A Guide to Freedom: Analyzation of Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng Katipuan

By Winter Kyle Reyes Dizon

Three hundred thirty-three long dreadful years did Spain colonized the Philippines,
Filipinos were submitted to the authority of the Spaniards. Filipinos were estranged from their
own country. Spain took their time in exploiting the Philippines and its people. Plenty of human
rights of Filipinos were violated. Rivers of innocent blood were shed. However, every evilness
comes to an end. A hero was awakened from this nightmare, gathered all his courage, and put it a
paper. His name is Jose Rizal, our now national hero. His works put fire to the heart of Filipinos
and begins the revolution. Not only his written accounts that drove the Filipinos to revolt but also
his principles and social works that help Filipinos. He established La Liga Filipina, an
organization that will continue the mission of the reform movement based in Europe. This
organization aid scholarship for Filipinos, teach Filipinos to be good citizens, and help them to
form cooperatives. Unfortunately, the Spaniards become aware of this organization and treat it as
a threat to their authority. Jose Rizal was arrested and exiled to Dapitan. This urges the formation
of the K.K.K

K. K.K. is a famous three letters embedded in every Filipino's mind when a revolution is brought
about. It is one of the movements that paved the way for our
freedom. Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan is a secret
organization in 1892 that fought for the right of fellow countrymen and opposed the oppressive
Spanish colonization. This group emerges from La Liga Filipina, and Jose Rizal’s exile became
the external force that pushes Andres Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, and Ladislao Diwa and others to
form this organization. K.K.K. mission does not end with the revolt against the Spanish
dictatorship, it also aims to teach the Filipinos good morals and values, integrity, compassion,
nationalism, and God-fearing. Furthermore, it helps the poor and helps spread the teachings of
Jose Rizal. This organization did not only focus on obtaining the freedom of the Philippines but
also helps to build a better society for the Filipinos. K.K.K. is not centered on wars, they also
follow a strict political moral code and standards. These standards are manifested in “Kartilya ng
Katipunan.”

Every organization now and then has its own rules that members are to abide. Katipunan also has
its own, entitled “Kartilya ng Katipunan” or the Decalogue of Katipunan. Its name kartilya is
adopted from a written material with the same name which is a small booklet that children read
before. The document is originally titled “Lessons of the Organization of the Son of the
Country.” Kartilya ng Katipunan, as above-mentioned a decoupage. Decalogue is a term used
for the list of ten commandments, it is the same as Kartilya ng Katipunan. It is a list of rules that
should be religiously followed by the embers of the Katipunan or the Katipuneros. It is a small
pamplets given to the katipuneros, especially to new-recruited members that serve as a guide on
how a member should act. The Kartilya ng Katipunan also defined the behavior needed to
embody in order to attain the goal of the organization. The Decalogue contains ten main points
that exhibit ideal characteristics a Filipino especially the katipuneros should possess, such as
Piousness, patriotism, loyal, and unselfishness. This material was written in 1982 by a young
genius member, Emilio Jacinto.

Born in an ordinary family on December 15, 1875, Emilio Jacinto Y Dizon did not have
an ordinary life. He fulfilled a great role in history. At nineteen, Jacinto joined the Katipunan
revolutionary society and was titled as one of the high-ranking officials. He was a law student at
Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas. Due to his intelligence, he was appointed as the consultant of the
organization. During five years with the Katipunan, he wrote numerous documents that the
organization used including the Kartilya ng Katipunan which became the moral foundation of
the organization. Jacinto was also the writer of the first last paper published by the official
newspaper of the Katipunan which is the Kalayaan, in March 1896. With his brilliant service to
the Katipunan, he was recognized as the “Utak ng Katipunan.” Sadly, even a brilliant mind is
not safe from illness, Jacinto, at the young age of 24 years old died from Malaria.
Ktipunan. Later on, Andress Bonifacio revised the decalogue and published it under the name
“Katungkulang Gawain ng mga Z. Ll. B.” The Kartilya ng Katipunan served as the code of
ethics that Katipuneros strictly follows to be worthy of being in the revolutionary society. These
are the characteristics not just for the Katipuneros but for all Filipinos. Since the organization
did not only seek freedom, it also aimed to produce better Filipino citizens that will create a
better society. These moral standards are not only done during the revolution, but Jacinto wishes
that these behaviors are continued even after the colonization of the Spaniards. In order to fully
comprehend the life and journey of the Katipuneros during the revolution, let’s dissect and
scrutinize the Kartilya ng Katipunan. It can be said that the Katipunans value religion, as in the
first two rules, God is the center. In the first rule, it is said that they should love God with all
their hearts. Meaning they should devote their lives to God. Since our culture including our
religious beliefs is strongly influenced by the colonization of Spain, it is safe to assume that
Christianity has a major role in the life of Filipinos before, hence, the first two rules. The second
rule conveys that the mission of the Katipunan is God’s will. It said, “Bear always in mind that
the love of God is also the love of country, and this, too, is love of one's fellowmen.” it indicates
that the way we love our country and our fellowmen is equivalent to loving God, and how we
treat our country and fellowmen are how we treat God. This commandment is an encouragement
to the Katipuneros to love their country and countrymen as they love God. The third rule implies
the main objective of the Katipunan, which is to awaken the Filipinos’ love for their country. It
implied that Filipino could only be happy and truly honored when they can die for their country’s
freedom. This rule does not only wants to prove one's patriotism but also their eagerness to
become part of the Katipunan. The Katipunan is a secret group for a reason because once the
Spaniards got the knowledge of their organization their life would be at stake. That is what
the Katipunan is implying in this rule, that we should be ready to risk our own life to fight for
the freedom of the country. Furthermore, it implies that dying in the name of our country is
dying with great purpose. The fourth one conveys that all good desires will be done if we have a
positive mindset, diligence, the right principle, and trust. Just like in everything we do, we can
only achieve something if we have faith that we can do it, and if we have optimism that we can
do it when we are dedicated and with the right value and principles. This is also the reason why it
can be said that this Decalogue was not limited to fighting for our freedom or only during the
revolution, but can be applied in every aspect of their lives. The fifth one simply evokes loyalty.
When you become a part of Katipunan you should protect and embody the mission of K.K.K. as
how you protect your dignity. The sixth conveys that one should be prepared to risk everything
even their life and wealth in the line of his duty. If it takes everything to fulfill one's duty he or
she must give everything. Seventh, one should always act accordingly, just like in any
organization, the act of one member represents the values of the whole organization. In this rule,
it stated that one should exhibit good character and perform his due diligence because they will
be the role model that their fellowmen will look up to. When others see how great the
organization works and how members of the organization are virtuous, new members will be
encouraged. The next promote generosity. A true katipunero should be generous even with
scarcity. When someone is in dire of help, one should be able to help in any means that one can.
This rule wants to eliminate all the selfishness one has. Even without this rule, up until now,
Filipinos are known for being generous even when they themselves lack. Second to the last rule
said that “Diligence in the work that gives sustenance to you is the true basis of love —love for
yourself, for your wife and children, for your brothers and countrymen.” Love is persistently
doing what gives purpose to your life. In this setting, that purpose is the service to the country
and countrymen. It conveys that when you wholeheartedly serve your country it is the
measurement of your love for your family and fellowmen. Lastly, it stated that anyone who will
betray the organization should be punished and all the obedient and has done their duty should be
praised. Moreover, it tells that the aim of the K.K.K is god given prophecy. That the serving of
people is serving God.

If you read and understand the Kartilya ng Katipunan you will realize that it is not only
centered on revolt but also on the betterment of a person and the society. It can be practiced even
long after the colonization, even now, this Decalogue is as relevant as it is when it was written.

It is fascinating to me how nationalist people are in the past, how can someone risk their
own life for the sake of the country. Today, this kind of heroicness may seem non-existence to us
but honestly, there are still a lot of heroes there is in our country but just at a different level, since
we are in a different period, we face a new kind of colonialism.