EXACTLY 124 years ago yesterday, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the nation, read the declaration of independence and unfurled the Philippine flag symbolizing our nation’s freedom from Spain. The event is memorable in history because it severed the umbilical cord that tied Filipinos to 333 years of their colonial past.
Now celebrated as Independence Day, the proclamation in Kawit, Cavite and the first display of the flag remind each and every Filipino of the importance of patriotism and national pride in our life as a nation.
‘In the coming days, it is good to watch and see how the incoming administration will flesh this out in its day-to-day governance.’
At least, every June 12 we may pause from our mostly mundane activities and reflect on inner concerns that define the Philippines as a nation. There will be civic-military parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and speeches from officials in selected venues where actual historical events happened — Rizal Park, Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Pinaglabanan monument, Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, Manila North Cemetery, etc. One of the more important parts of the celebration is the message delivered by the sitting President — now Rodrigo Roa Duterte — from Malacañang Palace.
Duterte said yesterday in his message: “We have shown to the world our collective force and will as a people by compellingly repudiating colonial subjugation. While our path to true freedom has been long and tedious, our forefathers have walked the mile and made us pioneers of republican democracy in Asia.”
The Chief Executive also acknowledged the lessons that could be learned from the past, but also touted the caveat that “there is wisdom to be gained from our present choices, decisions and actions so we can shape a better future for our people.”
Duterte concluded his message with an exhortation to all Filipinos: “In the spirit of patriotism and love of the motherland exemplified by those who came before us, let us come together in unity for the glory and triumph of the Filipino nation.”
We again hear, this time from the outgoing President the magic word “unity,” which has become a mantra for the incoming president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In the coming days, it is good to watch and see how the incoming administration will flesh this out in its day-to-day governance.
