This month on the 12th of June, Filipinos from all over the world celebrate Philippine Independence Day. The day is a commemoration of the declaration of Philippine Independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo at his ancestral home in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. The house still stands today preserved in its original form and serves as a museum that contains important relics of the past.
It was on this same day that the Philippine Flag (made in Hong Kong by Marcella Agoncillo) was unfurled while the Philippine National Anthem was being played by the San Francisco de Malabon Marching Band. We must also be reminded that the original name of “Bayang Magiliw” was “Lupang Hinirang” at the time it was composed by Julian Felipe. Today, a monument of Julian Felipe stands a few kilometres from the gate of Cavite City.
Here in Sydney, Filipinos celebrate Philippine National Day at this time of the year. Flag raising ceremonies are coordinated by the Office of the Philippine Consulate General in various places. One is scheduled outside the Parramatta Town Hall on June 9 at 9:30 a.m. and is jointly sponsored by the Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr. David Borger, MP. Now comes the question: “How relevant is the Philippine National Day Ball?” It has become an annual affair that is hosted by the Philippine Community Council — NSW. It is usually held in the ballroom of a 5-star hotel in Sydney and attended by who’s who in the Filipino community, at least by those willing to pay over $100 for the thinnest slice of beef served with some vegies and noodles. I was told that the cost of the entrance ticket is now $130. No wonder the newly-installed officers of PCC find difficulty in selling the over-priced menu. I was told by the Food & Beverage Director of a Sydney hotel that the actual cost of such a serving does not exceed $50. So where does the rest of the money go? I attended one such celebration and had to stop for a quick bite at Hungry Jack’s on the way home.
But what else is there to see? Nothing much, really. It is an excellent place to be seen (wearing a tuxedo, perhaps) and to be identified with the elite or to have one’s picture taken with political VIPs.
One might even be asked to participate in the “Rigodon de Honor” or wave the Philippine Flag. Well, it is a celebration.
But what is the real significance of Philippine National Day or Philippine Independence Day? I remember from history books that the Philippines was under Hispanic colonial rule for 400 years. There was the Battle of Manila Bay between the Americans and the Spaniards, which the latter lost and paved the way for the Treaty of Paris in 1898. By virtue of the treaty, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States but America recognized Philippine Independence only on July 4, 1946.
It was only in 1964 when President Diosdado Macapagal signed Republic Act 4166, that we started celebrating Independence Day on June 12.
But more than those important dates in history, we celebrate Philippine National Day to honor the many Filipinos who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom against Spain and against Japan during WWII. We must also be reminded of the Filipino soldiers who were members of PEFTOK (Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea) and PHILCAG (Philippine Civic Action Group) who fought in Vietnam.
For me, those Filipino heroes give more meaning to the celebration of Philippine National Day.