In opting for June 12 as Independence Day, the nation choose well for it was on that day 116 years ago that the Filipino people for the first time knew the reality of nationhood, nebulous and uncertain though it was, and still mortally threatened by forces within and without a reality that came about through the faith, passion, sacrifice, vision and courage of a few men. But when they took up the scepter of leadership, the people followed and united behind them.
Up to the time the Filipinos rose up in arms against Spain, the colonial government had been in power for more than three centuries. On March 22, 1897, the Filipino patriots established the First Revolutionary Government, with General Emilio Aguinaldo as President. Cavite was chosen as its seat, but later it was transferred to Biak-na –Bato in Bulacan. Then on November I, 1897, the revolutionary government underwent a change, this time to become a republican government, with General Emilio Aguinaldo still President. The constitution which created the republic was known as the Biak-na Bato Constitution, and it was written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer, who closely modeled it after the Cuban Constitution. The first task before the government was to oust Spain from the archipelago. And the Filipinos had masterfully gone about this task, at that point already superior to the Spanish forces in the field. In fact, only a few scattered Spanish garrisons were left to scuttle.
The war against Spain had naturally stirred up the country, and there was restiveness, disorder, and even outlawry everywhere. To cope with the chaos, Aguinaldo’s adviser, Ambrosio Rianazares Bautista, urged him to set aside the constitution for a while and rule with absolute powers. This advice the General took, taking extra-ordinary powers on May 24, 1898. Aguinaldo ruled as a virtual dictator for a month to bring order back to the country and consolidate the gains made by the republic.
How well the war for the Filipinos could be gleaned from the haste with which the Spanish colonial government sought to end hostilities. Seven months before the republic was proclaimed, on December 14 and 15, 1897, the Pack of Biak-na- Bato was signed by Spanish Governor General Primo de Rivera and General Emilio Aguinaldo. The Pact called for the peaceful settlement of the issues in the revolution. Dr. Pedro A. Paterno acted as negotiator. However, the provisions of the Pact of Biak- na-Bato were violated by the Spaniards and hostilities resumed. Aguinaldo went to Hongkong to meet the American fleet commander, Commodore George Dewey, to thresh out Filipino-American collaboration against Spain, and to purchase arms for the Filipinos, Aguinaldo needed American help to win the war for Philippine Independence. At the time, the Spanish-War had broken out and Dewey in fact was set to meet the Spanish fleet. Aguinaldo brought with him from Hongkong a new Constitution establishing a federal republic in the islands. This constitution was written by Mariano Ponce. However, Ambrosio Rianazares Bautista, Aguinaldo’s adviser, convinced the General that the country was not yet ready for a republic, and that for the vigorous prosecution of the war, Aguinaldo must continue to wield dictatorial powers.
From Biak-na Bato, General Emilio Aguinaldo went to Kawit to issue a proclamation declaring the desire of the Filipinos to be free and independent. The date was June 12, 1898. The proclamation was translated into English, French, and Visayan, with the document itself drafted between four and five o’clock in the afternoon. The proclamation was made at Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit, presided over by Ambrosio R. Bautista. The solemn ceremonies were attended by the revolutionary leaders, rank and file soldiers, and by thousands of people coming from various provinces. The document was written and read on the balcony of Aguinaldo’s residence by Bautista. It was entitled “Act of Proclamation of the Independence of the Filipino People”. The document was signed by 98 persons, mostly the moving spirits of the revolution, including Ambrosio R. Bautista, Ladislaw Diwa, Artemio Ricarte, Baldomero Aguinaldo, Felipe Buencamino, Daniel Tria Tirona and Jose Turiano Santiago. One American fighting with the Filipinos, L.M. Johnson, a coronel of artillery, also signed the document. The document stated: “The Filipinos had long been deprived of their freedom but now they were going to show the world their ability to form an independent government on their own”.
For the first time then, the Filipino Flag was unfurled. The flag was sewn in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, the wife of Felipe Agoncillo, with the help of Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, Rizal’s niece and daughter of Luisa Rizal, and Lorenza Agoncillo, the daughter of Marcela. It was finished in five days in Hongkong, in a house (No. 435) on Morrison Hill, under the direction of Gen. Aguinaldo himself. The new flag was used by the Filipino forces for the first time, on May 28, 1898 at Alapan ( a barrio between Imus and Kawit) where they captured 270 Spanish soldiers, and at Polvorin, Binakayan where the Filipinos defeated a force of 250 Spanish infantrymen; and at Bacoor, where 300 of the Spanish forces were captured. The new flag was devised and adopted by Junta Patriotica( Patriotic Council) composed of the exiled Filipino leaders led by Aguinaldo in Hongkong. Also for the first time, the Philippine National Hymn, called Himno Nacional, was played. It was composed by Julian Felipe, a music teacher from Cavite.
The document narrated the grievances of the Filipinos, while the declaratory part stated:” We proclaim and solemnly declare, in the name and by authority of the inhabitants of all the Philippine Islands, who are and have the right to be free and independent, that they have broken the bonds of obedience to the crown of Spain; that every political tie between the two is and must be completely severed and annulled; and that like all free and independent states, they have complete authority to declare war, make peace, establish commercial treaties enter alliances, regulate commerce and execute all other acts that independent states have the right to do, possessing confidence in the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to this declaration our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred possession, which is our honor”.
Soon after the proclamation of independence, Apolinario Mabini became the chief adviser of Emilio Aguinaldo. The General promulgated a decree on June 12, 1898 and issued instructions on June 20, 1898 reorganizing the municipal and provincial governments. On June 23, 1898, the Second Revolutionary Government was formed by a dint of a decree issued by Aguinaldo. The object of the Second Revolutionary Government was to struggle for the independence of the Philippines until she is recognized by the free nations of the earth.
Reference:” FOCUS PHILIPPINES”
By: Elizabeth P. Dumalag | Teacher III | Bonifacio Camacho National High School | Abucay, Bataan
