Petra Bernardo—The Woman General of the Katipunan

Illustration -- Petra Bernardo by Carlos "Botong" Francisco

In the mid-1930s, a story emerged in newspapers and discussions about a certain Petra Bernardo, purportedly a woman general in the Katipunan. According to one narrative, the Supremo personally knew her and even tasked her to lead a "sandatahan," a unit armed with bolos and machetes—a woman general of the so-called "cuerpo macheteros."

Is there truth to the story of Petra Bernardo?

Her story begins in Dinalupihan, Bataan, where, according to one account, she was born to Florentino Bernardo and Narcisa de los Reyes in 1860. The family moved to Manila when Petra was young but later relocated back to Bataan. In 1893, she married Silverio Husayan. Strangely enough, after this period, she was known as "Petrang Anting Anting" and lived in Zambales with a niece.

In 1895, Petra Bernardo was invited by a relative to Manila and was drawn to the Katipunan in Cavite the following year. She was said to have convinced a group of firefighters in Manila to join the Katipunan. She then recruited members of the native "carabineros" serving the colonial forces. On February 25, 1897, she led a group of revolting carabineros and managed to steal firearms at the headquarters in the port of Manila. From then on, she was known as "Henerala Petra Bernardo." Her unit was said to have been involved in several skirmishes against the Spanish colonial forces outside Manila: the Attack on the Guardia Civil at Tambobong, an encounter with a column belonging to the 70th Infantry in Malinta, an encounter in Polo, Bulacan, and another one in Bitas up to Maypajo.

When news of the Supremo's demise reached the forces in the outskirts of Manila and the Morong province, a meeting of Katipunan leaders was said to have been convened. Petra Bernardo was invited and was present at that assembly held in San Juan del Monte.

Cipriano Pacheco, one of the true veterans of the Revolution of 1896 who was with Bonifacio in the early stages of organizing the revolution, attested to the existence of Petra Bernardo—the woman general in the Katipunan. Pacheco even mentioned the people under her command and praised the bravery and tenacity of the "Generala" and her companions, regretting that she did not receive the recognition she deserved and instead was forgotten.

Petra Bernardo was described as small in stature, plump, and "morena." She was communicative, highly charismatic, and a lady full of humor. She was in her 30s when she led a group of men to arms.

We may never know the full narrative of the lady general, and some might even question the authenticity of her story. Yet, history is always patient with those who seek, those who wait.