WHO IS JPR?

JPR was primarily concerned about where any revolution would lead the people. Would the revolution result in a new people emerging from the smoke and debris of war? Will the survivors become morally enlightened and free from friar superstitious bullshit? Will their children develop self-respect and treat fellow human beings honourably? Will the people reject exploitation and social parasitism, and justly reward productive labor? If the revolution will result in people's moral enlightenment and upliftment, JPR was all for it. If it will end in musical chairs where rebels replace the fucking friars as overlords of power and exploitation, huwag na lang. Saka na.

JPR was less concerned about military victory and more about moral evolution and progress. He cannot be credited for predicting the outcome of an armed revolt against Spain as it was impossible to do so despite the benefit of historical precedents. The outcome of the Katipunan revolution, or any revolution, can never be predicted. It can only be decided by the determination, courage, and wits of the participants. JPR opted for the path of free-thinking moral enlightenment and reform advocacy. All of which got him executed by the fucking friars. His execution was the most irrefutable evidence to Bonifacio and company that armed revolt was justified under the circumstances they were in. Launching the armed revolt at that time cannot be judged untimely, discovery or no discovery. From historical hindsight, we know the Spanish empire was in an advanced state of rigor mortis. So the Katipunan revolt in 1896, historically, was very timely.

The methods of Bonifacio and Aguinaldo in carrying out the revolution would have shocked JPR had he lived to witness them. And would have strengthened his conviction to postpone the armed revolt and intensify the moral education of the people. Mabini would be complaining later about the rebels' moral corruption. In violation of the moral principles laid down by Emilio Jacinto in the Katipunan's Kartilya, Bonifacio and company tried implicating and blackmailing wealthy natives to join the movement by forging their signatures on counterfeit letters indicating their support of the Katipuneros. JPR would have howled in protest over Aguinaldo's betrayal of the revolution by agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Biak Na Bato Pact. Not to mention his likely moral outrage over the Aguinaldo/Bonifacio power play and salvaging. Most likely Aguinaldo would have had JPR and Antonio Luna EJK-ed together for their moral impertinence.

What Filipinos have today are the detritus and latak of the 1896 revolution. It's now up to us to regenerate the moral principles of the Katipunan Kartilya and forge the new Filipino brimming with integrity and pride.

Allan Tolentino