Byaheng Bonifacio: Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan

The Department of Tourism and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines recently launched the Byaheng Bonifacio: Byaheng Bayani ng Bayan. This journey will take you to the places that have somehow played a role in the life of Andres Bonifacio. It will also allow you get to know him beyond the fierce-looking, bolo-wielding image depicted in the few monuments that are erected in his honor. This is just one of the many activities that the DOT and the NHCP have come up to commemorate Bonifacio’s sesquicentennial year.

Who is this man then in our Php 10.00 coin? Why is he considered to be one of our national heroes? Why is his birth (November 30) and not his death, declared a national holiday in the Philippines? These are just among the many questions that may be given a new perspective in the 16 ‘pit-stops’ in this mini-Amazing Race.

The sites are:

Metro Manila Sites
1. Tutuban – Tutuban Mall, CM Recto Ave. Manila
2. KKK Foundation Site – El Cano Cor Recto Ave. Manila
3. Binondo Church – Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila
4. The Cry of Pugad Lawin – Seminary Road, Brgy. Bahay Toro, Quezon City
5. Krus na Ligas – Brgy. Krus na Ligaas, Quezon City
6. Pinaglabanan Shrine – Pinaglabanan St., San Juan City
7. Hagdang Bato – Hagdang Bato Barangay Center, A. Bonifacio St., Mandaluyong City
8. Valentin Cruz Residence/Pasig Catholic Church – Caruncho Ave. (MH Del Pilar St), Pasig City

Cavite Sites
9. Imus Plaza – Tiron St., Poblacion, Imus, Cavite
10.Tribunal – Gen. Antonio St. Poblacion, Noveleta, Cavite
11.Tejeros Convention – Gen. Trias Drive, Brgy. Tejeros, Rosario Cavite
12.Pinagbarilan – Brgy. Limbon, Indang Cavite
13.Casa Hacienda de Naic – Brgy. C. Nazareno, Poblacion, Naic Cavite
14.Trial House – Col. Riel St., (Poblacion), Maragondon, Cavite
15.Execution Site – Brgy. Pinagsanhan, Maragondon, Cavite

Rizal Site
16.Pamitinan Cave – Sitio Wawa, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal

Optional Sites
1. Bonifacio National Monument – Caloocan City
2. Bonifacio Shrine – Manila
3. Bonifacio Monument – Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila
4. Bonifacio Monument – Bonifacio Global City
5. El Grito de la Revolucion Monument – Vinzons Hall, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City
6. Bonifacio Monument – Pasig City

For those who are interested, all you have to do is to obtain a ‘Bonifacio passport’ from the Department of Tourism office. It contains directions (for both commuting and private vehicles) in getting to the sites and a thorough background of Andres Bonifacio’s life.

In comparison to the Rizal@150 race, there are no stamps that should be collected in the Byaheng Bonifacio. You just have to take a photo of yourself at each of the 16 sites to somehow prove that you were really there. I really thought that this is a welcome change, especially for those of us who are working on weekdays. Now we could visit the sites on weekends and even during evenings as well.

The Bonifacio Monument in Manila – yet another bolo-wielding depiction of Bonifacio.

However, there is no $1,000,000 cash prize at the end of the race. The first 100 people that could finish this unique journey would be given a token and a certificate by the NHCP. But learning something new about Bonifacio, and all our heroes for that matter is already a reward in itself. They may be immortalized in our paper bills, street names and lifeless sculptures, but we often forget that they too are human beings. They also have their share of controversy and achievement, sorrow and happiness, despair and hope.

And Andres Bonifacio, who is considered to be the Great Plebeian, is indeed among the Filipino heroes that should be given honor, recognition and to some extent, another glance.