Andres Bonifacio was the son of Santiago Bonifaciio and Catalina de Castro on November 30, 1863. Andres Bonifacio only finished primary school because at a young age of 14, his parents have died and he was forced to stop his studies and take care of his younger brothers and sisters.
Andres Bonifacio worked as a messenger of Fleming and Company and since his earnings there was insufficient; he moved to Fressel and Company and worked as an agent there. Despite his lack of proper education, he studied on his own through reading. He likes to write poetry and also became as a moro-moro stage actor.
Andres Bonifacio became a passionate Filipino nationalist and when Jose Rizal had established the La Liga Filipina, Andres Bonifacio was a member. When Jose Rizal was deported to Dapitan, he immediately organized the KKK or the “Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga anak ng bayan”. KKK had quickly spread to different parts of the country in 1894 and in May of 1896, he felt like he could lead a successful revolution but before he could set out his plans; the secret society was discovered by the Spanish authorities. In Pugad Lawin, Caloocan, Andres Bonifacio together with the thousands of Katipuneros assembled and tore their cedulas.
Andres Bonifacio had formed an assembly in Tejeros, Cavite to establish the Republic of the Philippines. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the first president of the Philippines while Andres Bonifacio was elected as Secretary of the Interior. Since he did not have a good educational background, his qualifications were questioned by Daniel Tirona. He was offended by this and declared the election to be void. He then moved to Naic, Cavite to create his own government and formed his own army.
While Andres Bonifacio was in Naic, Emilio Aguinaldo and his forces gained more success and control over some towns. When Andres Bonifacio left Naic, Emilio Aguinaldo ordered for his arrest but Bonifacio resisted the arrest and he was tried in court and was sentenced to death by the military tribunal. Andres Bonifacio was executed in Maragondon, Cavite by Emilio Aguinaldo’s men on May 10, 1897.
Today, Andres Bonifacio is being regarded as a National Hero and Bonifacio Day is being celebrated every 30th of November in honor of his heroism.