Aguinaldo 1897: Ang Pagbitay kay Bonifacio

Part 1 of a trilogy of musicals.

Synopsis:

The play traces the series of crises within the 1896–97 Philippine Revolutionary Movement against Spain. The Spanish counterattack on Cavite in the first few months of 1897 exposes the disunity in the command structure, as well as the lack of discipline and coordination between the rival provincial councils. Strife and deception among the Caviteños escalate and eventually lead to the execution of Andres Bonifacio, erstwhile Supremo of the Katipunan.

The play begins with Andres Bonifacio taking refuge in Cavite as revolutionaries in Manila fall into the Spanish government's dragnet. As the fight against the Spaniards intensifies, leaders of the two provincial councils in Cavite assemble at Imus by the end of December 1896. Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the Magdalo council in Cavite and responsible for several key revolutionary victories in the province, insists on the formation of a revolutionary government. Bonifacio, with the concurrence of Mariano Alvarez, leader of the Magdiwang council, appoints new leaders, with Mariano Alvarez as the head of the new "unified" body. The defects of the structure are revealed by February. The Spanish recapture Silang and Dasmariñas, key Magdalo strongholds. The failure of the Magdiwang leaders to send reinforcements to the Magdalo troops is a violation of the Katipunan pact of brotherhood.

The Katipunero leaders agree to elect new leaders at the Tejeros Assembly on March 22, 1897. Emilio Aguinaldo is elected president, even though the meeting is held in Magdiwang territory and, in principle, the majority of those present belong to the Magdiwang council. The presence of a contingent of Batangueños seems to have worked in favor of the Magdalo, but the meeting is also an indicator of the rejection of the leadership of Mariano Alvarez and Andres Bonifacio. Bonifacio declares the election results null and void, then storms out of the meeting.

The elected officers are sworn into office by the parish priest of Tanza on the night of March 23, 1897. Within two days, Imus falls to the Spaniards; Crispulo Aguinaldo, Emilio's brother, dies in the defense of Imus. Emilio blames the fall of Imus on Bonifacio's refusal to send reinforcements to the Magdalo fighters.

In the second part of the play, more disasters befall the revolutionary ranks in March and April as more towns are retaken by the Spanish forces. Conflicts over borrowed weapons continue to bedevil the troops. Andres Bonifacio attempts to establish another government to challenge Aguinaldo's. Bonifacio threatens to burn down the town of Indang and has letters to show that Aguinaldo is planning to surrender. Aguinaldo catches two of his own men, Mariano Noriel and Pio del Pilar, in connivance with Bonifacio. However, they eventually remain loyal to Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo's loyalists arrest Andres and his brother Procopio on April 28, 1897. The brothers are tried from April 28 to May 4, 1897, and are executed on May 10.

Not Yet Set to Music.

Unproduced.