan alphabet, and perhaps Bonifacio inadvertently slipped to code in this instance.

[4] For alternative English translations, see Epifanio de los Santos,  "Andres Bonifacio", translated into English by Gregorio Nieva,  Philippine Review (Revista Filipina), III:1-2 (January-February 1918), pp.42-5;  Manuel L. Quezon, "Andres Bonifacio: the Great Plebeian", Historical Bulletin, 7:3 (September 1963 [1929]), pp.245-8;  and Teodoro A. Agoncillo, The Revolt of the Masses: the story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan (Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1956), p.94 (later printed again in The Writings and Trial of Andres Bonifacio, translated by Teodoro A. Agoncillo with the collaboration of S. V. Epistola (Manila: Antonio J. Villegas; Manila Bonifacio Centennial Commission; University of the Philippines, 1963), p.1).