Provenance: Private collection, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

These three images, two of Andres Bonifacio (1863- 1897) — in formal wear and in military uniform — and one of his brother, fellow revolutionary Procopio Bonifacio (1873-1897), are artist renderings of these two famous brothers’ portraits. It is necessary to point out that the portraits until well into the twentieth century were made slightly sideways in order to fully show the face and one ear, which served as identifying elements. Generally speaking, all photos from the 19th-century Philippines are considered extremely rare, unless they are part of newspapers or magazines. Andres Bonifacio was the first of six siblings born into a humble family in Tondo. His mother was from Zambales, while his father was from the town of Taguig. He was named Andrés after the patron saint of Manila. After having carried out the most diverse trades to earn her living and having previously widowed, she married Gregoria de Jesús - from a higher social class - at the Binondo church in 1893. He founded was part of the Katipunan, held the position of leader of the revolution once hostilities began and was undoubtedly a charismatic character who knew how to direct the destiny of the Philippines in the battle until his replacement by Emilio Aguinaldo and his subsequent execution — one of the darkest episodes of the Philippine revolution. In the opinion of Milagros Guerrero: “As commander-in-chief, Bonifacio supervised the planning of military strategies and the preparation of orders, manifests and decrees, adjudicated offenses against the nation, as well as mediated in political disputes. He directed generals and positioned troops in the fronts. On the basis of command responsibility, all victories and defeats all over the archipelago during his term of office should be attributed to Bonifacio”. The greatness of Andrés Bonifacio has perhaps overshadowed the brilliant life of Procopio, the third of the Bonifacio brothers. Executed like his brother after a summary trial, Procopio was part of the Katipunan under the nickname of Pisaw and is credited with extending the revolution to Mindoro, his wife's island of origin. (Jorge Mojarro)