READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Authors: Nestor M. Asuncion, Geoffrey Rhoel C. Cruz (2nd Ediiton); BATIS Authors: Jose Victoe Z. Torres (2nd EdiFon)

CHAPTER 7: THE ACT OF THE Historical Background of the Document

DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE In April 1898, the Spanish-American War broke
INDEPENDECE, AMBROSIO RIAZANRES out as a result of US intervention in the Cuban
BAUTISTA War of Independence. The US attacked
Spains’s Pacific Possession, which led to its
Intended Learning Outcomes: involvement in the Philippine Revolution
1. Identify the symbolisms used in the design of Commodore George Dewey sailed from Hong
the Philippine flag. Kong to Manila Bay aboard the USS Olympia
2. Assess the implications of the calls for and led the Asiantic Squadron of the US Navy,
revising the design of the Philippine flag based
on present circumstances. In May 1898, the Battle of Manila Bay ensued.
3. Explain the importance of the Act of the Emilio Aguinaldo decided to return to the
Declaration of Philippine Independence to the Philippines from Hong Kong, bringing with him
grand narrative of Philippine history. the first Philippine flag sewn by Marcel
4. Evaluate the relevance of the document to the Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina
present time. Herbosa.

Background of the Author Upon arriving in Manila, Aguinaldo

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (also known as proceeded to his mansion in Kawit,
“Don Bosyong”) was born December 17, 1830, Cavite, to rally all Filipinos to unite and
in Biñan, Laguna, to Gregorio Enriquez Bautista fight against the Spaniards in the historic
and Silvestra Altamira. He studied Law at the battle cry of the “hour of Liberation.”
University of Santo Tomas and earned his Together with the Americans, the
degree in 1865 at 35 years old. Filipinos assaulted the Spaniards in the
Battle of Manila Bay.
He solicited funds to finance the campaign for
reforms in the Philippines an dbecame a However, the said battle was perceived
member of the La Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de as a mock battle as arrangements were
Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. already made between the Americans
and the Spaniards; the latter would hand
He was arrested and imprisoned at Fort over the Philippines, including Guam and
Santiago by the Spaniards as he was Puerto Rico, to the former. Such
suspected of being involved in the arrangements were already finalized in
Philippine Revolution but managed to the Treaty of Paris in 1898.
defend himself and was eventually
released. After the Battle of Manila Bay, there were still
skirmishes between Filipinos and Spaniards in
He became the first adviser of President Emilio various provinces in the Philippines. The Act of
Aguinaldo in 1898 and contrary to popular Declaration of Philippine Independence (Acta
belief, it was Bautista, and not Aguinaldo, who de la Procalamación de la Independencia del
waved the Philippine flag before the jubilant Pubelo Filipino) written by Bautista had the
crowd during the proclamation of Philippine intention to encourage Filipinos to fight against
independence in Kawit, Cavite. the Spaniards, Aguinaldo formally declared
Philppine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on
On July 14, 1899, he was elected as June 12, 1898.
president of the Philippines in the
Revolutionary Congress in Tarlac and It was symbolically accompanied by the
was later appointed judge of the Court of playing of the Philippine National Anthem
First Instance of Pangasinan. On composed by Julian Felipe with lyrics by
December 4, 1903, at 72 years old, he Jose Palma from his poem Filipinas. At
died from a fatal fall from a horse-drawn the same time, Ambrosio Bautista read
carriage. the Act of Declaration of Philippine
Independence in Spanish. The United
States of America, however, never
recognized this declaration.

Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights or no infringement intended 1

 READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Authors: Nestor M. Asuncion, Geoffrey Rhoel C. Cruz (2nd Ediiton); BATIS Authors: Jose Victoe Z. Torres (2nd EdiFon)

The Acta de la Proclamación 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 document 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.

Disclaimer: I don’t own the rights or no infringement intended 2