NAME: Angel E.

Bosita COURSE/SECTION: BS Accountancy - 1A

Allysa M. Medrano

ACTIVITY NO. 2: CONTENT AND CONTEXT ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRIMARY SOURCES

READING MATERIALS:
(3) The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence translated by Sulpicio Guevara

Direction: Create a content analysis of the reading: The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence. Write
your answers in the worksheet below.
Categories
1. Author’s Background Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista was born in Biñan, Laguna, on
(Who is Ambrosio Rianzares December 7, 1830, to Gregorio Bautista and Silvestra Altamira.
Bautista?) Affectionately known as Don Bosyong, he attended preparatory
school in Biñan and later studied law at the Universidad de Santo
Tomas, earning his degree in 1865. He began his legal career in
Manila which offers free legal services to unprivileged clients. At
the outbreak of the revolution, Bautista was arrested and jailed.

He is best known as the author of the Acta de la Proclamación

de Independencia del Pueblo Filipino (Act of Proclamation of
Independence of the Filipino people) and read the declaration
during the June 12, 1898, independence proclamation by General
Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite. He also served as solicitor general of
the revolutionary government. He passed away on December 4,
1903, at the age of 72.

2. Date written or published The Declaration Act of Philippine Independence was written
(What is the occasion for this and proclaimed on June 12, 1898, as an important turn in the
text?) history of the country. It was on that day that General Emilio
Aguinaldo, the leader of forces, formally declared sovereignty and
independence from more than three centuries of Spanish colonial
rule. In Kawit, Cavite, in General Aguinaldo's residence, was where
the declaration took place, in the midst of a throng of
revolutionaries, leaders, and local residents-which incidentally,
rather symbolized public affirmation of national freedom.

The long-suffering people of the Philippines, who had been

forced to endure colonial domination, exploitation, and systemic
abuses for centuries under Spanish rule, were now asserting at this
moment their inherent right to self-governance and sovereignty.
Spanish colonization had already painted the Philippines politically,
economically, and culturally for a very long time. The late 19th
century had almost reached a boiling point with the hatred they
felt toward their colonizers. The Philippine Revolution, which
started in 1896, was a reaction to the long-standing grievances
that the Filipino people had built up against their colonizers over
the years.
3. Media Type (Textual, Visual, The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence is mainly a
Audio, Multimedia) legal textual document, but its importance goes beyond the
written word. The proclamation was a highly symbolic event, with
visual and auditory aspects to boost popular support and national
pride. The Philippine flag, sewn by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza
Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, was flown for the first
time as a striking symbol of independence. Along with this, Julian
Felipe's "Marcha Nacional Filipina" (later renamed "Lupang
Hinirang") was performed to offer a musical depth. The
combination of the text, flag, and anthem resulted in a multimedia
experience that reinforced a cohesive sense of Filipino national
identity and established this event as a watershed moment in the
nation's history.

4. Objective of the author As the person tasked with writing out the Philippine Act of
(What is the author’s purpose Independence in 1898, Bautista was instrumental in its success. In
of writing? What is his order to emphasize the country's desire for autonomy and national
intention?) sovereignty, his main goal was to legally declare the Philippines'
independence and separation from Spanish colonial rule. He
sought to mobilize support for the revolutionary cause and to
express the Filipino people's desire for independence. Additionally,
the legislation gave the fight for independence international
legitimacy, which strengthened Filipinos' sense of solidarity and
national identity.

By explicitly expressing the Filipino people's desire for

independence and self-governance in the Act of Independence, he
hoped to inspire support for the revolutionary cause. He also
aimed to strengthen Filipinos' feeling of solidarity and national
identity by legitimizing the fight for independence both at home
and abroad.

5. Main subject of the The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence basically

document discusses the formal severance of political ties with Spain. It is at
(What does the text tell us the same time a legal and moral declaration of a statement that
about?) articulates the right of the Filipino people to govern themselves.
The document simply justifies the revolution on account of
injustices, abuse, and exploitation suffered under Spanish rule.
Grievances were excessive taxation, polo y servicio or forcing
labor; land dispossession and religious oppression. All these reveal
a multifaceted nature of colonial exploitation that affected
Filipinos socially, economically, and spiritually.

In effect, by recounting these victories of Filipino

revolutionaries against the Spanish forces, the text assumes victory
both in the people's readiness and capacity to govern themselves.
In this paper, such a narrative of independence does not emanate
from weakening Spain but has been achieved through decades of
 planned struggle and revolutionary movement. The paper also
highly considers the fact that the Philippines' independence is self-
declared as the situation of intervention by the outside powers is
intricate.

6. Key topics discussed in the Important social and political developments that influenced
document the struggle for independence are described in the Act of
(What are the social and Declaration of Philippine Independence. Since it gives us the
political events mentioned?) revolutionaries' perspective at the very moment they witnessed
the revolution prevail, this text is extremely important. We can
also review the historical context of our independence due to this
publication.

Key Topics Discussed:

Declaration of Sovereignty
- The declaration of the country’s independence emphasizes
the right to self-governance and separation from Spanish
rule. A vision of a future where Filipinos can live freely and
democratically that represents their rights and identity
were pointed out in the document. The proclamation
declares that the authority of Spain is no longer valid and
condemns the abuses that occurred under Spanish control.

Historical Events
- The long conflict against the colonizers which lasted for
more that three centuries was mentioned in the
document. Filipinos endured various cruel treatment, high
taxes, and forced labor during this period. As nationalism
increased in the late 1800s, figures like Jose Rizal pushed
reform and change. Andres Bonifacio who established the
Katipunan in 1892, and started its mission using violent
conflict to demand independence. Many were motivated
to join the resistance by significant events like Rizal’s
execution. And thousands of Filipinos risked their lives and
freedom during the 1896-1898 revolution in order to gain
independence.

Desire for Unity

- The document emphasizes that everyone, regardless of
background, must cooperate in order to face the
difficulties of Spanish authority. Filipinos are reminded by
this appeal for unity that they can only achieve their
objective of a free and independent Philippines by
standing by one another.

Social/Political Events:
The Battle of Mactan
- The first notable fight against the foreign colonization was
 the battle of Mactan in 1521, where Lapu-Lapu bravely
opposed Ferdinand Magellan’s forces. The proclamation
gave honors to this event as it symbolizes the courage
and determination of Filipino people in the battle, which
exemplifies their glorious history of battling for our
nation’s sovereignty.

Spanish Colonial Rule

- It calls attention to how oppressive Spanish colonial
control was, misused and exploited the Filipino people.
He gave details about how Spanish authorities subjected
Filipinos to various forms of oppression, which includes
arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions. The declaration
also emphasized economic exploitation, which mentioned
the labor and the imposition of heavy taxes that
burdened the Filipino people. Bautista illustrated how
these Spanish’ practices enriched them while
impoverishing the Filipinos.
- The document also pointed out the systematic denial of
rights and freedom of speech, assembly, and the press,
which suppressed any dissent or expression of national
identity. The Philippine Revolution, which was led by
revolutionaries fighting for independence, served as the
model for the declaration. In relation to this, the
significant document served as a rallying cry for unity
among Filipinos against colonial rule, which encouraged a
collective stand for freedom and national sovereignty.

The Three Filipino Friars

- The mention of the GomBurZa—the three Filipino priests
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—
whose death in 1872 became a symbol of sacrifice that
inspired revolt against colonial oppression and a sense of
national identity—is essential to this context. Bautista
used this significant event in Philippine history to describe
how brutal the Spanish colonization was. The execution of
the three friars was seen as a gross injustice that fueled
the nationalist spirit in the hearts of the Filipino in fighting
for the need of reform and independence.

The Philippine Revolution

- In order to honor the heroes of the Philippine revolution
and to promote unity among Filipinos in their fight for
freedom, the Act of Declaration of Philippine
Independence connects the fight to earlier efforts and
points out the bravery and sacrifices of those who rose up
in 1896 as an essential component of the fight against
colonizers. It also promotes the importance of reclaiming
 Filipino identity and rights.

Biak-na-Bato
- An attempt to establish a revolutionary administration
and a move toward self-governance made this a crucial
part of the fight for independence. Biak-na-Bato’s
inclusion in the statement shows the Philippine people’s
will to create a government that really reflects their rights
and preferences as well as their continuous struggle for
full independence.

When taken as a whole, these components show how the

Filipino people have continued to fight for freedom and the shared
goal of a free and just country.

7. Relevance of the document in The Declaration Act of Philippine Independence was, indeed,
Philippine history the most significant act in Philippine history because it was actually
(How important is this the declaration of sovereignty and self-governance of the country,
document?) stating its formal assertion. This was not a legal instrument only; it
was actually all the efforts a nation had to face and overcome
Spanish colonialism, showing all about the revolutionary spirit and
the aspiration of the Filipino people for independence. It is a
historical turning point when, after more than three centuries of
colonization, this country boldly declared its independence even
though it was still under the control of colonizers. Moreover, the
declaration marked the coming out of national consciousness,
wherein, for the first time in their lives, Filipinos officially
recognized themselves as a free and independent nation.

Its importance in Philippine history is that it provided the

country with a legal and moral basis for its right to self-
determination, setting off the ground for succeeding generations
to continue fighting for full sovereignty. Even as the Philippines
came under the American colonial yoke, the Act remained a
constant reminder of the nation's rightful claim to independence. It
has become part of the Filipino national identity that is observed
every June 12 and is known as Independence Day, where the
history of this document continues to be highly relevant as it is
popularly applied to strength, unity, and the drive for liberty.

References:

Alas, P. (December 7, 2021). Tag Archives: Acta de la Proclamacion de independencia del pueblo Filipino.
Philippine News Agency archives. Retrieved from
https://pepealas.wordpress.com/category/provincia-de-la-laguna
Alporha, V. (March 9, 2021). Ambrocio Rianzares Bautista's Declaration of Philippine Independence:
Shownotes. Retrieved from https://www.podkas.org/blog/rianzares-shownotes

Archives, P. N. (n.d.). Today in Philippine History, December 7 1830, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, lawyer and
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's confidante, was born in Binan , Laguna. December Events. Retrieved from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/799/today-in-philippie-history-december-7-1830-
ambrosio-rianzares-bautista-lawyer-and-gen-emilio-aguinaldo-s-confidante-was-born-in-bi-an-
laguna