What do People do?

Independence Day is a day when many people, including government officials, employees, and students,
participate in nationwide parades. However, the main highlight is the police and military parade in
Manila headed by the country’s incumbent president, followed by a speech and a 21-gun salute. Many
Filipinos spend the day in parks and malls. Many Filipino communities in other countries also observe
the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.

Public Life

The Philippine’s Independence Day is a national holiday so government offices are closed. There are
absolutely no classes in all schools. Many business establishments are closed except shopping centers.
Public transport such as buses, passenger jeeps, and tricycles still operate but their routes may be
limited due to the closure of streets used for parades.

Background

The annual June 12 observance of Philippine’s Independence Day came into effect after past President
Diosdado Macapagal signed the Republic Act No. 4166 regarding this matter on August 4, 1964. This Act
legalized the holiday, which is based on the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 by General
Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionary forces from the Spanish colonization. The Philippines’ flag
was raised and its national anthem was played for the first time in 1898. However, liberty was short-
lived because Spain and the United States did not recognize the declaration.

The 1898 Treaty of Paris ended the war between Spain and the United States. Spain surrendered the
entire archipelago comprising the Philippines to the United States. The Philippines started a revolt
against the United States in 1899 and achieved national sovereignty on July 4, 1946, through the Treaty
of Manila. Independence Day was officially observed on July 4 until the Republic Act No. 4166, which set
out to move the holiday to June 12, was approved on August 4, 1964.

Symbols

The Flag of the Republic of the Philippines, representing the country is symbolized by the following:

Royal blue field – peace, truth, and justice.

Scarlet red field – patriotism and valor.

White triangle – equality and brotherhood.

Three stars on the corners of the triangle – the three main geographical regions of the country namely
Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
The sun at the center of the triangle – has eight rays representing the eight Philippine provinces that
started the revolt against Spain.

The flag is seen in various places across towns and cities in the Philippines during the country’s
Independence Day. Many cars also sport miniature flags on this day.

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/independence-day

http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/07/philippine-declaration-of-independence_05.html

<http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/republic-message.html>.

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The declaration of independence is one of the most important milestones in Philippine history. The
country was colonized by many nations for hundreds of years. Imagine achieving your freedom after all
the hardships you’ve been through. It is priceless.

Philippine Independence Day has been celebrated every June 12 since 1962. The original celebration
used to be on July 4, but then President Diosdado Macapagal changed the date to June 12, in
commemoration of Emilio Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence from the Spaniards.

In turn, July 4 was declared as Philippine Republic Day or American-Filipino Friendship Day, when a
treaty was made declaring the freedom of the Philippines from the United States.

The celebration of the Philippine Independence is from May 28 to June 12, where all government
establishments, residences, and other public squares are encouraged to display the country’s flag.

The country begins its celebration by displaying the national flag in various historical places nationwide.
In Rizal Park or any other national historical landmark, the President, Vice President and other members
of the government together with the Armed Forces and the general public, sing the national anthem
Lupang Hinirang, while raising the national flag at 7 in the morning. It is followed by the wreath laying
ceremony and the presidential speech. This practice has been observed since 2011.

As we enjoy the holiday, may we not forget its significance in our country’s history. Before our heroes
achieved our independence, they offered their talents and wits, and put their lives at risk. May we learn
from them as citizens of the Philippines.

Three important reasons to remember Independence Day

By: Rhobie Alburo Ruaya CDN Digital June 12, 2020

The official declaration of the Philippines’ independence is one of the most treasured milestones that we
Filipinos achieved in our rich history.
After being colonized by many nations in the past centuries, our freedom is priceless.

Since 1962, Philippine Independence Day has been celebrated every June 12 after President Diosdado
Macapagal changed the date from July 4, the day when a treaty was made declaring the freedom of the
Philippines from the United States.

The move was in commemoration of the declaration of independence from the Spaniards led by Emilio
Aguinaldo.

July 4 was then declared as Philippine Republic Day or American-Filipino Friendship Day.

In celebration of the 122nd Independence Day of the Philippines and to remind us why it’s important to
commemorate this historic proclamation, let’s recall lines and quotes from famous Filipinos who were
substantial figures to the freedom that we enjoy today.

To remember the sacrifices of our heroes and appreciate sovereignty

“Nationalism is nourished by a sense of history. It is of its essence to know profoundly the past, so that
we may be in complete openness with the men who made that history and in intimate communion with
their thoughts, their deeds, and their noble lives.”—Claro M. Recto, Jr.

This day is not just a regular holiday, it is this day that Filipinos remember the courage and sacrifices by
soldiers and heroes who fought for our motherland.

Inspired by their strength to fight and dedication to free the country against colonizers should be
remembered by the generations of today and the years to come.

These heroic acts should be appreciated as much as we appreciate the endowment of sovereignty.

To show your love for your country

“I want to show to those who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to
sacrifice ourselves for our duties and convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves
—for his country and for others dear to him.”—Jose Rizal

It is not only important to celebrate this holiday, but it is also important not to forget its significance for
the Philippines.

Many Filipinos offered their talents and skills and put their lives at risk to achieve our independence.

Their heroic stories should serve as lessons to learn as citizens of this country.

We may have different ways of showing our love for the Philippines but let us appreciate even the little
things that we do to express how much we love our country.

As simple as keeping our surroundings clean and organized, being a law abiding citizen or serving the
country in your own little way is already an act of showing your love.

On this day we also remember the sacrifices of front-liners and essential workers to help our country in
times of need.

To spread awareness of Filipino culture

“Let us teach our people again to be proud that they are Filipinos. Let us teach them to realize anew that
being a Filipino means having as rich and noble a heritage of language, culture, patriotism and heroic
deeds as any nation on earth. —Carlos P. Romulo

More than remembering our hard-earned freedom, may this day be an opportunity to appreciate
Filipino heritage, culture and tradition.

Our rich and colorful traditions and culture from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao show that the Filipino
Character is not only brave and courageous.

We Filipinos are talented and skillful in many disciplines.

Read more: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/317660/three-important-reasons-to-remember-
independence-day#ixzz6cjj3GMun

Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/317660/three-important-reasons-to-remember-independence-day

Stand for independence, protect our freedoms

posted June 13, 2020 at 12:15 am

by

Elizabeth Angsioco

Stand for independence, protect our freedoms"It is now our time to shine."

On June 12, 1898, the leaders of our revolutionary forces gathered in Kawit (formerly Cavite el Viejo),
Cavite, at the home of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to undertake one of the most important and glorious
moments in the history of our country. Many more revolutionaries and town folks were waiting outside
for an event that we commemorate yearly—the declaration of Philippine independence from Spanish
rule.

It was quite a daring act as our revolutionaries were still fighting the forces of Spain. Aguinaldo has just
returned from exile in Hong Kong a few weeks back. He immediately reorganized the forces of the
revolution and proceeded to resume the revolution. His forces won their first battle on May 28, 1898 in
Alapan when enemies attacked as our revolutionaries were meeting the shipment of arms to aid in the
struggle for independence. To celebrate this victory, Aguinaldo, for the first time, unfurled the Philippine
flag he brought home from Hong Kong for the people in the area to see. This is the reason why May 28
of each year is celebrated as the Flag Day and starts the celebration of flag days until June 12, the day
Filipinos declared our independence.

The Declaration of Philippine Independence, originally in Spanish, was written and read by Ambrosio
Rianzares-Bautista during the event. Contrary to what many Filipinos now believe, it was also Rianzares-
Bautista who waved the flag, not Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who was inside his house. This is really
understandable because he was the leader of the revolution.

It was the first time that Filipinos saw the national flag proudly being waved as a sign of independence. It
was also during this event that the “Marcha Nacional Filipina” (the original national anthem) composed
by Julian Felipe was played to the jubilation of those gathered for the momentous event.
We can only imagine what our ancestors were feeling as they listened to the declaration, saw the flag
for the first time, and heard, and perhaps marched to the tune of our national march. It must have been
glorious to witness the birth of our nation.

After the event, there is evidence showing that the Filipino people loved and were proud of this national
symbol. In the book Philippine National Flag and Anthem (1936), the author wrote that “during the short
life of the Philippine Republic, crude and hand-made national flags were in evidence, everywhere, white
silk and embroidered ones were not uncommon in the homes of the well-to-do families. In those days it
was an established custom for the young ladies of a town or province to give hand-embroidered flags to
the revolutionary army; the offer was considered a privilege and its acceptance a distinction.”

The Filipinos’ love of and respect for the flag and national anthem was rooted in our independence, our
being free as a nation and as a people. They are symbols that the Philippines is a sovereign country.
These symbols were given to us by Gen. Aguinaldo and the tens of thousands who spilled their blood on
the very grounds we now traverse.

I am part of a generation that sang the national anthem in school each day that our flag was being
raised. After which, we put our right hand over our hearts and recited Panatang Makabayan. We would
stand erect each time we would hear Lupang Hinirang play anywhere, and not just inside movie houses.

Thus, it is very painful to see neglected and worn out flags flying the poles of offices or along major
thoroughfares. It hurts when Filipinos refuse to stand and pay respect when the national anthem is
played. Many of us seem to have lost our fervor for the very symbols of the independence that enabled
us to enjoy the freedoms we now have.

At a time when these freedoms are being disrespected and curtailed by those who are supposed to
protect them, at a time when as a people we face hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic and
government inability to effectively address it, at a time when our very sovereignty is being challenged
and our territory is being claimed by China while the government turns a blind eye, the Filipino people
need to assert our independence and rights as a people.

On August 31, 1899, while the Philippine-American war was raging, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo released a
manifesto entitled, “Sa Bayang Filipinas” that partly said, “Tangi sa rito’y minamatamis sa puso ng ating
hokbo ang makalilibong mamatay, maipagtangol lamang ang santong katowiran at ang… iaanhin pa nga
naman ang manga katawan sa ibabaw nang lupa, kung mabubuhay rin lamang sa di katowiran at sa
kaalipnan?” (It is sweeter to die a thousand deaths to be able to defend righteousness… what good is it
to be alive if we live in injustice and slavery?)

It will do us good to remember why our heroes fought for us. It is now our time to shine. Stand for
independence, protect our freedoms.

@bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Topics: Emilio Aguinaldo , Philippine independence , Declaration of Philippine Independence

https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/325928