Mang Andres

Ric Maulion

HISTORIANS paid tribute to his contribution to Philippine history. He was called Father of Philippine Revolution (fought five significant battles) to The Great Plebeian. He could even share or take the place of Jose Rizal as de facto national hero. This is not a remote possibility if history would be reviewed.

Some even believe that Bonifacio was the first Philippine president. This view is held by historians Milagros Guerrero, Emmanuel Encarnacion, Ramon Villegas and Michael Charleston Chua. Their assessment is an apt description of a commoner who rose from the ranks to become a leader of Philippine Revolution.

Second, he was already the “Supremo” of the revolutionary government from 1896-1897 before Aguinaldo coined the word Filipinas, displacing Bonifacio’s Tagalog Republic at Tejero’s Convention.

He used the nom de guerre Agapito Bagumbayan, Sinukuan and the most prominent of all, May Pag-asa!

No doubt, he was a nationalist. But for me, the simple “Mang Andres” would be fitting for he represented the great majority of the working class. Why not? Like all Juan de la Cruzes, he was an embodiment of a true blue-blooded hard-working and talented Filipino. He acted, looked, worked and lived like any diligent and peace-loving Filipino mustering enough strength out of pure sweat, blood and tears to make both ends meet for a living.

He worked as mandatorio (leader) to a British Firm Fleming and Company before he shifted as bodegero (warehouse keeper) to an German Warehouse Company.

He didn’t finish his education and had hard time learning the alphabet in 10 years. But relying on his industry and resolve to learn, he literally buried himself with books to keep himself educated. He was even seen reading books during free time at the canteen. That he read important books of general circulation like the Philippine Penal and Civil Code, Bible, French Revolution, biographies, and yes, novels, including Rizal’s El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, must have imbued him all the more greater sense of nationalism. This might have ignited his resolve to fight in the revolution against Spain.

But this was easier said than done. He would soon meet his untimely death, ironically in the hands of a friend, no less than Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who ordered him eliminated. That’s sad,  but his trial and persecution remain a cold case in Philippine history.

I think that affixing one’s signature to the list of revolutionaries using real blood as ink was something deeply rooted and borne out of commitment to their cause. Such gesture showed their motive and that was, loving the country which every revolutionary swore to protect and defend.

This was captured in the lyrics of  his “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.” Given music by Joey Ayala and performed by Inang Laya, here you feel like you are transformed to Cloud 9 as you listen to the splendor of its cadence and the beauty of the lyrics. It evokes a poignant feeling of loss and hurt. Here’s a link to that song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq1bcrYnJaE

Incidentally, I also wrote a tribute to Mang Andres. It was one of my hardest compositions among 13 songs in my RFM Himig Mindnaao CD. First , I did some research on him from which the lyrics came and then I gave it a matching melody that is aimed at bringing the listener back to memory lane. It can even be used as background music for creative projects. It would make your day. Anyone who’s interested can ask me about how to get a copy.

Mabuhay ka, Mang Andres!