‘Kalayaan’, Newspaper of the Katipunan (original) (raw)

Manila, Philippines – KALAYAAN was the official newspaper of the Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan, for short. It was founded and edited by Emilio D. Jacinto in the late 1800s. One source has it that with the aid of fellow revolutionaries, among them, Aurelio V. Tolentino, Macario L. Sakay, and Aguedo del Rosario, Jacinto published the first issue of the Kalayaan and other Katipunan materials which helped increase the membership of the Katipunan.

When the colonial authorities discovered the society, they were alarmed to discover that the Katipunan had spread all over the Manila and Southern and Central Luzon. The colonial government’s discovery of the organization led to the immediate closure of the newspaper, with only one issue dated January 18, 1896, being published.

The Katipunan was founded on July 7, 1892, by Andres D. Bonifacio, Deodato C. Arellano, Ladislao N. Diwa, Emilio D. Jacinto, and several other patriots. The aim of the secret society was to overthrow colonial rule in the country and proclaim Philippine independence. The Katipunan grew rapidly when Bonifacio took over as Supremo with Jacinto as Fiscal of the Katipunan. Two of the Katipunan recruits, Candido Iban and Francisco del Castillo, donated part of their lottery winnings, enabling the Katipuneros to buy a printing press. With a printing press, the Katipunan rapidly expanded, for this press facilitated the printing of Katipunan forms, oath of membership, manifestos, etc. Thus they were able to publish the Kalayaan newspaper.

The Kalayaan stood for the principles of liberty and democracy. It recognized the fact that as a people, Filipinos had the right and capability to chart their future, without the colonial exploitation which bound them to subservience to colonial rule. It stirred our forefathers into action.

In modern times, newspapers – regardless of whether they are in printed or in digital form – have the same power. They are capable of shaping and changing public opinion on relevant and timely issues or about familiar or popular personalities. They can stir people into action. Just as the Kalayaan newspaper was used by our heroes and other revolutionaries as a medium to advance the dreams and aspirations of our people, newspapers today can be used as powerful vehicles for the attainment of positive change in our society through balanced and accurate reporting, and as they pursue the noble goals of advancing our national identity, promoting peace among our people and with other countries, and advocating responsible stewardship of our environment. MABUHAY!

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