It’s that day again; that historic moment that will forever make its way to our youth’s school textbooks, that significant event that ended Spain’s grip on our forebears for good, that spectacular time when the Philippine flag was waved at the balcony of then-President Emilio Aguinaldo at Kawit, Cavite… that eternal memory etched in history that showed Filipino’s capability for bravery and unswerving patriotism… it’s Independence Day!
However, as time passes by, the former glory of the 12th of June steadily deteriorates, becoming nothing more than a generic holiday where people can rest from work, where teenagers get to hang out somewhere and stuff like that. Independence Day has become your mundane secular “Sabbath” day. In the face of these events, president PNoy has something in mind to remind Filipinos of the wonders of Independence Day.
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President Benigno Aquino III wants Filipinos to be proactive and reflect on how they can contribute to the independence they now enjoy as the country celebrates its 114th Independence Day on Tuesday, Malacañang said on Saturday.
(Source: Link)
Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on the radio some interesting points:
“The President was saying we should go beyond greeting each other a happy independence day… It has to be an empowered Independence Day. It’s not just celebrating it and then forgetting about it the following day because it’s no longer a holiday, but we really have to live it,” Valte said over state-run radio dzRB.
“Everyone has to have an empowered Independence Day so we can be proactive and among ourselves think about how to keep contributing to that independence that we now enjoy,” she added.
The Palace has full of ideas. PNoy himself will lead the Independence Day rites at the Barasoain Church, situated at Malolos, Bulacan. It is at this Church that the First Philippine Republic was recognized.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) is also teeming with ideas to bring more color in this celebration.
In a memorandum to all schools and DepEd offices, Education Secretary Armin Luistro directed all education personnel to “give full support, assistance and cooperation” to activities to be held between May and June in celebration of the country’s independence.
“The DepEd encourages all officials at the national, regional, division and school levels, teachers and students to actively participate in all scheduled activities,” Luistro said in Memorandum 98 issued last week.
Luistro said the Independence Day celebration aims to “reawaken the Filipino people, especially the youth, to their responsibility and patriotic commitment to truly demonstrate the spirit of heroism, patriotism, nationalism, unity and national identity.”
Other events include displaying the Philippine flags on schools, holding discussions about the history of June 12, 1898 and organizing activities like essay writing and public speaking, all to remind Filipinos of “the greatness of the Filipino race” through stories of sacrifice of those who fought for independence.
While the administration’s robustness to keep the people excited about this part of our history may be appreciable to an extent, it’s quite unlikely that the participants, most of which are sure to be students, are 100% willing to participate to begin with. For all we know, most of them would probably frown at the thought of having to work their butts off for a festive celebration of a day that’s so buried in history already. As to the rest, it’s likely that they’ll just shrug off the festivities and get some rest before going back to the workplace, or complain about the traffic that might ensue from the plans the government has in mind.
Now, I don’t have problems with recognizing or celebrating Independence Day, per se (just in case you’re having ideas). However, I must point out a possible, even probable reason for the increasingly bland reception of the Filipino people to June 12. Having to celebrate an event from the very distant past, 114 years ago to be exact, can be quite tiresome because we’re already so detached from it.
Of course there is the exception of hardcore patriots more than eager to get involved in the program, but the time of brave Filipinos wielding vintage rifles and wearing salakot hats is over. The time of revolutionary groups forged on nationalism like the Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) is over. Heck, even the colorful life of Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, is also over, although it is a mandatory inclusion in our educational curriculum.
The reason why Filipinos become more and more indifferent to this event in our history, Independence Day, is because we can relate to it less and less throughout the years. It’s becoming less and less relevant to more important matters, such as our daily lives, for example. Of course the memories encapsulated in June 12 will remain gems of our history, of course they will be studied by future generations, but that’s it. The existence of a strong link that binds our personal lives to our rich history has been blurred to near nonexistence.
Still, I wish the sincere celebrants of Independence Day the best of luck; so that they may keep the flames of history rekindled in their hearts for their sake (talk about cheesy).
These musings of mine about the sad state of the 12th of June led me to think this way: since people are so disconnected from the past, how about we bring the concept of independence to a more personal level? After all, there are lot of things our society is not free from.
How about… independence from drugs? There is a prevailing case of drug abuse in our country. We can try that. How about… independence from smoking? We can take the testimonies of smoking quitters and inspire people with their conviction. There may be more similar suggestions, but I feel that these might not be enough. There is a need for a kind of independence that’s sure to concern every Filipino from all walks of life, even if he’s already free, on the process of being free, or not free at all. Perhaps this calls for a specific concept: independence from the dysfunctions of modern Filipino culture.
How about we celebrate June 12 by declaring ourselves independent from a defunct version of Pinoy Pride, where we claim the achievements of individuals as our own, and then proclaim to the world that we are the best race, damn the others? How about we declare ourselves independent from this parasitic attitude that justifies a Filipino’s incapability to achieve something on his own by arguing that his brethren’s achievement is also his?
Indeed, I’ve pointed out in my pretty old article:
Filipinos with a misplaced pride are no exception, for the reason that their pride is, well, misplaced. Vain Filipinos tend to bash in the skulls of people who point out the flaws in our society, our traditional ills and our misconduct, further revealing how badly mannered a good number of our fellowmen are. Filipinos have bombarded critical thinkers with names such as “nerds,” “geeks,” and “anti-Filipino,” claiming that they’re just jealous of their achievements. I can almost hear them say:
“You’re just jealous because we’ve accomplished so much as a nation. We’re a hardworking race, and we can adapt to any environment. You all go to hell!”
I do not tell you, my dear Filipinos, to abandon your pride in what you have accomplished. I’m simply asking you to put your pride within the context of the situation, for if we look in the bigger picture of things, our individual and collective accomplishments have yet to live up to our vain fantasies.
How about we celebrate Independence Day by declaring ourselves independent from aversion to intellectuals? As I have explained in my previous article, a social cancer discovered by Rizal remains alive today, continuously dividing the laymen from those considered as intellectuals, like the sad scenario between Pilosopo Tasyo and the townspeople in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.
Instead, we laud the charisma of our celebrities, their curious ability to dish out some drama and captivate the Filipino audience into putting them in the intellectual pedestal to our own detriment. Just ask Philippine politics.
They willingly subjugate themselves on the influence of these famous figures, blindly following them around and fastidiously clinging to their promises, without analyzing whether they can really achieve this, given the very little fact that they’re not really politicians in the first place.
Lastly, how about we celebrate Independence Day by declaring ourselves independent from Yellow politics altogether? For more than two decades, the Yellow culture stemming from the historic EDSA I revolution spearheaded by former President Cory Aquino has permeated the Filipino personage, producing the masses who are so enamored with the current administration, despite several in-your-face atrocities committed by our esteemed president, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, including the vindictive impeachment trial of ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona (which is generously explained by several articles in this website), his refusal to sign the bank secrecy waiver despite his campaign promise, and his penchant for being a chatterbox. Isn’t it time for us to start freeing ourselves from this suffocating display of thick-faced hubris? After all this time, shouldn’t we start working our way towards our freedom from the politics of the oligarchy?
Of course, there will be more concepts of independence that may be brought up in the future, but the way I see it, these independences seem most prominent, most relevant, and most pressing. After all, pretty much all of us stood and still stand witness to these prisons: the prison of vanity, the intellectual prison, and what seems to be the biggest prison of our lives; Philippine politics.
Celebrating a personal Independence Day will not warrant a festive aura, or little flags dangling across your community, or organized writing contests, or even a play re-enacting the bravery of our history’s heroes, but at least it will be more personal to each and every one of us. At least, we will be able to relate to such kind of independence, since we worked our way to it ourselves. In a more cynical note, yes, and it will save money.
The way I see it, the best way for us to truly establish a culture of independence, is for us to be independent from the errors of our own culture.
Maligayang paglaya mula sa rehimeng Arroyo na sumira sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan at pandaraya sa eleksyon na ipinroklama siya bilang presidente.
Such freedom you have there inutil maggot. Because you’re abusing it. What are you doing now running around the streets wholly naked? Now look who is corrupt.
Very immature comment you have there, kid. In fact, we’re not still free because we are in the shackles of stupidity and mediocrity. Since you love to blame on someone else, then you don’t deserve to be free because you love to abuse your freedom.
News flash: Gloria is now cleared from the 2004 election cheating charge. Cry hard because you’re overly EMO over her because you always claim that she stole YOUR money w/o any credible evidence. Sarap pala maging IMMATURE, ‘no? 😛
we are free because those who destroyed our country are gone, either jailed, resigned or impeached.
They are still there, Vicenzio. Boxing = impeachment = rigged = luto.
We are not yet free because the likes of you are still having a dysfunctional attitude for smothering this country. Inang bayan herself will stick her duterte finger to you inutil.
@Retard FIshcrap
You still don’t get it do you? Our country fell to mediocrity after marcos left. You are still spouting the same nonsense EVEN after we have bashed your arguments time and again. Grow up you deluded F#*k! Your president’s time in malacanang is going to end soon!
Your English is flawed.
“Some” only… some are jailed or are gone or this or that.
But hang onto your wallet because…. ahem…. your pocket still is being picked by those in power.
@Nutzi Fishball
What! Black propaganda again? Are you saying we gained political independence against the Arroyo regime? Why is she part of the Spanish Occupation? You better prove all your statements or forever be damned as a false historian. Did she destroy the country? How? Is she proven guilty already by you before trial? Prove your statements or be tagged as a non compos mentis.
yes she did. And here are some of her crimes thats making her the most corrupt president after Marcos:
1. NBN ZTE Scandal 2. Millions of bribe money to Congressmen and Governors
(October 2007) 3. Cheating in 2004 Elections (Hello Garci) 4. Joc Joc Bolante Case (Fertilizer Scam, P728 Million) 5. Jose Pidal Bank Account (Unexplained Wealth, P200
Million) 6. Nani Perez Power Plant Deal ($2 Million) 7. Use of Road User’s Tax for
Campaigning 8. Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (Overprice of P532
Million) 9. Juetengate (Illegal Numbers game kickbacks) 10. Extra Judicial Killings 11. Arroyo Moneys in
Germany (Exposed by Senator
Cayetano) 12. General Garcia and Other Military Men 13. Billion Peso Poll Automation contract (P1.3
Billion) 14. Northrail Project($503 Million) 15. Maguindanao Results of
2007 Elections (Zubiri, Bedol) 16. NAIA-3 17. Venable Contract
(Norberto Gonzales) 18. Swine Scam (Exposed by
Atty. Harry Roque) – Details in
this link http:// http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02
/hl/hl107311.htm 19. P432-million fertilizer deal
in 2003 Gold Parties Joaurnalist and former
Ombudsman of the DA
Marlene Esperat was killed
2005. The gunmen were
apprehended and convicted,
but the mastermind was never caught.
@Nutzi Fishball
Your media sources do not indicate that GMA is guilty as charged before trial. Great try at black propaganda yellow zombie. Still the attention nymphomaniac. Prove all the media sources by evidence. None to show? Then put a sock in it kid!
Tsk,tsk fishcrap. Still uttering the same nonsensical yellow crap. FYI, none of those things that you listed down were not even proven and yet you cling to them like it is the gospel truth for you. Your president will FALL and when he does…you will CRY
“…making her the most corrupt president after Marcos…”
So you admit she is not that bad because there is worse. Why not ask your government to go after the worse (Marcos) as you say? OH yeah he is dead. Oh I forgot, Imelda and BongBong are in power too. You people are just looking for scapegoats. Pweh!
Still, these are, as of now, ALLEGATIONS.
Thank you for proving that you are a total MORON who thinks every hearsay and allegation as ‘truth’.
Care to elaborate?
June 14, 2012 minus July 4, 1946 = 114? huh?
You do know there are two “Independence Days” in the Philippines, right? June 12, 1898 and July 4, 1946. The first one is independence from the Spanish, while the second one is from the USA.
Most of the country’s renowned heroes lived in the June 12 Independence Day (and it seems to be more dramatic), and so it’s given more attention than the actual Independence Day (July 4).
I seem to remember in the days of yore it was called Fil American Friendship Day. Can’t remember if we got the day off school for it.
I’ll give ’em this one; after all, if we are going to be sticklers for the date, the US should mark its independence from September 3, 1783.
The day that we see true freedom for this country is the day were everyone will be free from dysfunctional thinking and mediocrity. For yellow trolls, the reign of MEDIOCRITY started when Marcos left.
Applying chronological history… July 4, 1946 should be the recognized independence of the Philippines. I believe the politics of expediency and a false sense of pride by certain politicians led to the present day celebration of independence as June 12, 1898.
Let me explain. The Spanish-American War sent an American fleet under Admiral Dewey to Manila Bay. This resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet and the eventual surrender of the Spanish. Remember the Treaty of Paris? Spain ceded the sovereignty of the Philippine Islands to the United States for a sum of 20 Million dollars. This was recognized under International Law.
The insurgents under Emilio Aguinaldo never acquired sovereignty over the Philippine Islands. Spanish garrisons were never overwhelmed and retained control of the countrysides. No major defeat was inflicted on the Spanish forces by the Philippine insurgents.
When the Philippine-American war broke out. The Philippine forces had no chance against the superior American forces. Emilio Aguinaldo retreated all the way to Palanan, Isabela where he was finally captured. History records Emilio Aguinaldo and many of his followers as accepting US sovereignty over the Philippine Islands. He later ran against Manuel L. Quezon and lost.
Recall the Philippine Independence movement, the laws leading to the final independence ceremonies in the Luneta grandstand. The US flag was lowered and the Philippine flag raised on July 4, 1946. The truth is recorded in both historical facts and International Law.
Indeed. July 4, 1946 is the actual date of the country’s independence. Then again, as I pointed out in my other comment:
“Most of the country’s renowned heroes lived in the June 12 Independence Day (and it seems to be more dramatic), and so it’s given more attention than the actual Independence Day (July 4).”
Many Filipinos have a flair for the dramatic, after all. 🙂
Is there no way of kicking out as fast as we can this demented vindictive and incompetent american lapdog?
@alconce
If telling the truth makes me an “american lapdog” then I deny being one. I served the Republic of the Philippines for many years. I suggest you do selected readings on Philippine History before you make baseless accusations.
@ Der Fuhrer
I believe alconce is referring to President BS Aquino, NOT YOU.
“demented”: the allegations of PNoy’s mental soundness
“vindictive”: just backread GRP
“incompetent”: need I say more?
“american lapdog”: PNoy’s recent state visit to the US
@Christope
I stand corrected. Thank you. My apologies to alconce.
Served the Ph for many years and didnt like the Aquinos? They gave you freedom!
What freedom inutil? Freedom to be malicious and vindictive to those who you think is evil even if the person is innocent? That is so delusional.
I wonder how “free” you really are.
@Nutzi Fishball
I don’t like the Aquinos. They did not give this country freedom. That is the truth. I was an original military volunteer during the one and only EDSA one. We stopped people from killing each other. It was the silent majority that freed themselves. Your Tita Cory was not there when it started. She was hiding. I did not see her, Noynoy or Kris in the areas of Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. Examine the treason and political opportunism of 2 Aquinos…
http://www.josemariasison.org/?p=5114
http://www.josemariasison.org/?p=3225
This “Fishcrap” has continued to display his VERY insane troll logic to the point where he just resorts to lies and pathetic yellow propaganda. Your tricks have not been very effective. Give up now fishcrap, you are only making a bigger fool of yourself by spouting this yellow propaganda nonsense.
And you never realized what is freedom and what is tyranny.
Yes, the Aquinos gave us POLITICAL freedom but robbed our ECONOMIC freedom. The 1987 Constitution is a proof of that.
Empty words and platitudes from Aquino apologists everybody! That is not what the Philippines is about. It’s about the harsh truth that it is now and the missed opportunities this nation has had. And this continued, horrible cycle until everyone finally wakes up and smell reality for what it is really is; not a bunch of rhetoric but what can and needs work.
There are also bitter truths connected to our earlier independence in June 12, 1898. Did not Emilio Aguinaldo later on declare himself as dictator? Does this make him the first Philippine dictator of that era? In the book Bonifacio and the Katipunan by Teodoro Agoncillo tragedy struck the supremo of the Katipunan. Andres Bonifacio and his brother were found guilty of treason to Emilio Aguinaldo. They were sentenced to execution away from public view in the boondocks of Maragondon Cavite. The bodies were never recovered. Was this the first ever recorded political salvaging?
I’m not that well-versed in the history behind the first Independence Day, although I do know that Aguinaldo and Bonifacio were bitter enemies. If I’m not mistaken, there was a conspiracy between Aguinaldo and the US to make him president, and Bonifacio took the blow by being sentenced to death to secure Aguinaldo’s term; Bonifacio was a rival to the seat.
And you’re right, he and his brother Procopio were executed at Maragondon, Cavite. Sources say they were “chopped to pieces,” which is why their bodies were never recovered.
I think it’s about time to rewrite our Independence Day back to the 4th of July. As explained by others, it is the REAL independence day of this country, not June 12. And then perhaps we could truly make this an event of the state, much like how the French do in their July 14/ Bastille Day.
Arche,
I was a bit surprised at first to see why PNoy would be so gung-ho about Independence Day and all, but then I suddenly remember something. It makes sense because he keeps imagining a fight where there isn’t any nowadays.
If there’s one thing that we should be independent from, it’s Pinoy stupidity. 😛
How I wish. The only thing we can do is keep on keepin on. And just have our way with him in this spot in cyberspace.
But there is still a fight against the Arroyo and her allies that destroyed the country, one example is her generals that were corrupt and even one suicided because of humiliations. So there is one person that can be blamed to why we have a dispute in the Spratlys and she is Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Oh blaming the arroyos again eh? Hell, it’s like you are also blaming them and Corona for making Jessica Sanchez sing the US anthem in the Pacquiao-Bradley fight and Pacquiao’s loss yesterday. Is that the best you can do inutil?
I bet he blames GMA when he stubs his toe.
@Nutzi Fishball
Define your terms kid. What fight are you talking about? Many here see it as a scapegoat blame game with persecution, black propaganda, railroading, fabrication, vilification and demonization used against the perceived enemies of BS Aquino. Add the use of the machinery of state and media presstitution. My list is too long. We have a dispute in the Spratly area at present because the former senators during Cory’s time refused to allow the continued stay of the US Bases. We had no external defense capability. The US departed and a power vacuum was created. Hence, the Chinese began their inroads into our territory. You sure know your history liar.
In Japan, fishballs are made from a batter of minced fish and flour. In the Philippines, they’re made of whole flour flavored with fish broth.
That explains the mental condition of this commenter. Puro harina lang, walang karne.
Haha, wanna ask: it is very great to be IMMATURE?
Heh heh. A better way to put it is that he keeps reminding Filipinos to honor Independence Day, when he, together with the Yellows, is the very impediment to our independence. 🙂
Indeed, it’s no longer about freeing ourselves from foreign conquerors. It’s now about freeing ourselves from our own culture.
“The way I see it, the best way for us to truly establish a culture of independence, is for us to be independent from the errors of our own culture.”
Filipinos have a mindset of attaching themselves to successful people. They are easily deceived by self-serving leaders, who uses the terms: Pride; Independence; Bravery; etc…to ensnare some following and to boost their popularity.
Manny Pacquiao just lost a Boxing Match in Las Vegas, Nevada…Look at how the Filipinos are mourning the “Pambansang Kamao”…Telling people, he was robbed from victory by Bradford…It’s like they lost also, maybe in a “bet”.
Independence day is nothing to me. Until our Bill of Rights are not trampled by self-seeking people. And the due Process of Law in our legal system is safeguarded and restored…Never to any Mock Trial again…
Pac won in that fight and you can see it for yourself why. Im still proud to be Filipino because the world knew what is the real result.
It is rigged. Just like one of the Pac-Marquez fight. Spoken like a true Nazi Pnoy.
And why he won? Only because of the cooked result? Such an “analyst” you are inutil. And there goes your pinoy prayd again vincensus ignoramus. It’s Pacquiao’s own goal and achievement not yours.
@Nutzi Fishball
Pac lost in points period. You are proud to be Filipino and are lying through your teeth? Because “the world knew what is the real result.” Are you high on alcohol or drugs?
He might be high on coccaine since only drug users will have that kind of INSANE logic. Hell, I won’t be even surprised if he also sniffs solvent too.
proud to be pinoy if only to be the same nationality as you Kris and your Kuya Noy who pole vaulted over your mom’s corpse straight into Malacanang. Of course it takes the pinoy culture to reward that behavior in the ballot box. PROUD TO BE PINOY!!!!!!
Aquino back with P100B in ‘done dernedeals’
— Inquirer headline, 06/11/2012
“The greatest Filipino president, ever”
—————————————————–
Dear Mr. President:
Continue with your great work. The entire Nation is behind you.
— The Filipino People
He is really an intelligent man that made us free again and doing his brilliant performance as president. Unlike Gloria, she installed a chief justice to protect her from her crimes against the Filipino but now he is gone and her judgment will be according to the law and not according to her.
Intelligent my butt. I have a word for you: noynoying. And what kind of law you’re talking about? Your law?
@Nutzi Fishball
“The Greatest President Ever.” LOL! He was at his finest hour in the Luneta Hostage Crisis. He disappeared for a while and could not be contacted. He refused to take responsibility. He did not make anyone accountable, he did not apologize to the victims and he was seen smiling at the scene of the crime. The Chinese tagged him as the smiling dog. This was just the tip of the iceberg. Remember the blackouts in Mindanao? He blamed the people and even called them spoiled. He reacted late to the flooding in Central Luzon and Mindanao. He was seen partying at the height of the flooding in Mindanao. He was seen smiling while distributing relief goods. He never made his KKKK accountable for their mansions, lifestyle and booboos. The list goes on… Name your own dear readers!
He gave funds to the insurgent rebels (MILF), He didn’t even express sympathy when 18 army personnel died. He single handedly strong armed 188 congressmen to railroad an impeachment. He refused to sign a waiver even if he himself dared corona to sign a waiver. He has provoked the chinese in going to war against us. The list still goes on and on…..
He didn’t gave an apology to the Hong Kong victim relatives of the Manila hostage crisis because he’s busy christening with his “new” ship for our Navy.
Not only did he avoid giving an apology, he
REFUSED to give one, insisting that it was the previous administrations fault. Not only did he refuse to take responsibility for his f*ckups, he downright became insensitive to the victim’s families.
My womanly heart declares independence from my manly body. – Pnoy
Google “Noynoy Gay” . There should be reason enough there for Fishball to refer to Noynoy as Ate instead of Kuya.
and its not june 11 that gloria has put on our minds in holidays.
TROLL.
I mean, it helps in order to extend the weekends if the day of Monday strikes a holiday. You don’t want that? 😛
WASHINGTON D.C. – Filipino-Americans rallied in front of the White House on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to show support for Philippine President Benigno Aquino.
From fighting corruption to facing down China in the Spratly Islands, they say they’re 100% behind the President who was meeting with US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
—————————————————-
Filipinos, here and abroad, are in full support of the work of this great president — BENIGNO S. AQUINO III.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinsa!
America will remain neutral, no matter what the MSM tells us.
@ Nutzi Concerned Citizen
Your brave new world paints BS Aquino as the “great president.” “The Greatest President Ever.” LOL! meeting with the US president is a great accomplishment? That is just routine. Read my lamentations in my last posts. Tell me about the Luneta Hostage Crisis. You are obviously a blind fanatic to the real truth behind Mr. Aquino.
One more thing Nutzi Concerned Citizen… BS never faced down the Chinese flotilla of maritime ships and fishing boats. They are still there. Caught you lying? If ever they leave the area it will be because of General Storms and Heavy Seas not the wannabe Commander Aquino.
So those people that showed up represent 100% of the pinoys abroad. Its so much fun in the Philippines that there are 11 million pinoys abroad since there is no work here. A great country does not have such a grand scale of exodus of their workers. A true concerned citizen would see BS Aquino as the incompetent doofus that he is.
In the meantime, I’m watching a couple of WW2 documentaries about D-day and the battle for Normandy. Filipinos are so lame about June 12 that they argue about the right shade of blue on the flag, and the shape of pockets on rayadillo uniforms.
Oh, and by the way, Yellow Priders are as knowledgable about the 1896-1910 revolution as a gourmet chef in a coal mine. The revolution got rid of Spanish colonial rule, but saddled us with corrupt pinoy pride oligarchs, like that feudal clan in Tarlac.
I wonder… whatever happened to the funds that were supposed to purchase modern rifles for the soldiers of the Katipunan? They never had a chance against the European trained Spanish Infantry. A pity. Seems corruption was already rearing its ugly head during that past era.
According to REAL history, the ORIGINAL Declaration of Independence Day was on that glorious afternoon of June 12, 1898 at the ancestral home of Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite; coinciding with the first unfurling of the Philippine flag, and the premiere performance of the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang. But the Spanish and American government didn’t recognize the event for obvious COLONIAL reasons. FYI, Spain was already losing battles staged against its tyrannical rule by the natives of its other territories as Cuba & Puerto Rico; and its nemesis, The United States of America. If the two western powers did recognize the Philippine Independence, the Spanish could NOT have sold its 3-century-old Southeast Asian territory to the U.S. of A. On the other hand, the Americans could NOT have had the sovereignty over the Pacific islands. After signing the Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American war, the avaricious Spaniards swiftly left the country with 20 MILLION DOLLARS (as bargain sale price for releasing the Philippines), and the imperial Americans took over as the next subjugator to reign over the archipelago. The poor Filipinos who were the genuine residents of the land fought back at the GIs with nothing but bravery and hope. But since the Yankees had more powerful artillery force, Americans colonized the Philippines effortlessly, and from then on managed the country until World War II broke out. Unexpectedly, the Axis-power Japanese conquered the country but lost to the combined forces of Americans and Filipinos. After the liberation, by virtue of the Treaty of Manila, the Americans granted the Filipinos its freedom on the 4th of July, 1946. Afterwards, the date became the Philippine Independence Day until 1964. Upon in-depth deliberation of historians and nationalists, President Diosdado Macapagal (Gloria’s father) signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 designating June 12 as the country’s Independence Day from 1964 up to the present time. So whether you like it or not, by rule of law and by historical significance, June 12 IS the LEGAL and OFFICIAL day of Philippine Independence. 🙂
Nah. Any ten year old kid can “declare” her independence. But until that declaration is RECOGNISED by the big boys and girls, it will mean jack squat. Pinoys can whine all they want about their 1898 could-have-been “independence”, but ultimately it is not a call Pinoys are in any position to have a final say on. 😀
@ benignO
“Nah. Any ten year old kid can “declare†her independence.â€
Sorry, I’m not referring to YOUR juvenile whim to break free from your parents’ house. 🙂
“But until that declaration is RECOGNISED by the big boys and girls, it will mean jack squat.â€
The Filipinos’ Declaration of Independence in 1898 was initially not recognized by Spain nor America. Same thing happened when the Declaration of Independence by Continental Congress of United States in 1776 was completely ignored or NOT RECOGNIZED by the British Parliament and King George III of Great Britain. However, HISTORY tells us that America became INDEPENDENT (like the Philippines); has become the most powerful nation since then; and its declaration has become an inspiration for marginalized people throughout the world. So both Declaration of Independence Day by America and the Philippines were definitely NOT a “jack squat†after all. 🙂
“Pinoys can whine all they want about their 1898 could-have-been ‘independence’…â€
FYI, the Philippine government and millions of Filipinos have been CELEBRATING the legal and official Independence Day every June 12 for many decades now, and so far NO ONE is whining. Except, of course, you and your colleagues or friends or sockpuppets (whichever is appropriate). 🙂
“…but ultimately it is not a call Pinoys are in any position to have a final say on.â€
And whose call? Yours? Your colleagues’ or friends’ or sockpuppets’ call? Please. The Spanish and American governments have been aware for decades now that Filipinos’ legal and official date of Independence Day is June 12, and they respect it. Has there been any representative from the two first world countries that file a formal protest or at least challenged the legality or historicity of June 12 Independence Day? NONE. 🙂
@PrincesaUrduja: Of course you weren’t referring to my “juvenile whim to break free from your parents’ house”. That’s because that quip of mine was a metaphor. Then again Filipinos are quite renowned for being metaphorically-challenged.
And, yes indeed, as you quite accurately observed, the United States went on to become the most powerful nation on the planet — in effect, putting itself in a position to determine who writes history. America went on to defend its sovereignty and strengthen its union with blood spilled by its fighting men who nevertheless achieved military victory. The outcome did so “inspire” these “marginalised” people you speak of. But that inspiration unless transformed into clear and tangible VICTORY in the battlefield that demonstrates a CONVINCING ability to defend what had been won consistently in an enduring manner is what ultimately matters.
Compare that to the Philippines which, on the other hand, merely presumes to re-write history. And unfortunately for countries like the Philippines that fail to be objectively successful at defending — by FORCE if necessary — what it claims to be “rightfully” theirs, there can only be an appeal to a sense of justice amongst its peers that may or may not necessarily translate to heartfelt empathy for their plight — much less tangible support.
In the famous words of John Mason (played by Sean Connery) in that classic film The Rock…
Of course, as you say, the “Spanish and American governments have been aware for decades now that Filipinos’ legal and official date of Independence Day is June 12, and they respect it”. That’s because there really is nothing to gain from depriving an insignificant bunch of volcanic rocks jutting out from the sea between Indonesia and Taiwan their quaint illusion of relevance. Besides, this “legality” in our claim to the June 12 BS of our so-called “independence” is built upon a world order made possible by the victory of allied forces in World War II.
The Philippines remains a “sovereign country” only because vastly more powerful countries allow it to be. As such despite not possessing a military capability of consequence, basketcases like the Philippines get to keep their “independence” — no thanks to its own inherent ability to do so.
Deal with it.
@ benignO
“Of course you weren’t referring to my ‘juvenile whim to break free from your parents’ house’. That’s because that quip of mine was a metaphor.â€
Oh, I’m aware of your “metaphor†alright but your figurative comparison remains to be as small-minded as a “10 year old kidâ€. 🙂
“America went on to defend its sovereignty and strengthen its union with blood spilled by its fighting men who nevertheless achieved military victory.â€
By the way, did you know that prior to American Declaration of Independence in 1776, the American Revolutionary War was NOT yet over until 1783? (Talking about PREMATURE proclamation) And did you know that America’s “military victory†was highly AIDED with ammunition, artillery and other supplies by super powers as France, Netherlands and Spain? No wonder America won. LOL America was fortunate to have dominant friends, wasn’t she? While poor Philippines were almost ganged up by 20-MILLION-DOLLAR-richer Spain and the new-COLONIAL-power America. 🙂
“Compare that to the Philippines which, on the other hand, merely presumes to re-write history.â€
CORRECTION. The Philippines already WROTE its declaration of independence on the pages of history by June 12, 1898. The Americans just REWROTE it to July 14 in 1946. And to rectify this historical BLUNDER, the Filipinos brought it back to its ORIGINAL DATE. Case closed. 🙂
“That’s because there really is nothing to gain from depriving an insignificant bunch of volcanic rocks jutting out from the sea between Indonesia and Taiwan their quaint illusion of relevance.â€
The Philippines is “insignificantâ€? LOL So that’s why first world countries as USA, Japan and China still continue to be the BIGGEST FOREIGN INVESTORS in the country. 🙂
“The Philippines remains a “sovereign country†becomes vastly more powerful countries allow it to be. As such despite not possessing a military capability of consequence, basketcases like the Philippines get to keep their ‘independence’…â€
WRONG. Independence is NOT the cause of its “military capabilityâ€. It is NOT defined as the license for freedom granted by other colonial countries. It is indisputable that any nation has the right and/or privilege to INDEPENDENCE that means freedom from control or influence of other countries, government or state.
By the way, you already said that the declaration of independence NOT RECOGNIZED was just a “jack squatâ€. So why are you still rooting for the NOT-RECOGNIZED American Independence Day? LOL Enough of your ancient COLONIAL MENTALITY. 🙂
Erratum:
Independence is NOT the result or effect of “military capabilityâ€.
Yup America’s War of Independence raged until 1783. But the Philippines’ “war” for “independence” on the other hand was over within the year 1898. Pfft kung baga. You give an A for “effort”. I give a D for results. Ultimately the results are what matter, unfortunately for you. Any nation can make a claim to some foggy notion of an “indisputable” right to the “privilege” of “independence” which you define as “freedom from control or influence of other countries, government or state”. But what separates the men from the boys is an ability to DEFEND that claim. As I mentioned earlier:
You can see how “important” this group of rocks named after a Spanish king is in how a country of just 7-odd million like Singapore attracts vastly more of that foreign investment you salivate over than a 100 million-strong human cesspool like the Philippines.
@ benignO
“Yup America’s War of Independence raged until 1783. But the Philippines’ ‘war’ for ‘independence’ on the other hand was over within the year 1898.â€
FYI, according to REAL history, the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish government was NOT “over within the year 1898†but occurred from 1896 to 1898. So that’s 2 years, not less than 1 as you guessed poorly. And it ended with the truce called Pact of Biak-na-bato, signed by Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera and General Emilio Aguinaldo. Filipinos couldn’t entirely claim triumph but they were also NOT totally defeated. At best, the Filipino-Spanish war was a STALEMATE. And Filipinos could have culminated the revolution to utter victory if the Americans did not conspire with the Spaniards and tricked the Filipinos. So your attempt to undermine the revolutionary significance of the Filipinos only proves your BIAS, if not your IGNORANCE to history. 🙂
“You give an A for “effortâ€. I give a D for results. Ultimately the results are what matter, unfortunately for you.â€
And unfortunately, YOU have NO AUTHORITY in matters of historical assessment. So don’t be too presumptuous that the grade you presented here has any merit at all. The results of Philippine wars against foreigners are NOT for you to judge since you’re obviously BIASED or IGNORANT (whichever you prefer). 🙂
“Any nation can make a claim to some foggy notion of an ‘indisputable’ right to the ‘privilege’ of ‘independence’ which you define as ‘freedom from control or influence of other countries, government or state’.â€
Did you know that the United Nations already filed Resolution No. 1514 a.k.a. “Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoplesâ€? This means through the adoption of General Assembly in 1960, the U.N. has implemented the eradication of COLONIALISM among its member nations so that the colonizers may grant INDEPENDENCE to colonized territories. So are you even AWARE of this HISTORICAL development? I’m pretty sure you’re NOT. 🙂
“But what separates the men from the boys is an ability to DEFEND that claim.â€
History tells us that the Filipinos could definitely DEFEND themselves against foreign intruders without any help from other countries. Unlike the Americans who capitalized on befriending other SUPER POWER BUDDIES (as French, Spanish and Dutch) just to “win†their battles against the British. LOL So when it comes to “fighting your own battlesâ€, Filipinos certainly have MORE BALLS than the Americans. Furthermore, what separates the SMART men from the INTELLECTUALLY INEPT boys is the ability to THINK without BIAS. 🙂
“You can see how ‘important’ this group of rocks named after a Spanish king is in how a country of just 7-odd million like Singapore attracts vastly more of that foreign investment you salivate over than a 100 million-strong human cesspool like the Philippines.â€
Whether Singapore have more investments from foreigners than the Philippines or not, it still does NOT make the Philippines any less significant. And as a matter of FACT, foreigners continue to invest in this country because we have abundant natural resources and competent manpower necessary for economic development. 🙂
“But until that declaration is RECOGNISED by the big boys and girls, it will mean jack squat.â€
Again, let me point out that both Philippine and American Declarations of Independence were NOT RECOGNIZED by their respective colonizers. And yet both became INDEPENDENT nations, regardless of recognition, and NOT at all “jack squat†as your ten-year-old-brain scantily deduced. So why are you just rooting for the colonial Americans and not the Filipinos? One word – BIAS. 🙂
@PrincesaUrduja Just jumping off from what you say here (boldface added by moi for emphasis)…
…leads us to what I did, in fact, write in my equally brilliant article Philippine ‘Independence’ Day on June 12: a desperate claim to a false achievement…
So you see, madam, you and I don’t really differ much in viewpoints. All roads lead to the truth about Philippine “independence”. You just happen to have taken a rather circuitous route down to the very same point I make. 😀
@ benignO
So let me wrap this up for you…
1) You said that the Declaration of Independence NOT RECOGNIZED was a JACK SQUAT. And when I informed you that AMERICAN DOI was NOT RECOGNIZED by British Parliament & King George III of Great Britain, suddenly you dropped your biased opinion like a hot potato. Another classic flip-flopping. LOL
2) Your details on Philippine History were NOT ACCURATE (e.g. Phil. Revolution was over within a year yet it was actually 2 YEARS). Friendly advice – READ HISTORY. You’ll LEARN MORE. I promise. 🙂
3) Your point that the Philippines is not significant was just your biased opinion (as usual) and NOT FACTUAL. Why not give “facts” before you blurt any of your baseless opinions next time? 🙂
4) You said any nation can make a claim to some foggy notion of an “indisputable†right to the “privilege†of “independence” yet the UNITED NATIONS (International Organization of 193 member states that includes USA) said OTHERWISE. LOL
Well, you amused me enough with your non-factual, flip-flopping, biased conjectures. I’ll be surprised if you can give me just 1 accurate fact next time. Happy weekend. 🙂
Believe what you must. That’s your prerogative. It comes down to which one of us provides the more convincing argument. 😀
@Benign0
Nakakatamad kausap itong si PrincesaUrduja. Pinapaikot lang yung issue.
Another useless troll. No one actually learns anything from her posts.
I must say I agree with dude. The “princess” (whether this sobriquet fits the one behind the username is beyond me) has an… interesting way of debating.
And then that debating style quickly dissolves into a bunch of accusations that you somehow “failed” to negate any of her claims while not providing anything new to the current discussion.
Still, debaters of this… calibre, at least they provide some sort of entertainment in our free time.
the national flag in the picture is in the wrong hanging orientation (i.e. blue field should be at the left), unless we’re in a state of war.
but are we? in a state of war? like those sprinters?
1. the flag in the picture is oriented for a state of war. but are we? in a state of war? like those sprinters?
2. you also violated the flag and heraldic code by putting an image overlapping the flag