Kartilya ng Katipunan
by: Emilio Jacinto
Background of the Author
Historians regard Emilio Jacinto as the “Brain
of the Katipunan” Artemio Ricarte called him
the “Moses of the Filipino people” While
Epifanio de los Santos considered him as the
“Soul of the Revolution” and the “Eyes of the
Katipunan.
Emilio Jacinto was born in Trozo, Manila on
December 15, 1875. His father was Mariano
Jacinto who, according to Zaide was a
bookkeeper but according to Epifanio, was
a merchant. His mother Josefa Dizon was a
Manghihilot or midwife.
He studied at the private school of Maestro Ferrer and later, at the
private school of Jose Dizon.
He used the pen name “Pingkian,” “Dimasilaw,” and “Ka Ilyong”
He joined the katipunan in 1894 and was the youngest member.
He also became the director of the printing shop and Library of the
Katipunan.
Jacinto was proclaimed “Generalissimo of the North” (Punong Hukbo
sa Hilagaan)
He was also the editor of the newspaper of the katipunan. He died of
malaria on April 16, 1899 at 23 years old.
Historical Background of the Kartilya
Andres Bonifacio long wanted to have a codified document
listing the duties and responsibilities of every member of the
Katipunan. Incidentally, as Bonifacio was drafting the said
document, Emilio Jacinto was writing one as well. By the
time that Bonifacio was about to consult Jacinto for
comments on his draft, the latter presented his work to
Supremo. After seeing the draft of Kartilya ng Katipunan by
Emilio Jacinto, Bonifacio was impressed with Jacinto’s style
of writing and decided to adopt the Kartilya as the
guidebook for the rules and regulations of the Katipunan.
Following are the other factors that were influential in the
forming of the Katipunan and that of Kartilya.
1. The Age of Enlightenment
Gave way to Liberalism and Classicism in the 20th century,
Modernism. In this period, secret societies like the Freemasons were
established. Coffeehouses, newspapers, and literary salons flourished as
new places for ideas to circulate and transfer.
2. The French Revolution
Was a period of social and political upheaval in France. it became
the focal point for the development of all modern political ideologies.
This led to the spread of radicalism, liberalism, and nationalism which
greatly influenced the ilustrados in the Philippines and in Europe.
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3. Masonary
Was introduced to the Philippines in 1856 when a Spanish naval
officer organized a lodge in Cavite under the auspices of the
Portuguese Gran Oriente Lusitano. Through Filipino students studying in
Spain, masonary further spread in Philippine circles, among Marcelo H.
del Pilar, Jose Alejandrino, brothers Antonio and Juan Luna, Jose Rizal
and more. Masonary, as a civic movement promoting fraternity,
evidently influenced the dynamics of the, Katipunan. Jesuit Francisco
Foradada, wrote that Filipino filibusterism (subversion).
4. Propaganda Movement
Was propelled by the execution of the three priest, Gomburza, in
1872 which left profound effect on many Filipinos including Jose Rizal.
After the execution, many Filipinos started questioning Spanish
authorities and saked for reforms. The ilustrados demended for reforms
through a systematic and peaceful movement later called the
Propaganda Movement.
5. La Liga Filipina
Was established by Jose Rizal whe he decide to return to the
Philippines to continue to call for reforms through legal means. However,
the operations of La Liga were cut short when Rizal was arrested and
exiled to Dapitan. Left without leader, La Liga split into factions the
Katipunan by Andres Bonifacio and the Cuerpo de Compromisarios led
by Numeriano Adriano.
Kartilya ng Katipunan
1. Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay
kahoy na walang lilim, kundi damong makamandag
2. Ang gawang magaling na nagbubuhat sa pagpipita sa sarili, at hindi sa talagang
nasang gumawa ng kagalingan, ay di kabaitan.
3. Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang gawa, ang pagibig sa kapua at
ang isukat ang bawat kilos, gawa’t pangungusap sa talagang Katuiran.
4. Maitim man at maputi ang kulay ng balat, lahat ng tao’y magkakapantay;
mangyayaring ang isa’y higtan sa dunong, sa yaman, sa ganda…; ngunit di
mahihigtan sa pagkatao.
5. Ang may mataas na kalooban inuuna ang puri sa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may
hamak na kalooban inuuna ang pagpipita sa sarili sa puri.
6. Sa taong may hiya, salita’y panunumpa.
7. Huag mong sasayangin ang panahun; ang yamang nawala’y magyayaring
magbalik; nguni’t panahong nagdaan na’y di na muli pang magdadaan. Value
of time
8. Ipagtanggol mo ang inaapi, at kabakahin ang umaapi.
9. Ang taong matalino’y ang may pagiingat sa bawat sasabihin, at matutong
ipaglihim ang dapat ipaglihim.
10. Sa daang matinik ng kabuhayan, lalaki ay siyang patnugot ng asawa’t mga
anak; kung ang umaakay ay tungo sa sama, ang patutunguhan ng iaakay ay
kasamaan din.
11. Ang babai ay huag mong tignang isang bagay na libangan lamang, kundi
isang katuang at karamay sa mga kahirapan nitong kabuhayan; gamitan mo ng
buong pagpipitagan ang kaniyang kahinaan, at alalahanin ang inang
pinagbuhata’t nagiwi sa iyong kasangulan.
12. Ang di mo ibig na gawin sa asawa mo, anak at kapatid, ay huag mong
gagawin sa asawa, anak, at kapatid ng iba.
13. Ang kamahalan ng tao’y wala sa pagkahari, wala sa tangus ng ilong at puti ng
mukha, wala sa pagkaparing kahalili ng Dios wala sa mataas na kalagayan sa
balat ng lupa; wagas at tunay na mahal na tao, kahit laking gubat at walang
nababatid kundi ang sariling wika, yaong may magandang asal, may isang
pangungusap, may dangal at puri; yaong di napaaapi’t di nakikiapi; yaong
marunong magdamdam at marunong lumingap sa bayang tinubuan.
14. Paglaganap ng mga aral na ito at maningning na sumikat ang araw ng mahal
na Kalayaan dito sa kaabaabang Sangkalupuan, at sabugan ng matamis niyang
liwanag ang nangagkaisang magkalahi’t magkakapatid ng ligaya ng walang
katapusan, ang mga ginugol na buhay, pagud, at mga tiniis na kahirapa’y labis
nang natumbasan. Kung lahat ng ito’y mataruk na ng nagiibig pumasuk at inaakala
niyang matutupad ang mga tutungkulin, maitatala ang kaniyang ninanasa sa
kasunod nito.
The Katipunan Code of Conduct
1. The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is
a tree without a shade, if not a poisonous weed.
2. To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue.
3. It is rational to be charitable and love one's fellow creature, and to
adjust one's conduct, acts and words to what is in itself reasonable.
4. Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal:
superiority in knowledge, wealth and beauty are to be understood,
but not superiority by nature.
5. The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel,
gain to honor.
6. To the honorable man, his word is sacred.
7. Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered but not time lost.
8. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in
the field.
9. The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets.
10. On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the
children, and if the guide leads to the precipice, those whom he
guides will also go there.
11. Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a
faithful companion who will share with thee the penalties of life; her
(physical) weakness will increase thy interest in her and she will
remind thee of the mother who bore thee and reared thee.
12. What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers
and sisters, that do not unto the wife, children, brothers and sisters of
thy neighbor.
13. Man is not worth more because he is a king, because his nose is
aquiline, and his color white, not because he is a *priest, a servant of
God, nor because of the high prerogative that he enjoys upon earth,
but he is worth most who is a man of proven and real value, who does
good, keeps his words, is worthy and honest; he who does not
oppress nor consent to being oppressed, he who loves and cherishes
his fatherland, though he be born in the wilderness and know no
tongue but his own.
14. When these rules of conduct shall be known to all, the longed-for
sun of Liberty shall rise brilliant over this most unhappy portion of the
globe and its rays shall diffuse everlasting joy among the
confederated brethren of the same rays, the lives of those who have
gone before, the fatigues and the well-paid sufferings will remain. If
he who desires to enter (the Katipunan) has informed himself of all this
and believes he will be able to perform what will be his duties, he
may fill out the application for admission.
