Brief History of Philippine Independence
By: Sherling de la Paz
The Philippines has had a long history of political, economic, and cultural colonization. From three centuries of Spanish domination to decades of American control, Filipino history and culture have all adapted to “Philippinize” any and all foreign values and customs. But our history is also marked by constant and persistent resistance to the various waves of foreign domination. Indeed, for every era of domination and exploitation, whether it was at the hands of foreign or native-born agents, the Filipino masses have never bowed down to their fates without organized struggles.
The most pervasive era of colonial rule was that of the Spanish, which began in 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived on the Island of Cebu. Spanish colonization was virtually uninterrupted, from 1565-1898. During this time, the Spanish consolidated the various independent Muslim sultanates, Buddhist kingdoms, Rajahnates, and Barangays into one national unity named Filipinas, after King Felipe II de España. With the construction of Intramuros (literally city “between walls”) in 1571, the Philippines became the capital of the Spanish East Indies. For the next 257 years, the Philippines would be administered as a Spanish colony.
Although there was consistent resistance to Spanish domination, it was only in 1896 that this revolt became officially organized. Arguably, the trial and subsequent execution of Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896) sparked the formation of the Katipunan and the Revolution. Rizal was considered a martyr for the cause of Philippine reforms. His two novels, El Filibusterismo and Noli me Tangere, openly criticized the Spanish colonial government, as well as the Church, which was complicit in the oppression of the Filipino people. Rather than violent revolution, Rizal pushed for legal reforms that would include more Filipinos in the governmental apparatus and would treat Filipinos and Spaniards equally before the eyes of the law. This was his agenda when he formed La Liga Filipina, a moderate activist organization. However, as a result of his connections with members of the Katipunan, he was tried and convicted of committing acts of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy. He was sentenced to death. His last poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” written while in prison awaiting execution, continued to invoke patriotism and nationalism.
The Philippine Revolution against the Spanish was mostly led by the Katipunan, founded by Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897). The Katipunan can be called a violent militant group. Its members believed, however, that legal reforms would not suffice in changing the fate of the Filipinos. They believed that armed revolution was the only answer. Bonifacio, although coming from very humble beginnings, taught himself to read and write. Having been fluent enough in Spanish, Bonifacio avidly read Rizal’s works and other great European literature. He even translated Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” into Tagalog.
The Revolution put forth by the Katipunan culminated on June 12, 1898, when General Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964), leader of the Philippine Revolution, declared the independence of the Philippines. During this landmark event that took place in Aguinaldo’s residence in Cavite, the Act of Declaration of Independence was written and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. The Act explicitly named and denounced the Spanish as the oppressors of the Philippine people. It explicitly criticized the consistent violations of the Rule of Law, and cited the execution of Rizal as the prime example of the colonists’ injustice. At the same time, it extolled the virtues of the Revolutionary movement and declared the Philippines to be a sovereign, independent nation. Having been signed by 94 Filipino revolutionaries and one American official, the Act stood as a symbol of a defiant people vying to control their own fates.
As well, the modern Philippine flag was unfurled for the first time. The flag as we know it now was designed by Aguinaldo while in exile in Hong Kong. It was made by Marcela de Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Josefina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of Jose Rizal). The Philippine flag is rife with symbolism, all of which are tied to the country’s history of rebellion and pride: the three stars represent the three major islands wherein the Revolution first flared – Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao; the eight rays of the sun symbolize the eight original provinces that took up arms against the Spanish – Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas; the blue stripe stands for peace, the red stripe for war, and the white triangle for the Katipunan. [The Filipino flag is the only one in the world that changes when the country is in a state of war. When at war, the flag is rotated 180-degrees so that the red stripe is on top.]
Additionally, the Philippine national anthem was played for the first time on June 12, 1898. Composed by Julian Felipe, the anthem was originally an instrumental march, entitled Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March). However, it was only in August 1899 that the march was given lyrics. The words to the anthem were written by a young soldier, Jose Palma, in the form of a poem, written in Spanish, named Filipinas. [Interestingly, the anthem was translated in English in 1934, and in Tagalog only in 1956.]
In December 1898, at the end of the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded the Philippines to the US, thus virtually ignoring Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence. This transfer of power was not recognized by Aguinaldo and his new government, so by 1899, the Philippines declared independence from the US and declared war. By 1905, the Philippines was under American colonization. During this time, the singing of the national march and the flying of the national flag were expressly condemned and suppressed.
In 1935, the Philippines was given Commonwealth Status, thereby once again denying the Philippines national sovereignty. It was only on July 4, 1946 that the Philippines was granted full independence, after the Japanese were defeated at the end of World War II. Manuel Roxas was the first elected President of the newly independent Philippine state.
For the next decade and a half, the Philippine Independence Day had been celebrated on July 4. Aguinaldo’s Declaration was commemorated by naming June 12 as Flag Day. It was only under the leadership of President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965) that the official Independence Day celebration was moved to June 12. This was done to reaffirm Philippine nationalism and pride.
[Although military and political history often focuses only on the actions of the male revolutionaries, there were many women whose participation was pivotal to the success of the Revolution. Teodora Alonzo (1827-1911) was the mother of Dr. Jose Rizal. She is credited with having instilled in him the principles and values that he later stood for in his plight against colonization. As a result of this, she was persecuted and even jailed by the Spanish for the majority of her life. Other women include: Gregoria de Jesus (1875-1943, wife of Andres Bonifacio), Teresa Magbanua (“Generala Isay”), Generale Agueda Kahabangan, and Trinidad Tecson – all of whom fought among and led the male warriors of the Revolution. Women also played supportive roles, such as Melchora (“Tandang Sora”) Aquino (1812-1919), who selflessly tended to wounded and sick Katipunan fighters. Without the involvement of both the men and the women, the Revolution of the 1890s would never have been successful.]
Nowadays Philippine Independence Day is celebrated all throughout the world wherever Filipino communities exist. Oftentimes the celebrations include a parade, a huge congregation of Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, and large amounts of food. As well, since we Filipinos are never short of talents, there is often a program featuring songs and dances performed by members of our community.
In Montreal alone, there are several different events that occur around the June 12 Independence Day. The largest Independence Day celebration in Montreal is organized by the Federation of the Filipino-Canadian Associations of Quebec (FFCAQ). Every year there is a parade, a Catholic mass, as well as a long program featuring the many talents of our community. Also present are our various associations and organizations. There are also several Filipino restaurants, serving up their delicious food and refreshments.
Regardless of how we celebrate our national Independence Day, we must never forget the reasons for which we celebrate: our pride in our culture, our history, and our heritage. We Filipinos come from a long history of colonization. However, as a result, we come from a long history of resistance and revolt. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas on our 111th Independence Day celebrations!
“I die, without seeing the Day dawning on my country.
You who will see it, greet it and forget not those who fell during the night”
-Jose Rizal
