According to a lot of foreigners,
the Philippines is a country where you can find many kind, expressive and
hospitable people. The Philippines is a very interesting island country in
Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago consisting of
more than 7,000 islands. It is full of different cultures and amazing
traditions.
Although, what’s a blog post about a country without any sort of history lesson? This is for those who are interested and those who have possibly forgotten anything their history teacher said.
It all started in the year 1892 when a secret revolutionary society, the Katipunan (Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan or KKK), was formed during the time the country was colonized by the Spanish in the later part of the 16th century. When the Spanish soon found out about the society in August 1896, the KKK was forced to take premature action with Emilio Aguinaldo becoming its leader. Although Aguinaldo would go on to negotiate with the Spanish and accept exile in Hong Kong.
When the Spanish-American War broke out however, Emilio Aguinaldo had made arrangements with the American authorities to assist the U.S in their war against Spain for his return to the Philippines. Aguinaldo returned, rallied revolutionaries, and began to fight. During the Spanish-American War, the Filipino rebels had proclaimed the independence of the Philippines after 300 years of Spanish rule. By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops had ousted the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for independence were dashed when the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of its peace treaty with Spain.
Although, what’s a blog post about a country without any sort of history lesson? This is for those who are interested and those who have possibly forgotten anything their history teacher said.
It all started in the year 1892 when a secret revolutionary society, the Katipunan (Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan or KKK), was formed during the time the country was colonized by the Spanish in the later part of the 16th century. When the Spanish soon found out about the society in August 1896, the KKK was forced to take premature action with Emilio Aguinaldo becoming its leader. Although Aguinaldo would go on to negotiate with the Spanish and accept exile in Hong Kong.
When the Spanish-American War broke out however, Emilio Aguinaldo had made arrangements with the American authorities to assist the U.S in their war against Spain for his return to the Philippines. Aguinaldo returned, rallied revolutionaries, and began to fight. During the Spanish-American War, the Filipino rebels had proclaimed the independence of the Philippines after 300 years of Spanish rule. By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops had ousted the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for independence were dashed when the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of its peace treaty with Spain.
On June 12th in 1898, a public reading of the Philippine Declaration of Independence in Cavite el Viejo (modern-day Kawit) proclaimed the archipelago a sovereign nation.
This revolutionary event was followed by the first public performance of “Lupang Hinirang” (“Chosen Land”), the Philippine National Anthem, along with the first hosting of the Philippine national flag. Filled with symbolic meaning, all of the flag’s colors stand for a unique element of Philippine pride. Blue represents the peace and justice earned from Philippine leaders’ heroic sacrifice, red signifies their courage and bravery, and the white triangle symbolizes unity and equality. Additionally, the emblazoned on the far left of the flag glistens a symbol of freedom, a radiant sun with eight rays shining out of its center. Each ray symbolizes the first eight Philippine provinces to seek independence. And in the corners of the flag’s white triangles are three stars that represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the three main regions of the Philippines.
Wasn’t that an interesting lesson on how the Philippines gained its independence?
Well now as a citizen of this democratic country, let’s do what we can to have great lives here and to use the rights and freedom we must do good for our country. Never forget its history and always learn to love your mother nation. Mabuhay!
Reference:
“Philippine independence declared”, Retrieved June 20, 2022,
https://tinyurl.com/5n6ejvem
“Philippines Independence Day 2021”, Retrieved June 20, 2022
https://tinyurl.com/yckf2naw
“Philippines Independence Day (1898): June 12, 2022”, Retrieved June 20, 2022
https://tinyurl.com/2wyd4pfz
Images:
Image 1:
https://tinyurl.com/2wwhjkws
Image 2:
https://tinyurl.com/yc8m4jns
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