Bonifacio Day (November 30): Andrés Bonifacio & the Katipunan

Bonifacio Day (Araw ni Bonifacio) is a regular national holiday in the Philippines celebrated on November 30, the birthday of Andrés Bonifacio (1863–1897). Known as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution” and the Supremo of the Katipunan, he led the armed struggle against more than 300 years of Spanish rule.

Andrés Bonifacio at a glance
Born	November 30, 1863, Tondo, Manila
Died	May 10, 1897, Maragondon, Cavite
Known as	Father of the Philippine Revolution; Supremo of the Katipunan
Founded	The Katipunan (KKK), July 7, 1892
Holiday type	Regular national holiday

From Orphan to Revolutionary Leader

Bonifacio lost both parents as a teenager and supported his younger siblings by making and selling canes and paper fans, and later working as a clerk and warehouse agent. Although he had little formal schooling, he read widely — including José Rizal’s novels, the French Revolution and biographies of world leaders.

After Rizal was exiled in 1892, Bonifacio and others founded the Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Supreme and Most Venerable Association of the Children of the Nation) — the Katipunan — a secret society that aimed to win independence through revolution.

Timeline

Date	Event
November 30, 1863	Born in Tondo, Manila
July 7, 1892	Founds the Katipunan
August 1896	The Katipunan is discovered; the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” launches the revolution
March 1897	Tejeros Convention — Emilio Aguinaldo is elected president of the revolutionary government
May 10, 1897	Bonifacio is executed in Maragondon, Cavite, after a trial by Aguinaldo’s faction
1921	Bonifacio Day is declared a national holiday

During the Cry of Pugad Lawin, Katipuneros tore up their cedulas (community tax certificates) as a symbol of rejecting Spanish rule.

How Filipinos Mark Bonifacio Day

• Wreath-laying at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, a work by sculptor Guillermo Tolentino, and at Bonifacio Shrine in Manila.
• Flag ceremonies and programmes led by national and local officials.
• School and community events on the history of the Katipunan.
• Long weekend getaways — as a regular holiday, it is a day off for most workers.

Philippine Heroes’ Days

Holiday	Date
Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)	April 9
Independence Day	June 12
National Heroes Day	Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day	November 30
Rizal Day	December 30

👉 Another Filipino hero: Rizal Day — December 30

👉 Also November 30: St Andrew’s Day

Bonifacio and Rizal: Two Paths to Freedom

	Andrés Bonifacio	José Rizal
Background	Self-educated worker from Tondo	Educated in Europe, eye doctor and writer
Approach	Armed revolution through the Katipunan	Peaceful reform through writing and the Propaganda Movement
Organisation	Katipunan (1892)	La Liga Filipina (1892)
Death	Executed May 10, 1897	Executed December 30, 1896
Holiday	Bonifacio Day — November 30	Rizal Day — December 30

Some historians and Filipino nationalists argue that Bonifacio should share the title of national hero with Rizal, since he actually launched the revolution. Both are honoured with national holidays, monuments and their faces on Philippine banknotes and coins.

Places Linked to Bonifacio

• Bonifacio Monument (Monumento) in Caloocan, by Guillermo Tolentino.
• Pugad Lawin Shrine in Quezon City, site of the 1896 “Cry”.
• Maragondon, Cavite, where he was tried and executed.
• Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, named in his honour.

Bonifacio’s wife, Gregoria de Jesús, was a Katipunan leader in her own right, known as the “Lakambini of the Katipunan”, keeping its documents and weapons safe.

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