The Bonifacio Monument, also called Bonifacio Monumento or Monumento, proudly stands in Caloocan City, Metro Manila. It is a powerful symbol created by the National Artist of the Philippines for Sculpture, Guillermo Tolentino, paying tribute to Andrés Bonifacio, a pivotal figure in Philippine history, renowned as the founder and leader of the Katipunan. Bonifacio courageously led the fight for independence, vehemently opposing Spain’s oppressive colonial rule.
Soaring 13.7 meters (45 feet) into the sky, it represents the “Cry of Balintawak,” a crucial event in the Philippine Revolution. Situated at the intersection of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), the MacArthur Highway, Samson Road, and Rizal Avenue Extension (Avenida Rizal), this monument commands attention, embodying a key moment in Philippine history.
ABOVE: Surrounding the main statue are several figures representing fellow revolutionaries, signifying the collective struggle for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule.
ABOVE: Surrounding the main statue are several figures representing fellow revolutionaries, signifying the collective struggle for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule.
Andrés Bonifacio’s passionate call to arms against Spanish rule on August 23, 1896, known as the “Cry of Pugad Lawin,” echoes through time, inspiring courage and resilience. The cornerstone was laid on November 30, 1929, by Aurora Quezon, wife of Manuel L. Quezon, then Filipino Senate President and later President of the Philippines. Inaugurated on November 30, 1933, marking Bonifacio’s 66th birth anniversary, under the directive of American Governor-General Frank Murphy.
ABOVE: The angel atop the Bonifacio Monument, known as the Angel of Freedom, embodies the spirit of liberty and the deep desire for independence that resonates with the Filipino people.
ABOVE: The angel atop the Bonifacio Monument, known as the Angel of Freedom, embodies the spirit of liberty and the deep desire for independence that resonates with the Filipino people.
Crafted at a cost of ₱125,000, a significant sum at the time, the inauguration was attended by luminaries like House Speaker Quintín Paredes. Symbolically representative, women from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, along with representatives from eight provinces pivotal in the 1896 revolution, were involved.
Envision Guillermo Tolentino’s 1933 sculpture—an obelisk with five sections representing various societal aspects, embodying the spirit of the “Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (Highest and Most Venerable Association of the Sons of the Nation). The crowning figure with wings signifies triumph. Below the pylon, 20 bronze figures encircle an octagonal plinth topped by an angel of peace. The octagon symbolizes the eight provinces that bravely fought against Spanish tyranny, echoing the eight rays of the Katipunan flag.
Symbolism echoes through this monument. The plinth’s three steps represent three centuries of Spanish rule, while the bronze figures depict the Filipino people enduring inequality, agony, and suppression. With meticulous detailing and realistic expressions, these sculptures reflect revolutionary zeal, depicting an upright stance with outstretched arms. The central figure wields a bolo and a gun, with the unfurled Katipunan flag as a backdrop.
Surrounded by pools of water, the central obelisk stands as a testament to the resilience and bravery of the Filipino people, immortalizing a historic chapter etched in the country’s rich heritage.
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ABOVE: The Bonifacio Monument, standing over 45 feet tall, depicts Andres Bonifacio with a bolos knife, symbolizing his role as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution,” surrounded by figures of the Katipunan to emphasize unity in their fight for independence.
ABOVE: The Bonifacio Monument, standing over 45 feet tall, depicts Andres Bonifacio with a bolos knife, symbolizing his role as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution,” surrounded by figures of the Katipunan to emphasize unity in their fight for independence.
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