RPH, CHAPTER 2: Reading the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

Summary

This video covers a chapter on Philippine history, focusing on the content and contextual analysis of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The speaker discusses the significance of June 12, 1898, when the Philippines declared independence from Spain, ending 333 years of colonization. The video also explores key historical events, including abuses by Spanish authorities, unjust deportations, the execution of national hero José Rizal, and the role of General Emilio Aguinaldo. The symbolic meaning behind the Philippine flag is explained, emphasizing its connection to the Katipunan and the revolution for freedom.

Takeaways

• 📅 The Philippines commemorates its independence annually on June 12, marking its separation from Spain in 1898 after 333 years of colonization.
• 📜 The Proclamation of Philippine Independence describes the establishment of a Democratic and Republican government under Emilio Aguinaldo.
• 🔍 Many Filipinos have not read the Declaration of Independence, which outlines the reasons for the revolution against Spain and the future of the new republic.
• 🔒 Abuses by Spanish authorities, such as arbitrary arrests, harsh treatment, and unjust deportations, were significant reasons behind the revolution.
• 💀 The execution of Dr. José Rizal is highlighted as unjust and done to appease the greed of religious orders, who manipulated the Spanish regime.
• 🏳️ The Declaration also mentions the 1872 Cavite Mutiny, where three Filipino priests were wrongly executed due to religious orders' influence.
• ⚖️ The newly established republic under Aguinaldo's dictatorship aimed to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression and establish a fairer government.
• 🇵🇭 The Philippine flag's symbols include a white triangle for the Katipunan, three stars for Luzon, Panay, and Mindanao, and the sun with eight rays representing provinces that fought against Spain.
• 🇺🇸 The red, white, and blue colors of the flag were inspired by the U.S. flag, symbolizing peace and courage, but ironically, the U.S. colonized the Philippines shortly after.
• 🌍 The Proclamation of Independence marked a crucial step toward national unity, emphasizing the importance of solidarity across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the discussion in the video?

The main topic of the discussion is the content and contextual analysis of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, which was declared on June 12, 1898.

Why is the proclamation of Philippine Independence important in Philippine history?

The proclamation is important because it marked the end of 333 years of Spanish colonization, symbolizing the country's struggle for self-determination and freedom from foreign rule.

Who led the proclamation of Philippine Independence?

General Emilio Aguinaldo led the proclamation of Philippine Independence and became the first president of the newly established Republic.

What were some of the abuses under Spanish rule mentioned in the proclamation?

The abuses included arbitrary arrests, harsh treatment, the killing of prisoners under false pretenses, unjust deportations, and the absence of due process.

What is the significance of the phrase 'government of the people, by the people, for the people' in the context of the proclamation?

This phrase emphasizes the democratic and republican nature of the new Philippine government, where the people choose their representatives and hold political power.

What role did the Guardia Civil play in the abuses under Spanish rule?

The Guardia Civil was responsible for arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment of the Filipino people, often carrying out these actions without any legal basis.

What does the white triangle on the Philippine flag symbolize?

The white triangle on the Philippine flag represents the Katipunan Society, a revolutionary group that fought against Spanish rule.

What do the three stars on the Philippine flag represent?

The three stars represent the three main islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay.

What was the significance of the eight rays of the sun on the Philippine flag?

The eight rays of the sun symbolize the eight provinces—Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, and Batangas—that declared a state of war against Spain.

What was ironic about the colors of the Philippine flag and its relation to the United States?

The colors blue, red, and white of the Philippine flag were inspired by the United States, symbolizing friendship. However, ironically, after the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the Philippines was ceded to the United States for $20 million, and the U.S. colonized the country shortly after.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Introduction to the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

The video begins by welcoming viewers to a lesson on Philippine history, specifically focusing on the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The host discusses how the document is essential in understanding the history of the Philippines, especially its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. It highlights the long period of Spanish colonization and mentions that few people have actually read the proclamation document itself. The video aims to educate viewers on this historical moment, covering the creation of the government under General Emilio Aguinaldo and the transition to a republic after the enactment of the Malolos Constitution.

05:01

🚔 Abuses During the Spanish Colonial Period

This section outlines the injustices suffered by Filipinos under Spanish rule, particularly the arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment by the Guardia Civil. It describes how prisoners were often executed without due process under the pretense of attempted escape. The abuses were carried out with impunity, including unjust deportations initiated by high-ranking officials and religious authorities like Archbishop Friars. These deportations often targeted prominent figures for selfish purposes, without a fair trial.

10:08

⚖️ The Justification for the Revolution Against Spain

This paragraph provides further details about the abuses under the Spanish regime, such as arbitrary arrests without legal basis and the harsh treatment of detainees. It also mentions the killing of prisoners under the guise of escape attempts. The narrative emphasizes the unjust deportations and the absence of due process during this time. These actions justified the Filipino revolution against Spain, showcasing the rampant inequality in law enforcement and the influence of religious authorities.

15:11

📜 Historical Overview of Spanish Occupation and Revolution

This section gives a brief historical overview of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, starting from Magellan's arrival. It highlights the spread of the revolutionary movement across various provinces, leading to the decline of Spanish forces. The success of the revolution, especially after it spread to the Visayas, is credited with ensuring Philippine independence. The execution of José Rizal is discussed, emphasizing the unjust nature of his death, which was orchestrated to appease certain religious factions.

🇵🇭 The Role of Emilio Aguinaldo and the Symbolism of the Philippine Flag

This paragraph shifts focus to the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, describing how he was proclaimed as the leader or dictator of the new Republic of the Philippines. It also explains the symbolism behind the Philippine flag, including the white triangle representing the Katipunan society, the three stars symbolizing Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay, and the sun representing the eight provinces that revolted against Spain. The colors red, blue, and white were inspired by the American flag, symbolizing peace and courage, although the U.S. later colonized the Philippines.

Keywords

💡Proclamation of Philippine Independence

This refers to the declaration of the Philippines' independence from Spain, which was proclaimed on June 12, 1898, in Cavite. It marked the end of 333 years of Spanish colonization, signaling the Filipinos' desire for self-determination. The proclamation is a primary source in Philippine history, explaining the motivations for the revolution and the establishment of a new republic.

💡Emilio Aguinaldo

Emilio Aguinaldo was a Filipino revolutionary leader and the first President of the Philippines. He led the country during the struggle for independence and was the figurehead in the establishment of the first Philippine Republic. The video mentions his role as a 'dictator' in the newly established government and as an 'instrument selected by God' to liberate the Philippines from Spanish rule.

💡Spanish colonization

The Spanish colonization of the Philippines lasted for 333 years, beginning in 1565. It involved control over the local population, including harsh treatment, arbitrary arrests, and forced labor. The video discusses the grievances that led to the Philippine Revolution, such as abuses by the Guardia Civil and the suppression of basic human rights, including the absence of due process.

💡Katipunan

The Katipunan was a revolutionary society that aimed to gain independence from Spain through armed rebellion. Its emblem, a white triangle, is incorporated into the Philippine flag. The video describes how the flag symbolized the ideals of the Katipunan and its significant role in the revolution against Spanish rule.

💡Philippine Revolution

The Philippine Revolution was a movement to overthrow Spanish colonial rule, beginning in 1896. It involved a series of battles across the country, notably in Luzon and the Visayas. The video explains that the revolution spread like 'an electric spark,' leading to Spain's eventual defeat. The proclamation of independence was the culmination of this revolution.

💡Guardia Civil

The Guardia Civil was the Spanish colonial police force in the Philippines, notorious for arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment of the local population. The video highlights their role in perpetuating abuses, such as unlawful detentions and killings under the pretext of prisoners attempting to escape. This oppression contributed to the Filipinos' revolt against Spanish rule.

💡Rizal's execution

Dr. José Rizal was executed by the Spanish on December 30, 1896, for his role in advocating for reform and independence. The video describes his execution as unjust, orchestrated by the Spanish clergy and colonial government to eliminate a prominent revolutionary figure. His death further ignited the revolutionary fervor in the Philippines.

💡Malolos Constitution

The Malolos Constitution, enacted in 1899, established the Philippines as a republic. It was the legal framework for the First Philippine Republic, led by Emilio Aguinaldo. The video mentions that the country formally became a republic a year after the proclamation of independence, underscoring the shift from Spanish rule to self-governance.

💡Cavite Mutiny

The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 was an uprising of Filipino soldiers and laborers against Spanish colonial authorities, which was quickly suppressed. The video references this event, as well as the execution of three priests (Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora) who were falsely accused of involvement. The mutiny is considered a precursor to the larger Philippine Revolution.

💡Treaty of Paris (1898)

The Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War in 1898, with Spain ceding the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. The video points out the irony of the situation: while the Filipinos thought they had gained independence, the U.S. subsequently colonized the Philippines, leading to a new struggle for freedom.

Highlights

The lecture covers the proclamation of Philippine Independence, a primary source document in Philippine history.

Philippine Independence was declared on June 12, 1898, ending 333 years of Spanish colonization.

Very few Filipinos have actually read the document of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, highlighting its significance.

General Emilio Aguinaldo led the declaration, and the newly established government under him was Democratic and Republican.

The Declaration summarized the reasons behind the revolution against Spain and the future of the new republic under Aguinaldo.

Abuses during Spanish rule included arbitrary arrests, harsh treatment, killing of prisoners, unjust deportations, and lack of due process.

The Guardia Civil could arrest individuals without any legal basis, reflecting the arbitrary and brutal practices of the Spanish regime.

The revolution spread quickly across provinces, starting in Luzon and eventually reaching the Visayas, ensuring the success of the independence movement.

The unjust execution of Dr. José Rizal and the Cavite Mutiny of 1872, which led to the execution of the Gomburza, were key events that fueled revolutionary sentiments.

The proclamation acknowledged Emilio Aguinaldo as the supreme leader of the new Philippine nation, selected by God to liberate the people.

The Philippine flag's symbolism: white triangle for the Katipunan, three stars for Luzon, Panay, and Mindanao, and eight rays of the sun for the provinces that declared war against Spain.

The flag’s red, white, and blue colors were adopted from the flag of the United States, although the U.S. later colonized the Philippines after the Treaty of Paris.

The document emphasizes the importance of unity across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in achieving and securing independence.

Despite the Declaration of Independence in 1898, the Philippines was sold to the United States for $20 million through the Treaty of Paris.

The historical significance of the proclamation is tied to the national struggle for sovereignty and identity, which continued beyond Spanish rule.

Transcripts

good day everybody welcome back to our

course readings in Philippine history

and we are still in our chapter 2 which

is all about the content and contextual

analysis of selected primary sources in

Philippine history so what we will

discuss today so we will be discussing

about the uh readings the proclamation

of the Philippine Independence this is

one of the primary sources that we are

going to examine the content and

contextual s chapter okay so let's start

with the reading the proclamation of

Philippine

Independence every year the country or

the Philippines commemorates the

anniversary of the Philippine

Independence proclaimed on June 12th

1989 in the province of Cavit so in that

place the Philippines was

independent from Spain and this event

signaled the the end of 333 years the

Spanish colonization and

333 years of being under Spain and there

was no opportunity to determine

ourselves as a nation because we are

under sus Spain

okay and there have been numerous

studies done on the events leading to

the independence of the country but very

few just like students teachers and

Filipinos in general have actually read

the document of the Declaration of the

Philippine Independence so gay or

limited Declaration of the Philippines

Philippine Independence and that is why

you are watching this video to know know

what happened during the proclamation of

Philippine

Independence Philippines and we are

Filipinos we should really

know we should really know what happened

during the proclamation of the

Philippine

Independence so it tells of the kind

government that was created under

General Emilio aginaldo n describe

proclamation of read proclamation of the

Philippine Independence describe n kind

of government under Emilio

aginaldo we are not Republic no the

Philippines is Democratic and Republican

state and if we say Democratic it is a

government of people by people for the

people and if we say Republican state um

the people choses their repr

representative to

government it only became a

republic Republic a year later when the

malalas Constitution was create was

enacted and the Declaration was a short

2,000w document it summarizes the reason

behind the

reason uh it summarizes the reason

behind the

Revolution against Spain no so the war

for

independence and the future of the new

Republic under Emilio aginaldo so if we

read or understand the document we can

see

the reason behind the

revolution Spanish

and and of course it give the reason for

fighting the independence

Moto so with

this so taking into consideration that

their inhabitants being already wary of

bearing the the ominous UK of Spanish

domination on account of the

arbitrary arrest and harsh treatment

practiced by the Civil guard to the

extent if causing death with with the

Conant and even with the express orders

of their commanders who sometimes went

to the extreme of ordering the shouting

of the prisoners under the pretex that

they were attempting to escape in

violation of the provisions of the

regulation of the crops which abuses

were un unpunished and on account of

unjust deportations especially those

degreed by General Blanco of eminent

personage and of high social position at

the in instigation of Arch Bishop and

Friars interested in keeping them out of

the way for their own selfish and

avaricious purpose

deportations which are quickly brought

about by a method of procedure more

exra

excal that of the Inquisition in which

every Civilized Nation rejects on

account of decision being rendered

without hearing of the person's accus so

we can see at the beginning of the

documents

some uh abuses during the Spanish regim

first is the arbitrary arrest harsh

treatment killing of prisoners under the

pretext and they were attempting to

escape the unjust deportation and the

absence of Jew

process

as arbitrary arrest

so the the guardan Civil can arrest any

person

so without BAS

arrest so for arrest to be legal there

must be a basis there must be a

crime arrest but in the case of Guardia

civil there are many arbitrary

arrests they are arrested anyone even

though there will be no basis for the

arrest time if you are exercising your

right then

consequences but it's different from now

Bill of Rights L next is the harsh

treatment so here um they did not arrest

individual but they also treated them

harshly

arrest then you need to fight for your

life so I torture and other inhuman

treatment harsh

treatment third is killing of the

prisoners under the pretext that they

were attempting to escape

so they just uh they just let them

run

oron if someone

ask are attempting to escape I absense

of

right

okay

next unjust deportations they were just

deported no just like Ral was deported

in the

pan because of his

NOS Andis and the propaganda

movement co-founder at together with haa

and

and lastly absence of due

process because all of those abuses were

no je process just

like process that uh we really need to

hear the both side before decide

law process

sat next is this

one and with this passage it uh it

demonstrates the justification behind

the revolution against Spain so

justification

so

statement justification behind the

revolution against Spain so abuses of

the Civil guard the unequal protection

of the law AAR and read of the clergy

and just deportation without proper

hearing

so

so

abuses

basis an equal protection of the law

if

next is aage and GRE of the

clergy money and

selfish next is unjust deportation

without proper hear

Deport just

like and from here the proclamation

proceeded with a brief historical

overview of the Spanish occupation since

melan's arrival in Bas until the

Philippine Revolution with specific

details about the letter especially uh

after the the PA of Na had collapsed so

how the Spaniard came came to the

Philippines through millons in eventual

Philippine um

Revolution and the spread of the

movement or k like an electric spark

through different towns of provinces

Inon provin ban panga Batangas bulakan

Laguna and morong and the quick decline

of Spanish forces in the same provinces

and the Revolt also reached Messias thus

Independence of the country was ensured

so the K was the first to spread but

what ensured the success of the

Revolution the success of the

Revolution it was when the movement was

spread in Messias we can realize that

the Philippine is composed not only not

only of Lon but also it composed bayas

and Mindanao and if G to insur and

Country we really need to be

United the documents also me ition

results

execution calling it andjust execution

the execution as written document was

done to please the greedy body of Prior

in the in ins

desire uh to seek revenge upon and

interminate all those who who are

support uh who are opposed to other to

their mailian purposes which trampos

upon Penal Code prescribed for Island so

andjust execution of result it was

really an adjust legal basis for

execution of

result execute did he commit a crime but

it was

that to please the greedy body of

prar to please the greedy body of

prar priers to seek revenge and

exterminate all those post to their

Maria purposes or marilan is emphasizes

manipulation and self-interest in

short

dictator next another document was the K

Cavite Mutiny Of 1872 and INF famous

execution of

gorza which is the father Mariano Gomez

buros andto Zamora whose innocent blood

was shed through the intrig of the

so-called religious orders

uh that uh incited the three secular

priest in the said Mutiny because of the

excitement of religious orders uh these

three

uh these three secular priest uh was

accused of cavi mutiny and they were

executed by guote and you will be choke

choke to death no

and the proclamation of the independence

also invokes that the established

Republic would be LED under the

dictatorship of Emilo aginaldo the first

mention was very beginning of the

Proclamation it

stated so in the beginning of the

documentas leader or the dictator was

Don uh

Emilio aginaldo

aam and there was a solemn proclamation

of his

president so we acknowledge approve and

confirm together with the orders that

have been issued there from the

dictatorship established by Don Emilo

agalo we honor as the Supreme Chief this

nation H as Supreme chief of this nation

which this day commences to have life of

its own in the belief that he is the

instrument selected by God

instrument selected by God in spite of

his humble origin to effect the

Redemption of this unfortunate people as

for told by Dr szal in the Magnificent

verses which he composed when he was

preparing to be shut liberating them

from the Yoke of Spanish domination in

punishment of the impunity which with

which their government allowed the

commission of abuses by its um

subordinates

statement and now another detail in the

proclamation that is worth looking as it

is explanation the Philippine flag that

was wave on the same day so the document

explained that the white triangle oh my

God it's triangle H the white triangle

it represents the distinctive emblem of

the famous Katipunan Society so it

symbolizes the uh famous Katipunan

Society and maybe we can impose the

purity of the purpose next is okay

triangle I'm referring to is white

triangle white triangle na okay next is

that three stars so three stars

represents the three principal islands

of the Philippine archipelago lozon

Mindanao and panai so mon lozon

Mindanao and Panay sh Bas is not an

island and the biggest island in Bas is

Panay no next the

sun uh it represents the gantic strides

and the eigh race of the sun symbolizing

the eight provinces of the

Manila Cavit Manila cabit bulakan

Pampanga NOA Isa B

Laguna and Batangas and this eight

provinces declare of state of War sa

Spain and the color blue

red and white no those of the flag of

the United State of North America so

they they

symbolize they they symbolizes the flag

colors of the US of North America little

did we know Treaty of Paris gial

sa

castila America for American for $20

million and ironically after two years

the US colonized us so because we

thought

frienda Isa

palang and the blue the color blue here

and this color red of the flag are often

associated with courage and peace

respectively and lastly while it can

always be argued that symbolic meaning

of something present as several

historical truths that can explain the

subsequent events which unfolded after

the Declaration of Independence on the

12th day of June

1898 so that's the end of our discussion

thank you so much for listening and have

a great

day