Maningo, Kim Ortega, Angela ScSc 12- Readings in Philippine History

Purca, Bacille John Lomocso, Arman Ford T-Th 2:30 – 4:00

A Critical Essay of the “Declaration of Philippine Independence” of Ambrosio Rianzares
Bautista
The text is about the independence of the Filipinos from the hands of Spaniards. From the
text it states that under the Spanish regime, Filipinos are slaves of the Spaniards and if not
prevented or stopped, Filipinos will suffer even more and will also have a threatening life in the
future. The Spaniards tend to abuse and more likely to kill those who do not follow their rules
and regulations at that time. This text represents all the Filipinos that are hoping to have freedom
and to get out from the cruelty of the colonizers had finally achieved so and declared it.
The author of the text is Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. He was born on Dec 7, 1830 and
died on Dec 4, 1903.He is also known as “Don Bosyong." He is a lawyer and the author of
declaration of Philippine independence. He attended preparatory school in Biñan, and studied
law at Santo Tomas University (UST), graduating in 1865. Bautista found funds to support a
reform drive in the Philippines, and later became a leader of La Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de
Compromisarios y La Propaganda. In 1896, he was arrested and imprisoned by the Spaniards at
Fort Santiago on suspicion of participation in the Philippine Revolution; Bautista decided to
defend himself and was later released from prison. Bautista was President Emilio Aguinaldo's
first counselor in 1898, and subsequently authored the Philippine Independence Declaration.
The context of the documents was to proclaim the sovereignty and independence of the
Philippines from the colonial rule of Spain. The Philippines declaration of Independence
occurred in Kawit, Cavite on June 12 1898 where Filipino revolutionary forces under General
Emilio Aguinaldo proclaim the sovereignty's and independence of the Philippines Island from
Spanish colonization after the latter was defeated at the battle of Manila bay on May 1, 1898
during the Spanish - American war. It was declared a national holiday and was witness by
thousands of people who gathered in Kawit to witness the historic event.
This text aids in understanding the History of the Philippines achieving freedom from the
colonizers. The text explains why the Philippines celebrates Independence Day every 12th day of
June annually. It is the embodiment of the Philippine Independence that the people are capable of
freeing themselves from the Spaniars. It aids in understanding how did the people achieved such
for it entails the details of how they won over the colonizers. Moreover, it also answers why the
country has such-of-a-design flag such as what the symbols and colors represent.

References
Bauzon, K. (2019). Capitalism, The American Empire, and Neoliberal Globalization. Themes
and Annotations from Selected Works of E. San Juan, Jr. Springer Nature.
Guevara, S. (2009). The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence. Retrieved from Filipino
Biz: https://filipino.biz.ph/history/declaration.html?fbclid=IwAR2NaCaEmtrzhlvcK-
Ol7KX_NKTjyBlVrV_EaRWp1wXyW_iNK_DTHX557e0