THE DECLARATION

OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE
FILIPINO PEOPLE

Submitted to:
Mrs. Ma. Rosario Tamayo
GEC – RPH Professor

Submitted by:
Aira Kristelle M. Santos
BSN 1-1

1. Who is Emilio Aguinaldo? How did he end up as the leader of the

revolution?
 Emilio Aguinaldo was born to a wealthy mestizo family on March 22, 1869,
in Kawit, Cavite. He was the second to the youngest of the eight children of
Carlos Aguinaldo, who is the town mayor during those times, and Trinidad Famy.
As a young boy, Emilio Aguinaldo went to an elementary school and attended
secondary school at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. However, he had to drop
out before earning his high school diploma when his father passed away in 1883.
Emilio stayed home to assist his mother with the family's agricultural holdings.

In 1894, Andres Bonifacio himself inducted Aguinaldo into the Katipunan, a

secret anti - colonial organization. The Katipunan called for the removal of Spain
from the Philippines by armed force if necessary. Also, in 1895, Aguinaldo made
his first foray into politics with an appointment as Cavite's Capitan municipal.
Meanwhile, Aguinaldo married his first wife, Hilaria Del Rosario.

Alongside the Spanish authorities, Katipuneros were fighting among

themselves. Rivalries emerged between commanders and territories. The
Katipunan was then divided into two councils such as Magdiwang and Magdalo –
that is, those who favored Aguinaldo and those who favored Bonifacio. To settle
the leadership dispute, the Tejeros Convention was established. This assembly of
officials was intended to unite the two factions and elect officers for the
revolutionary government. After a makeshift election, Bonifacio lost to Aguinaldo,
and leadership was turned over to him. Bonifacio was also given the role of
Director of the Interior, but his qualifications were questioned. Under this further
scrutiny, he left the assembly and Aguinaldo took oath as the President on the
following day. On February 6, 1964, the 94-year-old first president of the
Philippines passed away from coronary thrombosis. He left behind a complicated
legacy. Emilio Aguinaldo fought long and hard for Philippine Independence.

2. According to the declaration, how did the Spanish colonization begin?

Spanish conquistadors reached the islands of the Philippines in 1521. They

named the country after King Philip II of Spain in 1543, pressing to colonize the
archipelago despite such setbacks as the 1521 death of Ferdinand Magellan,
killed in battle by Lapu-Lapu's troops on Mactan Island. From 1565 to 1821, the
Viceroyalty of New Spain ruled the Philippines from Mexico City. In 1821, Mexico
became In independent, and Spain's
the latter, when government
Bonifacio died, theinKatipunan
Madrid took direct
was control ofThe
weakened. the
Philippines.
Spanish troops regained Cavite and Aguinaldo was forced to retreat to the
mountains of the Biak-na-Bato. Yet, the Spaniards soon realized that going after
the rebels in their mountain hideout was futile. In exchange for an indemnity,
amnesty, and colonial reform, Aguinaldo and his officers went into exile in Hong
Kong in December 1897.
3. Who were the inspirations of the revolution?

The revolution against Spain was sparked in 1896 after Spanish authorities
discovered the Katipunan, a Filipino revolutionary society plotting against their
colonizers. KKK drew inspiration from Dr. Jose Rizal, whose literary works,
particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, exposed the cruelties of the
Spanish colonizers. Before Katipunan was established, both Bonifacio and Rizal
were part of La Liga Filipina, which is a progressive organization initiated by Rizal
that sought peaceful reforms.

After Rizal’s arrest and deportation to Dapitan, La Liga Filipina dissolved.

This was later replaced by a call for aggressive reforms, put forward and favored
by Bonifacio. Upon hearing of Rizal’s arrest, Bonifacio and his fellows founded the
Katipunan. The anti-colonial secret organization eventually attracted people from
lower and middle classes across the country, enjoining them in an armed revolt
against Spain.

Upon the discovery of the Katipunan, Spanish authorities made several

arrests to identify their members. Bonifacio and his fellows were planning a
nationwide revolt. This led to an event called the Cry of Pugad Lawin, where
revolutionaries took part in a mass tearing of cedulas (community tax certificates),
symbolizing their fight against Spain.

4. What role did the Americans play in the narrative?

In April 1898, the Spanish - American War broke out over Spain’s brutal
suppression of a rebellion in Cuba. The first in a series of decisive U.S. victories
occurred on May 1, 1898, when the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under George Dewey
annihilated the Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines.
From his exile,
He landed Aguinaldo
on May made
19, rallied arrangements with
his revolutionaries, U.S. authorities
and began to return
liberating towns to
south
the Philippines
of Manila. and assist
On June 12, hethe United States
proclaimed in theIndependence
Philippine war against Spain.
and established a
provincial government, of which he subsequently became head.

On August 13, the mock Battle of Manila was staged, and the Americans
kept their promise to keep the Filipinos out after the city passed into their hands.
While the Americans occupied Manila and planned peace negotiations with Spain,
Aguinaldo convened a revolutionary assembly, the Malolos, in September. They
5. Considering the American and Japanese occupations as well as the
current state of the Philippines, how important is the 1898 Declaration of
Independence?

The Spanish - American War eventually changed Philippine History. After

the Americans won the Battle of the Manila Bay in 1898, Aguinaldo returned to
the Philippines with their help and announced the resumption of the revolution
against Spain. After winning several victories against the Spaniards, he declared
Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.

Considering the American and Japanese occupations as well as the

current state our country faces today, the 1898 Declaration of Independence
helped Filipinos to be tough and fearless in numerous aspects. This event also
led us to Democracy, which gave importance to the voice of Filipinos. Through
this, we are free and we can express ourselves freely.

The 1898 Declaration of Independence is considered to be one of the most

treasured milestones in Philippine History. It reminds us of the long dream desired
by Filipinos. Moreover, it reflects the struggles of our country and the sacrifices of
many. Truly, our independence paved the way to the birth of our nation. It is a
great reminder for the sacrifices of the soldiers and heroes who fought for our
motherland. For this, as Filipinos, we should learn to appreciate our roots, which
include our rich culture and tradition. During this time of crisis and some
government issues, let us fight for our rights and be the voice of many. We should
not waste our hard - earned freedom as well as the efforts of our heroes.
 REFERENCES
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emilio-Aguinaldo

https://www.britannica.com/event/Philippine-Revolution