History in the making: June 12, 100 years ago<\/p>\n
With most of the Philippines already under Filipino control in
\n1893 (except for the city of Manila), Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo felt
\nthat it was imperative to establish a Philippine government to
\nformally institute Filipino sovereignty.<\/p>\n
On the advice of Ambrosio R. Bautista, Aguinaldo inaugurated
\n\"a dictatorial government\" on May 24, 1898, setting forth June 12
\nof that year as the date of Philippine Independence.<\/p>\n
Commissioned to compose a march for the independence rites was
\nJulian Felipe, whose composition Marcha Filipina Nacional
\n(originally Marcha Filipina Magdalo) was adopted as the official
\nmarch, and later as the national anthem of the Philippines.<\/p>\n
Bautista prepared the Declaration of Independence, which he
\nread at the independence rites in Kawit, Cavite. The event marked
\nthe first time the Philippine flag was hoisted and the first time
\nthe Philippine national anthem was played.<\/p>\n
The first cabinet appointments were announced on July 15,
\n1898: Baldomero Aguinaldo, Secretary of War and Public Works;
\nLeandro Ibana, Secretary of the Interior; Mariano Trias,
\nSecretary of Finance; and Mabini as Secretary of Foreign Affairs
\n(after Cayetano Arellano refused the post).<\/p>\n
Next to be appointed were the 50 delegates of the
\nRevolutionary Congress at Barazoain, Malolos, pursuant to
\nAguinaldo's decrees of June 13 and June 23. Amid euphoric chants
\nof \"Viva!\" and the rhythm of the national anthem, the chief
\nexecutive and the delegates were greeted with pageantry in the
\nstreets of Malolos.<\/p>\n
In its first significant act, the Malolos Congress ratified
\nthe June 12 proclamation of independence on September 29. It also
\nset out to draft what would later be known as the Malolos
\nConstitution (with Felipe Calderon as head of the committee).<\/p>\n
One of its provisions formally separated the affairs of church
\nand state. Following the promulgation of the Constitution on Jan.
\n21, 1899, the Malolos Republic was inaugurated with Aguinaldo as
\npresident and the following as cabinet members: Mabini as
\npresident of the cabinet and secretary of foreign affairs;
\nTeodoro Sandico as secretary of the interior; Baldomero Aguinaldo
\nas secretary of war; Trias as secretary of finance; and Gracio
\nConzaga as secretary of welfare, public instruction, public
\nworks, communications, agriculture, industry and commerce.<\/p>\n
Although American intentions in the Philippines would soon cut
\nshort its existence, the Malolos Republic was eloquent proof that
\nthe Filipino was ready for self-government.<\/p>\n
Written by Tammy Mendoza for The Fookien Times, 1997 Philippines
\nYearbook.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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