Revisiting the Supremo's monument: A historian's daily routine

Reymar Yson, 31, had one place in mind at the end of his work teaching history to college students. Just a year ago, he would ride the train from Quiapo all the way to Monumento, Caloocan, to visit a shrine in the middle of a busy intersection, watching the statue there for half an hour just to get a glimpse of his hero.

Yson, a history professor at the National Teachers College, usually sits by the fountain, looking up at the statue of a small man with a pistol on his left hand. Illuminated by city lights, the bronze stone depicts a man calm and peaceful even in battle. “Lion-hearted,” Yson described the noted Filipino revolutionary’s expression. It was then a typical day for Yson when he went to Monumento on Friday, November 30, to visit the statue and commemorate the 149th birthday of Andres Bonifacio. It was as if he was visiting the “Supremo” on an ordinary day. “Literal na araw araw,” Yson said when asked of his schedule of visits. “Minsan talaga pag mahal mo ‘yung obra, balik-balikan mo man ‘yun, hindi ka magsasawa.” The 45-feet statue of the leader of the Philippine revolution was inaugurated on November 30, 1933. Known as the Bonifacio Monument, the statue was sculpted in realistic and classical style by national artist Guillermo Tolentino. The statue depicts Bonifacio alongside Emilio Jacinto, the “brain” of the Katipunan, and martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, who were killed by garrote on charges of rebellion during the Spanish regime. Surrounding these historic figures are battle-geared Katipuneros, wounded soldiers and grieving women. According to Yson, the statue depicted the Katipuneros’ call to arms and the people’s response to the revolution. Bonifacio, who was killed by the soldiers of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on charges of sedition and treason, led the Philippine Revolution and was inspired by the works of national hero Jose Rizal. He led the revolutionary group Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or Katipunan. “Autograph” with the Supremo A light conversation with the statue would start Yson’s routinary visits. “Magandang umaga po, Supremo,” he would say upon arriving at the site. “Magandang araw po sa inyo,” he’d say upon leaving. “Pag pumupunta ako doon, akala mo kinakausap ko 'yan.” But Yson said he spends most of the time looking at the details of the statue. “Una, titingnan ko siya, mas matagal pa ‘yung titig talaga. After ‘yung titig, ‘dun ko siya kukuhanan ng kung saan mas magandang anggulo siya gustong kuhanan,” he said. Yson even referred to a picture of Bonifacio as a signed “autograph” with the Katipunan leader. But this year took a backward turn on his regular visits to his hero – Yson said he is swamped with teaching 31 units of history subjects and writing his thesis that he can no longer pay his daily respects to his idol. “Na-realize ko siya last semester na, oo, nalulungkot ako,” Yson said. But his work did not stop him from finding time for the Supremo. He said despite his busy schedule, he still manages to visit it three to four times a month, riding a bike from his home in Tondo, just to pay respects to his life’s hero. “Basta andoon na ako, nagagalak ako. Hindi ko pinapapansin ‘yung lungkot. Kasi nakakawala ng lungkot pag andoon na ako,” Yson said. ‘Epal’ celebration Supremo’s birthday celebrations were usually decorated with wreaths of flowers sent by politicians and the Caloocan theme song blaring in the background, the historian recalled. But Yson said he is dismayed at the usual preparations – for a day dedicated to commemorate the Supremo’s birth anniversary, politicians took advantage of the festivities to promote themselves for the elections. “Ngayon dahil malapit na ang eleksyon, nahaluan na ng pulitika. Parang nadi-disappoint ako na, okay kinekwento muna nila ‘yung buhay ni Bonifacio, pero parang ang dating, pulitika lahat. Motive talaga pulitika. They failed to see what is Bonifacio to the people,” he said. The historian refused to give names of politicians who took advantage of the occassion. He did however say that the Caloocan theme song itself is blended with the political jingles of the Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri. Rizal vs. Bonifacio? The usual debate surrounding the revolutionary Supremo is whether he deserves to be the National Hero instead of the reformist Jose Rizal. But Yson said Bonifacio should not be compared to Rizal, precisely because they have different approaches to achieve independence from the Spanish colonizers during that period. “Ang mga gurong pinagsasabong ang dalawa ay mga gurong walang maituro. Bakit mo pagsasabungin ang dalawa kung iba naman ang kanilang pananaw pareho?” Yson said. Yson noted that Rizal is a “hero” but Bonifacio is “bayani.” He said there is a difference between the two terms. Although most historians maintain that “hero” and “bayani” mean the same thing, Yson said “hero” refers to a lone martyr basking on a “personal glory.” On the other hand, “bayani” refers to a group of persons who instead of willing to die want to survive to continue fighting for their cause. “Ano ba ang kahulugan ng bayani? Ang kahulugan ng bayani ay pagsisilbi sa pamilya at pagsisilbi sa bayan. Nagbibigay siya ng kaginhawaan. ‘Yan ang bayani. Hindi mo kailangang pakamartyr,” he said. “’Pag National Hero, Rizal… Pag sinabing pambansang bayani na sarili nating kalinangan, wala na, Andres Bonifacio ‘yan,” he added. Revisiting his “bayani” Yson plans to make his visits at the least regular despite the heavy work load. He looks forward to visiting the Monument this upcoming New Year’s celebration – his annual longest visit to the statue – to spend two to three hours there hanging out with the Supremo. “Ang mahalaga pa rin sa akin ‘yung alam kong (kahit) sa trabaho kung gusto mo talagang pumunta, gagawa at gagawa ka ng paraan,” he said. Yson may spend fewer days than before admiring the intricacies of Bonifacio’s statue, but if it takes braving the heavy traffic in a bicycle, or taking the jam-packed LRT to go there, he’d be more than willing to do so, even for just few minutes with his lifetime “bayani.” “Bakit tuwing kaarawan lang nila na maalala mo ang mga bayani natin? Madamot tayo na pagbigyan man lang natin ng panalangin kahit sampung segundo lang sa Panginoon na magpasalaman sa mga bayani na nagbuwis ng buhay,” he said. — KBK, GMA News