Section 5 – Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan, Emilio Aguinaldo

The memoir written by Emilio

Aguinaldo about the revolution which narrates
significant events his life and career from 1928
to 1946 is the focus of this section. It also tells
about his life from his early years up to the
Treaty of Biak-na-Bato.

Intended Learning Outcomes

After studying this section, the learners must have:

1. assessed the characteristic of Aguinaldo’s leadership as written in his memoirs;

2. explained the importance of the Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan to the grand narrative
of the

Philippine history; and

3. evaluated the relevance of the document to the present time.

Topics

 Significant Events in the Life and Career of Emilio Aguinaldo from 1928 to 1946
 Background of the Author and the Document

Learning Resources

 The Memoir of General Emilio Aguinaldo. Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan

 Videos
 Laptop and other gadgets
 Internet and other social media websites
 Activity Sheets

Time Frame: Week 5 (November 8-12, 2021)

Pre-Activity

Instructions: Watch the videos listed below. While watching, take note of significant points
to support your answer to this question: “Who do you think should be considered as the first
President of the Philippines?” Provide supporting evidences for your stand.
Videos:

 Clavio, A. & David, K. (2008, October 30). Case unclosed: “Lihim ng 1897 (The
Secret of 1897).” Retried from http://freedom-republic.blogspot.com/2013/12/case-
unclosed-lihim-ng-1897-secret-of.html
 Meily, M. (2012). El Presidente: The Story of Emilio Aguinaldo and the first
Philippine republic. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9jUe4qc8w0
 Williams, E. (2014). Bonifacio: Ang unang pangulo. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xw0EYgeqM

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Let’s Dig Deeper!

Background of the Author

 Emilio Famy Aguinaldo, Sr. was born on Marh 22, 1869 in Kawit, Cavite. He was
the seventh among the eight children of Carlos Jamir Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy-
Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo’s family was well off since his father was the community’s appointed
gobernadorcillo .

Emilio attended high school at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran but had to stop on
his fourth year because of his father’s death. He then took the responsibility of helping his
mother run their farm. In 1895 at the age of 25, he became Kawit’s first “gobernadorcillo
capitan municipal. ”Aguinaldo became a Freemason during this year, joining the Pilar Lodge
No. 203, Imus, Cavite with the code name “Colon.” He also joined the Katipunan and used
the nom de guerre “Magdalo” in honor of Mary Magdalene.

Aguinaldo would later become the first and youngest president of the country by
being the President of the First Philippine Republic. His presidency was cut short when he
was captured by the American soldiers in Palanan, Isabela where he pledged his loyalty to the
American government thus dissolving the First Republic. He tried to join politics by
challenging Manuel L. Quezon in the 1935 presidential elections but he lost, leading him to
retire from public life. Nevertheless, Aguinaldo continued to serve the government politically
under the succeeding administrations. President Elpidio Quirino appointed him as member of
the Philippine Council of State in 1950.

Emilio Aguinaldo died of coronary thrombosis of February 6, 1964. He was 94 years

old. In his lifetime, he was able to witness the administration of succeeding presidents of the
Philippines until the term of President Diosdado Macapagal.

Historical Background of Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan

Aguinaldo produced the first volume of his memoirs between 1928 and 1946. The
memoirs include accounts from Aguinaldo’s birth and early years until signing of the Biak-
na-bato Treaty in 1897. These were based on various documents such as a diary Aguinaldo
kept, documents he preserved and family lore he personally gathered from his relatives. It
was at the end of 1963 that Aguinaldo after much deliberation, decided to publish his
memoirs. It was translated by Luz Colendrino Bucu, the Secretary of the Graduate School of
Education and faculty member of the University of the East. Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan was
officially released to the public in 1967.
 Nevertheless, it was presumed by Ambeth Ocampo (2017) that a second volume was
also drafted by Aguinaldo, which could have covered the resumption of the Philippine
revolution against Spain and the Philippine-American war. Until now, no one knows whether
it was actually written but Ocampo hints that it might be hidden in a secret compartment,
drawer, or passageway in the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. (Asuncion & Cruz, 2019)

Exercise 2.5.1

The Insider Reading Through the Eyes and Mind of Aguinaldo

Name____________________Course/Yr.Sec._________ Date
submitted______________________

Instructions: Read Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan and summarize the important events
mentioned in the following chapters.

1 Chapter 28: My Bloodiest Fight

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2. Chapter 30: Magdiwang Council Recognized

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3. Chapter 38: My Reelection to the Presidency

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4. Chapter 42: Military Court

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5. Chapter 44: Death of the Bonifacio Brothers

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Exercise 2.5.2
An Open Letter to the First President

Instructions: Write an open letter addressed to Emilio Aguinaldo, the President of the First
Republic. If you were to talk to Aguinaldo what would you, what would you tell him? What
would you ask him?

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Exercise 2.5.3

Assessing the Importance of Primary Sources

in understanding the Grand narrative of Philippine History

Instructions: Give three reasons why Mga Gunita ng Himgsikan is important to the grand
narrative of Philippine history.

1.
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Reference

Aguinaldo, E. (1964). Mga ginita ng himagsikan. Manila, Philippines.

Section 6 – The Act of the Declaration of Philippine of Philippine Independence,

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

The Act of the Declaration of

Philippine Independence is
the focus of this section
authored by Ambrosio
Rianzares Bautista. The
different important aspects of
the actual declaration are
also mentioned like the
waving of the national flag
and the national anthem.
(Read the full text of the Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence. Retrieved from
https://fil.biz.ph>history).

Intended Learning Outcomes

After engaging this section, the learners must have:

1. identified the symbolisms used in the design of the Philippine flag;

2. assessed the implications of the calls for revising the design off the Philippine flag
based

present circumstances;

3. explained the importance of the Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence to

the grand narrative of Philippine history; and

4. evaluated the relevance of the document to the present time.

Topics

 Important Aspects in the Act of the Declaration of Philippine Independence

 Symbolisms in Used in the Design of the Philippine flag
 Background of the Author and the Document
 Provisions of The Ninth Ray Bill

Learning Resources

 The Act of Declaration of the Philippine Independence, by Ambrosio Rianzares

Bautista
 The Ninth Ray Bill (2009) authored by Senator Richard Gordon
 Laptop and other gadgets
 Social Media Websites
 Activity Sheets

Time Frame: Week 5 (November 8-12, 2021)

Pre-Activity

Instructions: The Philippine flag that was unfurled during the proclamation of the Philippine
Independence was designed to symbolize the nationalism and patriotism of the Filipinos who
fought for the country’s independence. Considering the present situation of the Philippines
where new threats to democracy, sovereignty, human rights and civil liberties have emerged,
Design your personal version of the Philippine flag. Explain the symbolisms that you used.

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Let’s Explore!

Instructions: Read and understand the author and the document.

Background of the Author

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (also known as Don Bosyong) was born on December
17, 1830 in Binan, Laguna to Gregorio Enriquez Bautista and Silvestra Altamira. He studies
Law at the University of Sto. Tomas and earned the degree in 1865 (at 35 years old).

He solicited funds to finance the campaign for reforms in the Philippines and became
a member of the La Liga Filipina Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. He was
arrested and imprisoned at Fort Santiago by the Spaniards as he was suspected to be involved
in the Philippine Revolution but managed to defend himself and was eventually released.
 He became the first adviser of President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, and contrary to
popular belief, it was Bautista and not Aguinaldo who waved the Philippine flag before the
jubilant crowd during the proclamation of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite. On July
14, 1899, he was elected as president of the Philippines in the Revolutionary Congress in
Tarlac and was later appointed judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan. He died on
December 4, 1903 (72 years old) from a fatal fall from a horse-drawn carriage.

Background of the Document

In April 1898, the Spanish-American war broke out as a result of U.S. intervention I n
the Cuban War of independence. The U.S. attacked Spain’s Pacific Possession which led to
its involvement in the Philippine Revolution. Commodore George Dewey sailed from Hong
Kong to Manila Bay aboard the USS Olympia and led the Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy.

In May 1898, the Battle of Manila ensued. Emilio Aguinaldo decided to return to the
Philippines from Hong Kong, bringing with him the first Philippine flag sewn by Marcela
Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa. Upon arriving in Manila, Aguinaldo
proceeded to his mansion in Kawit, Cavite to rally all Filipinos to unite and fight against the
Spaniards in the historic battle cry of the “Hour of Liberation.” Together with the Americans,
the Filipinos assaulted the Spaniards in the Battle of Manila Bay. However, the said battle
was perceived to be a mock battle as arrangements were already made between the
Americans and the Spaniards, that the latter would hand over the Philippines including Guam
and Puerto Rico to the former. Such arrangements were already finalized in the Treaty of
Paris in 1898.

After the Battle of Manila Bay, there were still skirmishes between Filipinos and
Spaniards in various provinces in the Philippines. The Act of the Declaration of Philippine
Independence (Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino) written by
Bautista had the intention to encourage Filipinos to fight against the Spaniards. Aguinaldo
formally declared Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. It was
symbolically accompanied by the playing of the Philippine national anthem composed by
Julian Felipe with lyrics by Jose Palma from his poem Filipinas. At the same time, Ambrosio
Bautista read the Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence in Spanish. The United
States of America, however, never recognized the declaration.

The Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino was among the
documents lost during the height of the pilferage of historical documents in the 1990s. The
centennial anniversary of Philippine independence heightened the demand for such
documents in the black market. The document was finally returned to the National Library in
1994 after a professor from the University of the Philippines, Milagros Guerrero, negotiated
for its return. (Asuncion & Cruz, 2019)

Let’s Check!

Exercise 2.6.1

Fact Check

Name__________________________Course/Yr.Sec._______Date submitted
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I. Instructions: The Philippine flag consists different symbolisms. The following are the
features of the Philippine flag. On the space provided, write the meaning of each feature or
symbol.

1. White triangle

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2. Three stars

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3. Eight rays of the sun

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 4. Color: Blue, Red, White

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II. Instructions: Answer the following questions:

1. Who sewed the first flag of the Philippines?

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2. Where was the first flag sewn?

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3. Who composed the national anthem?

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4. What was the source of the lyrics of the national anthem?

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Exercise 2.6.2

The Ninth Ray Proposal. In or Out?

Access and comprehend the readings and videos cited below:

Readings:

 Remitio, R. (2018, June q3). Historians find error in adding 9th ray in PH flag. CNN
Philippines. Retrieved from http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/06/12/ninth-ray-
philippine-flag.html
  Politico.com.ph (2018, June 14). Lumaban rin sila. Chiz wants 9 th ray in PH flag to
honor Muslim heroes. Retrieved from http://politics.com.ph/lumaban-rin-sila-chiz-
wants-9th-rayin-ph-fllag-to-honor-muslim-heroes

Videos:

 ANCs Beyond Politics (018, June 12). Adding ninth ray of sum in PH flag would
‘destroy’ the historical context. Historian. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved from
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/12/8/adding-ninth-ray-of-sun-in-ph-flag-would
destroy-its historical-context-historian
 Senator Richard Gordon Facebook Page. (n.d). Video presentation for the Ninth Ray
Bill. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/senatorgordon/videos/the-ninth-
ray/10155721222387831

Instructions: In 2009 Senator Richard Gordon authored a senate bill proposing the addition
of the “ninth ray” in the Philippine flag known as the “Ninth Ray Bill.” The proposed ray will
symbolize the Muslims who defended the country against the Spaniards. His fellow senator
Chiz Escudero, supported the proposal. However, according to historians, there were
misconceptions on how the public understood the symbolism behind the ‘rays of the sun’ as
well as the ‘three stars’ in the design of the Philippine flag.

Basing on the undying aspiration of the Philippines being united under one flag, and
the relentless efforts of solving the secessionist issue in Muslim Mindanao and the approved
Bangsamoro Organic Law, what is you stand on the proposed ninth ray? Are you In or Out?
In case, the proposal will be adopted, how will you design the new Philippine flag to
accommodate the points raised by the Ninth Ray Bill?

Your Stand: In or Out?

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Your Design of the Philippine Flag (to accommodate the Ninth Ray Bill)

Exercise 2.6.3

Assessing the importance of Primary Sources in Understanding the Grand Narrative of

Philippine History

Instructions: Give three reasons why the Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del
Pueblo Filipino is important in the grand narrative of Philippine history.

1.
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2.
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Suggested Further Readings

Republic Act No. 11054Bangsamoro Organic Law)Retrieved from

https//www.lawphil.net>repacts

References

Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino (Spanish). (n.d.). Retrieved

from http://digitallibrary.ust.edu.ph/cdm/ref/collection/section5/id/136015

Malacanan Palace, (n.d.). Origins of the symbols of our national flag. Retrieved from
http://malacanang.gov.ph/3846-origin-of-the-symbols-of-our-national-flag

National Historical Institute (1997). Documents of the 1898 Declaration of Philippine

Independence. The Malolos Constitution of the First Philippine Republic (pp. 19-23).

Manila National Historical Institute (Proclamation).

Rufo, A. (2008, May 26) Court set to decide on National Library pilferage of historical

Documents. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn-.com/nation/05/26/08

Court-set-decide-national-library-pilferage-historica-documents