12/06/2021
"Araw ng Kalayaan" or the Philippine Independence Day is the memorialization of patriotism, heroism, and bravery of the Filipino people. This is why the 12th day of June symbolizes the day where the Philippines is completely independent from any entity who dares to oppress it. 🌏
Today's generation must know that this isn’t only a day of Independence for our motherland but also is a day to celebrate and to be dedicated in everything that we do because like all our patriotic countrymen did in their time, we shouldn’t doubt the power to orchestrate changes through our words and deeds. 🤖
With the theme, "Kalayaan 2021: Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan", how does the history of this holiday give significance to us? Let us take a step back onto our history of independence.
On June 12, 1898, the Philippine flag was raised for the very first time by General Emilio Aguinaldo after he issued a decree setting aside the date as a proclamation of independence. Three women designed the flag: Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herboza.
The national anthem, ‘Lupang Hinirang’ (played by the San Francisco de Malabon marching band), filled the air for the first time. On the same day, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read out the 21-page document of declaring independence from the Spanish, which lasted for 333 years.
But this didn't went out too well, as Spain initially didn't recognize Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence. At the end of the Spanish-American war in May 1898, Spain surrendered and gave the United States control of their territories, including the Philippines. In 1946, the U.S. government offered the Philippines the opportunity to establish statehood like Hawaii, but leaders in the Philippines opted to be an independent country. This made to U.S. grant the much awaited independence to the nation on July 4, 1968, through the Treaty of Manila.
Originally, Independence Day in the Philippines was celebrated on the 4th of July to match the U.S. However, in 1962 President Diosdado Macapagal declared June 12th as Independence Day to commemorate the actual anniversary date of the end of Spanish rule in the country.
On the upcoming Independence Day, Monsay Roboticists are hoping that all Ramonians remember the true meaning of it, and may we all show our style of honoring and loving our motherland. Even with the challenging times, let us continue to be proud of the land that we are born. 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Bumabati ng maligayang ika - 123 Araw ng Kasarinlan, Lupang Sinilangan. 🌅❤💙💛
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WRITTEN BY: Marc Andrie Bermundo
PUBMAT BY: Kurt Andre Tio
SOURCES:
[1] President of the Philippines. "DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2013". PROCLAMATION NO. 459. Official Gazette, Philippine National Government. Retrieved June 09, 2021.
[2] Philippine Revolution: The Making of a Nation : Papers from the Regional Conferences Held in Cebu City, Davao City, Baguio City, and Dapitan City. National Centennial Commission. 1999. p. 474. ISBN 978-971-92018-7-8. Retrieved June 09, 2021.
[3] Cecilio D. Duka (2008). Struggle for Freedom' 2008 Ed. p. 166. ISBN 9789712350450.
"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 09, 2021.
[4] The Flag Days: May 28 to June 12 Archived August 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, May 27, 2014, Official Gazette of the Philippine Government, Executive Order No. 179, s. 1994 , May 24, 1994, Official Gazette of the Philippine Government.
[5] "National Flag Day". Manila Bulletin News. May 27, 2018. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved June 09, 2021.
[6] National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). (2021, May 11). Here is the official theme for the commemoration of the 123rd anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence. Retrieved June 09, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3992995477422753&id=101821106540229
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