Andres Bonifacio, one of our national heroes, the founder of the Katipunan society and leader of the Philippine Revolution will be the center of tributes on Nov. 30 as the country marks his birth anniversary with a national holiday. The Bonifacio Shrine or the Kartilya ng Katipunan located within the Mehan Garden beside Manila City Hall in Ermita, Manila. (Noel Pabalate) The country commemorates his heroism and birth anniversary every Nov. 30, which has been declared a holiday in line with the Republic Act (RA) 2946, enacted on Feb. 16, 1921. Bonifacio is honored on his birthdate and not his death on May 10, 1897.There are many reminders of Bonifacio’s heroism. The government has constructed monuments, shrines, and museums that serve as a physical reminder of Bonifacio’s nationalism and valor. Bonifacio monuments and shrines Among the many historical sites dedicated to him, the Bonifacio National Monument literally stands out because it is 45 feet high and stands on the middle of the main thoroughfare entering Monumento Rotonda, Caloocan City known as the Bonifacio Monument Circle. The monument was opened on Nov. 30, 1933 in compliance with the Act. No. 2760, enacted on Feb. 23, 1918. The Bonifacio Monument Circle was designed by National Artist Guillermo E. Tolentino in 1930, according to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). A worker repainting the details of the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City (MANILA BULLETIN file photo) Another shrine of Bonifacio stands beside the Manila City Hall and within the Mehan Garden. Unlike the other monuments, this shrine is usually packed with people either waiting out the rush hour traffic, or waiting for a ride to a destination. The colorful dancing fountains which are lighted in luminous colors at night, is always a crowd-drawer. Pinaglalaban Memorial Shrine People interested in the details of the Philippine Revolution should visit the Pinaglalaban Memorial Shrine in San Juan City. It showcases Bonifacio’s and the Katipuneros’ brave acts during the Battle of Pinaglalaban – which marked the beginning of the revolution. The Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City marks the bravery and heroism of Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio during the Battle of San Juan del Monte on Aug. 30, 1896. (Photo courtesy of San Juan City LGU/ MANILA BULLETIN) Other Bonifacio Monuments are found in Balintawak, Quezon City; Tutuban Center, Manila; and Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio Locals looking for an educational tour can find that at the Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio. Located in Maragondon, Cavite, Bonifacio’s museum has five galleries that feature the national hero’s life, court trial, and death. Gallery 1 (Maypagasa) features a brief background on Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan, the Spaniards’ response to the Philippine Revolution, and the battles of Bonifacio’s troops. Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio in Cavite (National Historical Commission of the Philippines) Gallery 2 (Pagsalubong) features the tension and conflict between Magdalo and Magdiwang, or the two Katipunan factions in Cavite. Gallery 3 (Pagdakip) narrates the events that led to Bonifacio’s arrest. In Gallery 4 (Paglilitis), a presentation that re-enacts the Bonifacio brothers’ trial is shown, while Gallery 5 (Kadakilaan) features the grieving Gregoria de Jesus upon learning of her husband’s death. Aside from these galleries, the museum also dedicated a corner that shows a short documentary about the trial and death of Bonifacio and an e-learning room for online lessons about the country’s history. Museo ng Katipunan Another museum one can visit s located within the grounds of the Pinaglalaban Memorial Shrine in San Juan City – the Museo ng Katipunan. Opened in 2013, the museum features archival documents, amulets, cryptic messages, and bladed weapons used by Katipuneros, and various artworks that immortalize glimpses of the revolution crafted by renowned Filipino artists. It also shows a holographic image of Bonifacio and an audio recording of his poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.” On Bonifacio Day, why don’t you visit a shrine or museum dedicated to Andres Bonifacio to get to know the Father of the Philippine Revolution better?