Re-kindling the Flame of The Great Plebeian

By Queenie Rose Marcelo

It was over a century ago when the Father of the Philippine Revolution sparked the
Filipino spirit into uprising and leading insurgency against the Spaniards which sought
the independence of the Philippines after more than 300 years of Spanish Colonial
Rule. It is recognized that Dr. Jose Rizal is considered as the national hero of this
country nevertheless Bonifacio played an important role in resulting the Philippines
independence. His ground-breaking work will always be known by fellow Filipinos
through which then resulted into many landmarks and monuments dedicated to his
nobility. Among all the landmarks dedicated to him, there are two well-known plazas
located in the historic and forgotten city of Manila: The Liwasang Bonifacio Monument
and the Kartilya ng Katipunan Shrine which are both located in the heart of the city.
The two monuments both gives tribute to the Father of Philippine Revolution. The
Liwasang Bonifacio or Bonifacio square which is located in front of the Manila Central
Post Office acts as city square and transport hub for travellers heading South through
different modes of transportation such as buses and jeepneys. It is historically known
as Plaza del Fortin before the plaza was honoured for him where a monument in his
honour stands in the Plazas center. This plaza also serves as a site for public protests
and demonstrations by leftist groups where they could held protest and rallies
without requiring permission from the local authorities as it is also known as one of
the four freedom parks available in the city.
Where the Liwasang Bonifacios monument is just a simple portrayal of himself
differentiates it to the Kartilya ng Katipunan Shrine located near the Manila City Hall
where a dramatic depiction of himself stands clearly in the middle of the city. It could
be observed in the shrine one immense statue of Bonifacio carrying a bolo which
represents the life story of the Great Plebeian from his childhood to his death. It
display a more complex information of Bonifacio than the monument seen at the
Liwasang Bonifacio. Both plazas serves as landmark for people travelling within the
city. The latter shrine serves as transportation hub for minor modes as it is the place
of jeepney stops going to Monumento, Divisoria or to Quezon City. It could be also be
observed that the latter is more lively as it doesnt only serve as protest place but
also as food plaza for the Filipino street foods in the area.
Among the two plazas difference in location, size and grandeur could be observed,
one significant factor that would make it the same is the value that it gets from our
fellow Filipinos and it is that throughout the years, it losses its value as it is degraded
with Illegal settlers, littered by people going in and out of city and vandalized by the
youths of today. The death of Bonifacio displays how the Philippine Republic is
divided since the beginning. Monuments are made to glorify and remember his life
and his works but monuments, nevertheless, are not enough to commemorate the
man and his tragedy if people are not able to realize its value which will be the
tragedy of the Filipino people.