Emilio Famy Aguinaldo Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Emilio Famy Aguinaldo passes away in 1964.

Emilio Famy Aguinaldo was a Filipino politician and revolutionary.

Aguinaldo was born on the 22nd of March, 1869 in Cavite, Vlejo. He was the 7th of 8 children.

In 1894 Aguinaldo joined the "Katipunan" also called the KKK (no affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan). The name "Katipunan" translates from Tagalog, a primary language for a portion of Philippine society and second language for the majority, as "association". In many ways "Katipunan" was the Philippine equivalent of the American Revolution group, the Sons of Liberty. Up to and including the fact that the group was founded by masons and a large part of the group was made up of masons.

In 1896, Katipunan was revealed as a secret society in the Philippines forcing the members to start the revolution.

By 1897, the revolution had two factions coming out of "Katipunan". One faction was led by Aguinaldo. At the insistence of Aguinaldo's faction, a meeting was held to establish a revolutionary government. The leader of the other faction, Bonifacio, felt that "Katipunan" already was a government, in part probably because he was the leader of "Katipunan". At the meeting Aguinaldo was elected the first president of the Philippines and the leader of the opposing faction was elected as the Director of the Interior. Some members present questioned Bonifacio ability to hold that position. Under the authority that he felt he had as the head of the "Katipunan", Bonifacio declared the meeting closed and that Aguinaldo's government was dissolved as well. Few followed Bonifacio and Aguinaldo ordered his arrest and after a mock trial, Bonifacio was ordered executed.

Aguinaldo joined Pilar Lodge No. 203 in 1895. Of the revolution and Freemasonry Aguinaldo would say:

"The Successful Revolution of 1896 was masonically inspired, masonically led, and masonically executed, and I venture to say that the first Philippine Republic of which I was its humble President, was an achievement we owe largely, to Masonry and the Masons."

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.