Filipino Martyr: GUILLERMO R. MASANGKAY

 GUILLERMO R. MASANGKAY

(1867-1963)

Friend and Adviser of Andres Bonifacio

A bosom friend of Andres Bonifacio, the founder of the Katipunan, Guillermo Masangkay

– who joined that underground society when he was only 17 – was the Supremo’s personal

counselor.

He was born on June 25, 1867 in Meisic, Tondo, Manila. His parents were Domingo

Masangkay of Batangas and Victoria Rafael of Tanza, Cavite. He was the youngest of four children.

Masangkay had no formal education. However, he had a strong intellectual drive. He read

assiduously books borrowed from his neighbors. Thus, although he was only a bangkero, or

boatman, he became fluent in Spanish and deeply aware of the political and social conditions of his

time.

He was plying his trade when he heard about a prominent young man in his neighborhood

that he became friends with – Bonifacio. As they got to know each other well, they found that they

had the same patriotic aspirations. When Bonifacio founded the Katipunan on July 7, 1892

together with Ladislao Diwa and Teodoro Plata, he became one of its first members, along with

Restituto Javier, Vicente Molina, Valentin Diaz, Briccio Pantas, Roman Basa, etc.

As his adviser, Bonifacio sought Masangkay for his approval in transforming the

Katipunan into a revolutionary association. It was Masangkay whom he had designated to

organize the Katipunan chapter in Cavite.

In August 1896, after the Katipunan was discovered, Masangkay joined Bonifacio, Emilio

Jacinto, and others in a clandestine meeting held on the 24th of that month at Apolonio Samson’s

house in Caloocan. Initially, the leaders of the movement quarreled over strategy and tactics, and

many of its members questioned the wisdom of an open rebellion due to the lack of arms and

logistical support. However, after Bonifacio’s intense and convincing speech, everyone destroyed

their cedulas to symbolize their defiance of Mother Spain and, together, raised the cry of “Revolt.”

Masangkay was with Bonifacio in April 1896 at the Bernardo Carpio Cave on Mt. Tapusi,

San Mateo, Rizal. It was the site originally chosen for the start of the uprising, not Balintawak.

However, it was abandoned because of its remoteness from the town. Nonetheless, it was in there

that Bonifacio, Masangkay, and Emilio Jacinto planned the attack in Manila. Newly appointed

general, Masangkay was tasked by Bonifacio to lead one of the groups that assaulted the city.

As a revolutionary general, Masangkay figured prominently during the Filipino-American

War. His competence was demonstrated in the memorable battle against the American forces on

Zapote Bridge in Las Piñas Rizal. During the initial day of the 72-hour battle, Masangkay and his

troops were winning. They eventually lost their advantage, however, to the superior arms of the

enemy.

Gravely injured in that battle, Masangkay was brought to San Juan de Dios Hospital for

treatment. After being confined there for three days, Masangkay, dressed as a woman,

surreptitiously left the hospital and went into hiding.

With the restoration of peace, Masangkay returned home and was reunited with his wife,

Romana Noriel of Cavite, and their 12 children. Since then, he ahs lived a simple life, attending to

the growing family business and his children’s education.

When the government decided to erect Bonifacio’s monument, Masangkay strongly

supported the project and donated P10, 000 from his own funds.

He died on May 30, 1963.

Reference:

Quirino, Carlos. Who’s Who in Philippine History. Manila : Tahanan Books,1995.