Today (June 12 in the Philippines), we commemorate the 122nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.

The Philippines, the first constitutional republican nation in Southeast Asia, declared independence from Spanish Rule on June 12, 1898 in the town of Kawit, Province of Cavite. The event saw the public reading of the “Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino” (Act of the Declaration of Philippine Independence). It was then read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista to the people in attendance. The declaration is signed by 98 delegates including one from the United States. After the reading, at 4:20 in the afternoon, the unfurling of the National Flag of the Philippines took place followed by the playing of the “Marcha Nacional Filipino” (now the Philippine National Anthem) for the very first time by the San Francisco de Malabon marching Band.

Although this first declaration of independence is short-lived, following the United States annexation of the country, and World War II, this never broke the Filipinos aspirations to be self-governing nation. And this finally came to reality with the signing of the “Treaty of Manila” stating the recognition of full independence of the Philippines to the United States. The event took place on July 4, 1946, 48 years after the first declaration in 1898. Since then, Independence Day is celebrated every July 4th, and June 12th as “National Flag Day”. However, it was later changed by former President Diosdado Macapagal, returning the Independence Day Celebration to June 12, in respect to all of the Filipinos how first fought and sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation’s freedom.

To all my Filipino friends and bronies, may you have a Happy 12th of June. MABUHAY PILIPINAS!