A Date With History

As I See It                                   
Ver F. Pacete

The formal proclamation of the Philippine independence by Emilio Aguinaldo, the head of the Philippine revolutionary republic, in Kawit, Cavite was on June 12, 1898 (between 4 to 5 p.m). The national flag was unfurled from the second - story window of the ancestral house of the Aguinaldos.

Highlighting the event, was the playing of the national anthem, originally known as “Marcha Filipina Magdalo” and later changed to “La Marcha Nacional Filipina”. The composer was Julian Felipe and the music was played by the San Francisco de Malabon Band. A year after, the lyrics were provided by Jose Palma. The text was published in La Independencia on September 3, 1899. It starts with “Tierra adorada…”

The “Land of the Morning” version in English was a translation by Camilo Osias and M.A.L. lane in 1920. The “Lupang Hinirang” (Bayang magiliw…) official version in our national language is in use since 1956.

Patriots and revolutionaries were there as witnesses to a historic event. Ninety-eight persons signed the Proclamation of Independence, formally known as Acta de la proclamation de independencia del pueblo Filipino. One of the signatories was an American officer, L. M. Johnson. The proclamation was drafted and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista.

The Acta declared that our country is free from the bondage of Spain. The Spaniards came to the Philippines in 1521 and Spain treated the Philippines as a colony for nearly four centuries.

The Philippine national flag used in the window of Aguinaldo had been made in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, assisted by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa. It featured a blue band on top, a red band below and a white triangle on the side.

At the corners of the white triangle were sewn yellow stars symbolizing the three Philippine major groups of islands – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. At the center of a triangle was a sun symbolizing Inang Bayan with 8 rays, representing the first provinces that rose in arms against Spain (Bulacan, Cavite, Manila, Morong, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

The red color signifies bravery – the commitment of the Filipinos to shed blood in defense of Mother Philippines. Blue stands for unity and the noble aspirations of our people. White is for the purity of spirit and body.

Our Philippine flag had undergone the process of evolution. The Bonifacio flag was first used in the cry at Pugad Lawin (August 23, 1896). The Katipunan flags used by the different chapters of the katipuneros. The Llanera’s flag used by Mariano L’anera of Nueva Ecija. (This is known also as “bungo ni Llanera”.) Pio del Pilar’s flag was called Bandila ng Magtagumpay. The Gregorio del Pilar’s flag was using the colors red, blue and black. Magdiwang flag was used by the katipuneros of Cavite.

The Independence Day flag was the one used on June 12, 1898. The present flag we are using was based on the Executive Order of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon issued on March 25, 1936.

The most recent amendment was made by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos that the blue color should be light and not dark.

Our date with history is not just a repeat performance of the events that happened in the past but a realization that in our freedom now, we have challenges to meet. We have attackers emerging from our own culture and we have colonizers coming from our lack of concern to protect freedom within us.

Let us be combative in protecting our Constitution, the source of our freedom. The enemies are at the gate. They are within striking distance. A call for action is now. We can not afford to be enslaved by tyrants which we also created. By doing this, we put meaning to the sacred events in our history.

We congratulate all Silaynons in their 52nd Charter Day Celebration. We pray that you put meaning to your good intentions and work hard to always unite Silay to convert dreams into reality. Take courage for the Lord has the power to help you heal and grow.

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