Andres Bonifacio & Emilio Jacinto, best frat brods forever!

Emilio Jacinto with his Cartilla ng KKK and his best friend Andres Bonifacio at the Dambana ng Kagitingan atop Mt Samat, Bataan.

• "Ayon din kay Andres Bonifacio ay si Emilio Jacinto ang kaluluwa ng katipunan. Naging kalihim ng kapatiran ng mga manghihimagsik at siyang kinikilalang mata ng K.K.K.N.M.A.N.B. [Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan] (Santos, 1935).”   Tr.:  According to Andres Bonifacio also, Emilio Jacinto was the soul of the katipunan. He was the secretary of the revolutionists and was considered the eye of the K.K.K.N.M.A.N.B.

His cousin-in-law Jose Turiano Santiago led Emilio Jacinto to the Katipunan, and thus began his amazing friendship with supremo Andres Bonifacio.

We wonder how Bonifacio sized up the long-haired young man, 12 years his junior, during their first meeting.  We don't know how true it was that when Jacinto was enrolled in San Juan de Letran and later in the University of Santo Tomas, he only had his haircut when he could no longer bear the teasing of his classmates (Santos).

Freshman pre-law student Jacinto was about to enter a fraternity of older men, and it could not have been different from what the young lads in the University of the Philippines today would go through once they opt to join a Greek-letter fraternity there.

We imagine master Bonifacio ribbing his prospective brod to first go and see a barber before they can even begin talking about the fraternity, what this brotherhood of this country's noble sons is all about, and going through the secret initiation rites that he, the supremo, and other founders originated.

The master could have discerned a treasure in the neophyte at the very start.  In today's setting, would Jacinto be a potential Collegian editor, chairman of the UP Student Council, or a Bar topnotcher? It's not unusual for senior fratmen to have promising brods to be groomed for the national leadership, in Congress, the Supreme Court and even the Palace! 

It didn't take long for Jacinto to gain the trust and affection of the fraternity head. "Nagkaroon agad sa kaniya ng malaking pagtatapat at pagmamahal si Andres Bonifacio na hindi maaaring matularan ng iba ..  (Santos)."

The young man spoke the language of Manila, kastilang tindahan (roughly today's Taglish), so he had to learn the dialect fast. Fraternal discussions were in Tagalog.  The supremo himself would be his Tagalog tutor, and in due time, the young katipunero surpassed his mentor in the quality of his oral and written Tagalog. 

One of the first things they could have found in common between them was passion for books on revolutions.  Both were fond of the History of the French Revolution.  Jacinto could have read La Solidaridad, El Filibusterismo, Les Miserables, The Wandering Jew, among others, from his mentor's personal library.   

"They were like brothers," Gregoria de Jesus, a katipunera herself, wrote of the supremo, her husband, and Jacinto. She had custody of the society's belongings for Jacinto, the Katipunan secretary, who lived with them. 

Emilio and Andres as featured in the Bonifacio monument, Kalookan City.

The supremo wrote the first regulations or ten commandments of the Katipunan, and later, the younger brod put out his own version, the Cartilla, which, of course, echoes Bonifacio's decalogue. Because of his affection for the younger brod, but more so because he found it better than his own, the supremo deferred to Jacinto's version. 

Bonifacio had so much trust in him. They shared secrets, and the supremo made sure he consulted his younger brod before they pursued any plan or activity. "Walang nang uuna kay Andres Bonifacio sa paghanga at pagdakila kay Emilio Jacinto.  Wala siyang lihim na hindi ipinagtapat ditto at walang bagay at pangyayaring hindi muna niya isinangguni kay Emilio Jacinto bago niya isagawa (Santos)." 

Together, they refined the policy structure and set up the propaganda machinery of the Katipunan. They secured a printing press, published the primer Cartilla, some sort of codes--the revolutionary Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness) and the commercial Samahan ng Bayan sa Pangangalakal (Commercial Association of the People)--and their organ Kalayaan, which came out with two issues in 1896 (Fernandez, 1926; Cruz, 1922). 

When they went to war after the discovery of the Katipunan, it's said that the supremo was more worried about the safety of his young trusted brod even he was more at risk in the battlefield.

How close they were can be gleaned when they entered, side by side, Magdalo territory in 1897.  Here's Artemio Ricarte (1927) dramatic recollection of it -- 

"... Pagkatanggap ng anyaya, si G. Andres Bonifacio ay umalis na kasama sina GG. Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona at ang sugo ng Magdiwang, upang magtungong Nobeleta; sila'y nagdaan ngunit di na nagtigil pa sa Cavite el Viejo, at dumating sila sa Nobeleta nang unang oras ng hapon ng araw ding yaon, na di na kasama si G. Baldomero Aguinaldo. Sila'y tinanggap ng maraming pinunong naghihimagsik sa maliwalas at bagong bahay ng hukom pamayapa ng Nobeleta na siyang ipinahandang pangsamantala. Nang ika-3 ng hapon ding yaon, si G. Andres Bonifacio at G. Emilio Jacinto ay lumulan sa isang sasakyang natatalibaan sa magkabilang tabi; sa gawing kanan, ang nakakabayong si G. Daniel Tirona ay bunot ang sableng sumisigaw ng buong lakas tuwing matatapat a pook na may pulutong na tao, ng:- Mabuhay ang Supremo ng Katipunan! Nasa kaliwa naman si G. Esteban San Juan, sa likod nito'y kasunod ang mga sasakyan ng tanang mga Kagawad ng Magdiwang at saka dalawang pulutong na kawal na nakaunipormeng pula, isang pangkat sa harap at isa pa rin sa likod, at sa ganitong ayus ay nagsilakad ang lahat na patungong San Francisco de Malabon. Dito'y tinanggap ng buong sigla si G. Andres Bonifacio sa tugtog ng banda ng musika at saka "Te-Deum" sa simbahaln. Ilang nasa lansangan ang sumigaw ng:- Mabuhay ang Hari ng Pilipinas! bagay na narinig at sinagot naman ni G. Andres Bonifacio ng:- Mabuhay ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas! Ang Kataas-taasang Pang-ulo ay tumuloy muna sa bahay ni G. Santos Nocon, komandante noon ng hukbong naghihimagsik, at nang huli ay sa kayayaring bahay ni Ginang Estefania Potente, hanggang sa araw na ikinakuha ng mga kastila sa bayang San Francisco de Malabon noong nagsimula ang Abril ng 1897 (Ricarte, 1927)." 

An English version can be read from the translation of revolutionary General Santiago Alvarez's memoirs, published in 1992: 

“The Supremo left Imus for Noveleta in the company of Messrs. Emilio Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona, Baldomero Aguinaldo, Esteban San Juan, and others.  They did not stop at Kawit, although it was along their way to Noveleta.  When they reached Noveleta before two in the afternoon, they were joyfully greeted by the Magdiwang leaders and troops.  They were welcomed by a brass band, flags, fireworks and gunfire, and by shouts of “Long live the Supremo!” The Supremo would then answer back, “Long live the Motherland!”

“The party was led to a house where they ate and rested for a while.  At past three that afternoon, the Supremo and Sec. Emilio Jacinto boarded a luxurious carriage by well-fed, swift white horse to inspect the defense positions of the Katipunan territories.  A cavalry detachment led by Col. Santos Nocon provided the honor guard in front, on the left and right sides, and at the rear of the carriage.  Astride a magnificent horse, Magdalo Secretary of War Daniel Tirona rode abreast on the right side of the Supremo and Sec. Emilio Jacinto.  His sword was drawn and he was wearing a cap. Whenever they passed a crowd he would shout, “Long live the Supremo!” 

“On the left side was Maj. Esteban San Juan, and at the rear were Magdiwang infantrymen.  They were followed by a cavalry detachment and armed troops dressed in red. After inspecting the Katipunan country and its defenses, they proceeded to San Francisco de Malabon.  There the Supremo was also welcomed most warmly.  There was a brass band, pealing of the church bells, and a Te Deum said by Fr. Manuel Trias, a Katipunan member.

““Along the streets, some shouted, “Long live the King!” to which the Supremo would answer, “Long live the Motherland!”

“At San Francisco de Malabon, the Supremo stayed for some time at the house of Col. Santos Nocon and later moved to the house of Mrs. Estefania Potente.” 

We've been looking for Emilio Jacinto after this triumphant entry to Magdalo country. Where was he during the prosecution of his supremo in Cavite?  We were expecting a John the Beloved accompanying and protecting Gregoria during the trial, and when she went looking for her missing husband and his brother.

Alas, there's no passion and death of Andres Bonifacio according to Emilio Jacinto, the beloved brother. 

There's an account though of how Jacinto eluded the Spanish authorities after getting wounded in a battle in Majayjay, Laguna in 1898.  He recovered and went back to Manila, staying there briefly.  When he returned to Majayjay, he got sick and never got well again.  He died on 16 April 1899.

References:

• Alvarez, Santiago V. (c1992).  The Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General with the Original Tagalog Text / Translated into English by Paula Carolina Malay.  Quezon City:  Ateneo de Manila University Press. Available in parts at http://books.google.com.

• Cruz, Hermenegildo.(1922). Kartilyang makabayan : mḡa tanóng at sagot ukol kay Andres Bonifacio at sa Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan.  Manila: S.P.  Retrieved from http://name.umdl.umich.edu/ADT3553.0001.001

• Fernández, Leandro H. (1926). The Philippine Republic. New York:Columbia University.  Retrieved from http://name.umdl.umich.edu/afj2313.0001.001

• Jesus, Gregoria de. (1930, June).  Autobiography of Gregoria de Jesus.  Tr. by Leandro H. Fernandez.  Philippine Magazine.  27(1):16-18,65-68.  Retrieved from http://name.umdl.umich.edu/acd5869.0027.001

• Ricarte, Artemio. (1927). Himagsikan nang manga Pilipino laban sa Kastila. Yokohama, Japan:"Karihan Cafe". Available at http://name.umdl.umich.edu/acs6869.0001.001

• Santos Cristobal, Epifanio de los. (1918, June). Emilio Jacinto. The Philippine review (Revista Filipina). Gregorio Nieve, ed. 3(6)412-429.  Manila, P.I.  Retrieved at http://name.umdl.umich.edu/acp0898.0003.001

• Santos, Jose P. (1935). Buhay at mga sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto. Paunang salita ng Kgg. Rafael Palma. Place of publication and publisher not indicated.

Message to the Filipino People from Emilio Jacinto on the 365th Day of the Benigno Aquino III Government

Flag and doves detail. Bonifacio Memorial Shrine, Manila.

We thought that Epifanio de los Santos's translation of Ang Bayan at ang mga Gobiernong Pinuno and Ang Gumawa from Liwanag at Dilim of Emilio Jacinto would make good reading while we wait for His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III to deliver the State of the Nation Address on the 365th day of his governance.

"Emilio Jacinto gave his people the Cartilla," EDS (1918) wrote, "founded an organ for the defence of the interests of the Katipunan, and, finally, wrote Liwanag at Dilim, in which he embodied, in the form of axioms and sentences, the moral, social, and governing principles by which the Society was to be ruled. And in order that it might be self-supporting, he wrote the Estatutos ... along economical lines."  

Jacinto was, in today's parlance, the chief of staff of supremo Andres Bonifacio.  "They were like brothers," Gregoria de Jesus said of her husband and the younger man.  

"THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT

"Now, when the aurora of liberty is beginning to appear and the path of true joy is the rule of the common effort until the desired goal is reached, the sons of the people must learn all those things which the subjection to Spain has prevented them from learning.

"It is important that they should know them, because they are like the flower that ripens into a fruit, and are what the wind is to the sail of the caravels that mark and point out the course of the peoples and the governments in order to make them true and permanent.

"When this is not the case, the right path is abandoned and the most beautiful project is but a histrionic exhibition and the most beautiful discourse traitorous suggestion.

"Oh, son of the people! remember the blood thou hast spilled and thy suffering and efforts in order that honor and right, which were downtrodden, might spring to new life. Consider them well, and thou wilt be sorry to have that right taken from thee again because of thy blindness and cowardice.

"Always bear in mind that with a new life come new customs.

"And, who can foretell? Perhaps ignorant and corrupt authorities may govern who will not desire thy welfare, but be lawless exploiters, who will dazzle thy eyes with the splendor of their power and with the attractive eloquence of their words. It is thy duty to be on guard, to sharpen thy intelligence, and to distinguish the good ruler from the bad, in order that thy efforts mav not miscarry.

"The people whom I address is not the local community, but that formed by the inhabitants of the whole earth.

"Nevertheless, in every community and society there is need of a head, of one who has power over the rest for direction and good example, and for the maintenance of unity among members and associates, and who will guide them to the desired goal, just as a vessel that is not guided by a skilful navigator runs the risk of losing its course and suffer dreadful shipwreck in mid-ocean, without hope of ever reaching the shores of the happy land of promise for which it was bound.

"This head is called the government, and he who is called upon to exercise its power, the governor.

"The object of all government is the people, and the security and welfare of the people must be the aim of all its laws and acts.

"For whatever may happen, the government is responsible. And its duties are to guide and lead the people to happiness. If it turns out badly and departs from the right path, it will be because it wanted to do so and because it was misled.

"And if one who sins against another is punished, what will be the punishment of him who sins against a whole people, an infinite multitude of his similars? And if the departure from the right path was due to ignorance on the part of the guide and ruler, why did he not allow, or make, another act as guide who knew the right path? Let us wipe out the habit of thinking that the ruler is the lord of the people and whatever he thinks and does is good. Let us accustom ourselves to thinking and saying that the happiness of all is the only duty of the ruler, in order that he may bear it in mind.

"I believe, and believe firmly, that the prosperity of a people lies with the people itself. A people that knows and esteems right and has as a rule of conduct kindness and dignity in all its acts, will not place itself at the mercy of any tyrant, nor submit to force and fraud, nor become the accomplice of the exalted and abominable prevaricator who rules on the heights of power.

"And as I believe in this, I call it to the attention of the sons of the people, because thus only will that custom be relegated to oblivion and no longer will we have said of us what Baltazar says in the following verses: 'While the perverse and traitors raise their arrogant heads, the good are ashamed and hang their heads.'

'Kaliluha't sama ang ulo'y nagtayo,

at ang kabaita'y kimi't nakayuko.'

"'We have already seen that we are all equal; that the power of the ruler was not given to him by nature, and that as a man he is on the same level as the rest. Hence all power, in order to be reasonable and genuine, must be exercised for the benefit of the people from which it emanated.

"Briefly, we must not recognize the superiority of the ruler as an attribute attached to him by nature. The obedience and respect due him are derived from the power conferred upon him by the people themselves, a power which is the integration of all the powers of the people.

"For this reason, he who obeys the power conferred by the people obeys the people and identifies himself with the will of all the citizens that compose the people, which identification or accord is necessary for the very life of the people.

"This alone will prevent abominable treason, now bankrupt, from again raising her head or posing as the hero or champion of the people and of liberty.

"Otherwise the people will not travel on the right path, and the people and its liberty will be overcome by lying invocations of these three magical names which are always pleasing to the ear.

"It is already an axiom that nobody can look out for a person as well as that person himself.

"And it is incumbent upon the people, if they wish to prevent their being held in contempt and enslaved, to be firm and to unmask and repel the disguised traitor.

"The tranquillity and prosperity of a community or society demand the existence of an intermediary high power, elected by the community, whose purpose It is to insure and insure unity among all the associates, which is the source of strength and vitality.

"From the highest official to the humblest citizen they must obey and comply with the laws that have emanated from this power created by the people and established by its representative, the Congress.

"But, alas! often the just and proper is relegated to the background and the excessive ambition for power, allied with the boundless ambition for gain, struggle to open the way for iniquity.

"The power of those who govern depends upon the love and esteem of the governed, and these are obtained only by a just and prudent conduct.

"Those make a great mistake who believe they can maintain their power by means of force and the gun: they are near-sighted and do not understand the lesson taught by terrible events recorded in History.

"Nobody is as good-hearted as he who is sincere and honest by disposition, yet at the same time nobody abominates like him abuses and violence and abject meekness.

"Those who govern constantly appeal to right and to the gratitude owing by the people. That is what they continually harp upon. But he on whose side is the right is the people, because he who governs owes duties to the people, namely, to work for its prosperity and execute its will. But, how many understand or wish to understand this truth?

"The welfare of the people, and nothing else, is the real reason and object, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, of all the duties of those who govern.

"But this same welfare often disappear and suffers when heartless petulance rises to power; when protection and right surrender to bribery and to servility towards the mighty.

"It is then that criminals reap their harvests and that presumptuous stupidity rises like the foam.

"The time is come for the wicked to change their ways and spontaneously to make reparation for their great errors. They resemble the chameleon that takes the color of the tree to which it clings.

"The most efficient lever against these evils is the education of the people and a change in their customs.

"The laws must therefore be obeyed and respected, as the expression of the popular will, and not the will of those who govern, as they are merely charged with carrying out those same laws.

"The ancient custom of considering the judge as above the law has serious consequences, because law and right are both undermined by it.

"This custom must, therefore, be abandoned and it must be proclaimed that the laws are above all human consideration, because they are the expression of the will of the people, and that if the judges desire to retain their positions, they must necessarily comply with the dictates of justice; otherwise they must be removed.

"The welfare of the people is the sole purpose of all the governments on earth. The people is all: blood and life, wealth and strength, all is of the people. The army raised for the defence of the lives of all is formed by the sons of the people; the wealth of the government comes from the sons of the people; the greatness and strength of the government are due to the loyalty and obedience of the sons of the people, and all that is useful to life, is the product of the industry of the sons of the people who till the fields, breed and keep the cattle, and make the things and utensils necessary for life.

"We have seen that the people, in order to exist and progress, need a head or government whom it is the duty of the people to grant, for its maintenance, subsidies or taxes which must be imposed and invested only with the manifest consent of the taxpayers.

"WORK

"Work is a gift to humanity, because it awakens and gives vigor to intellectual power, will, and body, which are indispensable for progress in life. The sacred writings from which the Christian religion originated, narrate that work is a punishment imposed by God upon Adam, the father of the human race, for having tasted of the forbidden fruit, and this punishment has been inherited by us, his sons. But this legend is erroneous and contrary to the will of God, and from it springs the human error that work, being a punishment, is a corporal affliction looked upon like an unavoidable ailment.

"For this reason many are ashamed to work, principally the wealthy, the powerful, and the learned who make a vain show of that which they style the comforts of life or corporal well-being.

"And they finish in the mire, leading a miserable and abject life that tends to bring about the destruction of the human race.

"Whatever is useful, whatever tends to make life easier, that let us support because it is a result well worthy of our efforts.

"He who toils keeps away from a life of disorderly and bad habits and boredom, finds diversion in labor, and becomes strong, prosperous, and cheerful.

"Contemplating the so-called rich, great, and alleged wise men, we can see through their outward prosperity, social splendor, and happiness, and perceive wearisomeness, weakness, haughtiness, coupled with vicious habits, which are the source of the countless ailments that little by little destroy them.

"How much truth is there in what our Baltazar has sung in his verses 'Those who grow up 'midst the revelries of wealth, are devoid of judgment and kindness and lacking in counsel.'

'Ang laki sa layaw karaniwa'y hubad

sa bait at muni't sa hatol ay salat.'

"God wants us to work, because if we see ourselves surrounded with all we need and swim in abundance, it is the result of our efforts, hence, without doubt, work is neither punishment nor a penalty, but a reward and blessing bestowed by God upon man through the grace of his great love." 

 

Sources:  

Santos Cristobal, Epifanio de los. (1918, June). Emilio Jacinto. The Philippine review (Revista Filipina). 3(6)412-429.  Manila, P.I.  Retrieved at http://name.umdl.umich.edu/acp0898.0003.001

Jesus, Gregoria de. (1930, June).  Autobiography of Gregoria de Jesus.  Leandro H. Fernandez, Tr.  Philippine Magazine.  27(1):16-18,65-68.  Retrieved from http://name.umdl.umich.edu/acd5869.0027.001

While looking for JP Rizal, we stumbled upon Emilio Jacinto

Frontispiece of Buhay at mga Sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto by Jose P. Santos (1935). This portrait of Emilio Jacinto was done by Guillermo Tolentino for the Philippine Free Press of 20 July, 1929.  The artist returned to the country in 1924 after his studies in Italy.

We were looking for Jose Rizal in the digital library collection of the University of Michigan (The United States and Its Territories, 1870-1925: The Age of Imperialism), and our digital angel led us through a maze of 1,443 matches in 417 records .

We were surprised that the angel led us to ‘Pagsusulatan nang dalauang binibini na si Urbana at ni Feliza: na nagtuturo ng mabuting kaugalian’ (Castro, 19na).  Left clicks showed Jose Rizal in three stanzas of Tagalog poems, but they're not from pen-pal conversations between the two ladies.  They were part of poetic tributes to Emilio Jacinto in Buhay at mga Sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto [Life and Writings of Emilio Jacinto] by Jose P. Santos (1935), son of Don Panyong or Epifanio de los Santos, and two of those stanzas describe an encounter between him and the national hero.

Here Jacinto was portrayed as a poor Chinese impostor in the attempt to reach Jose Rizal --

• Nagdamit-intsik kang/ pagkahiraphirap upang ibalita/ kay Gat Jose Rizal/ ang dakilang mithi nitong iyong Lupa,/ na kung mangyayari’y minsanang lumaya/ sa kamay ng Haring nagpapakasiba./ Dakilang Bayani;/ sa katutuhanan, ako’y naniniwala/ na napakatangi/ ang pag-iisip mo, diwa’t munakala,/ sa kapwa ko tao’y talagang bihira/ ang sa ginawa mo’y hindi pa hahanga. (from “Emilio Jacinto” by Julian Cruz Balmaseda) 

• Humuwad sa isang intsik na mahirap/ upang sa lihiman ay maipahayag/ kay Gat Jose Rizal ang guhit ng palad/ nitong baying ibig kumita ng lunas,/ na kung mangyayari’y sadyang mailadlad. (from “Pingkian” by Romualdo G Ramos)

Epifanio de los Santos (1918) described this episode as taking place in July 1896 when, "disguised as a Chinese cargador, he secretly introduced himself into Dr. Rizal's cabin in order to convince him that he ought to make common cause with the sons of the people."

Jose Santos mentioned two missions from Andres Bonifacio to rescue Rizal.  One was successful, where he and fellow katipunero Guillermo Masangkay pretended to be boat stewards on swab duties --

• Emilio Jacinto upang makausap lamang si Dr. Rizal na nooo'y nasa look ng Maynila, lulan ng isang lantsa, ay nang walang anu-ano'y salalapit sa tabi ni Dr. Rizal na noo'y nakikipaglaro ng ahedres sa tenyente ng mga beteranang tanod niya, ang dalawang taong may hawak na panglampaso at makailang sumagid sa tabi ni Dr. Rizal. Nahulaan naman agad ni Dr. Rizal na may mahalagang sadya sa kaniya ang mga taong ito kaya sandaling nagpaalam sa kaniyang kalaro at, nagtung o sa kaniyang silid. Nilapitan siya ng isa sa mga naglalampaso at ipinatalastas na kaya sila nagtungo roon ay sa utos ng Supremo Bonifacio at ang ibig ay agawin si Dr. Rizal sa kamay ng mga tanod na kastila, mangyari na ang mangyayari. Sinasabi ng ibang nagalit si Dr. Rizal nang marinig ang gayong pasabi sa kaniya, nguni't ang totoo raw, ayon naman sa patunay ni G. Lope K. Santos, ay walang isinagot si Dr. Rizal kundi ang huwag silang gumawa ng gayon at siya ang bahala sa kaniyang katawan. ...Ang patrono ng lantsa na nagaapelyidong Reyes ay kapatid sa katipunan, kaya nangyaring nakapasok doon si Emilio Jaeinto at ang isa pa niyang kasamang si Guillermo Masangkay (Santos). 

and an unsuccesful one where he disguised as a laundryman from Kawit  --

• Nang si Rizal ay isakay sa munting bapor "Otalora" upang ilipat sa  malaking "Castilla" (Isla de Panay," ayon sa namatay na mananalaysay na si G. Manuel Artigas at Cuerva) ay muling humabol si Emilio Jacinto at upang maisagawa ito ay nagdamit labanderong taga-Kawit, nguni't ni hindi man lamang niya nakuhang makalapit kay Dr. Rizal dahil sa ito'y natatalibaan nang mabuti (Santos). 

Cruz (1922) had another version of the first rescue operation. This one had a date, August 5, 1896, and the cast is still the same, Jacinto and Masangkay as sailors (not laundrymen nor in disguise as Chinese) on board the launch "Caridad" that will bring Rizal to the boat "Espana."

• Datapwa, ang nais ni Bonifacio, bagaman si Rizal ay di nila kaayon, ay siya'y gawing pangulong pangdangal at siya'y magawang sanggunian, bagay itong di nangyari. Nang si Rizal ay dumating sa Maynila noong ika 5 ng Agosto ng 1896 na galing sa Dapitan na pinagtapunan sa kanya, ay tinangka nina Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto at ibang kasamahan na siya'y itanan. Si Emilio Jacinto ay nagsuot marinero. at nagsadya sa lancha "Caridad" na kinalululanan ni Rizal sa paglunsad sa bapor "Espana."Kunwa'y nagliinis, at sa isang pagkakataon ay ibinulong sa ating bayani: "Kung kayo po'y ibibilanggo, ay ililigtas namin kayo. Kami'y nahahanda." Palibhasa'y umaasa si Rizal sa kalinisan ng kanyang budhi sa matapat na pakikisama niya sa pamahalaan noon, sumagot ng gayari: "Salamat. Huwag ninyong gawin iya sa akin. Bayaan ninyo't nalalaman ko ang aking gagawin." Dahil dito, ang nais na yaon nina Bonifacio ay di nga nangyari at sa gayo'y napilitang magkasya na sa sarisarili nilang pamamatnugot ng "Katipunan." 

It doesn't really matter now how many or which of the cited rescue missions took place. But definitely, Jacinto was able to talk to his idol Jose Rizal, ang kanyang uliran sa kabutihang asal at sa panunulat (Santos).

Jacinto wrote both in Tagalog and Spanish.  Because they spoke kastilang tindahan or lenguaje de tienda at home as most of Manila people of that time did, he was not fluent in Tagalog.  It was something learned fast under the tutelage primarily of Andres Bonifacio, and pretty soon he was at the helm of the Katipunan propaganda machine.

Critics praised his Tagalog prose. Bonifacio even deferred to Jacinto's version of the Kartilya and had it officially adopted by the Katipunan.  His Liwanag at Dilim, which embodied his personal political beliefs, had been deemed as the Katipunan political ideology as well.  It may be worth to check if the ideals defined under these section headings--Ang Ningning at Ang Liwanag (Light and Glitter), Kalayaan (Liberty), At Tayo'y Magkakapantay (All Men are Equal), Ang Pagibig (Love), Ang Bayan at ang mga (Gobierno) Pinuno (People and Government), Ang Maling Pagsampalataya (False Belief) and Ang Gumawa (Work)--especially People and Government, still apply to the crusade for Ang Daang Matuwid (The Straight Path) of our government today.

He wrote a few poems in Spanish, but only his A La Patria, which he signed as Dimas-Ilaw, saw print. De los Santos regarded this work "visibly an imitation of the Ultimo Adios and even of the pseudonym of the Great Filipino ... inferior to its model in literary respects but comes up to it in sincerity ..."

Jacinto wrote statutes that provided for some kind "of agricultural, industrial and commercial trust for the rebellious provinces ... [that] would sustain the revolution," which was reflective of Rizal's Liga Filipina (De los Santos).

• Nang kasalukuyang nag-aapoy ang himagsikan ay binalak ni Emilio Jacinto na magtatag ng isang samahan ng mga magkakababayan ukol sa pagsasaka, pagpapagawa at pangangalakal at ito 'y maglalayon ng pagpapayaman sa bayan upang may mapagkunan ng puhunan at lakas sa pakikibaka. Nahahawig ang samahang yaon sa Liga Filipina ni Rizal (Santos).

Idol! That was Rizal to Emilio Jacinto. 

And Bonifacio?  In today's parlance, they were BFFs! More of this in the next blog. 


References:

• Cruz, Hermenegildo.(1922). Kartilyang makabayan: mḡa tanóng at sagot ukol kay Andres Bonifacio at sa Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan.  Manila: S.P.  Retrieved from http://name.umdl.umich.edu/ADT3553.0001.001
•  Santos, Epifanio de los. (1918, June). Emilio Jacinto. The Philippine Review. 3(6):412-430. Retrieved from  http://name.umdl.umich.edu/acp0898.0003.001 
• Santos, Jose P. (1935). Buhay at mga sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto. Paunang salita ng Kgg. Rafael Palma.  Published by Dr Jose Bantug, place of publication not indicated. 

Note:  Santos's Buhay is accessed as Pag susulatan nang dalauang binibini na si Urbana at ni Feliza: na nagtuturo ng̃ mabuting kaugalian / kinatha nang Modesto de Castro, obviously a catalog error, through http://name.umdl.umich.edu/aqa1997.0001.001.