Know About the Philippines’ Independence Day

If you’re a true Filipino, you understand how important June 12 is to the country. It is simply the country’s Independence Day, for those who are unaware. Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. 

This was the first time the Philippine flag was raised in public, and it was witnessed by a large crowd. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the country’s first president.

Every year, June 12 is widely observed in the Philippines as well as other nations having Filipino communities. The Philippines will commemorate 118 years of independence this year. The excitement can be felt practically everywhere. Flags will begin to fly in Cebu’s streets, malls, and hotels, as well as on cars.

An Overview of the Philippines’ Independence History

Spain colonized the Philippines in the second part of the 16th century. The tyranny that followed under Spanish control spurred Filipino intellectuals to speak up for their rights and strive for independence. The Katipunan revolutionary movement, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, arose from this awakening.

However, the road to freedom was long. The Spanish-American War started in April 1898, sparked by Spain’s repression of a Cuban uprising.

The United States beat Spain in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, the first of a string of American victories. After being banished by the Spaniards to Hong Kong, Aguinaldo made preparations with US authorities to return to the Philippines and participate in the fight against Spain.

Upon his return, Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, and established a provincial government, of which he was the leader. However, in 1902, the United States consolidated its supremacy and established its own government in the country. After a few decades, President Manuel Quezon formed the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

After World War II and the United States’ vow to provide the Philippines full freedom, the Philippines became independent in 1946.

Philippine Independence Day Facts You Should Know

Philippine independence has been proclaimed several times

In the Philippines, June 12 is the first of several Independence Day dates. Filipinos founded the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935, with the consent of the United States, and Manuel Quezon was elected as the first president. On July 4, 1946, America granted the Republic of the Philippines complete independence after World War II ended

But why is June 12 observed as Philippine Independence Day? To put it another way, President Diosdado Macapagal believed that “the acknowledgment of a nation’s independence should not be conferred by any other country but itself,” and he declared this date as the country’s day of freedom in 1962, supplementing this proclamation with Republic Act 4166 in 1964.

During times of war, the top color of the flag changes

The colors of the Philippine flag are used to represent the country’s current circumstances, which is rare. During times of peace, the flag is raised with a blue stripe on top. During times of conflict, establishments, and institutions will show the flag with red on top.

Who designed the flag?

The Philippine flag was designed by Aguinaldo himself, and he handed it to Marcela Agoncillo, who was living in Hong Kong at the time. The flag was completed in five days by Agoncillo and her two assistants.

The various colors of the flag

Red depicts Filipino bravery, blue represents Filipinos’ readiness to die rather than surrender to conquerors, and white represents our forefathers’ desire for peace.

Similarly, the white triangle symbolized the Katipuneros’ blood covenant, which fought for the country’s independence from the Inquisition, which lasted over 300 years. The triangle emblem also refers to the “triangle method” of recruiting used by the Katipunan, which involved the act of blood compact.

The three stars on the flag originally represented the islands

The three stars originally stood for Luzon, Panay, and Mindanao, not Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as many people believe. The revolutionary movement began on Panay, one of the country’s three most important islands.

A fictitious conflict between Spain and the United States

Long after Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence, multiple wars erupted between America, Spain, and the Philippines.

The Spanish commander surrendered Manila to the Americans in August 1898, under the condition that a “fake battle of Manila” be performed, with Filipino insurgents barred from the city.

The Philippines, on the other hand, became a US territory, and Spain was compensated with $20 million under the Treaty of Paris. Despite his rebellion, Aguinaldo later pledged loyalty to the United States. Many of his supporters, though, continued to fight. With the advent of the American civil administration in 1902, the three-year Philippine rebellion came to an end.

The missing flag

The original Philippine flag flown at Kawit on June 12 was lost in Tayug, Pangasinan when Aguinaldo escaped to Northern Luzon during the Filipino-American conflict. There is currently no information about its whereabouts.

The Lupang Hinirang was the country’s second anthem

The Philippines’ second anthem was Lupang Hinirang, which we now recognize as our national anthem. The first, Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan, was written in answer to Andres Bonifacio’s request by musician Julio Nakpil.

It was performed during the Philippine Independence Day celebrations. Unfortunately, the Battle of Manila destroyed the Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan in its original shape.

The National Library has the original copy of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

The document was one of many stolen from the National Library of the United States. Milagros Guerrero, a lecturer at the University of the Philippines, thankfully returned it in 1994.

The independence movement in the Philippines was founded by priests

Filipino monks were the ones who initiated the opposition to Philippine independence, which is a little-known fact. Religious leaders met with academics to discuss declaring the country’s independence, resenting Spanish dominance in the Roman Catholic churches.

Thoughts

To raise knowledge about Filipino culture.

“Let us teach our people to be proud to be Filipinos once more.” Let us remind them that being a Filipino implies having a rich and noble tradition of language, culture, patriotism, and heroic actions as any other nation on the planet.

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