The Philippine Declaration of Independence Occurred on June 12

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 in Cavite II el Viejo (now Kawit Kawit), ), Cavite Cavite,, Philippines Philippines.. With the public reading read ing of the Act the Act of the Declaration of   Independence,  Independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of o f the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spa in, which had been recently defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War . The declaration, however, was neither recognized by the United States nor Spain nor Spain.. The Spanish government later ceded the t he Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War. The United States finally recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila. Manila.[1] July 4 was observed in the Philippines as  Independence Day until August 4, 1964 when, upon the advice of historians and the urging of  nationalists, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 designating June 12 as the country's Independence country's Independence Day. Day.[2] June 12 had previously been observed as Flag as Flag Day and many government buildings are urged to display the Philippine Flag in their offices.

he Proclamation of Philippine Ph ilippine Independence Declaration of  Independence

Proclamation of Philippine 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 fight 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 unofficial 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 most significant achievement of  Aguinaldo's Dictatorial Government was the proclamation of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite Cavite,, on June 12, 1898. The day was declared a national holiday. Thousands of   people from the provinces prov inces gathered in Kawit to witness the historic event. The ceremony was solemnly held at the balcony of General of General Emilio Aguinaldo's residence. residence. The military and civil officials of the government were in attendance.

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A dramatic feature of the ceremony cere mony was the formal unfurling of the Filipino flag amidst the cheers of the  people. At the same time, the t he Philippine National Anthem was  played by the band. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista solemnly read the "Act "Act of the Declaration of  Independence"" which he himself  Independence wrote. The declaration was signed

On June 12, between four and five in the afternoon, Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge crowd, proclaimed the independence o f the Philippines at Cavite el Viejo (Kawit). For the first time, the Philippine National Flag, made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted  by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza, was officially 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 officer 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.

avite is revered as the birthplace of the Republic. Many of the events associated with the Philippine Revolution occurred here. At Kawit is the balcony of the Aguinaldo Mansion, where the Independence of the Philippines was  proclaimed on June l2, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo. The first president of the ill-fated Philippine Republic, the General¶s house is now a national shrine featuring mementoes of Aguinaldo.

 by 98 persons. One of the signers was an American, L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery. T he

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 flag was officially raised and the Philippine National Anthem first 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 ninetyeight persons, including an American office, L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery.

Tejeros between Rosario and General Trias was the site of a convention of leading revolutionaries, which included Andres Bonifacio. Markers recall battles at Binakayan and Alapan (where the Filipino flag was first unfurled). Cavite is also synonymous with Tagaytay City, which is situated 688 meters above sea level and which has the  best views of Taal Lake and Volcano. Upon the mountain ridges are picturesque fruit plantations, flower  farms, private gardens, retreat houses and resorts all taking advantage of the city¶s cool, near-alpine climate. Known as The Rock, Corregidor Island was the last stronghold of American and Filipino resistance fighters until their surrender to the Japanese imperial forces in May 1942. The tadpole-shaped island is politically part of Cavite City, not Bataan as commonly assumed. Points of  interest include the Light and Sound Show at Malinta Tunnel, the mortars in the different batteries, Pacific War  Memorial, Spanish Lighthouse, and the new Filipino Heroes Memorial. The province¶s coastline has some fine beaches with world-class resorts, particularly at  Naic and Ternate. Other interesting spots include Spanish-era Fort San Felipe in Cavite City; the Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes Jr. (GBR} Museum of  historical relics in General Trias; and Mount Buntis, where the Bonifacio brothers were executed Jesuit missionaries were active in Cavite during the Spanish era. Testaments to their legacy are the old churches of  Silang and Maragondon, both of which have preserved interiors.