Proclamation of Philippine Independence

The Declaration of Philippine Independence on 12 June 1898
Written by Philippine Embassy Webmaster
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred in Kawit,
Cavite on 12 June 1898 where Filipino revolutionary forces under
General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and
independence of the Philippine islands from Spanish colonization
after the latter was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay on 1 May 1898
during the Spanish-American War. It was declared a national holiday
and was witnessed by thousands of people who gathered in Kawit to
witness the historic event.
The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United
States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines
(and other Spanish colonial territories) to the United States in the
1898 Treaty of Paris signed on 10 December 1898 in consideration for an
indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.
The Act of the Declaration of Independence was prepared and
written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in Spanish, who also read the
said declaration. A passage in the Declaration reminds one of another
passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The Philippine
Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, among them an
American army ofcer who witnessed the proclamation. The Act
declared that the Filipinos “are and have the right to be free and
independent,” and that the nation from ”this day commences to have
a life of its own, with every political tie between Filipinas and Spain
severed and annulled”.
The event saw the National Flag of the Philippines, designed by
General Aguinaldo and made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo,
Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfna Herboza unfurled for the frst time. This
was followed by the performance of the “Marcha Filipina Magdalo”
now known as “Lupang Hinirang”, the National Anthem. The
composer, Julian Felipe. was a music teacher from Cavite. The lyrics to
the anthem were sourced a year after from the poem of Jose Palma
entitled “Filipinas”.
General Aguinaldo explained the symbolism of the Filipino fag.
Each of the three colors has an appropriate meaning:
a. the lower red stripe represents patriotism and valor
b. the upper blue stripe signifes peace, truth and justice
c. the white triangle stands for equality
The three stars indicate the three geographical areas of Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao.
The eight rays of the sun refer to frst eight provinces of Manila,
Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas and

Cavite which took up arms against Spain and were placed under
martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution
in 1896.
Sources: Agoncillo and Guerrero, History of the Filipino People
Zaide, S. The Philippines: A Unique Nation
The Philippine Revolution
The Proclamation of Philippine Independence
Declaration of Independence
With a government in operation, Aguinaldo thought that it was
necessary to declare the independence of the Philippines. He believed
that such a move would inspire the people to fght more eagerly
against the Spaniards and at the same time, lead the foreign
countries to recognize the independence of the country. Mabini, who
had by now been made Aguinaldo's unofcial adviser, objected. He
based his objection on the fact that it was more important to
reorganize the government in such a manner as to convince the
foreign powers of the competence and stability of the new
government than to proclaim Philippine independence at such an
early period. Aguinaldo, however, stood his ground and won.

On June 12, between four and fve in the afternoon, Aguinaldo, in
the presence of a huge crowd, proclaimed the independence of the
Philippines at Cavite el Viejo (Kawit). For the frst time, the Philippine
National Flag, made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted
by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfna Herboza, was ofcially hoisted and
the Philippine National March played in public. The Act of the
Declaration of Independence was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares
Bautista, who also read it. A passage in the Declaration reminds one of
another passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The
Philippine Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, among
them an American army ofcer who witnessed the proclamation. The
proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated
on August 1 when many towns has already been organized under the
riles laid down by the Dictatorial Government.
Proclamation of Philippine Independence
The most signifcant achievement of Aguinaldo's Dictatorial
Government was the proclamation of Philippine Independence in
Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. The day was declared a national holiday.
Thousands of people from the provinces gathered in Kawit to witness
the historic event. The ceremony was solemnly held at the balcony of
General Emilio Aguinaldo's residence. The military and civil ofcials of
the government were in attendance.
A dramatic feature of the ceremony was the formal unfurling of
the Filipino fag amidst the cheers of the people. At the same time, the
Philippine National Anthem was played by the band. Ambrosio
Rianzares Bautista solemnly read the "Act of the Declaration of
Independence" which he himself wrote. The declaration was signed by
98 persons. One of the signers was an American, L.M. Johnson, Colonel
of Artillery.
The Philippines: A Unique Nation. Dr. Sonia M. Zaide
Protectorate Proclaimed
Aguinaldo continued his moves for consolidation. The next step
was the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.
Appropriate celebrations marked the event in Kawit at which the
Philippine fag was ofcially raised and the Philippine National
Anthem frst publicly played. The declaration was prepared by
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista who patterned it after the American
Declaration of Independence. Aguinaldo invited Dewey to the
festivities, but the latter declined the invitation and did not even
report the event to Washington. The declaration was signed by
ninety-eight persons, including an American ofce, L.M. Johnson,
Colonel of Artillery.

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The Declaration of Philippine Independence on 12 June 1898

Written by Philippine Embassy Webmaster

Wednesday, 11 June 2008

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred in Kawit,

Cavite on 12 June 1898 where Filipino revolutionary forces under

General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and

independence of the Philippine islands from Spanish colonization

during the Spanish-American War. It was declared a national holiday

and was witnessed by thousands of people who gathered in Kawit to

witness the historic event.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United

States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines

(and other Spanish colonial territories) to the United States in the

1898 Treaty of Paris signed on 10 December 1898 in consideration for an

indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

The Act of the Declaration of Independence was prepared and

written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in Spanish, who also read the

said declaration. A passage in the Declaration reminds one of another

passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The Philippine

Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, among them an

American army ofcer who witnessed the proclamation. The Act

severed and annulled”.

The event saw the National Flag of the Philippines, designed by

General Aguinaldo and made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo,

was followed by the performance of the “Marcha Filipina Magdalo”

now known as “Lupang Hinirang”, the National Anthem. The

General Aguinaldo explained the symbolism of the Filipino fag.

Each of the three colors has an appropriate meaning:

a. the lower red stripe represents patriotism and valor

b. the upper blue stripe signifes peace, truth and justice

c. the white triangle stands for equality

The three stars indicate the three geographical areas of Luzon,

Visayas and Mindanao.

Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas and

martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution

Sources: Agoncillo and Guerrero, History of the Filipino People

Zaide, S. The Philippines: A Unique Nation

The Philippine Revolution

The Proclamation of Philippine Independence

With a government in operation, Aguinaldo thought that it was

necessary to declare the independence of the Philippines. He believed

countries to recognize the independence of the country. Mabini, who

had by now been made Aguinaldo's unofcial adviser, objected. He

based his objection on the fact that it was more important to

reorganize the government in such a manner as to convince the

foreign powers of the competence and stability of the new

government than to proclaim Philippine independence at such an

early period. Aguinaldo, however, stood his ground and won.

the presence of a huge crowd, proclaimed the independence of the

National Flag, made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted

by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfna Herboza, was ofcially hoisted and

the Philippine National March played in public. The Act of the

Declaration of Independence was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares

another passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The

Philippine Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, among

them an American army ofcer who witnessed the proclamation. The

proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated

riles laid down by the Dictatorial Government.

Proclamation of Philippine Independence