Philippine History That Should Never Be Forgotten
Bravery is one of the characteristics that our national heroes showed and proved in our history. We will not be able to celebrate the Philippine independence if it weren’t for them. Through the years, some people neglect history and some don’t even remember the important events on how we were able to obtain freedom. What about you? Do you still remember how our national heroes fought for our independence? Let’s take a quick overview.
Overview of Philippine History
Colonization in 1521
It was the year 1521 when the Spanish first arrived in the Philippines—in Cebu specifically. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, discovered the islands. They did not succeed at first so they went back and brought more Spaniards.
They stayed in the country to acquire herbs and spices. Later on, they showed that they want more so they plan to colonize the country through Christianity.
The Rise of La Liga Filipina
Public education was introduced in the Philippines in 1863 however, the curriculum was controlled by the church and it is limited so the sons of the wealthy family were sent to Europe to study. Therefore, nationalism bloomed and they established a propaganda movement.
Through writing, Jose Rizal thought of fighting against the maltreatment of the Spanish colonizers. He produced two powerful political novels, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) in 1887 and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) in 1891. When he returned home, he organized La Liga Filipina. However, Spaniards considered it a threat so they captured Jose Rizal and then executed them in Bagumbayan.
Formation of KKK
After the Spaniards captured Jose Rizal, activists assemble Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio. Members of La Liga Filipina thought that silent revolt would be suppressed by the Spaniards so they joined KKK and its primary goal was to obtain independence from Spain through armed revolution.
It was when the famous line, “Punitin ang sedula” appeared. Filipinos ripped up the documents from Spanish colonizers and began the war in Luzon. Emilio Jacinto, the secretary of the KKK, commanded their troops to continue fighting and show to Spaniards that they want freedom from its abusive government.
Spanish colonizers arrested the remaining members of the KKK however activists resisted the arrest and did not give up on fighting for the freedom of the country.
The Wave of Philippine Flag
Eager to obtain independence, Emilio Aguinaldo fought along with Andres Bonifacio against Spanish colonizers. Aguinaldo gained the full leadership of the revolution and continued his fight for the country. He declared to be the President of the Revolutionary Government.
Aguinaldo contacted Marcela Agoncillo to sew the Philippine Flag. Marcela asked for help from her daughter Lorenza and friend Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of Rizal, to sew the first Philippine Flag in Hongkong which lasted for five days.
After the war against Spanish colonizers, Aguinaldo brought the Philippine flag to Kawit, Cavite then waved it on his window as a sign and proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.
It is heartwarming to know that our National Heroes offered their lives and sacrifices to fight for our freedom. They went through a lot to finally declare independence against colonizers. Do you still know the importance of Philippine Independence? Let me hear it from you.
