Provenance: Provenance: From the collection of Jose P. Santos.

Literature: Literature: The Tragedy of the Revolution, by Adrian E. Cristobal, published by Studio 5 Publishing, Inc. in commemoration of the Andres Bonifacio Centennial May 10, 1997. Page 143.

ABOUT THE WORK

Dedication reads : “Alala ko sa pinakatanging anak na si Jose P. Santos, Gregoria de Jesus, Lakambini.” (“A remembrance for a very special son, Jose P. Santos, Gregoria de Jesus, The Noble Woman”) This photograph is significant for two reasons: Gregoria de Jesus and her dedication to the journalist and writer Jose P. Santos. Jose P. Santos, no doubt, first made the acquaintance of the Lakambini through his father, the eminent scholar Epifanio de los Santos who was tasked to gather the testimonies and documents to tell the true story of the Philippine Revolution. In 1928, he arranged for the serialization of her life story in the Philippine Free Press, in two parts. It may have restored national attention to the controversial events of May 1897 when Bonifacio was ordered arrested by Emilio Aguinaldo and subsequently tried and sentenced to death. Titled ‘La Princesa del Katipunan’, it appeared on 24 November 1928 and the following week, on 1 December 1928. One can image the impact her life story must have made for her to send such a lavishly grateful dedication. Gregoria de Jesus’ autobiography, entitled “Mga Tala ng Aking Buhay at Mga Ulat ng Katipunan (The Events of My Life and Stories of the Katipunan)” were next published separately, under the supervision of Santos, in 1932. She dedicated the work to Jose P. Santos. The slim book went into five printings, demonstrating the public’s fascination for all things Bonifacio and the KKK. A line drawing, based on the photograph dedicated to Santos, was featured in the book. Santos went on to write several books and pamphlets on the tragic but riveting lives of the men (and women) of the Philippine Revolution. Some of these were: “Andres Bonifacio at ang Himagsikan (Andres Bonifacio and the Revolution)” (1935) with the noted poet Jose Corazon de Jesus; “Mga Kasulatang Lumiliwanag sa Pagkapatay kay Andres Bonifacio (Writings that Throw Light on the Killing of Andres Bonifacio)” (1935); “Buhay at mga Sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto (The Life and Writings of Emilio Jacinto)” (1935), “Sino si Heneral Gregorio H. del Pilar (Who Is Gen. Gregorio H. del Pilar?)” (1930) In her dedication on the photograph, Gregoria de Jesus calls Santos her son, and truly for his writings on the Philippine Revolution, he was indeed a true son of history. -Lisa Guerrero Nakpil