PHILIPPINE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Context Analysis

Title of the document: ACT OF PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO

PEOPLE (Acta de la proclamación de la independencia del pueblo Filipino)

Original language of the document: Spanish

Language used in translation: English

Translator (if applicable): Sulpicio Guevara

Author's name: Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

Birth (Date and Place): Biñan, Laguna, on December 7, 1830

Relevant information about the author that would link the author to the primary source:

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista is a deeply respected lawyer by his colleagues. Bautista's

established colleagues include Rafael del Pan, Chief Justice Florentino Torres, Chief Justice
Cayetano S. Arellano, and Dr. Pedro Paterno. He was well-known to give free legal services to
the unprivileged. Because of his numerous acts of generosity, he gained the masses' favor, in
which they called him "Don Bosyong." With his flourishing patriotism, the national interests of the
Filipinos were of his topmost priority; he joined organizations and associations. He was a member
of Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and also, he was an article writer and financial
contributor for La Solidaridad. Bautista then became the political adviser of Aguinaldo, naming
him as, “Auditor General de Guerra.”

Date of ratification based on the document. (Note: Supplemental readings show different
dates of ratification. You may discuss these dates with your teacher): June 12, 1898

Place of Proclamation: Cavite II el Viejo; from the windows of Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit, Cavite

Author's purpose for writing the document:

To declare the Philippine’s independence and sovereignty from 333 years of Spanish colonial
rule.

Social milieu when the event occurred and was written (What was happening in history
when the document was written?)
Emilio Aguinaldo was exiled in Hong Kong at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. After
the Spanish’ defeat in the Battle of Manila Bay during the war, the Declaration of Independence
was constituted. Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo annunciated the
independence of the country from the colonial reign of Spain. Still and all, the United States and
Spain did not recognize the declaration. As an aftermath, the Spanish government surrendered,
or 'sold' instead, the Philippines to the United States. To compensate for the assets that the
Spanish lost, they sold the Philippines for $20 million on December 10, 1898, in Paris - signifying
the actual end of the Spanish-American War.

Who was the intended audience?

The Filipino Revolutionists, military chiefs, representatives of various towns who attended the
assembly at that time; the Filipino people.
 CONTENT ANALYSIS

1. What were the key topics discussed?

• Proclamation of the independence and sovereignty of the Philippine islands from the
colonial regime of Spain
• Contextual background of the Spanish colonization
• The rights of the Filipinos to be free and independent from colonial rule
• The established dictatorial government of Emilio Aguinaldo; the declaration of powers to
Aguinaldo “to enable him to discharge the duties of Government, including the
prerogatives of granting pardon and amnesty."
• Committed abuses during the colonization period; execution of Rizal, the Gomburza, and
et cetera.
• The symbolic meaning of the Philippine flag
2. How many people signed the declaration of independence?
98 people signed the declaration of independence.
3. How many Americans signed the proclamation? Include the name/s.
One American signed the proclamation. Mr. L. M. Johnson, an American army officer,
witnessed the proclamation and attended the proceedings. He was a Coronel of Artillery.
4. What were the symbolisms (and their meanings) of the Philippine flag raised during the
proclamation?
• The white triangle signifying the distinctive emblem of the famous Society of the "Katipunan"
which by means of its blood compact inspired the masses to rise in revolution;
• The three stars, signifying the three principal Islands of this Archipelago-Luzon, Mindanao,
and Panay where this revolutionary movement started;
• The sun representing the gigantic steps made by the sons of the country along the path of
Progress and Civilization;
• The eight rays, signifying the eight provinces-Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas - which declared themselves in a state of war as soon as
the first revolt was initiated; and
• The colors of Blue, Red, and White, commemorating the flag of the United States of North
America, as a manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation for its
disinterested protection which it lent us and continues lending us.
Reference:

National Historical Commission of the Philippines (2012, September 7). The First Philippine
Republic. Retrieved October 02, 2019 from http://nhcp.gov.ph/the-first-philippine-republic/

Macaraeg, S. (n.d.) AMBROSIO RIANZARES BAUTISTA: THE UNSUNG AUTHOR OF THE

ACT OF PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY THE FILIPINO PEOPLE (June 12,
1898). University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved October 02, 2019 from
https://www.academia.edu/9953486/AMBROSIO_RIANZARES_BAUTISTA_THE_UNSU
NG_AUTHOR_OF_THE_ACT_OF_PROCLAMATION_OF_INDEPENDENCE_BY_THE
_FILIPINO_PEOPLE_June_12_1898_