109 years ago, on June 12, the Philippines was declared an independent Republic by the country's first Republican president, Emilio Aguinaldo, at Kawit (then Cavite el Viejo), Cavite. This happened after Spain was defeated during the Battle of Manila Bay in the time of the Spanish-American War. However, Philippine independence was recognized by the United States only on July 4, 1946, and from that year until 1961, Independence Day was observed on that date. It was only after that when President Diosdado Macapagal reverted to June 12, which had been observed as Flag Day until that time.
Today, June 12 has become just another holiday for most of us, a day we don't have to work or go to school. Do we even think about what our independence means?
As a country, the Philippines is free from colonial rule and running its own government. However, as individuals, we are sometimes unable to free ourselves from colonial influences. We do not do this consciously. Popular media has ingrained into our mindsets the ideals of Western culture so much that we sometimes fail to appreciate the wonder and beauty of being truly Filipino.
As Filipinos, we should be vigilant of the role media plays in our lives. We should be able to filter what we see and hear so that it does not warp our perception of ourselves as a person and as a race. Of course, we may borrow foreign influences, and respect and appreciate the culture of others, but first of all, we must be proud of ours. To preserve the best of our culture and values, let's not allow our way of thinking be taken over by that which is not our own. Let's keep our own identity so that we may remain truly independent.
courtesy of: http://www.globalpinoy.com/others/independenceday2007.php
What the flag means:
Detail of the sun, according to official sources:
the white triangle stands for equality and fraternity;
the blue field for peace, truth and justice; and
the red field for patriotism and valor.
The eight primary rays of the sun represent the first eight provinces (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac) that sought independence from Spain and were placed under martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
The three stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
this and more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Philippines
Mabuhay and Pilipinas!
(Long live the Philippines!)
"I'm proud to be Filipino!"
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