This coming June 12, the Philippines will be marking the 114th year celebration of its independence. As the month of June begins, many people and establishments start to display the Philippine Flag as a way to show honor and respect to our national banner. During the Independence Day, a lot of people from different walks of life, participate in nationwide parades. However, the main highlight of this celebration is the police and military parade in Manila, headed by the incumbent president of the Philippines, followed by a speech and a 21-gun salute.

Just to give a little overview regarding the celebration, the Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred 114 years ago on June 12, 1898, making General Emilio Aguinaldo the first president of the Philippine Republic. But the declaration was short-lived as Spain handed over the Philippines to the Americans through the Treaty of Paris by accepting 20 million US dollars. The Americans, on the other hand, did not recognize the Philippine Republic until after the World War II when they declared the Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946. It was the late Pres. Diosdado Macapagal who reverted the date of Independence Day back to June 12 through signing the Republic Act No.4166 on August 4, 1968. Since then, the annual celebration of the Philippine Independence Day was set to June 12, while the 4th of July became Fil-Am Friendship Day.

In commemoration of the Independence Day, we have to bear in mind that the celebration is more than displaying the Philippine flag and/or participating in parades every 12th of June. We, Filipinos, should value the national liberty and freedom with our all hearts and souls. We should observe the Independence Day with a sense of patriotism and nationalism showing importance to our country’s freedom that our great heroes like:

Jose Rizal

Gabriela Silang

Andres Bonifacio

and the rest the Katipuneros had sought and laid down their lives for it.