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| ENG Emilio Jacinto NL | ||||
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Emilio Jacinto, who gave light to the Katipunan, was born in Trozo, Manila to Mariano Jacinto, a bookkeeper, and Josefa Dizon. Because of poverty, his mother bought unredeemed clothes for him from Casa de Agencia. He tore pieces of a black rug for his shoestrings, and a long piece of hemline from his mother’s skirt for his belt. This made him a target of other’s children’s jokes. |  |
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Despite the family’s acute financial conditions, Jacinto received a good education, Jose Dizon, his uncle, enrolled him at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where he obtained the Bachelor of Arts degree. Although poor in appearance, he was gifted with brains and good character. In 1894, at the age of 19, he joined the Katipunan where Bonifacio befriended him. To Bonifacio, Jacinto was the “Soul of the society.” In the Katipunan elections of December 31, 1895, Jacinto, only a pre-law student in the University of Santo Tomas, was elected fiscal or number two man in the Supreme Council. His enthusiasm, ideals and spirit soon guided the course of the secret revolutionary society. He wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan (Primer of the Katipunan), and the oath of membership, which served as guiding principles of the Katipuneros. Some of the teachings of the Katipunan as written by Jacinto were deeply appreciated by the Katipuneros. a tree which cause no shadow – a poisonous weed. |
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| The writer Jacinto also wrote a collection of political and social essays entitled Liwanag at Dilim. The essays included And Ningning at ang Liwanag; Ako’y Umaasa; Kalayaan; Ang Tao’y Magkakapantay; Ang Pagibig; Ang Bayan at ang Gobierno; Ang Muling Pagsampalataya; and Ang Gumawa. His other writings in prose were: Ang Kasalanan ni Cain; Pagtatatag ng Pamahalaan sa Hukuman ng Silangan; Samahan ng Bayan sa Pangangalakal;Ang Anak ng Bayan; and Pahayag. Jacinto was also a poet. His greatest poem was A La Patria, which he composed under the coconut palms of Santa Cruz, Laguna. Bonifacio recognized Jacinto’s talents and patriotism, and appointed him in various capacities, as secretary, editor, and later general of the Katipunan. Jacinto founded and edited Kalayaan, the Katipunan newspaper which came out for the first time in January 1896. Copies of Kalayaan reached the provinces, and kindled the patriotic fervor of the masses. Thousands joined the Katipunan in the provinces, Jacinto and Bonifacio had to prescribe procedures for mass initiation under cover of fiestas and birthday parties. top |
| Malaria Bonifacio loved Jacinto like his young brother. In the first skirmish in August 1896, Bonifacio was much concerned about Jacinto’s safety. Later the two separated- Jacinto went to Laguna to carry the torch of the Revolution in that province and Bonifacio stayed in Manila suburbs. In February, 1897, Jacinto fought the Spanish cazadores (riflemen) in Magdalena, Laguna. He was wounded in the thigh, and was taken as a prisoner to the church of Santa Cruz where a Spanish surgeon kindly treated his big wound. When the Spanish authorities investigated him, he produced a pass from his pocket which identified him as a Filipino spy named Florentino Reyes (The pass belonged to a Filipino spy Jacinto captures some weeks before). The Spanish authorities, believing Jacinto to be a spy in their service, released him. Immediately, he went into hiding in Manila. |
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After sometime, he returned to Laguna upon the urgent appeal of the fighting patriots of the province who wanted him as
their leader. He established the secret headquarters in the hills of Majayjay. There, he contracted malignant malaria and died on April 16, 1899. He was barely 24. |
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To the Katipuneros, Jacinto was God-sent. He provided the guiding light, ideas, and inspiration, while
Bonifacio kindled their patriotism and courage to rise in arms and fight for freedom. top |
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