By Christine Fabro and Pearl Anne Gumapos
Did you know that?!
It has been 123 years since the Pearl of the Orient Seas held a symbolic sense of being an independent nation.
Way back 1962, the Philippine Independence Day was celebrated every June 12 after president Diosdado Macapagl changed the date from July 4, the day when a treaty was signed, declaring independence of the Philippines from the United States.
It was on June 12, 1898, the Philippines proclaimed its independence in Kawit, Cavite from a 300-year Spanish colonial rule. It was Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the country’s first president, who established the Philippine Republic.
So, why is it important to celebrate the day of our freedom?
- To commemorate our heroes who fought for our sovereignty
“We cannot free ourselves unless we move forward united in a single desire.” – Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
We remember the forefathers of this nation who sacrificed and fought for our country. Thus, we remember their revolutionary and diplomatic efforts that are being enjoyed by Filipinos today.
Elizabeth Angsioco, a researcher and columnist, collated the names of our heroes in a book titled “Roll Call of Valor: A List of Heroes of the Philippine Revolution”, in which more than 2,400 names of revolutionary heroes were listed in the said book.
- The Philippine National Anthem was first sung publicly.
Julián Felipe composed the Philippine national anthem – “Lupang Hinirang”, which was formerly known as “Marcha Nacional Filipina.” It was originally performed without words, and the lyrics were only written for it one year later. However, only a few would know that the Lupang Hinirang that we sing in our daily flag ceremony is only the nation’s second anthem. According to the Presidential Museum and Library in Malacañang, our very first national anthem was known as the “Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan,” which was commissioned by Andres Bonifacio in 1897.
- The Philippine flag was first raised on this day, too!
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo designed the Philippine flag that we are using today. It was sewn by Doña Marcela Marino de Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of the Philippine National Hero – Dr. Jose P. Rizal). Historically, the white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue field for peace, truth and justice; and red field for patriotism and valor. The eight rays of the sun stand for the first eight provinces that the colonizers have put under martial law, while the three stars symbolize Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- To spread awareness of the Filipino culture
We celebrate Independence Day so we can pass on to our younger generation the sense of freedom and patriotism. We appreciate the Filipino heritage, rich culture, and tradition among the parts of the country where our heroes braved for sovereignty.
- The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence
War Counsellor and Special Delegate Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista solemnized the ceremony with the Act of the Declaration of Independence, which he himself wrote. This declaration was signed by 98 people.
- Majority of leaders in Aguinaldo’s administration established the grounds for such a declaration, and so should we.
A few leaders objected to the fact that to reorganize the government in such a manner as “to convince the foreign powers of the competence and stability of the new government” was more important that time. Some believed that to proclaim Philippine independence at such an early period was not the best move to be done, but Aguinaldo and his constituents stood their ground and won.
- To celebrate our identity as Filipinos
The best time to celebrate Filipino identity is none other than Independence Day! It’s the perfect chance to reconnect with patriotism and to remember what our forefathers stood for — freedom and independence.
- A chance to revisit history
Did you know that the original copy of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence is currently kept in the National Library? But before that, the said document was one of the many revolutionary papers that were stolen from the National Library. Fortunately, it was returned in 1994 by Milagros Guerrero, a professor in the University of the Philippines.
In addition, the proclamation of Philippine Independence took place on a Sunday.
According to Julian Felipe, composer of the music of the Philippine national anthem, it took place between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- To celebrate the values that the country was founded upon
What better way to celebrate the Philippine Independence day than to go back in time and refresh our history lessons; to remember the bravery of our heroes and the values they stood for.
- To reconnect with the laws of the land
Did you know that the Philippines is one of the countries with several Constitutions? The Philippines has had more than four Constitutions, the latest being a celebration of human rights.
- To celebrate freedom from colonization
There is a need to recognize the freedom we earned from our colonizers as well as the need to celebrate the Philippines’ freedom from all exploitation.
- To spread awareness and justice of the struggles of the generations before us
Finally, there is a need to spread awareness on the struggles the previous generations have gone through in order to achieve a now free society. Absent the history lessons, the Philippines will remain under the shadows of its colonizers.
