Bystander

In the eyes of an orphan, a freshly baked bread could mean much more

At that time, he was but a young boy who could barely make sense of the world. He dreamed of peace and security, where he didn't have to worry about the necessities every second of the day.

Then, he met that man who had gone by the name of Andres Bonifacio.

Beaten and filthy, walking down the alleys and hearing the neighs and galloping of horses, a man approached him while holding a piece of bread wrapped in brown paper. The man handed it to him, silently, with a solemn look.

Henceforth, the young child often searched news of the man who showed him kindness.

As the boy, Bertin, followed news of Andres Bonifacio, he noted down several things about him.

Andres Bonifacio dropped out of school at the age of fourteen to support his siblings. As the eldest, he shouldered the responsibilities his deceased parents used to carry. He sold canes and paper fans. From morning until night.

Bertin, this boy who lived in the streets, was in awe. Despite the scorching heat of the sun, the condescending gazes of the Peninsulares and Insulares; Andres Bonifacio endured and achieved success.

The man worked as a messenger and a warehouse keeper in the following years and eventually, Bertin caught wind of news that Andres Bonifacio recently joined La Liga Filipina.

Although young, Bertin knew many things because once upon a time, he, too, studied but not for long.

Perhaps... Andres Bonifacio, and whoever he was with, was planning for a revolution?

Bertin recognized the words La Liga Filipina; they scream the love and pride for one's country. But things did not go the way he expected them to be. Jose Rizal was captured and Andres Bonifacio, with the rest of his men, fled.

That was the last news Bertin heard of them until later.

Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan was established.

It was the first time Bertin once again heard the name Andres Bonifacio, the man who gave him bread. Tension was high and the Spaniards had suspicions, but KKK gave them no openings to retrieve news of their movements.

Once again, Bertin was in awe. To command that many people under his wings, to give orders and allot responsibilities among the men; Andres Bonifacio was both humble and steadfast. Although Bertin belonged to the lowest members of KKK, he heard how Andres Bonifacio gave away the commnding role, the Supremo, at first.

When things became chaotic and the first Supremo could no longer do his job properly, Andres Bonifacio took the reins and commanded KKK.

It was not just his bravery nor his initiative to take action that quelled Bertin's loyalty, but also the way Andres Bonifacio led everyone in front with a steady heart. And even though the Katipunan became divided, Bertin's loyalty remained the same.

In his eyes, the hard work, the blood, sweat, and tears he had seen Andres Bonifacio shed; all those were worthy of his loyalty. That Supremo did not give up on the women, he did not treat them like mere housewives. Instead, he saw something in women that no one else did at the time.

Even when Bertin grew up as a historian, recording the life he led during the Spanish Era, he did not forget the type of hero Andres Bonifacio had been. Words might hold a lot of power in the present time, but humans were known to be stubborn creatures.

Instead of the pen, Andres Bonifacio took up the sword and fought for his homeland. Blood was shed, yes. Deaths were innumerable, yes. But Andres Bonifacio's heroic actions, some of his ideals, and the victories he achieved; all of them had gone down in history to spark the flame of nationalism in the citizens' hearts.

Some might not agree with his methods but for Bertin, during those times, the man who gave him that bread -- fresh out of the kilns -- lit his chance for survival.