The real Andres Bonifacio revealed

Episode on November 27, 2007 Monday late night after Saksi Do we really know Andres Bonifacio? Leaving few letters, documents or even pictures of himself, the Father of the Philippine revolution is still shrouded in mystery, the basic facts of his life still debated. But one thing is certain: Bonifacio inspires a depth of nationalistic fervor unrivaled by any Filipino except for Rizal. To accompany him on a search for the hidden Bonifacio, Howie Severino locates Atty. Gary Bonifacio, a great-great grand nephew of Gat Andres and the Bonifacio family's first lawyer. Howie learns that the execution of the Katipunan's Supremo had a devastating effect on the clan that is felt even today, several generations later. Some Bonifacios changed their names and fled Manila for fear of persecution. As they navigate the world of Gat Andres's youth, Howie learns that the so-called Great Plebeian spoke Spanish and had a mestiza mother, worked for multinational companies, and never went around barefoot as is commonly portrayed in popular art. The biggest revelation unfolds after Howie reads rare documents and speaks to historians: Was Bonifacio – and not Emilio Aguinaldo – actually the country's first president? And were the country's first officially recognized elections that elevated Aguinaldo to the Presidency marred by fraud that few textbooks dare mention? I-Witness continues its tradition of groundbreaking documentaries in this Monday’s “Bonifacio: The First President?" a must-see for all students and lovers of history. Watch 2007 PMPC Star Awards’ Best Documentary Program and Program Hosts awards on GMA, Monday night after Saksi.

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Kilala mo ba si Andres Bonifacio? Dahil kakaunti lang ang mga sulat, dokumento at kahit litratong iniwan niya, misteryo para rin kung sino talaga ang Ama ng Rebolusyon. Sa kabila nito, isa ang tiyak: maaring wala na ngang bayani, maliban kay Rizal, ang makatutumbas sa lalim at tindi ng paggunita ng mga Pinoy kay Bonifacio. Para makasama sa kanyang paghahanap sa natatagong Bonifacio, sinamahan si Howie Severino ni Atty. Gary Bonifacio, apo ni Gat Andres sa kapatid niyang si Procopio at ang unang abogado sa pamilya. Sa kanya, natuklasan ni Howie na ang pagpatay sa Supremo ng Katipunan ay nagkaroon ng mabigat na epekto sa pamilya na ramdam pa nila kahit ilang henerasyon na ang lumipas. Ilang Bonifacio na raw ang nagpapalit ng pangalan at marami ang ayaw pa ring lumantad ngayon. Habang binabagtas nila ang mundo ng kabataan ni Gat Andres, natuklasan ni Howie na ang kinilalang Bayani ng Masa ay marunong mag-Kastila at may mestizang ina, nagtrabaho para sa mga multinational companies, at hindi mahilig maglakad ng nakapaa tulad ng karaniwang imahe niya sa sining. Pero dumating ang pinakamalaking rebelasyon matapos mabasa ni Howie and ilang piling dokumento at makausap ang ilang nag-aral ng kasaysayan: Si Bonifacio nga ba – at hindi si Emilio Aguinaldo – ang unang pangulo ng Pilipinas? At totoo kayang ang kinikilalang unang halalan para sa pagka-Presidente ng ating bansa ay may bahid ng pandarayang hindi binabanggit sa mga libro ng kasaysayan? Ang tunay na buhay ni Gat Andres Bonifacio, ilalantad na ngayong Lunes, Nobyembre 26, sa I-Witness – ang 2007 PMPC Star Award winner para sa Best Documentary Program at Best Documentary Program Hosts.