“The Revolution failed because it was badly directed, because its leader won his post not with praiseworthy but with blameworthy acts, because instead of employing the most useful men of the nation he jealously discarded them. Believing that the advance of the people was no more than his own personal advance, he did not rate men according to their ability, character and patriotism but according to the degree of friendship or kinship binding him to them; and wanting to have favorites willing to sacrifice themselves for him, he showed himself lenient to their faults. Because he disdained the people, he could not fall like an idol of wax melting in the heat of heat of adversity. May we never forget such a terrible lesson learned at the cost of unspeakable sufferings!”—
Apolinario Mabini, as quoted by Nick Joaquin in A Question of Heroes. Strange isn’t it that the minister would speak of nepotism and politics in the Philippines long after he’s gone. We never learn.
One historian, who I was discussing Mabini with, pointed out that Mabini (by this point) was in exile in Guam. The Revolution had failed and he was far away from home.
During the Revolution, he was the power behind the ‘throne’; one of the trusted advisors who lost his position of authority. And in many ways he blamed Aguinaldo both for the loss of the Revolution and the loss of his (Mabini’s) authority. He was a bitter and angry man who felt betrayed by the Revolution he so ardently supported. Let’s not forget who was ‘discarded’ (himself). Even as he masterminded at the time some of its more notorious and cold blooded acts (Bonifacio’s execution for one). Much like Pio Valenzuela later on, there is a modicum of personal exculpation involved in their remembrances.
I think Mabini’s analysis of the Revolution has to be filtered through his personal circumstances at the time; especially since some of his reflections were contradicted by what know from the period.
Mabini, Valenzuela, et al remind us that memoirs (especially post-revolutionary memoirs long after effects have passed) are always suspect primary source materials. That is not to say they don’t have value, obviously they do. But they have to be corroborated by additional sources (whether documentary or other reflections).
Anyway, there is still serious merit to the work. Just an additional note for thought.
