ACT OF PROCLAMATION
OF INDEPENDENCE OF
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
(Acta de la proclamación de la independencia del pueblo Filipino)
Objective #1: To relay what the
document/artifact is saying.
The Philippine Declaration of
Independence occurred in Kawit,
Cavite on 12 June 1898 where
Filipino revolutionary forces under
General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed
the sovereignty and independence of
the Philippine islands from Spanish
colonization after the latter was
defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay on 1
May 1898 during the Spanish-American War.
It was declared a national holiday and was
witnessed by thousands of people who
gathered in Kawit to witness the historic
event. The declaration, however, was not
recognized by the United States or Spain,
as the Spanish government ceded the
Philippines (and other Spanish colonial
territories) to the United States in the
1898 Treaty of Paris signed on 10 December
1898 in consideration for an indemnity for
Spanish expenses and assets lost.
The Act of the Declaration of Independence was
prepared and written by Ambrosio Rianzares
Bautista in Spanish, who also read the said
declaration. A passage in the Declaration reminds
one of another passage in the American
Declaration of Independence. The Philippine
Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons,
among them an American army officer who
witnessed the proclamation. The Act declared
that the Filipinos “are and have the right to be
free and independent,” and that the nation
from”this day commences to have a life of its
own, with every political tie between Filipinas
and Spain severed and annulled”.
The event saw the National Flag of the Philippines,
designed by General Aguinaldo and made in
Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza
Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza unfurled for the first
time. This was followed by the performance of the
“Marcha Filipina Magdalo” now known as “Lupang
Hinirang”, the National Anthem. The composer,
Julian Felipe, a music teacher from Cavite. The
lyrics to the anthem were sourced a year after from
the poem of Jose Palma entitled “Filipinas”.
General Aguinaldo explained the symbolism of the
Filipino flag. Each of the three colors has an
appropriate meaning:
a. the lower red stripe represents patriotism and
valor
b. the upper blue stripe signifies peace, truth and
justice
c. the white triangle stands for equality
The three stars indicate the three geographical
areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The eight rays of the sun refer to first eight
provinces of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite which
took up arms against Spain and were placed under
martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the
Philippine Revolution in 1896.
Objective#2: To determine the provenance of
the sources , documents or artifacts
These are the provenance of the sources;
first the Act of Proclamation of
Independence in the Filipino People, was
read on June 12, 1898 which is available
until now because copies have been
produced and it will not be reproduced if it
is not reliable, and the said article was
classified under Philippine Revolutionary
Papers (PRP) in the National Library had
varying numbers.
second, content and the arguments in
their truly happened, like the Philippine
Flag which is described in the said
article that is absolutely same in the
real world and also the Philippine
National Anthem that is present until
now.
Objective#3: To determine the Author
or writer of the historical source.
OnJune 10, 1896, Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo issued a one sentence
decree appointing his Auditor General
of War, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, as
a “special commissioner” to write the
Act of Proclamation of the
Independence.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
( December 7, 1830-December 4,
1903) also known as “Don Bosyong”
which is a distant relative of the Rizal
family. Bautista was born in Biñan,
Laguna to Gregorio Enriquez and
Bautista Silvestra Altamira. Studied
Law at the University of Santo
Thomas, obtaining a degree in 1865.
He then practiced law in Manila and
offered free legal services to poor.
Objective#4: To highlight the author’s main
argument or what he is trying to say about
the topic.
In the Act of Proclamation of Independence
in the Filipino People, it tries to encourage
the Filipino to become Free and fight against
the Spaniards for Freedom. Also, it reminds
the great sacrifices of the Filipinos who
fought during the revolution; how did and
the Philippine Flag created the flag, and
what are the meaning of its symbols; and
who wrote and composed the Philippine
National Anthem.
Objective #5: To Discuss the context of the
Primary Source
Objective #6: To share the important learning
or connections of the topic in your
appreciation of Philippine history
As a student, I’ve learned that what
Filipinos did during the revolution was
not a joke or easy to attained their
Freedom. I also learned that the
Philippine Flag must be respected
same with the people who was behind
and fought for it.
QUESTION#1: HOW DID THE PHILIPPINES ACHIEVE
ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM SPANISH COLONIAL
RULE?
In the past hundred years Philippines is no longer
independent by the hand of the Spaniards, they
experience how terror and superior the Spaniards
during their colonial rule. As a matter of fact,
Filipinos in every barangays could no longer
maintain their freedom and slowly and unsteadily
succumbed to the superior force of the Spanish
power. This eventual loss of undue restrictions
and the opportunity their rights and powers
transformed every facet of the Filipino primitive
way of life political, social, economic and
cultural.
The Philippines, a large island archipelago
situated off southeast Asia was colonized by the
Spanish in the latter part of the 16th century.
Opposition to Spanish rule began among Filipino
priests, who resented Spanish domination of the
Roman Catholic churches in the islands. In the
late 19th century Filipino intellectuals and the
middle class began calling for independence. In
1892, the katipunan, a secret revolutionary
society was formed in Manila, the Philippine
capital on the island of Luzon. Membership grew
dramatically, and in August 1896 the Spanish
uncovered the katipunan’s plans for rebellion,
forcing premature action from the rebel.
Revolts broke out across Luzon, and in
March 1897, 28-year-old Emilio Aguinaldo
became leader of the rebellion. By late 1897,
the revolutionaries had been driven into the
hills southeast of Manila, and Aguinaldo
negotiated an agreement with the Spanish. In
exchange for financial compensation and a
promise of reform in the Philippines,
Aguinaldo and his generals would accept
exile in Hong Kong. The rebel leaders
departed, and the Philippine revolution
temporarily was at an end.
During the Spanish-American war, Filipino
rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaim the
independence of the Philippines after 800
years of Spanish rule. By mid-august,
Filipino rebels and U.S troops had austed
the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for
independence were dashed when the Unite
States formally annexed the Philippines as
part of its peace treaty with spain.
Question2: Who was Emilio Aguinaldo? How
did he end up as the leader of the
revolution?
Emilio Aguinaldo is a Filipino leader who led the country
to achieve independence after fighting off both the
Spanish and the Americans. Aguinaldo was born on March
22, 1869 in Cavite el Viejo (present day Kawit). Aguinaldo
was the seventh of the eight children of a Chinese and
Tagalog descent Carlos J. Aguinaldo and Trinidad f.
Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo was an Ilustrado. He belonged to a
middle class family in Cavite. He quit his studies in San
Juan de Letran College in Manila when his father died.
That make him take care of their family farm and he went
onto business.
At the age of 25 Aguinaldo joined the
Katipunan. As a katipunero, his symbolic
name was Magdalo. The Katipunan
revolution in Cavite began on August 31,
1896 when the katipuneros under the
command of Emilio Aguinaldo struck at
the Spanish garrison in his hometown of
Kawit and won. While katipunan forces
elsewhere one defeat after another, the
katipuneros in Cavite were surprisingly
holding their own and winning some
victories over the Spanish troops.
As a result of success of the katipunan in
Cavite the 27 years old town mayor was
becoming popular. It happen at the time of
the revolution, there where two Katipunan
provincial councils in Cavite. Both factions
fought the Spaniards. In the beginning, the
two rival groups won a number of victories.
However they fought independently of each
other. They were not united. This disunity
proved disastrous for the Katipunan
revolution in Cavite. Spanish force launched
an offensive to crush the rebellion in Cavite,
the divided Katipuneros could not put an
effective defense.
In the wake of Spanish successes in the battle
field of Cavite, the Katipuneros hold a
meeting to settle the issue of what to do
with the Katipunan whether to continue it or
have it replaced by a revolutionary
government as proposed by the Magdalo but
before the voting took place Bonifacio as a
chairman of the assembly obtain a promise
from everyone present to abide by the result
of the election and in that election the
Magdalo group won that make Aguinaldo the
leader of the revolution.
Question#3. Who were the inspirations
of the revolution?
The Philippine Revolution is one of the most
important events in the country's history,
awakening a proud sense of nationalism for
generations of Filipino's to come. In a period of
heavy struggle and conflict , Filipino a different
backgrounds united with a common goal it's to
resist colonialism. During the period between
1821 and1900, Filipino nationalism took root and
grew into an active anti imperial revolution.
When the United States defeated Spain in the
Spanish,American war of 1898, the Philippine did
not gain its independence but instead became an
American Possession.
On the night of 7 July 1892, a group of men
gathered on Azcarraga Street in Manila to
organize a secret society whos aim was to
wrest , through armed means the freedom
of the Filipinos from the hands of their
oppressors. Before the day that the
repressive colonial government announced
the banishment to Dapitan of the Filipino's
foremost campaigner for reforms Jose
Rizal, he made an last effort for the
reformist campaign by organizing the La
Liga Filipina , whose ultimate aim was the
equalization of rights between Filipino
natives and the Spaniards.
Among those who joined Rizal and the
La Liga founding waa one named
Andres Bonifacio , a warehouseman in
a foreign-owned firm, a man who
lacked the educational attainment or
intellectual brilliance of his fellow La
Liga organizers but more than made up
for it was his driven desire to take part
in the campaign to change Philippine
society. After Rizal arrest and
deportation to Dapitan La Liga Filipina
dissolved.
Upon hearing of Rizal's arrest, Bonifacio
along with his fellow gthered to organize
the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalang na
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or The
Highest and most Respectable Society of
the People , which its aim is Philippine
Independence means Revolution. The
organization drew inspiration from Dr. Jose
Rizal literary works particularly Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo , viewed as
the guiding force for other patriots to rally
for the country's cause because it exposed
the cruelties of the Spanish colonizers.
By organizing the Katipunan he infected them
with his vision and thereby planted the seeds of
the revolution. In December 1897, a truce was
declared between the two forces with the Filipino
leaders, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, agreeing to be
exiled to Hong Kong while Spaniards paid an
indemnity for the damages caused as a result of
the conflict. The renewed conflict would have
been disastrous for the Filipinos if not for the
deteriorating diplomatic relations between Spain
and the United States over the another revolution
in Cuba. This eventually led to the Spanish-
American war in 1898 .
The Spanish- American War in 1898 eventually
changed Philippine History . After the Americans
won the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898, Aguinaldo
returned to the Philippines with their help and
announced the resumption of the revolution
against Spain. After winning several victories
against the Spaniards, he declared Philippine
Independence on June 12, 1898.
Question #4:What were the
symbolisms used in the Philippine flag?
The Philippine flag has symbols: First, the
white triangle signifies the distinctive
emblem of the famous society of the
Katipunan, which by means of its blood
compact inspired the masses to rise in
revolution; Second, the three stars
signifying the three principal islands of this
Archipelago – Luzon, Mindanao and Panay,
where this revolutionary movement started
; Next, the sun representing the gigantic steps
made by the sons of the country along the path of
Progress and Civilization; Then, the eight rays,
signifying the eight provinces – Manila, Cavite,
Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna,
and Batangas – which declare themselves in a
state of war as soon as the first revolt was
initiated; Last, the colors of blue, red and white,
commemorating the flag of the United States of
North America as a manifestation of our profound
gratitude towards this great nation for its
disinterested protection which it lent us and
continues lending us
When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo became the
president of the Philippines he thought of having
a new flag that will represent freedom. It is
President Aguinaldo and other revolutionary
leaders who think the idea of the design of our
Philippine flag. The Philippine flag was made of
silk and has many elements or features shown like
white triangle containing a sunburst of eight rays
and blue and red stripes which represents
different features.
The sun represents liberty and its eight rays represent
the first eight provinces that revolted against Spain.
The three stars stand for the three big island in the
Philippines namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. As for
the colours used, white represents hope for equality
while the blue stripes stands for peace, truth and
justice. Finally, the red stripes symbolize patriotism
and valour. However when the two stripes are
interchanged, this signals that the country is in state of
war. The Philippine flag was hand sewn by Marcela
Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and
Mrs. Josefina Herbosa de Natividad in Hong Kong and
was unveiled at the Aguinaldos’ mansion in Kawit,
Cavite.
Question#5:How do you assess the implications of the call
for revising the design of the Philippine Flag and the
Philippine National Anthem based on present
circumstances?
Some lawmakers are bringing-up issues like the
plan of revising the design of the Philippine Flag
and changing the lyrics of the Philippine National
Anthem that may possible bring different changes
and arguments in the society because some
people are agreed and some disagreed. Others
prefer to be contented of having the original
feature instead of making changes. It is really
essential to have changes that might bring effects
to our society?
The Philippine Flag stood as witness to the
glorious events of our history. The flag is
the country’s most cherished symbol. It is
the nation’s emblem for freedom. It
symbolizes patriotism, love of country and
sense of nationhood and embodies the
aspirations and sentiments of the Filipino
people in their unceasing quest for
independence. It stands as instrument of
unity that binds the Filipino people. Our
Philippine Flag is made of silk, it had a
white triangle at the left that signifies
Filipino hope for equality.
The five-pointed star at each angle of the
triangle represent the three island groups
for the Philippines – Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. An upper stripe of blue stands
for peace, truth and justice and a lower
stripe of red stripe stands for patriotism
and valor. And also a sun at the center of
white triangle that stands for liberty
containing a sunburst of 8 rays at the
center that represent the provinces -
Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija, Laguna, Tarlac at Batangas who took
arms against Spain.
ButSenator Gordon proposes that from 8,
the number of sun rays in the Philippine
flag must be 9. While the 8 rays represent
the first provinces which revolted against
Spain in the late 19th century. The 9th ray
according to Gordon will represent the
Muslims who also fought against foreign
invasion. If congress approves the addition
of a 9th ray, there must be a conflict that
may affect our nation because all flags in
government offices and on official
documents will change and maybe it is for
us Filipinos to start again.
And Senate President Tito Sotto proposed
the revising the final lines of the Philippine
National Anthem. He thinks the original
lyrics, written in 1898 by Julian Felipe
(“Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang
mamatay nang dahil sa iyo”) is defeatist, it
means that as Filipinos, it would be our joy
to give up our lives in defense of our
country’s freedom. It is an expression of
how far we are willing to go to defend our
country and its sovereignty. That the
ultimate sacrifice of death would give us
joy if it would mean freedom for our
country.
Instead he has proposed the lines, “…ang
ipaglaban ang kalayaan mo.” The last line
was apparently meant to strike a patriotic
note among us, Filipinos. Just like in a
speech or a joke, it is the so-called ‘punch
line’ so it has got to come on strong. It’s
simply because nothing is more patriotic
than dying for one’s country. Touching on
the matter may even open the floodgates
to a host of weird suggestions such as
changing the tempo of the national anthem
to pop or rap, just to make ‘Lupang
Hinirang’ in keeping with the times.
As it is, several artists have come under
fire for changing the tempo of our national
anthem and for alerting or ‘playing’ with its
tune. Some artists think that the national
anthem is just like any other song that they
can interpret the way they want.. There
are countless other songs to play around
with, so why dwell on the national anthem
which is expected to strike certain sensitive
chords with many, if not majority, of
Filipinos? There is a time for everything.
Simply put, the proposals just come at a
‘wrong timing.’
Our elders of the past have put their heads
together to come up with our national
anthem and the design of our Philippine
flag, taking into consideration the very
events that led to our freedom and the
conditions of the times then. We should
show them respect that they deserve by
leaving the national anthem and our flag
alone. These symbols reflect significant
events in the history of the nation and must
be preserved rather than changed.
