‘Katipunan’ episode 2: The founding of the secret brotherhood

CEBU, Philippines -  It is 1892, and efforts to prod Spain to improve its treatment of Filipinos fall on deaf ears. Rizal is arrested and is sent to Dapitan. La Liga Filipina crumbles. Spanish colonizers crack down on dissenters.

Against this backdrop, Andres Bonifacio and a handful of indios found the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or Katipunan. What follows is a frenetic recruitment campaign, paving the way for the end of Spain’s almost 400-year reign in the Philippines.

Yet while girding for war, the widower Bonifacio falls in love again. He sees Gregoria de Jesus (Oriang) in a social gathering and immediately falls in love. Oriang’s parents stand in the way of  the courtship but Bonifacio proves that in love and war, he is a master tactician.  

Meantime, Sebastian and Pacquing deal with the tragic death of their friend Teresa. Pacquing sets out to avenge her death by plotting to slay the town’s new friar, Padre Villalon. Sebastian, always the timid one, chooses to let things be.  

Rumors of Villalon’s involvement in Teresa’s death prompt the towns people to stay away from the church. This emboldens the friar to be more cruel.

“Katipunan” is shot mostly in Taal, Batangas. The history-laden town is home to numerous families that funded the reformista movement and the Katipunan in the late 1900s.

The cast is led by Sid Lucero as Andres Bonifacio and Glaiza de Castro as Gregoria de Jesus. Benjamin Alves stars as Sebastian while Dominic Roco plays Pacquing. Roi Vinzon plays the role of  the ruthless Padre Villalon. 

Created by Program Manager Jaileen Jimeno and written by Ian Victoriano, the historical docudrama is directed by King Marc Baco. Production work is led by Program Manager Nowell Cuanang and Executive Producer Jayson Santos.

“Katipunan” airs every Saturday, 10:15 p.m. on GMA 7. (PR) (FREEMAN)